Cross Country Ski Instruction

JANUARY 18: This class has been CANCELED due to poor snow conditions. This class will take place January 23, 25, 30 and February 1, 1:00-3:00p.m., starting at the MECCA Trails warming cabin, with Chad McGrath.

At the conclusion of this course, students will understand the basics of both diagonal stride and skate style skiing, as regards both technique and equipment.  They will be able to stand comfortably on skis, compress each ski and grip the snow, kick off and then repeat with the opposite leg. They will be able to glide forward on the gliding ski after their kick, maintaining balance, as they shift their weight forward over the gliding ski. They will be able to engage their poles at the proper time/angle and push, assisting forward movement.

You will learn:

• how to attach/wear boots, skis and poles,
• how to dress
• the different types of Nordic skiing
• how to stand up with skis on if (when!) you fall
• how to grip the snow with your ski and kick forward with and without poles
• how to glide on your skis in and out of the track
• how to shift your weight forward after you kick to maximize forward momentum
• how to push with your poles to further assist with forward motion and speed
• how to use your ski edges (edging) to stop and turn
• how to use the herringbone technique to climb a small hill
• how to use the sidestep technique to climb a steeper hill
• how to use the snowplow technique to slow down going down a hill
• how to use skate ski technique down small hill

Requirements:  Students should have been on skis before. They should have the basic ability to balance: ability stand on one foot for at least 5 seconds. They should also be able to fall onto snow from a standing still position without undue worry about injury.

Ski requirements: Students need to either bring their own skis, or rent skis through FeU for $20 (pay at registration, below).

Instructor: Chad McGrath

Offline Registration: Download PDF Registration Form, complete and mail in with payment.

Registration Questions? Contact us or call (715) 892-3982 or (715) 476-2881.

Registration Issues/Troubleshooting: If you are registering with one email address for two or more people, please register each person individually (i.e. do not register all at once, but add students one at a time to checkout). If you continue to have difficulty or have another question, please contact us.

Cancellation Notice: Students are encouraged to sign up at least two weeks before the beginning of any Fe University class. Classes with less than 4 students 2 weeks before the start date may be cancelled at instructor/FeU discretion. If you’re interested in a class, please sign up early! Thank you.

We thank MECCA for letting us use their cabin and trails once again! Click here to find out more about MECCA Ski Trails.