December 08, 2005
WANT TO SKI? NO SNOW? NO PROBLEM!!
Steve,
I am dying to learn to Nordic Ski and there's plenty of open space around here However, no snow. I can see where conditioning wouldn't be as much of an issue with a lot of mountain yogi running available, but working on ski technique...that seems to be the main challenge.
- John
Dear John,
i have found that, by far, the best method of mimicking nordic skiing on dryland is Inline Skiing. I have dedicated an entire Chapter to this fantastic albeit nearly unknown sport in my book, THE WINTER ATHLETE. The key to finding the right 'timing' of learning how to sync up the poling motion with the skating motion lies, in my opinion, in getting a pair of hard to find;"off road" inline skates. i use the now discontinued (aaargh!) "Coyote" model of RollerBlade skates (see photos below). Next, you need a pair of Dryland Skate Poles which you can find at ReliableRacingSupply.com
the complete outfit will run between $200 - $350 but the gear will last decades.
and, there is not a better Dryland Training activity that develops the midsection and upper and lower bodies so utterly completely. it astounds me that i have spent my whole life doing this sport, and yet, there are only a few of us doing it! there should be entire local, regional, State, National, and World Cup Dryland Nordic competitions!
Here are some images that might help:
Namaste,
the mountain yogi
