Common Classic Skiing Errors and How to Correct Them - If there are questions you have on classic ski technique write to me at knicol@swgc.mun.ca

These tips are sponsored by these national and international sponsors:  Infinity Ski Poles, Backcountry Access, Toko Ski Waxes, Rossignol.   I thank them for their assistance.                   

My qualifications include: Level 4 CANSI Trail Instructor, Level 3 CANSI Telemark Instructor, Level 3 CSIA Alpine Instructor and Level 2 CAA ( Canadian Avalanche Assoc. Certification). At the present time I hold the highest overall CANSI certification in Canada. I have taught in the largest Masters Camp in Canada at Silver Star, B.C. and have helped thousands of skiers from beginner to expert improve their nordic skiing. As well I have been on 4 Canadian INTERSKI Nordic Skiing Demo Teams and run the Winter Outdoor Pursuits Programme at SWGC.  Check out the Links above to find CANSI's, INTERSKI's  and related WEB sites.

NOTE: The MPEG videos are fairly large, and are best viewed on computers on campus.  The MPEG video may appear to be choppy if watching from home. If you would like to watch the video on your home machine, try watching the WMV version.

In the left hand photo I am poling with my pole almost straight up and down. This is a common poling position for many beginners but it leads to big timing problems among other things. Think about punching your arm straight through and then keeping the pole angled back, simply plant it and then push the pole past your body as shown in photo 2. To isolate the poling motion I have students keep their feet together to let them work on improving their poling on its own. Simply pole down the track as shown in the right hand photo to refine correct poling action.

Many beginning skiers do the 'shuffle' as shown in photo 1. They are very upright and poles are used mainly for balance. Shuffling is fine, I do it at the end of a long day or when talking to a slower skier as we ski along. But the beauty of classic skiing is kick and GLIDE with emphasis on the word glide. To ski is to glide so why not try pushing off strongly with the back foot as seen in photo 2. Also try leaning the upper body more forward and use your poles for propulsion and not balance. By skiing from ski to ski you also correctly activate the camber of the ski which allows you to set the wax and then push off. Shuffling along will not allow you to set the wax and often this results in back slip and frustration. So try gliding instead of shuffling and your skiing will improve immediately. To improve balance while gliding try the "Learning to Balance" drills on the Nordic Classic page.

In the left hand image I am doing what I call the 'floater' pole plant in double poling. It is common amongst many beginning classic skiers and it really throws off the timing for the double pole. Instead of tossing the baskets of the pole toward your tips - plant by your bindings as shown in photo 2. With your poles angled slightly back you can then get your torso leaning forward to help initiate the double poling action. Then keep your legs relatively straight and flex at the hips pushing your poles behind you. See the Advance your double poling  tip on the nordic classic page.

Some people finish their double pole as if they are heading to the outhouse -- rear end out with knees bent and hands clutching their poles - see the left photo. Instead think about keeping your legs relatively straight and extend your hands well past your hips as shown in photo 2. Bending your legs absorbs  power and simply slows you down. So think straighter legs and finish poling well past your hips to improve your double pole. 

Some skiers lift their leg prematurely as shown in the left hand photo. Instructors call this 'bicycling' and it leads to a very short kicking action. Instead think about keeping your leg on the snow for a longer period of time until it lifts off automatically. Note the straight line between my leg and torso in the right hand image. So think about kicking back but leave your foot on the snow as long as possible for the best kick.

Try dropping your poles, especially early in the season and practice the diagonal stride action. Push off strongly as shown in the first 2 images and then glide as long as possible as shown in the final image. It helps to lean forward and glide on a relatively straight leg. As you slow down push off  with the opposite leg and glide as far as you can on your new glide leg. The more you practice skiing without poles the better you will become. See other drills No Pole drills on the Nordic Classic Page.