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NORDIC

What is the Sport

The main feature that distinguishes nordic skiing from alpine skiing is that the boot is only attached to the ski by the toe leaving the heel free. There are two basic techniques: classic where the skis run parallel and wax or a patterned base in the centre of the ski allow progress up and down hill; or skate where a skating action replaces the need for a grip wax.

You can go skiing virtually anywhere there is snow from local parks, through forest trails or onto the higher mountains.

Nordic skiing has several disciplines, including:


• Cross-country - Track Skiing - This may be skiing on prepared tracks on lightweight skis and boots using either classic or free (skate) techniques. Can be recreational or competitive.

• Cross-country - Ski Touring - Can be "light touring", "hill touring" or "mountain touring" depending on where you go and what equipment you use. "Skins" are used for steeper hills and there is a transition to Nordic Ski Mountaineering.

• Ski Orienteering - Orienteering on skis.

• Rollerskiing - A non-snow skiing activity that is used by recreational and competitive skiers. Several rollerski races are organised in Scotland each summer and form part of the British Rollerski Series

• Telemarking - A region in Norway gave its name to this style of downhill turn that is only possible with "free-heel" equipment. Officially classified as an alpine discipline it is an area of cross-over between alpine and nordic skiers.

• Biathlon - Competition that combines skiing and rifle shooting. Has its own governing body the British Biathlon Union.

• Skijøring - Skiing while being towed by a dog


Brief history of the sport

Skiing has a long history stretching back over 4,500 years. Nordic skiing is the original form of skiing with its roots in Scandinavia and has developed from its original practical purpose of travel over snowy terrain into a major recreational and competitive sport. The early Polar explorers, such as Nansen's crossing of Greenland in 1888, brought skiing to the notice of the wider world and it was introduced to Scotland in the 1890's by members of the Scottish Mountaineering Club.

Facilities and Equipment required

There is great variety in nordic ski equipment from very narrow, lightweight racing skis for use on prepared trails through to heavier, metal-edged skis for use mountain touring or telemark skiing There are a number of facilities in Scotland for Nordic skiing including The Clashindarroch Forest Ski Trails which are regularly groomed for both classic and skate techniques and the 25km of trails typically have 40 skiable days each winter. Clashindarroch ski conditions
The trails are maintained by Huntly Nordic & Outdoor Centre (HNOC) and Huntly Nordic Ski Club (HNSC) in partnership with the Forestry Commission.
Huntly Nordic & Outdoor Centre in Aberdeenshire has 400m of artificial ski track and an 800m rollerski track, the only such facility in the country. They run cross-country ski courses at the centre or on the Clashindarroch trails . There is also a rollerski track at Glenmore lodge, Aviemore,access should be arranged through Cairngorm Biathlon & Nordic Ski Club (CBNSC).

Benefits of participation

Although cross-country skiing is one of the most physically challenging sports, anyone can participate, young and old, you only need a reasonable level of walking fitness. The basic skills are quickly learnt but take longer to master. Participants appreciate the outdoors and fresh air

Start the Sport

There are several specialist nordic ski clubs affiliated to Snowsport Scotland They are your best source of more information about the sport and will be able to advise on the best places to ski. You can check out the following web sites for snow conditions at home and abroad


Start Competing

Where to start

Both HNSC and Cairngorm Biathlon & Nordic Ski Club (CBNSC) have large and active junior memberships.

HNSC and HNOC jointly run a Junior Development Squad in Huntly. There is currently no Scottish cross-country ski squad. Talented juniors progress to the British Nordic Development Squad (BNDS) run by Snowsport GB and ultimately will progress to the British senior squad.

Register as a competitor

Register Here.

Enter a race

There is an Snowsport Scotland Committee that co-ordinates and advertises nordic ski events in Scotland. They put news of events and snow conditions at http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/nordicscotland/ and this also acts as a forum for nordic skiers In recent years telemark and mountain touring orientated festivals have been organised at both the Glenshee and Cairngorm ski centres

What's the standard

Nordic events attract everyone from beginner to athlete, there is a place for everyone in the sport..