On a powder day you will find Jeff Oxandaboure roaring through the deep snow. A few days later, however, he is getting his aerobic workout XC skating up the Gold Trail near Tahoe City.

Jeff says, "I took up skate skiing as cross-training for cycling, and I soon discovered it is the toughest workout I have ever done. I have found it really helps my downhill skiing as well; once you have maneuvered around the turns on those skinny skis, your downhill skis feel really big. Also, I find that when the skiing on the mountain is not so good, the skating is great."

Missy Sandemann has been a runner for years, including participating in a number of races. She used to spend her winters running in the slush until a few years ago someone suggested taking up cross-country skate skiing. "I used to cross-country ski in the 1970s when it was all striding. Then all my friends were into skate skiing and were urging me to try it. Now I love it," says Missy. "My body can't take running all year around, but I can glide everyday in the winter."

Olympic Beginnings
Skate skiing as an official sport started when Bill Koch, the only American to ever win an Olympic medal in cross-country skiing, began skiing with a skating motion in Olympic races. Soon the technique caught on and race officials started holding separate races for "Classic" and "Skating" XC styles.

So what is skate skiing? When a person cross-country skis in the classic manner--it's also known as diagonal striding--he or she skis straight ahead in a motion similar to walking. With skating, the front of one's skis go out at an angle, like roller blading or ice skating. For most people, skating is faster than classic, and many feel it is more fun. (I know, some classic skiers "beg to differ.")

Solitude
Skate skiing can usually be learned fairly quickly. Once learned, many people find it is a real treat. Besides an aerobic workout, there is solitude. Even on a very busy day, a skate skier is away from the crowds. Whether gazing at Lake Tahoe from the Silver Trail at Tahoe Cross-Country, staring in amazement at Snow Valley at Spooner Lake, or enjoying the stark beauty of Euer Valley at Tahoe Donner, it is likely that there will not be a lot of other people around.

Site and Gear
What do you need to skate ski? First, you need to ski at a groomed cross-country ski area because skating requires groomed trails. The good news is that North Tahoe and Truckee are loaded with great XC ski areas. In Tahoe City there is Tahoe Cross-Country on Dollar Hill. Truckee has Tahoe Donner Cross-Country. Donner Summit has Royal Gorge. And on Spooner Summit (Highway 50) there is Spooner Lake Cross-Country.

Second, you will need skate-skiing gear that is different than other XC gear. The skis are shorter, the poles are longer, and the boots are firmer. Check with a local XC ski retailer for more information on what is most appropriate for you. It's probably best to rent gear a few times before taking classes or buying to make sure skating meets your interests.

Third: clothes. That bulky downhill gear that will keep you warm on a chairlift in 30 mile-an-hour winds will bake you when you are skating up a hill. Instead, wear lightweight layers such as a pair of ski pants or tights, a fleece shirt, and a fleece vest. If it is raining or snowing, use a lightweight, rainproof shell and rain pants. Also, bring along a water bottle in a fanny pack.