That’s the idea when xc skiing, isn’t it? Kick and glide! Yup, we got out for our first xc skiing trip this winter. Our first time on skis for many years, and, just like riding a bike, it’s perfectly possible to fall off.
Not that either of us did, but only because we were sensible enough to stop when we found ourselves tiring. I’m often told I’m tiring…
Muscle memory, or the memory of once having leg muscles went some way towards keeping us on track. We went to the flattest part of the Plains of Abraham to test ourselves. It wasn’t too much of a trial, the morning being bright, the sky shining blue, and the sun bouncing off brilliant white snow. A crisp and sharp winter morning where it feels so good to be alive.
On brilliant, I’m happy to share that I invented a new “kick and glide” technique that isn’t in any of the instruction manuals or guides to xc skiing. It involved a complicated and (un)coordinated set of movements likely missing both a kick and a glide, and yet it still somehow propelled me forward. Remarkable!
I suspect the gradual lowering of my centre of gravity in recent years, certainly those years since our last ski trip, coupled with a possibly stylish and rakish into-the-wind lean (mostly the first stage of the ever present possibility of a fall – never happened) was what provoked gasps of amazement from our fellow skiers. I think they were gasps, might have been curses, but I couldn’t be too sure, as I didn’t dare break my concentration…
Anyway, having survived this first outing, and managing almost an hour of high speed circuits, we’re looking forward to getting out there again soon. We might even take on a gentle downhill or two, and then see how we do on the uphill parts! Kick and glide, huff and puff, and how about coffee and cake after?
Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
OldPlaidCamper 
Such intense blues and nicely groomed trails. I can’t go skiing any more because of surgery and too many times on sharp curves with legs going in opposite directions. Enjoy!
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Thanks, Jane! Yes, we really appreciated the well groomed trails, and like you, we are wary of sharp curves and wayward legs!
I hope your weekend is going well, and temperatures are still in “heatwave” territory for you!
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Haha, Adam! You did it! Looks spectacular. My husband and I used to love X Country skiing, but it’s been years. Great workout.. but I would get nervous on downhills feeling stuck in the track. 😂 Hope you get out again soon!
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Thanks, Jane! I’m beyond nervous on downhills, but it’s the tracks that save me, if I can just stay in them on the curves…
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I don’t cross-country anymore but it’s a wonderful skiing sport, and your bluesy brilliant-skied post brings back lots of fun-filled memories. Hope you have some more good days like these ahead!
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Thanks, Walt! Still timid, and likely to remain so on skis, but we’re enjoying it, keeping the rhythm slow and easy…
Hope all is well with you!
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Winter looks and sounds absolutely wonderful in Quebec!! Glad your first outing in years was a success and while I have complete faith in Mrs. PC making it uphill, it sounds like you might want to take Scout along to help pull you up any hills. I’ve never gone xc skiing only downhill years ago, but I would consider any sport that celebrates with coffee and cake afterward. It’s a big football day here with a great win by the Detroit Lions and hoping for a Buffalo Bills win. Your blue skies are gorgeous and I’m not sure we’ll see any this week due to the snow, rain and fog. Enjoy the week and looking forward to your next winter adventure!🙂
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When it finally arrived, it was a relief and worth the wait – a real winter, and our first one in years. Now if we (or I) could only remember how to ski etc… Scout helping? She wouldn’t wait, too keen to get ahead!
We’re definitely leaning more to the cake and coffee than skiing at the moment!
Hope your week is more snow than rain!
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I am still chuckling as I type, pc. So funny. Your words and sense of humor are a pleasure. I think it’s wonderful that you and Mrs. PC braved it after a hiatus and got out there on your skis. And it looks utterly beautiful with the bright sun, bright snow, gorgeous blue sky and I’m sure it was for you, too, whether on the ground or standing up. Great fun post, thanks.
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I prefer the view from standing, but gravity has other ideas…
We’ve been out again since, and seem to be rediscovering a bit of form, so hoping to stay upright and get a little further if conditions allow!
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