Romandie cross-country skiing is launching an operation to promote this sliding sport by offering this Thursday, January 2, 1,500 kilometers of trails with free access.
Cross-country skiing is a sport that has seen great growth since the Covid crisis. Sliding sensations that are not reserved for adults: many courses are now offered to young people as well as families.
Heiko, 7 years old, took his first lesson at the Vue des Alpes, in the canton of Neuchâtel: a gift from his grandmother Jocelyne who wanted to try winter walks with him. The young boy already has some basics thanks to alpine skiing… and to brake, it’s the same technique.
Jérémy Huguenin, head of the Nordic Center for View of the Alps, gives him some advice and reassures him: “Don’t worry if you fall: it’s not serious, it’s normal! You have to find the feeling” . The little boy knows that he probably has to go through this: “Because I’m learning. It’s the first time I’ve done it!”
>> Listen to Jérémy Huguenin, head of the Nordic Center for the View of the Alps:
Attract a young audience
The objective is for young students to have fun, with a few games, and to learn intuitively by having their own experiences: “It must be an initiation which is intended to be fun and which goes in the direction of the child “We must not go into too technical details, but above all into things that are a little more fun and then understand what the child needs to want to start practicing cross-country skiing”, explains. he speaks at the microphone of La Matinale.
Heiko quickly understands how to manipulate his slats, with the encouragement of his instructor. The latter notes an increase in children taking up cross-country skiing: a trend confirmed by Swiss Ski.
The last few winters with little snow have contributed to this: “Cross-country skiing allows you to ski with very little snow. Alpine skiing is a little more complicated: you often have to move around. Cross-country skiing is a local activity inexpensive, with a low risk of injury It’s attractive for families.”
“Cross-country skiing is experiencing a change that is different from that of the past,” remarks Laurent Donzé, director of Romandie Cross-Country Skiing: “Now the pyramid is narrower, but these are people who are sharper”. He notes that there are perhaps fewer people who practice, but who are very motivated.
As for Heiko, he tries a slope: “I really liked the descents! It’s a bit scary, I think”, he whispers, while looking forward to going out on the road with his grandmother.
>> Listen to Laurent Donzé, director of Romandie Ski de Fond:
Radio report and photos: Deborah Sohlbank
Web article: Stéphanie Jaquet
