For more than 4,000 years, cross country skiing has been a practice in Sweden and in nearby countries along the Arctic Circle. Using long wooden planks and placing them under their feet, people could glide across ice and snow and effectively travel during the wintertime. This old model of cross country skis was used to hunt reindeer and other animals during the winter.

The first king of Norway, Olav I, turned cross country skiing into a sport around 995 AD. Subsequent kings in the following years developed the sport until, in 1206, Torstein Skjeva and Skjevald Skrukka, two of King Hakon’s birkebeinerne (rebellious party), were tasked to go on a cross country ski challenge in order to unite the country.

By 1767, Norway was hosting professional competitions with livestock as prizes. Competitors practiced using simple equipment and developed different methods for cross country skiing. Children and adults of all ages eventually learned how to cross country well along with special skills for cross country skiing like jumping, skating, etc. Throughout the years, this sport has continued to evolve into the classic winter sport that it is today.

Cross country skiing techniques cover everything from the basics of the two styles (classic or diagonal pace) as well as the freestyle (advanced movements). There are different cross country skiing techniques required for uphill, downhill, and flat terrains, and there are many cross country skiing tips available to master each of these terrains. Cross country skiing equipment involves waxable or waxless skis, boots, poles, and snowshoes.

There are over 350 cross country skiing resorts across the United States and Canada. A cross country ski package can cost as little as $12 to $35 per person, making cross country skiing much more affordable and accessible to people. Many resorts offer discounts for cross country skiing training, and rentals for equipments. Cross country ski trails can be found only an hour or two drive away from the city and offer many affordable opportunities to enjoy the cross country skiing world!