This article is reprinted from The Professional Skier. All copyrights apply. Please see our copyright and disclaimer notice page. Many Nordic skiers rely too heavily on their legs to get them where they are going, thereby missing the propulsion that results from purposeful poling.
Nordic skiing is like swimming.
If we just kick our legs but do not use our arms properly, the stroke lacks up to half the required propulsion and rhythm. Therefore, to achieve the fluid efficiency of movement desired in classic Nordic skiing, it's crucial to work toward a good blend of the muscle groups in the upper and lower body. Because many skiers do not realize how much propulsion they can gain through the proper use of their upper-body muscle groups, they do not realize the importance of their ski poles, nor do they recognize the value of using the right poles. Pole length is very important, because it can affect the skier's form and relaxation. Using poles that are too long will force the skier to arch his or her back too much and project the body up instead of up and over the trail.