Cross-country skiing through the winter slump

Snow got you slipping? Earlier we covered one cross-training suggestion to keep yourself sane while the snow piles up: snowshoeing. But for those who like moving a bit quicker, another awesome winter fitness option is cross-country skiing.

Runners like to talk smack about how fit they are, and for the most part it’s true. Running is an awesome cardiovascular workout, but at the lowest end of the heart rate scale there’s one sport that always really stands out. Comparing fitness between sports can get tricky, but the lists of athletes with some of the lowest heart rates ever recorded skews pretty heavily towards cross-country skiers.

Cross-country skiing is a full body workout, something which isn’t present in many other aerobic workouts. You’re required to use your arms and legs to get up hills, something which is naturally included in most of the trails you’ll find, though the activity isn’t completely different from running. On flat, groomed trails, the motion is almost the same, but try skating up a hill and you’ll very quickly feel your heart rate skyrocket, more so than running up hills.

It may not be an activity as accessible as running – it will cost a few hundred dollars to get the equipment straightened out – but once you’re over the initial investment the costs are aren’t bad. Most large urban areas have parks which are free to access and ski in. There are also designated parks with cut trails. Some of the trails specific for skiing will cost you a few dollars, but rarely more than $15.

Also, similar to running, cross-country skiing is a great way to beat the cold. Getting your heart pumping as hard as it needs to while out skiing, you’re more likely to find yourself wishing you’d worn less while out on the trails.

So, though you may be eagerly waiting for the snow to melt from Canada’s cities so you can get some mileage in without worry too much about sliding around on the ice, there is a great alternative to take advantage of Canada’s wonderful winters.