Winter is an important time for Danielle Marie Leblanc, as she is a cross country skiing enthusiast. Each winter, Danielle Marie Leblanc can’t wait to get out there and practice cross country skiing. She enjoys taking ski trips, whether to new locations or her established favorite spots. This year, Danielle Marie Leblanc made the decision to join a cross country ski team, so she can ski more frequently.

Cross country skiing differs from traditional skiing, in that it occurs on flatter terrain. Skiers can choose from three different methods of skiing: classic skiing, skating, and telemarking. The styles differ in the type of path used, weight distribution on the skis, and speed. The skating style is more typically used in competitive sport, and looks similar to the method used for ice skating. Danielle Marie Leblanc enjoys classic skiing, but hopes to learn the skating technique through her new team.

The history of cross country skiing dates back to prehistoric times, when Scandinavian tribes would ski for hunting purposes and to move between locations. The modern conception of cross country skiing was brought to North America by Scandinavian immigrants in 1850s. Since then, cross country skiing has gained popularity in the United States and Canada.

Danielle Marie Leblanc likes the challenge of cross country skiing. She explains, “Cross country skiing isn’t like regular skiing, you really have to work at it. There aren’t as many slopes to propel yourself downwards.” Danielle Marie Leblanc also likes cross country skiing because it keeps her fit in the winter. Successful skiing takes a significant amount of effort, so regular ski trips help Danielle Marie Leblanc to exercise during the winter.

For the past two years, Danielle Marie Leblanc’s cross country skiing decreased. She wanted to continue with the sport, but found it difficult to do so without help from others. She explains, “Joining this team will help me to ski more regularly, as I barely skied at all for the last two winters.” Danielle Marie Leblanc is excited to start skiing with her new team, and looks forward to discovering new places for skiing.