People of all ages and physical strength can become easily adherents of this sport, since it is not as extreme as the alpine skiing but requires endurance of the muscles and in execution it burns most calories per hour.

In cross-country skiing there are three basic techniques - classical, skating, and telemark technique.

Classical Technique
Typical for this technique is the diagonal stride; skiers execute it while their skis remain parallel to each other. What you have to do is to plant the ski pole in the snow and glide your ski forward. Pull on the ski pole to pick up pace and after that pull it out. Repeat these steps on the other side of the body. Since each cross-country skiing technique requires specific kind of equipment, for the classical technique you need long, light in weight ant thin skis.

Skating Technique
The skating technique resembles very much ice skating and its movements make this method faster than the classical technique, especially if the skier maintains a good pace in kicking and gliding. It is necessary that the snow surface is smooth and firm. How is actually the skating technique performed? You just have to use your inner edge of the ski and push outward. Regarding the ski equipment, to perform this technique you need long ski poles, short skis and ski boots that tighten up well the ankles.

Telemark Technique
This technique actually represents the ski discipline telemark skiing. As far as cross-country skiing is concerned, the telemark technique helps you to go downhill in off-piste cross-country terrains. Regarding the equipment, the skis in cross-country skiing are long (approximately 2 meters) and thin (about 5 centimeters) in order to allow the skier to move fast. Anyway, it is good to try several models and brands of skis until you find the type with appropriate height and weight for you. Usually, in cross-country skiing are used ski poles, made of some light material like fiberglass or aluminum; in length they have to reach the skiers chin. They have a plastic disc (called basket) in the end to prevent the pole from sinking too deeply into snow and a spike to put the pole into a pivot when penetrating a hard surface. Finally, the boots that you need are made of strong leather and have thick soles. The ski bindings connect the shoe toes to the ski, but the heel remains free. The most popular cross-country competition events are the Winter Olympics, the FIS World Cup races and the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships. The races are of different types and lengths, including biathlon, which features cross-country skiing and target shooting with a rifle. Ski marathons are also organized, such as the American Birkebeiner in the USA, Vasaloppet in Sweden or Birkebeineren in Norway.