All of the course had to attend a basic cross country skiing course that is provided by the university. This is to ensure that we are all at a similar standard before we partake in further cross country skiing activities later in the semester. This is based out of a centre called TrollAktiv, which is 6km north of Evje and about 60km north of Kristiansand. TrollAktiv is an outdoor activity centre.
After meeting outside accommodation at 0830 and packing all the large baggage and skis into the transit van provided by the university we set off in convoy to Troll Aktiv. Once we arrived at the centre we were given accommodation and then shown around the centre and all the facilities provided for us. When lunch was over we met outside the main hall of the centre and started our ski course, our veileder took to a little area to put on our skis and conduct some warm up exercises that basically consisted of stationary rotation techniques. Once we had gotten used to having skis on our feet again, we were off cross country skiing in a snow covered bike park. This area consisted of little hillocks that were criss-crossed with streams and wooded areas. The first part of the session was focused on getting used to moving over undulating ground on our skis and consisted of going up and down hill, we had still to learn the art of turning and stopping without falling over yet. As the session progressed our veileder had found an ideal location to conduct a larger downhill run, we spent a while here going down the run getting used to having bending knees and accepting the undulating terrain beneath our skis and introducing different techniques to provide stability for us novices. Following a short tea break, we were off following our veileder through the woods and up hill and after reaching a small plateau our veileder decided to introduce basic turning techniques by stepping either left or right. After grasping the fundamentals we were off again, through the woods and at one stage crossing a fence with skis still attached, which proved to be a new experience for the whole group. On exiting the treeline we happened across a little pasture that during the summertime we wouldn’t have been able to use according to the frilustsliv act as it would’ve been used for grazing of live stock. However, this gentle sloping pasture was our final practical instructional area for the day. It was here that our veileder introduced the fine art of telemark turning (imagine lunging on skis), by the end of this intro the majority of the group could to some extent carryout telemark turns with varying degrees of success.
The whole day was thoroughly enjoyed by all of the members of the group, regardless of how many times they fell over. The leadership and instructional style shown by our veileder was very relaxed, and gave positive feedback throughout the whole afternoon, this allowed the students to relax and enjoy the experience, which proved to be a positive learning environment.
A presentation took place during the evening on the preparation of skis for cross-country skiing from when you purchase them brand new. This included removing old wax and applying new wax on to the ski in different places depending on which part was being waxed, the running area or the step area. This was in the form of several short videos and then confirmed with question and answers from the group. A further display of additional waxes and skins was delivered to the group with an in depth discussion on application and when each would be used.
The next day began with a short drive up the side of the hills into a local ski area around Skarveheia, the morning began with the group getting split up into two smaller groups, one for each veileder and then one of the students delivered a warm up session involving various moves and stretches to get the body prepared for the days activities. When everyone was warmed up enough, we put on our skis and then moved a short distance away onto a pisted track to refine our “kick and glide” technique. This involved our veileder watching and assessing our capabilities and then delivering feedback to each of us individually in order to enhance our efficiency at moving across flat level surfaces. Some of the exercises that were part of the session involved balancing on one leg and then transferring all our weight on the other leg and kicking into the ground to deliver propulsion along the track. This technique was practiced throughout the morning along the track and off the track too, although it is slower when off track. Just before lunch we found a little knoll to go up and down in order to gain greater confidence and balance on the skis. Part of this session involved skiing down the short slope on one leg, although many of the group were falling over, the snow was soft and powdery so nobody was hurt and spirits were still high. After this exercise we stopped for lunch on top of the hill facing into the sun to get as much warmth from it as possible, although it wasn’t really needed as everyone had been putting so much effort into the mornings activities.
Once lunch was eaten it was decided by our veileder that we should go off piste and conduct a little cross-country skiing to put into practice what we had been doing all morning. So through open fields and through trees, up and down slopes stopping occasionally to point out tracks from various small animals (hare – with their loping gait and random jumps in different directions, foxes – with very uniform and précis paw placement, Roe deer – with their hoof prints and tiny snow mouse tracks leading from a tree to a large boulder) until we came across a frozen lake, where our veileder told us to wait. He told us to wait until he called us down as he wanted to inspect and test it to make sure that it was safe enough for us to venture out onto it. We were all waiting with anticipation for the acknowledgement for us to come down and ski across the lake. A first for everyone I think. The smooth layer of snow on the ice was pristine and untouched and allowed for us to practice our “kick and glide” skills that we had learnt yesterday and this morning until we stopped half way across when our veileder told to listen. It is surprising how deafening silence is, this was broken with the cawing of a crow or raven in the distance. On reaching the shoreline several of the group needed to apply more wax to the skis as it was beginning to gain purchase on the snow. On application of the wax we were soon on the move again only to come across another frozen lake. After crossing and climbing a hill it was time for a tea break in the sun.
