Some of you will object to this term. Yes, I know not all granny's shuffle and I've left out grampa. Well I'm keeping this term because I've seen some 90 year old women ski and I hope to ski as well when I'm that age.

Some of you have heard that if you can walk you can ski. It's not true.

Here is how to walk with skis on.

• Initially leave your poles beside the trail you will pick them up later. Poles add a whole other dimension of complication.
• If you have a set track. Put your skis in it ( I'm assuming your feet are attached to them).
• Slide one ski forward
• Stand on that ski
• Slide the other ski forward.
• Keep on going.

You may have three problems.

1. You are afraid that your skis are going to slide out from under you dumping you on rear-end.
2. Instead of your ski sliding forward your other ski slides backwards.
3. This is a really slow tedious way to ski

Here's how to speed things up.

• Still leave your poles behind
• Get in the track
• Slide your ski forward and stand on it at the same time
• Slide your other ski forward and stand on it
• Keep on going.

Here's how to speed it up more.

• Leave poles and get in the track.
• Swing your ski forward above the snow.
• Stand on it as the momentum of the ski continues
• Do the same with your other ski.

You will be the fastest if you have your weight on only one ski at a time but this will also make you tippy. If you are new to skiing split your weight between the skis. Once you get confident commit all of your weight to one ski at a time.

Here's what to do with your poles

• Don't get your poles yet. First notice that your right hand and left foot move forward simultaniously when you ski. You don't even have to think about it.
• As you ski swing your arms, emphasizing their natural movement.
• Now get your poles and put them on.
• Ski with your poles using the same natural arm swing that you use without your poles.

If you find that your left hand is moving forward with your left foot, you are thinking to much. Stop poling, but keep skiing, once your arms have a natural movement start poling again.

note. The relationship of your hands and feet give diagonal-stride its name. Your hands are diagonal or contra-lateral to your feet. Since in skating your skis are diagonal to the track many people find the term confusing and so use "striding" instead.