Just Say "No" to Fruitcake and Cross Country Ski

Once upon a time, I learned how to cross country ski in what was/is called the "classic" style. One just skis within the groomed ski tracks while classic cross country skiing. Now one has the choice to ski the classic style or to "skate" ski. The skate ski technique is similar to roller blading or skating in general, only with 5 foot skis on both feet. I consider myself to be a pretty good skater/rollerblader, but, have yet to master the skate ski style! I am starting by using my left foot to skate and keeping the right ski straight ahead, all the while trying to keep my poles from doing the YMCA over my head! Since patience is a virtue that I do not possess, it may take a while. The way the snow is falling this fifth snowiest December on record, I will have all the time in the world! My husband and I decided to purchase skis at REI last January on clearance as we wanted to get back into this winter sport again. We didn't know yet, that we would only ski about five times total (2009) due to the fact that we discovered winter biking! Even though we did not ski as much as anticipated in winter 2009, I am glad we did purchase the skis as we live close to Theodore Wirth Winter Recreation area. This park is almost as big as Central Park in New York City and was founded in and around 1889. It was named after the head of the the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Department from approximately 1906 to 1930. This park offers many winter sports venues from: snowboarding, tubing, cross country skiing, snow shoeing and winter biking. It is very nice to have so many options basically right outside one's doorstep.
I am proud to profess, on my first cross country skiing excursion of winter 2010, I partially skate skiid (there is hope!). We did the beginners loop and it took us about 40 minutes, in pitch dark, I might add!
Although I am very competitive and demanding regarding my approach to athletics, this should not be the point, to master the sport. The point should be to get outside, to move one's body, to burn calories and to actually enjoy yourself. It is easy for us all to succumb to a "turtle like" existence for three to four months every winter. Winter sports actually help one to not hate the cold and dark winter months so badly and it helps them pass by fairly fast. Cross country skiing on average burns between 500-800 calories per hour. The calorie burn is dependent upon terrain, temperature, body weight, etc., but, in general, that is a huge calorie burn for any activity for one hour's worth! All the Minneapolis parks as well as the Three Rivers parks have rental equipment as well as instructors for a nominal fee. One can also purchase a winter pass which costs about as much as one month's membership at a gym. So, what are you waiting for, go out and partake in winter, for, if you decide to live in a northern climate such as Minnesota, the winter will seem to go on indefinitely if you hibernate like a bear!