WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SKATING AND CLASSIC CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING?
The 2 best-known nordic skiing sports, classic cross-country skiing and skating are two practices that each have their own specificities. A quick look at the main differences between skating and classic cross-country skiing.
Cross-country skiing and skating: two very different techniques
The main difference between skating and classic cross-country skiing is the gliding technique. So the skill of one will certainly help you with balance and coordination, but you will have to lose all the reflexes associated with your preferred practice to be able to acquire good technique in your new activity.
The skating technique
To move in skating, we use the skater's step. Why this name? Well simply because the gesture resembles that performed when skating. The push is done while sliding and requires a perfect balance whether it is to perform the movement or to maintain the slide forward. The arms are also very busy. To adapt to different types of terrain, the skating step is declined in uphill steps (one plants one's pole forward and performs a skating step on each foot before planting one's other pole), in one-step (one leg movement for one arm movement) and the two-step, which requires, as for it, one arm push for two leg pushes. Skating is said to be more physical than classic cross-country skiing.
The classic cross-country skiing technique
To move in classic cross-country skiing, you need to keep your skis parallel. For propulsion, the legs will support the weight of the body one after the other to allow the sequence of impulse and gliding phases with an accompanying pendulum movement of the arms. This technique is called the "diagonal stride" and it is not uncommon to refer to classic cross-country skiing with the term "alternative" skiing. On downhill runs, classic cross-country skiing can also be done with simultaneous pushing: the two skis remain parallel and the coordinated action of the arms ensures that the speed is maintained. Classic cross-country skiing is the ideal sport for long outings at a measured or sustained pace.
Different terrain for skating and classic cross-country skiing
Another difference between these two variations of cross-country skiing is the type of terrain on which they are practiced. While the skater's step and the diagonal stride will both allow you to tackle all the gradients of cross-country ski tracks, skating will offer you more freedom as you can practice it on any track as long as it is groomed. For classic cross-country skiing, you will also need groomed snow, but you will have to glide in the parallel tracks made for this purpose.
In terms of equipment too there are differences!
Who says technical divergences, says dedicated equipment!
Differences between skating skis and classic cross-country skis
- Skating: on average 15 cm taller than the skier, these skis focus all on speed and propulsion and therefore have no anti-backwards area on the sole.
- Classic cross-country skiing: the skis need to be about 30 cm taller than your height to get the right length. To ensure the inertia of the legs when they are immobilised, the soles of classic skis have an anti-backwards zone with scales or to which skins can be attached or grip wax added.
Differences between poles
- Skating: skating poles are, in general, 20-25 cm shorter than the skier. They should reach the level of the earlobe. To determine the correct height of skating ski poles, multiply the height of the skier by 0.89.
- Classic cross-country skiing: the poles are shorter than for skating and are about 30 cm shorter than the skier to get to shoulder height. To calculate the correct size of classic poles, multiply the skier's height by 0.83.
Differences between cross-country ski boots
- Skating: they are stiffer than cross-country ski boots. They are called "high shaft" and combine ankle support and sole rigidity.
- Classic cross-country skiing: "low-shaft" boots have a flexible sole to allow perfect foot movement and insist on lateral support.
GOOD TO KNOW: HYBRID EQUIPMENT IS POSSIBLE!
If you can't decide between skating and classic cross-country skiing, hybrid skis and boots are already available. On the other hand, it will be necessary to invest in a pair of poles for each of these disciplines.
Whether you're a diagonal stride or skater's step skier, the common thread between skating and classic cross-country skiing is that they will each allow you to have fun on the slopes!
THE 3 KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER ABOUT THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SKATING AND CLASSIC CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING:
- The main difference between skating and classic cross-country skiing is the technique.
- There are hybrid skis and boots for those who can't decide between the two disciplines.
- It's not just the skis that are different, the poles and boots are too.