Descents in cross-country skiing are less steep than in alpine skiing. They can, however, be intimidating for beginners who may dread a potential fall. By adopting the right techniques, you can build confidence quickly and fully enjoy those adrenaline-fuelled moments. Whether you ski classic style or skating, here's everything you need to know to descend in cross-country skiing.
Key takeaways:
- To descend in cross-country skiing, lower your centre of gravity, lean your upper body forward, and keep your gaze on the horizon.
- It is possible to step out of the cross-country skiing tracks to adopt a snowplough position.
- To turn in classic style, the outer foot steps forward to guide the skier.
- When turning in skating, the inner ski helps the skier stay on the track while the outer ski helps execute the turn.
The correct posture for descending in cross-country skiing
When you've just started cross-country skiing, descents can feel daunting. The first time, your body will likely tense up. As you pick up speed or approach a bend, you may freeze and stiffen. That posture, however, is the surest way to fall.
When descending in cross-country skiing, we recommend adopting a relaxed and stable stance. Bend your knees to lower your centre of gravity — this will help you better absorb uneven terrain. To maintain your balance, shift your weight slightly onto your toes and lean your upper body gently forward. Finally, fix your gaze on the horizon to better anticipate turns and adjust your line.
If you feel you're picking up too much speed on a descent, you need to learn how to brake in cross-country skiing. While skidding is an option, the most common technique for beginners is the snowplough. This involves bringing the tips of your skis together and spreading your heels apart to form a V shape. Again, knees should be bent. The wider you spread your heels, the more you slow down.
You can use your poles in several ways on a descent. On gentle slopes, they can help you stabilise. On steeper slopes, we suggest lifting them slightly or keeping them parallel to the ground. This will prevent them from digging into the snow and throwing you off balance.
Downhill in classic style
If you ski classic style, you'll be moving along tracks. Once you've put on your cross-country skiing outfit and collected your kit, you'll discover a trail marked by two parallel preformed grooves.
When coming down a gentle slope, stay in the tracks and follow the trail normally. If the slope is steeper and you're picking up too much speed, we recommend stepping out of the tracks. You can then adopt a snowplough position and control your speed.
The position to adopt in turns is slightly different. When turning on a descent, you need to move the outer foot slightly forward and press on it while rotating your shoulders towards the desired direction. Also make sure to keep your centre of gravity over the middle of your foot rather than your heels, as this could destabilise you.
To kit yourself out properly for nordic skiing, feel free to browse our selection of thermal base layers and cross-country skiing clothing.
Downhill in skating style
Unlike classic cross-country skiing, skating allows you to move on a wide, smooth track. You're not constrained to staying in your tracks and can modulate your speed more freely. On descents, we recommend maintaining a posture similar to that of a speed skater.
When navigating a turn on a descent, several techniques can help you maintain your balance. The snowplough remains the ideal solution for beginners. Another technique involves putting your weight on the inner leg of the turn and performing step turns. Your inner ski should remain straight to keep you on the track, while your outer ski helps you turn. Finally, a controlled skid offers another option if you have a stronger command of the skis.
If you fall, try to go down on your side and bend your knees. This will reduce the risk of injury and make it easier to get back on your feet.
Whatever your level, you need to learn how to control your speed when descending in cross-country skiing. On your first few descents, don't hesitate to slow down right from the top of the slope to stay comfortable. Once you've built confidence, you can refine your technique to increase your speed and get more out of the trails.
