Loiping is fun!

Actually that word doesn't exist. But cross-country skiing has evolved a long way from the two simple wooden skis and bindings that you might see on the wall of a Scottish pub. So much so that you don't even necessarily need snow, if 'rollers' are your thing. At the risk of putting you off, a short explanation of some of our activities:

Some members head off to the hillier bits of the continent and amuse themselves skiing sedately along networks of prepared tracks - in some countries this is a 'loipe' - in the classical langlauf style. Anyone can pick up the skills - at the very least you can simply walk along on the skis, aided by the parallel grooves made by the grooming machines.

The classic style is still used by competitive track skiers, but most racers these days are going a lot quicker by skating, which is what it sounds like, but requires a lot more technical competence than doing it on ice skates. Some of our members appear to have mastered this pretty well, and they take part in events in Switzerland, Russia and elsewhere. Several who are otherwise good skiers, remain nonplussed by the technique, and somewhat envious.

Deserving of even more envy, are those who have got to grips with Telemark skiing. Based on the telemark turn, the style has spawned its own range of equipment, and a small but growing band of enthusiasts in Britain, who greet each other with a special handshake before holding very technical discussions. Mere mortals can now learn the technique indoors on real snow thanks to Xscape, who have centres in Milton Keynes and a lot nearer at Castleford.

Combining assorted skills, we organise an annual trip to Norway for one or two weeks of Nordic touring, essentially backpacking between the DNT mountain huts, on skis which lie somewhere between light track skis and heavy ski-mountaineering equipment. In actual fact skills required are minimal, with a love of card and word games being as important in the long evenings after a day's skiing.

Demonstrating adaptability to climate change, some members have skis with wheels on the bottom. They maintain it is fun to go out on cycle paths and roads and apply the same sort of skills for roller skiing - proof can be seen at the bottom of our photos page. The skis also come in handy when moving heavy furniture.

Finally, we also do things in the off-season (i.e. most of the year) that have nothing to do with skiing atall: social bike rides and walks, and even the odd bit of serious exertion, such as entering a team triathlon. Go on, you know you want to join us.