Introduction to Roller Skiing

Some of you may remember a few years ago that Jamaica entered a plucky bobsleigh team in the Winter Olympic Games. If you ever wondered how a Caribbean country like Jamaica came to get involved in bobsledding, then by the same token you are equally entitled to wonder how the English ever got involved in cross country skiing.

Whether or not global warming is taking effect in the UK, the stark fact is that the vast majority of us have no English snow on which to pursue our chosen sport, even in winter. This is the reason why nearly all home cross country skiing is now done on roller skis. Whilst not perfect, Roller Skiing is the best simulation of cross country skiing on snow that has yet been devised. It can be done on any road (subject to safety considerations) but generally the smoother the better and it can best be visualised as long Roller Blades but with poles.

Roller skiing has developed at a similar rate to other skiing sports in the last twenty years to the extent that it has become a sport in its own right. The consequence is that there are numerous variations of roller ski. Some will replicate the feeling that you get skiing on snow whilst others have been designed specially for roller ski racing and these run even faster than skis gliding on snow.

There are two categories of roller skis. Firstly there are rollers designed for use on tarmac and other smooth surfaces and these mostly equate to skiing in prepared tracks on snow. Secondly there are off road models for use on dirt roads or forest tracks. These are heavier models, they invariably have much larger pneumatic tyres and they’re more akin to cross country skiing “off piste”.

Road Rollers

Most roller skiing in England is done on tarmac or paved surfaces. The smoother the better. The bindings and the boots are exactly the same as described on the other pages for use on snow. With roller skis however, the bindings are attached to box section boards many of which are constructed in a similar way to snow skis. They’re usually just over half a metre long with a wheel or roller at each end. The only difference in the poles is that there is no need for any kind of basket and the metal tips are usually specially hardened metal to withstand the rigours of tarmac and stone chippings. Those wishing to ski skate style will use rollers with wheels that revolve freely in both directions. For classic style one of the wheels has a clever seamless clutch mechanism that only allows for forward rotation. This allows a roller skier to kick and glide in much the same way that a snow skier would use grip wax to kick off the snow. The roller skier however doesn’t have the advantage of the grooves or ski tracks to guide the skis and keep them pointing in the right direction as they would on snow but on the other hand the “grip wax” never fails. The classic style roller skis can also be used for skate style although some may claim a slight glide and financial penalty. Experienced classic style skiers will also be more concerned with the length of the roller wheel base as this will affect tracking and the angle of the roller ski to the ground during the kick phase. Most manufacturers provide a choice of different lengths of wheel base in their ranges and at least one manufacturer offers a forerunner attachment to help keep them in line.

As well as classic and skates styles these road rollers can be further categorised by models with different widths and different diameters of wheel. Each manufacturer has a slightly different approach to road rollers but the novice will probably start on what are commonly called barrel rollers. These have solid rubber wheels about 40-50mm wide and like their name suggests the wheels are barrel shaped. Their diameter is also the smallest of the rollers and generally their rolling resistance is higher than those models with larger diameter wheels. Their advantage is their slightly superior lateral stability and when you place them on the ground they don’t fall over. This helps when putting them on.

More experienced skiers will be looking for models with a lighter frame with perhaps narrower and larger diameter wheels. Different models will have different rolling resistances but for training purposes some manufacturers produce speed reducers to further increase rolling resistance and to give you a real workout. A choice of soft or hard tyres will further define the rolling resistance and refine your choice. At least three manufacturers make models with four wheel drive for those wishing to attain warp factor speeds. They have two wheels in line at the front and two wheels in line at the back. Besides greater speed the other advantage is better traction particularly when debris or grit on the track is encountered. One manufacturer incorporates independent suspension front and rear to cope with uneven surfaces.

Having gained some experience of roller skiing you’ll have a better idea of where you want to set your priorities. If you want to roller ski as training for snow skiing you’ll need a set of roller skis with a medium rolling resistance that equates more to the glide you can expect on snow. These rollers will help you to develop a technique for skiing on real snow. Alternatively if you want to race and ski as fast as possible on the black stuff you’ll be looking at rollers with bigger, narrower wheels with a minimum of rolling resistance. You will of course develop a technique that’s good for roller skiing but not necessarily good for snow skiing.

For information in greater depth on the selection of roller skis, click on to Roller Skiing Equipment.

