The Poles Are In

Skiing, in general, has a rich and varied history. The oldest skis found are dated back to 6300 B.C. in Russia. It is believed that skiing evolved from snowshoeing in Northern Europe and Asia. My theory: Skis are much faster than snowshoes. Skis dating well before the birth of Christ have been found in China, Russia, Finland, Norway, Sweden and France. Ski poles probably evolved from the walking sticks snowshoers use for balance.

Early skis were made from bones of large animals, strapped to the skier’s feet with leather strips. Because these strappings were loose, skiing took place on relatively even terrains. For thousands of years, skiing was simply a method of transportation, often used by hunters and trackers. Modern cross-country skis are made of fiberglass with a double camber construction, and are typically thinner than downhill skis. Cross-country skiing also refers to nordic skiing, ski touring, track skiing, skate skiing, and at times backcountry skiing or telemarking.

Although these forms of cross-country skiing may differ slightly, in all types of cross-country skiing the heel of the skier’s boot is free. Up until the advent of lifts in the 1930's, cross- country skiing and jumping were the only forms of skiing, cross-country the most popular. It almost disappeared with the advent of downhill skiing in the 1900’s, but in the late 1960’s a revival began. It is now a popular winter sport enjoyed by people of all ages and economic status. Most winter resort towns host one or two cross-country ski areas – often on an ungroomed golf course.

Cross-country skiing is rated as the best aerobic exercise by many fitness experts. As Dr. Andrew Weil in his website tells us, not only is it fun, but

• It works more muscles and muscle groups than activities such as running or bicycling.

• It conditions the cardiovascular system efficiently.

• Risk of injury is low.

• Mastery of this sport can give you a great deal of pleasure, making it likely you'll stick with it.

Calories burned is determined by the amount of effort undertaken. For a person 130 pounds, moderate to vigorous effort can burn between 470 and 530 calories. The downside – you have to live in a white winter area to be able to do it on a regular basis, and then only seasonally. But you can always utilize an indoor cross-country ski machine at a health club or buy one for your home to get the aerobic benefits of the sport.