Why you should start to ski on wheels

If you like to be active and love the outdoors than Roller skiing should be on the MUST TRY list!

Sport has always been an important part of the Aussie way of living but skiing traditionally might not have been ranked in the top 5 yet. Cross country skiing might not even make the top 15 and Roller skiing? Well most don't even know it exists!

Events like the Winter Olympics have lifted the profile of skiing a lot and even in snow free places like Perth or Cairns people have heard about the hero's on skinny skis :)

So what is the connection between Roller skiing and winter sports like Cross country skiing and Biathlon ( Cross country skiing & Rifle shooting).

Well, Roller skiing is the summer version of exactly those sports. Early designs of Roller skis date back to the 1930's. Skiers looked for an option to train in the snow free month and developed skis with wheels which allowed to train the technique and fitness without having to be on snow.

It has now become a recreational sport world wide as the benefits are much greater than just sports specific training.

There aren't many sports where you use up to 90% of your muscles, it will take your cardiovascular fitness to a new level and it has less impact on joints compare to running! Yes it does all that while having a great time outdoors!

How do you get started?

First contact a Roller ski Instructors like Cross Skating Australia and learn the basics in a Introduction clinic or private lesson. Like any other sport it is important you learn the correct technique and do it all in safe environment. School's like Cross Skating Australia also offer hire so you can try various types of skis, boots and poles before making a decision to buy equipment.

Roller skiing is now available in many places around Australia and we believe you won't regret your decision to give it a go!

Rollerski Coaching around Australia

Western Australia / Perth

Contact: Rollerski Downunder

Hannes Holly

nordicsportsaustralia@gmail.com

www.rollerskidowunder.com.au

https://www.facebook.com/RollerskiDownunder/

Victoria / Melbourne

Contact: Performance Nordic

Thomas McMahon

thomas.mcm@hotmail.com

instagram @performance_nordic

Contact: Australian Nordic Ski Academy

Ewan Watson

ewan@nordicskiacademy.com.au

https://www.nordicskiacademy.com.au

www.facebook.com/AustralianNordicSkiAcademy

NSW / Sydney

Contact: NSW Biathlon

Info@nswbiathlon.com.au

http://www.nswbiathlon.com.au/home/

https://m.facebook.com/nswbiathlon/

Roller ski Facebook group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/RollerskiAustralia/

Cross Skating/Skike Coaching

Western Australia / Perth

Contact: Cross Skating Australia

Hannes Holly

nordicsportsaustralia@gmail.com

www.nordicsportsaustralia.com.au

www.facebook.com/CrossSkatingandRollerski

Victoria / Melbourne

Contact: Skike Australia

Len Budge

Len@skike.com.au

www.skike.com.au

https://www.facebook.com/Skike-Australia-392106300892709/

Instructor training Roller ski & Cross Skating

Cross Skating Australia

www.nordicsportsaustralia.com.au

AUS XC

www.ausxc.com

Skike Australia

www.skike.com.au

What Pole size do i need?

A lot has change in the past 12 month regarding pole sizes especially in classic technique. This blog is all about making things easier to understand and helping you to find the right size pole in Classic, Skate & Roller ski. Note this measurements are for competition only, but if you plan to participate in intl. races like the Kangaroo Hoppet or Vasaloppet these rule may apply.

International Rules (343.8.1)

In classical technique competitions, the maximum pole length must not exceed 83% of the competitor’s body height

The body height is measured with ski boots on from a flat surface, to the top of the uncovered head. The pole length is measured from the bottom of the pole to the highest attachment of the strap. All measurements will be rounded to the nearest centimeter as follows: less than 0.5 cm will be rounded down and 0.5 cm and above will be rounded up.

Feestyle (Skate)

In free technique competitions, the maximum pole length must not exceed 100% of the competitor’s height. Measured as per classic poles.

