You've seen us on-screen, pushing full throttle across the snow. You've seen us wearing unusually skintight clothing with European names. You've heard us toss around fancy terms that understandably go over most peoples heads. Now, even Outside Magazine is finally showing the world what we're all about http://www.outsideonline.com/2127176/definitive-ra... Wherever you've seen us, you've probably wondered what the hell we are? We are Nordic skiers.

Anyone who has gotten to know me in either high school or college should be well aware by now that my life more or less revolves around the sport of Nordic skiing. I have been heavily involved in the sport since 9th grade, when I learned how to ski, and even though I never made much of a dent in the racing scene and have recently decided not to pursue racing at a national level anymore, I still love Nordic with a passion and intend on skiing for as long as I physically can.

At a university like Montana State, with snow in abundance for most of the year and an athletic culture in Bozeman, it comes as no surprise that MSU has a fair share of Nordic skiers scattered around campus. While we aren't as abundant as alpine and other downhill skiers, we certainly know how to make ourselves noticed.

Now, because the majority of the MSU student body isn't too familiar with the Nordic ski world, I will attempt to explain it at a level for the general population:

First off, the name. Nordic skiing is often used in two different contexts, which is why many get confused by the terminology. If we want to go globally, the International Ski Federation (FIS) defines Nordic as any skiing discipline where you have a free heel that can be lifted (unlike conventional downhill skiing where both the heel and toe are locked into your binding. This includes:

-Cross-Country (skate or classic)

-Biathlon (skate and rifle shooting)

-Ski jumping

-Nordic Combined (ski jumping and skate)

-Telemark (basically alpine slalom skiing with a free heel, and skate segments in races)

This classification has its place, however, for now I will simplify it for American's sake. Almost always, people ignore most of the things listed above and consider Nordic skiing and cross-country skiing to be the same thing, with the terms being used interchangeably. In the Olympics and other international races, it will specifically be called cross-country, but in the United States, most competitive teams call themselves a Nordic team. From this point on I will say Nordic to refer to Nordic/cross-country.

Nordic skiing can be separated into 2 different styles, classic, and skate.

Classic skiing is a centuries-old way to Nordic ski (hence the name) and originated in Scandinavia to conveniently travel across the snow, it's also how somebody usually envisions a stereotypical Nordic skier, with two long, narrow skis gliding parallel in a set of tracks in order to move, and two poles about 83% of your height planting alternatively to the skis. Classic looks almost like an exaggerated walk when viewed from a distance. In order to push off the skis this way, a sticky wax called a 'grip' or 'kick' wax is applied to the middle of the ski base to compliment the glide wax on the rest of the base. When classic skiing, it is common to stride, double-pole, double-pole-kick, or herringbone to travel across the snow.

Diagonal Striding:

Double Poling:

Kick Double Poling:

Skate skiing (also known as freestyle) is somewhat new, as it was formally introduced by American Bill Koch in a world cup race during the 1980s. Skate generally looks like ice skating on skis, with some clear difference considering that it is a different sport. The skis are slightly shorter than classic skis, and the poles are slightly longer than classic poles. Skate skiers also getting around using three techniques: V2, V2 alternate (known in the Midwest as open-field), and V1.

V2 (2:33-3:14 is the actual technique):

V2 Alternate (or open-field):

V1:

That is nordic skiing at a bare basic level. We are an uncommon breed, but we are driven by a passion unlike any other to succeed.

Look for new articles where I will dive deeper into how you can get involved in this unique winter activity.