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What Is the Difference Between Classic Skiing and Ski Skating?

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Just as the sport of swimming has different styles (i.e. breaststroke, backstroke, freestyle, etc.), cross-country skiing has different techniques that are a matter of preference for the skier. The two main techniques are Classic Skiing and Skate Skiing.

Classic Skiing was, as you probably guessed, the first technique used by cross-country skiers. It is not the technique used to reach the greatest speeds, but it is used by many skiers – especially beginners – on prepared trails that have parallel grooves etched into them. It is easy to learn this technique, but it can take many years to perfect it. The Classic technique bases its style on gliding the skis back and forth on the snow.

The Skate Skiing technique has the skier pushing off from ski to ski in a V-shaped motion, much like ice skating. If you have ice skated or in-line skated before, this technique may be easier for you to pick up than Classic skiing. It can be a more intense aerobic workout than Classic Skiing because of the energy output in pushing off from ski to ski.

Skate Skiing is similar to bicycling in that the skier can use different “gears” depending on the different speeds and terrain the skier will encounter. The five gears are labels for the techniques the skier should use to address steep hills, hill climbing, flats or uphill, flats or downhill and for skiing without using poles.

Next Page: What Equipment Would I Need to Cross-Country Ski?

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