However most skiers use the height x 0.9 formula + 1-3cm

We use a more general approach in Skate pole measurement recommending 18-20 cm minus the skiers height. ( 180 cm - 20 cm = 160 cm pole/ approx. 158 cm to top of handle )

Roller ski

Roller ski competitions Due to the fact that athletes on roller skis are standing higher than on their skis, the maximum pole length must not exceed 83% of the competitor’s body height + 5 cm (max = (h+5)*0,83).

Same 100% rule applies for freestyle/skating technique.

We also get asked many times if the measurement for XC is different to roller ski, Roller skis are generally higher off the ground than skis, but on the other hand, your tip sinks into the snow and the roller ski ferrules don’t dig into the pavement.

Also to consider is that roller ski tips might increase the height slightly when changing from XC tips to roller ski tips.

Official 83% Chart

Source: Guidelines Equipment Cross-Country Skiing (07.11.2016) Maximum Pole Length Classical Technique Competitions

If you have any questions please contact us at nordicsportsaustralia@gmail.com, Follow us on Facebook/CrossSkatingandRollerski or visit www.nordicsportsaustralia.com.au

Nordic skiing in Australia ??

Nordic skiing down under?

Yes you can and you should! When the snow is melting in the northern hemisphere the winter is slowly coming to us. Winter might not last as long as in Europe or Northern America but there is a great choice of cross country ski trails waiting for you to explore.

Cross country skiing is for the whole family, no matter if you are a beginner or expert skier. This is a great way to enjoy the snow.

There are various events throughout the Australian Winter season, the highlights are the annual Kangaroo Hoppet in Falls Creek or the Parisher XC ski week.

You can find more information about the individual resorts below or visit http://discoverxcski.com/ for more information about this great sport.

Our Top Choices

Falls Creek

Falls Creek is known as the home of Australian
Cross Country Skiing for good reason. Not only
is it home base for the Australian National Team
but it also has one of the most expansive trail
networks of any resort in the country. Through
65km of groomed trails you can gain access to
corners of the Bogong High Plains rarely seen
by most visitors. Take in breathtaking panoramic
views across the vast plains, deep valleys, snowy
mountains and majestic Rocky Valley Lake. This
is the pristine High Country at its best.

http://www.fallscreek.com.au/xcskiing

Perisher XC

The Perisher Cross Country Centre offers a huge variety of trails (drop menu of maps/profiles) for you to enjoy, with no trail fees to pay. Many trails are groomed daily giving the skater, the classic skier and the tourer a choice of trails to ski on. Depending on snow conditions you can have up to 50 km of groomed trails to explore between Perisher, Charlotte Pass and Smiggins. The skiing standard required to ski the various trails varies from beginner to advanced.

http://www.perisherxcountry.org/

Hotham & Dinner plain

Hotham and Dinner Plain has over 35km of trails, with circuits ranging in length from 2km to 15km.

Hotham has a variety of cross county trails from Wire Plain to explore the peaceful snow environment away from the bustle of the village area. Look for wombat tracks and towards to the end of the winter season see Flame Robins fossicking for insects in the snow. Four main trail areas are described below. Many smaller links are worth exploring and find them on the trail map. Some trails start straight from Hotham village, or you can take the free village shuttle bus to Wire Plain, the starting point for most courses. Other trails start around Dinner Plain. Something for everyone!

http://www.mthotham.com.au/events-activities/winter-activities/xc-biathlon/

Mt. Sterling

As Mt Stirling’s trails are free to use, cross-country skiing is a low-cost alternative and offers fun for the whole family.

A number of cross-country ski packages are available through Stirling Experience. The packages offer true value for money, allowing you to easily experience the joys of cross-country skiing in a relaxed and friendly Resort.

http://www.mtstirling.com.au/ski.php

Info & source by

Discoverxcski.com, MtSterling.com.au, MtHotham.com.au, Fallscreek.com.au, Perisherxcountry.org, google.com.au