What are skate and classic Nordic skiing?

Answer 1

Skate skiing usually involves shorter skis and longer poles than classic skiing (which has longer skis and shorter poles). In skating, a wider, flat, groomed track is preferable whereas a classic skier would use narrow tracks and could pretty easily go off the track and ski around in deeper snow. The techniques are also different. For skating, there are three general methods: V1, V2, and V2 alternate. V1 is generally used going up hills, where as the other two are more for flat or downhills, but all involve poling at the time or soon before one of your skis touches the ground and pushes off to let you glide. For classic skiing, the technique is different, and involves poling and gliding on opposite legs and keeping your weight over your hip for the best weight distribution.