After the break had finished it was time to start heading back towards the transport, where we dropped our daysacks off and proceeded to a small maintained slope where we were shown telemark turning again to refresh us after yesterday. We were there for about 40 minutes practicing this turning technique and then linking left and right turns together. The secret is to bend the knee and get your weight over the knee and getting an edge on the ski whilst keeping your head up (resisting the temptation to look at you feet so you can see where you are going) and keeping your shoulders facing down the slope. A skill that is definitely not easy to master. During this practice session our veileder moved between the competent students and the students who found this difficult, setting us tasks and correctional advice where needed. Improvement was noted with all the students and spirits were still high despite the amount of falls that we all took. Afterwards a choice was given to us, free ski or go back to the transport. It had been a long day and the majority of the group decided to retire back to the transport while the last of us decided to play a little more in the snow. This free play allowed us to push the boundaries of the days instruction, although we were all quite tired we didn’t stay out too long in case we injured ourselves.
The evenings lecture/presentation was about first aid, more precisely about cold weather injuries: hypothermia, frostbite, sunburn, snow blindness, immersion/trench foot and although not a cold weather injury, carbon monoxide poisoning as it is associated with cooking in tents and snow holes.
The following day started with another drive in the minibus to a carkpark not far from yesterdays location our objective for the day was called Bertesknaben. Today we were with a different veileder (Tim). The first part of the day was spent going up hill along a snow mobile track. Our veileder made a point of telling us that if we are using herring bone to go up hill we have selected the wrong way and that we should use the least line of resistance to get to where we want to go. Along the way we stopped beside a lake on a gentle undulating hill to practice our balance and down hill telemark positions. Although it has only been two and a half days of tuition, the majority of the group could maintain the correct position and even swap leading legs going down hill. After a small break, the group set off for the summit of Bertesknaben, which involved a lot of side stepping up the side of the mountain until we reached the main track going up to the summit. Not once did I use herring bone to reach the summit. When we reached the top we stopped for lunch (-10 deg C) next to a commercial radar site for aircraft.
After a short break, we set off back down towards the minibus initially using the main track until the gradient of the slope was reduced, it was then that we went cross country again. After the long slog up hill and the steep demanding decent everyone in the group was becoming tired and lazy and not carrying out the correct technique, this was evident due to the fact that everyone kept falling over and making silly mistakes that they hadn’t made during the mornings activities and coaching sessions. After another short break the track that we ascended had to be tackled in order to get back to the minibus. Not everyone in the group skied this as they chose to remove their skis and walk back. Those that chose to ski didn’t all make it without falling due to tiredness, the track starting to ice up again and the sun beginning to set making the light conditions difficult to read the ground ahead of you.
This evenings activity was snow shoeing and a mixture of orienteering, this was not a mandatory activity so therefore not everyone participated.
The following morning would be our last day of skiing and we were yet again driven to the parking area near Skarveheia. We were divided into 2 groups, those that wanted to practice their technique and those that wanted to ski to a hill top called Himmelsyna (Heavanly view). Our veileder for this trip was very relaxed about instruction and only gave constructive criticism when it was needed to each of the students. The tempo for the trip was above everything else that we had done for the week and at some stages throughout the ascent everyone voiced that they were hot and sweating and decided to remove some clothing. The views at the top of Himmelsyna were well worth the effort of the ascent, and everyone enjoyed the respite from the mornings skiing.
The journey back to the transport was far easier on the way back, primarily due to the fact that the majority of the route was down hill. However, nearly everyone was suffering from the effort put in during the morning. A short distance from the end and transport we met up with the other group that had been practicing their technique. Excited conversations took place between all of the students as we slowly made our way to the transport. Once at the transport we headed back to TrollAkitv to pack our equipment and clean the accommodation and travel back to Kristiansand.
The main focus of the week was to ensure that we were all at a competent standard of cross country skiing. As with all activities there are those that are more competent than others, however it is believed that the aim was achieved by all of the students. Some of the personal learning outcomes for the week are as follows:
- Skill fade. Although some of the students had previous experience of cross country skiing, without constant practice their technique and capability to perform actions required had suffered.
- Equipment husbandry. Looking after the equipment (skis and boots) and applying the correct ski wax is paramount to the learning process and aids the learning process.
- Clothing requirements. Cross country skiing is a very physical activity and therefore it important to ensure that the correct clothing is worn to prevent over heating and cold weather injuries.
In conclusion, all the students enjoyed the week and it provided some much needed coaching and instruction from which we all learned a lot. With further practice our technique will become more refined and ultimately become competent cross country skiers.