Rollerskiing

Rollerskiing is the dry land equivalent of cross country skiing. It is sometimes called “summer cross country skiing”. Skis are replaced with a shaft that is 53cm or longer with wheels at either end. Normal ski bindings and boots are used. Wheels are either thin, like rollerblade wheels, used for skating or squarish with a ratchet or clutch to stop them rolling backwards, used for classic.

Rollerskiing requires balance, coordination, and endurance. It is ideal training for cross country skiing allowing new skills to be practised and refined before the season start or as a physical preparation without wasting precious snow time.

With climate change and variable snow conditions or people living far from the mountains rollerskiing is developing into a sport in its own right. Some international level skiers specialize in rollerskiing even though they take part in on-snow competitions in the winter months.