Off-Road Rollers

These are little seen in England although there is now a UK manufacturer now specialising in just such a roller ski or “trailskate” as they call them. As their name suggests there is no classic style version. Other manufacturers do however make classic style off-road rollers. All these off-road rollers are distinguished by their much chunkier pneumatic tyres and spoked wheels of around 200mm diameter. Instead of a ski type board they usually have a low slung metal tubular frame. Another feature is that instead of a standard track ski boot and binding you’re more likely to find a boot holder not unlike a snowboard binding where you can strap in your ordinary outdoor trainers or other ski boots. Giving by far the smoothest ride of all the roller skis these pneumatic tyres iron out many of the stones and bumps enabling them to be used on tracks that would defeat the road rollers. The heaviest models are unfortunately 7Kg. a pair in contrast to road rollers which weigh between 1Kg. " 2Kg.

Without wishing to put you off, even falls at high speed in soft snow are unlikely to produce the kind of injuries likely to be encountered by an unprotected fall at only moderate speed on tarmac or concrete. This factor places a distinct restriction on the angle of slope on which standard road rollers can be used. The addition of brakes however on off-road rollers is a particularly welcome feature and this facility helps to further extend the range of the off-road roller’s use. The brakes on off-road rollers can commonly be found operated via a hand-operated hydraulic cable, which is clipped onto clothing in a strategic place. Another solution offered by another manufacturer has a lever attachment resting against the skier’s calf and operated by pushing the leg backwards onto it.

Safety

The subject of safety in roller skiing is one ignored at your peril. There are two main areas of concern " location and falls.

A safe location in which to roller ski should be your first thought. Traffic free areas such as cycle tracks and parks should be at the top of your list. Quiet country roads can be considered but remember that in England most will be narrow. If you have to ski on a road try and make sure that you choose a road with some sort of grass verge for emergency use. Narrow roads with stone walls are best avoided. Experience has proved that as soon as you enter a narrow walled road you will encounter milk wagons, horse boxes, agricultural vehicles or young aspirant rally drivers with a surplus of testosterone. All can be potentially fatal. A Roller Ski Directory supported by Snowsport England is a worthwhile investment listing not only the best but also the safest locations in which to roller ski.

Speed, hard abrasive surfaces and soft tissue is a hazardous combination and no matter how expert you may become it’s only a matter of time before this heady mix becomes unstable. At one extreme, competence, youth and optimism will rule out the need for any protective gear and at the other extreme, the cautious will require the wearing of full body armour. However an immutable law of nature dictates that no matter how much protective clothing you wear, an unguarded part of the body will almost certainly come into contact with something hard and/or abrasive and /or sharp in the event of a fall. Even the cautious may jeopardise safety and allow their enthusiasm to get the better of them when invited to take part in a race or when pushing out the envelope of one’s personal skills. The acquisition of experience will lead to a certain amount of stable door shutting. Each injury will undoubtedly add another item of gear protecting that part of the body last injured.

A surprisingly common and unexpected fall can occur to the unsuspecting classic roller skier when merely stood around chatting. If you allow your weight to go too far back on your roller skis the ratchet system won’t allow you to correct your balance as you would be able to do if you were on foot. The consequence is a sudden backward fall.

Much of the same protective apparel manufactured for cyclists, roller bladers and snowboarders can and should be used when roller skiing. Many roller skiers will have a cycle helmet and this will be ideal to use when roller skiing. Mountain bike helmets with a peak may prevent face injuries if involved in a forward fall. Knee and elbow protectors are fairly widely available and should be added to your wish list. Particularly vulnerable are the thighs and nether regions. It may be worth investigating some of the protective gear manufactured for motor cyclists. Snowboarders also seem to have latched on to this and some motor cycle under shorts come highly recommended by snowboarders for protecting exactly the same areas of the body to which roller skiers are vulnerable.

Roller Ski Venues

There are some specific circuits which can be used for roller skiing, but it is possible to use cycle tracks to create a day-long tour. Popular off-road routes include the Lancaster to Morecambe cycle path (Lune Valley), the Bristol to Bath path, and the Manifold Valley route in the Peak District. Cross Country Ski Clubs in the UK regularly organise a series of informal roller ski tours throughout the year.

Finding a suitable location to Roller Ski that has good tarmac and is not too steep can be a problem. There are many locations through out the UK, which have been listed in the UK Rollerski Directory. These locations have been tried and tested by skiers for skiers. For more information please click here.

Click on the Roller Ski Equipment box to learn more about and how to select it