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Cross-country Skating

 

 

Finnish version of the siteCross-country Skating

Winter weather, wonderful landscapes, and if you want to get out to admire nature from real close, then cross-country skating may there be for you. Cross-country skating is becoming more and more popular all the time, and it fits for all age-classes and fitness-levels. Cross-country skating means skating that is mostly done on natural ice. Skating on cross-country skates differs from normal skating, in that the strokes are done the same way as while cross-country skiing in skating style. So, cross-country skating requires good balancing, but practice makes the master in this case, too. Skating season begins in late October, and lasts till close to First of May.

Skates and Boots

Cross-country skates and normal skates differ a lot. For cross-country skating 40 to 55 cm-long excursion skates are used, which are bound on your boots. Thank the length of these skates, the uneven features of ice will not prevent skating. As boots, either telemark-boots or cross-country SNS ski boots or equivalent boots. The boots will have to give strong enough support to the feet in function of the fitness of the skater.

Compulsory Equipment

Since such skating is performed on natural ice, safety is of primary importance. When setting off for skating, remember to take these with you:

  1. Ice awls, hanging around the neck, blades and tips covered appropriately
  2. Ice punch-pole / stick by which you are able to penetrate 5 cm thick ice
  3. Backpack equipped with securer looped strap bound to your belt, and with dry clothes packed sealedly in it. The backpack will function as a buoy, if there are clothes and towel packed in it in a waterproof sealed sack.
  4. Throw-rope close at hand
  5. A friend - never go on the ice alone.

Additional Equipment

  • Aid stick
  • Sitting pillow
  • Knee- and elbow-guard
  • Plastic bags for wet feet
  • Whistle
  • Spare skates, spare parts and tools for skates
  • Hypothermia bag (such as garbage sack)

For a longer skating hike, you want to take some food and preferably hot drink with you, for the pauses.

Translated from Finnish to English by Volford Péter.

Source: www.skrinnari.fi , www.suomenlatu.fi/lajit/retkiluistelu