Nordic Skiing in Scotland

Nordic skiing is the original form of skiing, and first evolved in Scandinavia The nordic discipline originated in Scandinavia as a form of transport during the long winter months. It uses equipment that is relatively light, often using wood, foam injection and plastic for the skis and leather or plastic boots. The toe of the boot is fixed to the ski using a binding, and the heel is free to lift. The free heel allows ease of travel over varied terrain. This is aided by using skins or wax on the ski bases either to grip or glide (depending on the discipline).

You can go nordic skiing virtually anywhere there is snow-space, in the local park, along forest trails, up mountains or through glens. Certain restrictions may apply to access but your local club will be able to point you in the right direction.

Anyone can participate, young or old - the input requirement is not necessarily high unless you want to get involved in the athletic, competitive or touring levels of the sport.

Nordic skiing has several disciplines, including:

• Ski Touring - Can be "light touring", "hill touring", "mountain touring" or "wilderness touring" depending on where you go and what equipment you use.
• Cross Country - Track skiing - skiing on prepared trails using lightweight skis and boots, this is excellent cardio-vascular exercise. Can be recreational or competitive.
• Ski Orienteering - Orienteering on skis.
• Roller Skiing - Non snow-based activity, used for training in summer.
• Nordic Ski Mountaineering - Nordic Skiing and peak-bagging in steeper icier terrain using heavier equipment. Ice axe and crampons are often employed.
• Telemarking - An elegant turn only possible on "free-heel" equipment, named after a region in Norway. Becoming a sport in it's own right.
• Biathlon - Competition that combines ski racing and rifle shooting.
• Ski Jumping - Jumping on skis, judged by distance and style. Made famous by Eddie the Eagle.
• Ski Flying - A subdivision of ski jumping, using much bigger, scarier hills.
• Nordic Combined - Competition that involves cross-country ski racing and ski-jumping.
• Skiathlon or All-Terrain Racing - A competition that involves uphills, slalom skills and jumping.

In Scotland the Clashindarroch Ski Trails are regularly pisted for classic and skate techniques. Trails are maintained by Huntly Nordic Outdoor Centre (HNOC) and Huntly Nordic Ski Centre (HNSC) in agreement with Forest Enterprise.

A junior Development Squad based in Huntly is jointly run by the HNOC and HNSC. Several of its members have progressed to the British Junior Squad. Further information on clubs, competitions and related information can be found by contacting one of the Nordic clubs below.

Some Nordic competitors race in Scotland and abroad and may go all the way to the Olympics. A Scottish squad feed into the British Team and athletes train on snow and on roller-skis, often at the roller-ski track at Glenmore Lodge.

The Braemar Telemark Festival in Glenshee is the largest gathering of free heel skiers in the UK. It includes training, seminars and races.

Join the Nordic Scotland Yahoo! Group!

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Join a Club!

You can get started by joining a nordic club, like the ones listed below:

Inverness Nordic Ski Club
Contact: Ian Beange, 20 Woodlands Place, Inverness, IV2 5DT
Tel: 01463 792 946
E-mail: mail@invernessnordicskiclub.org.uk
Web: www.invernessnordicskiclub.org.uk

Western Track Ski Club
Contact: Brian Adams, 1 Hamilton Court, 4 Dirleton Drive, Shawlands, Glasgow, G41 3BQ
Tel: 0141 649 6060
E-mail: info@westerntrackskiclub.org.uk
Web: www.westerntrackskiclub.org.uk

Huntly Nordic Ski Club
Contact: Peter Thorn, West Craigton Cottage, Kennethmont, Huntly, AB54 4QP
Tel: 01464 831 429
E-mail: peter@thornp.freeserve.co.uk
Web: www.huntly.net/nordicski

Cairngorm Biathlon and Nordic Ski Club
Contact: Karen Lawrie, Cala-Na-Sonais, Craig-Na-Gower Avenue, Aviemore, PH22 1RW
Tel: 01479 812509
E-mail: cbnsc@onetel.com or karen@k-lawrie.orangehome.co.uk 
Web: www.cbnsc.co.uk

Other Nordic Contacts:
Cairngorm Nordic Ski Centre, Ski Road, Aviemore, PH22 1QH
Tel: 01479 810 729

Braemar Nordic Ski Centre, Invercauld Rd, Braemar, AB35 5YP
Tel: 01339 741 242