The Essential Cross-Country Skier (Paperback)

~ Rick Lovett (Author), (Author) "The trail curves through a birch forest where mist blends the landscape into a surreal mix of white on white..." (more)
Key Phrases: United States, Pacific Northwest, West Coast (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Cross-country expertise . . . easily

Glide into an invigorating sport with this guide from true experts who show you how to have fun from your first day out and coach you all the way through the advanced skills you'd like to learn. No ordinary manual, The Essential Cross-Country Skier brings together the combined expertise of one of the country's top cross-country skiing instructors; a two-time Olympic biathlete and former Dartmouth skiing coach; and one of the sport's foremost professional writers.

This all-star team has created one of the most engaging, clear, and potent learning tools ever published for beginning and intermediate skiers. This unique, carefully illustrated guide gives you the information you need to get started: choosing the right skis, boots, and poles; where to find the best trails; what to wear for comfort and warmth; plus tips on safety.

And, if you're already familiar with nordic skiing, the book shows you how to improve your style and your conditioning; master the subtleties of waxing and ski maintenance; and enjoy new skills including ski skating, telemarking, ski racing, and backcountry touring.

From the Publisher

"This is the quintessential 'how to, where to, and why to' cross-country ski book." Nancy Fiddler, 2-tim Olympian and 14-time National Champion Backcountry Skiing

Cross-Country Skiing

Nordic Skiing

Skiing

Ski-Skating

Telemark Skiing

Winter Sports

Nordic Downhill Skiing

Track Skiing

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Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press; 1 edition (August 2, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070496250
• ISBN-13: 978-0070496255
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #645,414 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #41 in	Books > Outdoors & Nature > Outdoor Recreation > Skiing > Downhill
  #45 in	Books > Outdoors & Nature > Outdoor Recreation > Skiing > Cross-Country

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good for Beginners, August 24, 2000

By	Kelly Squires (Lake Placid) - See all my reviews

"Essential Cross-Country Skier" is a good handbook for beginner skiers. It is an easy read and probably what you want to get you started.

Intermediate level to elite skiers could take issue with many of the technical explainations, for then I would suggest "Ski "Skating with Champions" or "Tao of Skiing" but the then, the book "Essential Cross-Country Skier" was written by someone who obviously loves the sport and will be enjoyed by those who want to take it up.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Essential Cross-Country Skier: A Step-By-Step Guide, March 29, 2000

By	Wendy Kirkpatrick (Oregon) - See all my reviews

I'm a beginning cross-country skier and former Valley Girl with no downhill experience and found this book to be helpful. The book covers choosing equipment, getting started and gives good tips on technique. I haven't purchased any other books on cross-country skiing but this one seems to be a valuable resource.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for me, August 24, 2008

By	Loves To Cook (Sunny California) - See all my reviews

I am an absolute beginner at cross country and have no downhill experience. Through a stroke of good luck my second lesson was from Paul Petersen, one of the authors of this book. His ability to teach is extraordinary and his enthusiasm is contagious. Those qualities are evident in the pages of the book. It is perfect for me because I can use the book to review everything he taught. Other reviewers question the book's usefulness for the non-beginner; I don't have the expertise to comment on that, but if you are just learning this awesome sport I think this book should be required reading.