Compared to snowshoeing, cross-country skiing is generally more difficult to learn and is more athletic and rigorous. Cross-country skiing can be more taxing on your back and shoulders if you do not let your strong leg muscles dominate the slide-and-glide motion.

Using proper equipment is important for successful cross-country skiing. The length of your skis, for example, definitely matters. Beginning skiers are much better off starting with shorter skis. Similar to downhill skiing, there are times when snow-plowing or pigeon-toed walking is necessary to venture either downhill or uphill. These techniques are much more difficult when the skis are longer (and have a greater tendency to cross). Most importantly, your ski poles are your friends in cross-country skiing. You will use them extensively in most motions, except when gliding downhill.

Unless you're using a more modern skating style method, always keep the tips of the skis pointing forward in the direction that you want to go. Practice initially by taking smaller strides and raise your trailing heel off the ski. When the leading ski has almost stopped sliding, plant down on that ski and slide the formerly trailing ski into the lead. Most novice skiers tend to begin to move the trailing ski before the lead ski has almost stopped moving forward. Attempt to keep your back as straight as possible during this forward gliding motion.

When going downhill, be sure to bend your knees, stay centered on your skis, and keep your ski poles off the ground with the tips pointing behind you. Cross-country trail slopes are not usually severely graded and the rise and fall of the trails are relatively subtle. As with snowshoeing, you will exert considerable energy and generate body heat, so the advice about dressing in layers and not layering your socks remains the same.