Summer Nordic Skiing on Rollerskis
The Perfect Nordic Skiing Off-Season Training Device
What on earth do Nordic skiers (a.k.a. cross-country skiers) do in the summertime?
Some, like three-time Olympian Dorcas Wonsavage (pronounced Von-savage), keep right on cross-country skiing. They just do it on something called rollerskis.
"This is the primary way competitive cross-country skiers train during summer," says Dorcas, who now competes in women's Masters races and works as the Team Director for Alpina Sports USA & Canada.
Okay - so what are Nordic rollerskis? In essence it's a board about 30 inches long. A Nordic ski binding is mounted on top, and one wheel is mounted on each end. You ski on these gizmos just like you ski on cross-country skis, wearing regular Nordic ski boots.
"There two types, just like in snow skiing" Dorcas explains. "Skate rollerskis and classic rollerskis."
The difference? Classic rollerskis utilize wheels made of a softer material that ratchet so they only roll forward. "This," says Dorcas, "simulates kick wax for snow skis, and the wheels are a softer material makes for smoother rolling."
Skate rollerskis have wheels made of harder material that roll in both directions. Dorcas explains that the "wheels are harder density because the action of the skating kick causes the wheel to wear into a cone shape; this gives them longer life."
There are three major makers of rollerskis. V2:, Pro-Ski, and Marwe. Most folks buy them on-line or by catalog, although a few retailers do carry them.
Now, if you're a novice Nordic skier, or have never tried it but always wanted to, before you run out and buy a pair of these, wait. Wonsavage says it's actually harder to learn Nordic skiing on rollerskis than on snow because: a) pavement tends to be more uneven than snow; b) you're "skiing" about two inches above these ground, which changes the feel and dynamic; and c), that all makes it rather intimidating for a novice.
Veteran Nordic skiers who use always them wear helmets and gloves (falling on pavement can scrape up those hands big time). As to poles, some use regular cross-country poles, but most prefer aluminum shaft poles because they're less likely to break if you fall.
No matter what brand you use, or what type of pole, these devices make a great training aid. As Drocas points out, "You can do specialty training of all kinds. No poles for a lower body workout, arms-only for the upper body, speed training, interval training or distance work-all with same the techniques you use on snow. And, all low-impact."
Better still, she says, "It eliminates to a great extent the necessary trips to the southern hemisphere or [Europe's] Dachstein Glacier" to train.
Not that we average Joes are heading to South America, New Zealand or the Alps just to stay in shape by Nordic skiing-but it's good to know there's we wintersports enthusiasts have another off-season training option.
An athletic person who's willing to give Nordic rollerskiing a go can pick it up in a couple of hours, according to Dorcas.
No sooner had she said that than she strapped on her boards and rollerskied away, disappearing down the pavement.
