Cross Country Dictionary

base (ski): the bottom of the ski, which is usually coated with polyethylene or carbon.

basket: plastic cup on the end of ski pole shafts that provides a pushing platform for poling motion. The looser and softer the snow is, the bigger basket needed.

 

biathlon: an event that combines cross country skiing and marksmanship.

 

binding (ski): the ski binding is attached to the ski. Your ski boot clips into the binding and holds the skis to your feet. Cross-country bindings allow the heel to raise and lower (thus the term free heel skiing).

 

boot: cross-country ski boots range from those like running shoes to a speed skating boot with much more support, to mountaineering hiking boots. It is essential that boots should be both snug and supportive, but allow for good circulation at the same time.

 

camber: the flex or camber of a ski is the most important part of the ski, and is determined by the skier’s weight. Simply put, the camber of a ski is how much weight it takes to flatten the ski against the snow. Skate skis are single cambered while classic skis are usually double cambered to provide for grip and glide.

 

classic technique (traditional): cross country ski style involving opposite leg-opposite arm motion in a straight-ahead direction.

 

freestyle cross country: a cross country race where skiers can use any technique, including skating and classic.

 

glide wax: a wax that decreases the friction between the skis and the snow. For skating, it is put on the entire ski length, whereas with classic, it is only applied to the ski tip and tail.

 

glide zone: with classical skis this is the tip and tail parts of the skis, and on skate skis it is the whole base section.

 

grip wax: a wax that increases the friction between the skis and the snow. It's applied to the middle section of the ski for classical skiing.

herringbone: to get up a hill too steep for any other technique, you angle the tips of your skis out to the side, and press the inside edge of each ski into the snow as you push on it. For each single leg-stride there is a single pole-push with one arm. Not the quickest way up, but sometimes necessary!

kick zone: the middle portion of a classical ski's base, where kick wax is applied.

klister: extremely sticky gel used for kick waxing in conditions such as old transformed snow and very wet snow. Probably the stickiest stuff on the planet but very effective in the right snow conditions. Rumour has it that vaseline is one of the best things to get it off!

loppet: confusing term for non-skiers that essentially means cross country ski race.

mass start: cross country ski race in which all of the skiers start at the same time. Otherwise known as organized chaos.

 

nordic combined: an event that combines ski jumping and cross country skiing.

 

nordic skiing: refers to any form of cross country skiing which includes: cross country skiing, biathlon, ski jumping, nordic combined, and telemark. These ski techniques all have the common element in that they are free-heel ski styles.

 

poles: poles are used to help propel you forward (not just hold you up!). Using ski poles engages the entire upper body which gives cross country skiers the best workout possible as all major muscle groups are put to use.

 

pulk: is a small sled pulled by a skier and are often used to pull small children or is loaded with gear for backcountry expeditions.

 

relay: a cross country race with teams comprised of four skiers, each racer skis one of the four legs, which are generally 5, 7.5, or 10 kilometers in distance.

 

sitzmark: large indentation in a track or open area created by the back end of a skier who wipes out.

 

skating: A cross country technique that is similar to ice skating. The skier pushes the inside edge of the ski backward and outward at about a 45-degree angle.

skijor: is a Norwegian word that means "ski-driving" - that is, a cross-country skier utilizing a dog, or dogs, whereby the dog helps pull the skier along. It is normally not permitted at cross country ski areas.

sprint: The shortest cross country ski race, usually 1.5-3 kilometers, in which any style of skiing is allowed.

stick wax: small tins of kick wax that is applied to the kick in a crayon-like fashion.

 

wax: wax comes in two types: kick and glide. Kick wax is used for grip in the classic technique (stick wax in a tin and klister are examples of kick wax) and are applied to the middle section of skies for classic style. Glide wax helps protect the base of a ski and adapt the base to the temperature of the snow for superior glide.

 

waxless skis: skis with small ridge patterns (like fish scales) on the middle third of the base to provide grip for classical style skiing, and do not require kick wax. The pattern rough in one direction and smooth in the other allowing the ski to slide forward on the snow but not slide back.