It's fast, it's fun, and it's one of the most complete full-body workouts you'll ever experience. Learn how to skate ski and discover the thrill of soaring across the winter landscape, accompanied only by the sound of your pounding heart. Here's how to get started.

DID YOU KNOW?
Skate skiing originated in the early 1980s when professional racers started incorporating the technique—and consistently beat the non-skating competition. As a result, skate skiing was designated a distinct racing category in 1985.

Skate vs. Classic
Most people are familiar with the "classic" style of cross-country skiing, where the skis are kept parallel to each other. The front and back of these skis glide over the snow, while the area underfoot provides grip to push forward. Skate skis, on the other hand, glide along the entire length of the ski. Power is generated by pushing sideways against the edge of one ski; momentum is then transferred to the opposite ski to move forward. To do this, skate skiers must position their skis in a "V" shape. Ski poles provide extra power by engaging the muscles in the upper body. To get started, you'll first need to rent or purchase a complete skate ski set-up, since skate and classic gear are not interchangeable.

The Basic Motion
The primary goal in skate skiing is to transfer your weight fully from one ski to the other. One of the best ways to learn this crucial skill is to start without poles on level terrain. Simply stand with your skis on and shift your weight from one side to the other, balancing on each ski for as long as possible. When you feel comfortable doing this, position your skis in a narrow "V" formation and use the edge of one ski to gently push off to the side. As soon as you start gliding forward, shift your weight over the opposite ski and lift the other just off the snow. Try to keep your knee, hips, and nose in a line directly over the ski as you move forward. When you start to slow down, push off again, plant the other ski, and transfer your weight to the opposite side. Repeat until you can easily sustain this motion.

Pole Position
When you're ready to introduce poles to the equation, start out with the simplest poling technique, known as V1. The goal is to plant your poles at the same time you shift your weight, essentially engaging three points of contact—two poles and a ski—simultaneously. The poles should be planted close to your ski, near the side of your boot. As you push off, focus on engaging not just your shoulders and arms, but also your abs—think of it like doing vertical crunches. When using the V1 technique, you use your poles only on every other weight transfer; you add the extra power to the same ski—either the right or lef—each time. It doesn't matter which side you pole on; start with whichever feels most comfortable. (The other primary pole technique, known as V2, applies power after the ski has begun gliding and is used every time your weight is transferred. This more advanced skill is better learned after mastering V1.)

The Learning Curve
One final tip: Don't get frustrated when you're first starting out. Skate skiing is not easy to master and the initial learning curve can be quite steep. It's challenging to balance on the narrow skis, and it's easy to trip over them as you shift from one to the other. A certain amount of speed is necessary to maintain proper form. Going uphill is difficult, especially early in the learning process. And it can be exhausting until you develop the required muscles and fitness. Given all this, you may want to consider a formal lesson—it may save you hours of frustration. But once you put it all together, the reward is endless winter exhilaration. Glide on!