I had heard of many types of skiing, but never Nordic backcountry skiing. I knew about downhill skiing, Nordic cross-country skiing (or track skiing), and backcountry ski touring, but Nordic Back Countrywas a new concept to me.
Last year, I learned the difference between Nordic backcountry skiing and Nordic cross-country skiing after I was invited “ski touring” by new friends.
I thought that they meant backcountry ski touring like which I have done in Scotland and the Alps, as well as other places. The heel is left free to push uphill when you are “skinning” on backcountry skis. You remove the skins at the base of your skis and attach the heels to ski downhill.
My friends were referring to Nordic backcountry. This type of skiing, I learned from my friends was similar to Nordic cross-country skiing but not exactly.
Take a look at the types of skis and skiing.
Nordic skiing
Nordic skiing has one thing in common: the boot heel must always be free. The boot heel is free to move.
Skis tend to be narrow and light. Under the skis is a design which prevents some slipping backwards while allowing for smooth forward movement. The design can be “fishscales”, a pattern of fishscales on the base, or a “skin” strip.
Nordic ski poles have a long length and are about shoulder-height.
Nordic skiing involves kicking and gliding forward, while using poles to improve propulsion. Imagine Nordic walking on skis.
Nordic skiing is divided into several types. There are two types of Nordic skiing.
Track skiing is a type of Nordic skiing that requires the thinnest skis. You would expect to be able to maintain a fast pace on groomed tracks. Track skis are usually without metal edges, as you’re on specially built tracks. You don’t need them for turning (to cut the snow). Most skis are waxable. You can wax the base to make them faster and smoother.
There are also Nordic Skate Skis which are similar to track skis, but are generally shorter. As the name implies, these skis are stiffer and used more like skates.
The next option is light tour skis which are wider and lighter than track skis. These skis can be used for both track skiing and easier off-trail skiing on golf courses or parks with smoother terrain and less undulation.
Nordic Back Country Skis have the largest widths, but even there they are available in different sizes. They are also the heaviest. Although they are lighter and narrower than Alpine backcountry skis, their characteristics are very similar. Like Alpine skis they have a metal-edged ski, which allows them to be more stable and ski better in deeper snow.
The skis have the strongest fishscale or skin pattern under them, as they are designed to help the skier go uphill without sliding backwards. The skins and fishscales are part of the skis.
Nordic backcountry skis are similar to Alpine backcountry skis, except that they are lighter and narrower. The boot heel also remains free. When Nordic backcountry skiing, you don’t stop to change from skins into non-skins. Instead, the goal is to continue on both the ups and downs.
This type of skiing is best done in areas with few ups or downs.
My friends use Nordic backcountry skis and I’ve been using them on forest trails and country tracks. The paths and tracks are uneven, rough, and covered in varying amounts of snow. There are some undulations and hills.
Telemark skiing
Telemarking also uses a free heel binding. The skis look more like the traditional Alpine version. Telemarkers are easily identifiable because they ski downhill with a drop-knee turn. It’s not easy to master this!
Telemark skis allow skiers to do both backcountry skiing and carving steep downhill slopes. If you want to ascend the backcountry, you can use skins on telemarks.
Alpine touring skis
Back country touring skiing is what I refer to as Alpine touring skiing. It is this type of skiing that I do most often in Scotland. The bindings are the main difference between Nordic touring and Alpine touring. They have a locking mechanism which allows you to lock your heel down before descending.
Skins are also attached to the base of the skis, allowing skiers to climb hills and mountains without sliding backwards. On the ascent, heels remain free.
When you are ready to descend, you remove the skins, fix the heel and ski like you would on traditional downhill skiing. These skis are also suitable for non-groomed and pisted terrain.
First time Nordic backcountry skiing
Although I’m a pretty experienced backcountry skier, I felt a bit nervous when I clipped in my new Nordic backcountry skis at Slochd parking lot, south of Inverness.
The skis were thinner than my backcountry skis and I knew I wouldn’t be able secure my heels so I thought the downhill sections would be difficult.
I was also concerned that I would be slower than my more experienced Nordic backcountry skiers, Claire and Michael.
There was also an excitement in the air as they anticipated trying a new sports.
Tracks in Slochd, near the A9 are undulating and high. They also hold snow well.
After a short descent, we continued to a mostly flat terrain for many kilometers.
Claire and Michael were both ski-gliding and using their poles as a propeller. Unfortunately, the snow that was so good the day before melted overnight. There were some patches of mud and ice on the tracks, but there were still long sections with snow.
My upper body helped me get into the flow of things. I pushed my poles while sliding-gliding forward on my skinny skis. To maintain balance, you have to use a variety of muscles including your core, glutes, and quads.
This style of skiing also requires concentration. You have to choose the right line in the snow so that you don’t ski into stones, rocks or heather. You can lose your balance if you hit a large obstacle.
When I accelerated too fast, I found it difficult to keep my balance.
The ascents are similar to Alpine skiing and I could maintain a forward motion, even though I occasionally slipped backwards in steeper sections.
The trick that I remember was to stand upright and place my weight in the middle, which is where the “skin” of the ski is located. This will create the most traction.
The most difficult part was the descent. Without fixed heels, my balance was off and I felt out of control. I trusted that the downhills were fine, even though it felt like they were going too fast. But then I started to worry I was moving too quickly and I tried to turn. I found it difficult to do without fixed heels. I fell several times and landed in the snow with skis, legs and giggles.
Michael fell while descending. Claire had managed to ski upright for the 10k, out-and back ski. Michael was stopped by some stones poking through the snow. He fell face first.
The falls were not painful, because we actually went at a slow speed and you didn’t fall very far.
I enjoyed my outing. On the flats or ups, it is easy to learn how to ski. The pace allows for a nice chat. We often enjoyed beautiful views while skiing.
I felt like I used muscles that are similar to those of running, so it is a good sport to maintain and possibly improve fitness.
I can imagine that skiing would be easier and more enjoyable on days with a thicker layer of snow.
Nordic backcountry is something I would like to be able to do on days where the weather or snow conditions are not ideal for backcountry touring in the mountains.