Roller skiing is a non-snow equivalent to cross-country skiing. Emulating skis, elongated inline skates, with one wheel at each end, are used on tarmac. The skating/skiing action is very similar to actual cross-country skiing on snow.

First created as a summer training alternative, roller skiing has now grown into a competitive sport in its own right. Annual championships are held in various locations around the world. Many national ski teams around the world roller ski during the off-season to simulate the ski motion.

Equipment

Roller skis for "classic" and "skate" style skiing are used.

For classic style roller skiing the skis usually have wide wheels, and the front wheel has a rachet mechanism. This front wheel thus only rolls in the forward direction and provides resistance on the "kick"—comparable to grip wax on snow.

For skating style roller skiing the skis usually have narrower wheels (similar in geometry to inline skating wheels), and both wheels are free rolling.

Roller skis with pneumatic tyres are also available for off-road use.

Normal cross-country ski bindings and ski boots are used. Cross-country ski poles are also used, with the "basket" replaced by a tungsten carbide spike.

Extra protective clothing is often recommended (gloves, helmet, knee and elbow pads).

Most roller skis don't have bona fide brakes, except for a relatively new calf-activated brake pioneered by Len Johnson of V2 Jenex. Speed reducers, available on some models, work by providing different levels of friction against the wheels.

Popular manufacturers of rollerskis are V2 Jenex (US), Marwe (Finland), Start (Finland), Pro Ski (Norway), SkiSkett (Italy).

Roller skiing is most popular in Europe (France, Italy, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Russia), and serious roller ski racing takes place mostly in Europe. In the United States roller skiing is popular in states where Nordic skiing is relatively popular - Alaska, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Minnesota, Wisconsin.

Cross-country skiing | Skiing

Rollski