Adult Nordic Ski Lessons and Clinics

Beginner and Intermediate Lessons and Clinics

  • Adult Cross-Country Ski Lessons

    Designed for beginners in Classic kick-and-glide and freestyle skating, these small-group lessons (maximum five students) are held at GPRA or Archangel Road during January and February.

    To access lesson registration, you must have an Individual or Family Membership. Become a member today to unlock full registration access when it becomes available!

    If you have any questions, email us at info@matsuski.org — we’re happy to help.

    Lesson Dates & Times:
    Coming soon!

    Individual or Family Membership required for access to this program registration.

  • Private Cross-Country Ski Lessons

    One-on-one, 90-minute coaching sessions are available for beginners and intermediate skiers at $50 per session.

    Sessions are generally offered in January and February, depending on instructor availability. There are no pre-arranged times, so scheduling is flexible. To arrange a private lesson, please email info@matsuski.org.

    Individual or Family Membership required for access to instruction.

  • Ski 101 In-Store

    The first of two free Ski 101 clinics is designed for beginners who want to try cross-country (Nordic) skiing. Join us for an evening indoor session at Backcountry Bike and Ski in Palmer, held in November or early December.

    Our Adult Lesson Coaches will guide participants through the basics of Nordic ski gear and clothing, including skis, ski care, and layering for warmth, comfort, and ease of movement.

    Date and time: Coming soon

    No Mat-Su Ski Club Membership required

  • Ski 101 On-Snow

    This free clinic is the second of two sessions for beginner adult skiers. Participants will focus on the basics: putting on skis, stepping onto the snow, learning to fall and get up, turning, and a few essential techniques to start gliding confidently.

    The on-snow session takes place at Government Peak Recreation Area (GPRA) when groomed snow is available, typically in late November or early December.

    Please dress for the weather and bring your own ski gear, or rent equipment if needed.

    Rental gear is available at Backcountry Bike and Ski (Palmer) or Play It Again Sports (Wasilla)

    Date and Time: Coming soon!

    No membership required

Nordic (cross-country) ski Techniques & Equipment

Techniques

A person cross-country skiing on a snow-covered trail in a mountainous landscape under a clear blue sky.

Classic Nordic Skiing:

This is the centuries-old original kick-and-glide, or diagonal stride, technique. Classic tracks are groomed for this type of skiing. When classic skiing the skis are parallel. The skier “kicks” downwards onto their gliding ski in front, making that ski stationary and gripped onto the snow for just an eye-blink while swinging the other leg forward and propelling a glide forward on that leg’s ski, until it is time in turn to kick down onto that gliding ski.

Equipment

Group of four people skiing on snow-covered ground near a rural building and a mountain in the background.

Skate (Freestyle) Nordic Skiing

This technique is not new, but only became a separate competition discipline in the 1980’s. A wide, flat “skate deck” is groomed for this type of skiing. Skate skiing mimics the motion of ice-skating – the skis are in a V-shape as the skier alternatively pushes to the side with one gliding ski while transferring weight to and continuing gliding on the other ski. Both skis are always moving forwards – the glide never ends.

Any Nordic ski can be used for either technique, but ease and fun is allowed by proper gear.

Classic skis use grip wax or a one-way pattern or fabric on the bottom for grip during the kick. They have double camber, a curved springy shape that’s stiff in the center, holding the ski above the snow during glide. The grip material contacts the trail only during the kick. Classic boots are soft, allowing easy bending, while poles are shorter than skating poles.

Skate skis have no grip, with single camber and no wax pocket. The entire base is covered in slipperiest glide wax. Skate ski boots have stiff soles and higher ankle support than classic boots. Skate ski poles are much longer than classic poles.

Combi skis and boots are designed for both techniques, compromising on both sides. They’re popular for growing kids. One can use classic-sized poles with classic-sized boots, or vice versa, or something in between, but not consistently.

Ski wax comes in two types: glide wax and grip wax. Glide wax is slippery, while grip wax grips the snow during the kick.