Cross country skiing is a sport that also belongs to the maingroup „skiing„. The difference to the normal kind of skiing is that you don`t need a mountain or a slope to practice it, because it can be practiced in the plains. You also have other skis. The fixation on the cross country skis are opened at the heel, ( your foot is only fixed at one place ). This enables a more freely movement of your feet. The only thing you need is enough snow. The system is, that you are pushing yourself forward with your sticks, which are longer than in the normal skiing – sport. So you will never be as fast as with normal skis, because you are not driving down.

Two different styles
In cross country skiing there are mainly two styles which are practiced these times. The first is the classic style. It is a little bit like walking on the snow, just a bit faster because you are also gliding when you are pushing you forward with your sticks. A lot of elderly people are practicing this style, because you don`t need as much force as if you would pracatice normal skiing. The other style is the skating style. The material is the same as in the classic style but there is an other technique. You also are pushing you forward with your sticks but at the same time you are skating with your skis. ( for illustration see the pictures at the bottom of the page ). In consequene to that the speed is higher. This style is mainly for younger people, because it requieres more force in your legs and you quicker get tired. It is often used as a training for runers, who can practice their sport during wintertime.

Toboganging

Toboganging is mainly a fun sport. The only thing you need to practice it is enough snow, ( like in all the winter sports), then an object you can sit on and is sliding and a slope. There is also a professional style of toboganging which is very fast and is also an olympic discipline. But there you have special material and the runers are driving down an ice canal and get speeds up to 100 km / h.

Snowbiking

How to become a snowbiker

Snowbiking offers something for everyone. It is easy right from the start for anybody who can ride a bike. But the key to have fun is the right technique and the right tool. Then every turn will be a new enjoyable sensation.

The right "technique"
to experience the fascination of this sport various training programs are offered from beginners' level up to special high performance riding. Newcomers can obtain a "free-driver’s-certificate" with a one day basic program on use of lifts, types of turns, piste regulations and avalanche instructions. Experts and Newcomers agree: "ultimate snowbike fun: There’s always something new to discover"

The right "tool"
A modern snowbike has to be ultralight and collapsible. Easy transportation and perfect riding performance are the result of consequent research to minimize weight and maximize function. The proper snowbike size is very important for your long-term relationship to this sport. It is like buying a pair of shoes - if it doesn’t fit just right, you’ll never wear it, or in this case ride it.
 

important features and benefits:

- short learning curve
- ultralight (max. 12 kg/ 25 lbs.)
- easily collapsible
- ergonomic frame geometry
- adjustable size
- full suspension

DOWN Simply - Everywhere
The snowbiker turns and glides. Long-drawn or short cut turns. Relaxed or compressive running, you experience a new exhilerating body sensation. The best point about snowbiking: because of its stability it is learned quickly. Snowbike is fun and easy to control on all types of snow (ice, crunch, deep snow, wet snow, powder). You can challenge every slope; easy, more difficult and most difficult slopes as well as moguls, bumps or deep powder, wherever you want to go. The best way to see how it works: attend a snowbike lesson with a professional instructor.
 

Figure skating

Introduction

Figure Skating is a sport with many dimensions. Its many disciplines include: Singles Freestyle, Pairs Freestyle, Dance, Precision, Figures, and Moves-in-the-Field. More about them later. But first, what about the sport in general?
Skaters normally begin to skate in a group lesson environment. Basic Skills classes are taught at most rinks on a regular basis throughout the year, and are a very cost-effective way to learn the basics of skating, whether your interest is in competitive figure skating, recreational skating, or hockey. When skaters have learned the basic elements of skating in this group environment, many will join a skating club and begin to further develop those skills by working with a private instructor, or "Pro". In order to join the many clubs, skaters must have passed through, or have demonstrated capability in all of the skills through the level of the Basic program.
Club skaters practice anywhere from 1 to as many as 12-15 hours per week, depending on their level of interest, competitiveness, and budget.
Many skaters compete, and when they do so, they compete within groups of other skaters with similar ability levels. These abilities are proven by the passage of official USFSA tests, taken in front of USFSA appointed judges at designated "test sessions". The tests establish several "Levels" of skating in each discipline. When you watch skating on TV you are watching skaters who have passed all the way to the top of the test structure, called the "Senior" level. But there are many levels below Senior, and most of our club skaters are somewhere on that ladder, moving upwards. Competitive skating levels are not determined by age, although often in competitions, age will be used as a secondary factor to group smaller "flights" of skaters within a single test level.

How is figure skating scored?

The singles and pair events each have two parts, the short program and the free skate. In the short program (formerly called the original or technical program), the skaters must execute eight required elements (jumps, spins, and footwork sequences); there are mandatory deductions for failures, and skaters are not permitted to retry missed elements or insert extra elements.
Skaters are given two marks. The technical mark (for required elements or technical merit) and the presentation mark which is supposed to reflect the choreography, flow, and balance of the program, the ability of the skaters to interpret their chosen music, and other factors such as making good use of the ice surface, skating with speed, sureness, and effortless carriage, and unison for pair skaters.
 

Sources: http://members.ping.at/brenter/
  http://visions.simplenet.com/skate/sk8_1012.html