Ariel displays perfect cross-country form

An unlikely parade wound its way through the forest. Two five-year-olds, Jake and Ariel, shuffled along on their cross-country skis on the serpentine snowmobile trails of Vermont. Jake's dad, Bill Minter, gently suggested they turn back. He was worried that their intended destination was too far.

"No way!" retorted Jake."We're NOT goin' backwards!" These were kids on a mission: reenacting the words of the old song, they were skiing over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house, where promised hot chocolate awaited them. After some singing, a bit of parental pole-assisted climbing, and a mile of kicking and gliding later, the tired but delighted kids arrived at gramma's to claim their much-deserved prize.

I felt both determination and trepidation as I began cross-country skiing with my daughter and her friends this winter. I was determined that cross-country skiing my winter passion not get overshadowed by the glitz and excitement of alpine skiing. But I was nervous that my daughter might be turned off when she discovered the dirty secret of free-heel skiing: it involves more work, greater skill, and less speed than its alpine counterpart. I was also relieved and happy to discover that kids enjoy cross-country skiing although for their own reasons. Whether you take them to the slopes or the trails, kids can enjoy skiing at a young age. Cross-country kids could care less about the exercise and communing with nature. They like to play in the snow, go on treasure hunts, do stunts, and chase each other. Nordic skis are just another toy.

	Gear We Like Skis: Toddlers can use waxless skis with universal bindings that fit onto their snow boots. Around age five, upgrade to a boot-binding system such as Rottefella, Salomon, or three-pin. Waxless skis are the choice up to age 7 or 8. Younger kids should get skis with a longer"grip" pattern on the base for better climbing. Outdoor Research Kids Gaiters ($25) A ski boot filled with snow is a sure way to put a kid in a sour mood and end your ski outing. Gaiters are the solution. Mountainsmith Armadillo Pulk ($325) The Norwegians do it right: pulks (ski sleds) are a great way to ski with small children. You can bundle the kids into a sleeping bag, pack their favorite toy, and go. Pulks work best on groomed trails and they tend to stay upright even if you don't. This Mountainsmith pulk is available in a version for one or two kids. (One warning: when pulling a kid in a pulk. go slowly around corners to prevent the pulk from swinging wide and hitting a tree!) You can ski with a kid in a backpack if you are confident that you won't fall (note that makers of baby back packs discourage using them for skiing). I preferred to use a baby backpack when I was skiing in ungroomed snow.

I first skied with Ariel, taking her in a backpack or pulk (ski sled), when she was an infant. The rhythmic pace of skiing would always lull her to sleep. Ariel began cross-country skiing on her own at age three (it was more like puttering around the yard with skis on her feet), but she skied no real distances until she was five.

How do you get kids started? Dick Hall, telemark guru and dad, started his kids skiing in the summer. "They would walk around the house and the backyard with their skis on for fun. By the time winter came, they already knew how to ski. The living room is also a good place for kids to practice getting up with skis on," he said.

John Brodhead is the director of cross-country skiing at Craftsbury Outdoor Center in Vermont and the father of three skiing boys who range in age from 6 to 12. "Kids naturally seem to have good balance," he says. "I've spent very little time trying to teach my kids technique. Up to age 10, 1 just get them out there and have them ski and play with other kids and make it fun for them."

"Kids want to play on skis," he says. "'Play consists of going downhill, especially going off a jump or bump." It is also fun if you have a nearby goal, such as a cabin, a friend's house, or just a place to stop and picnic.

Gina Campoli (John's wife), adds that her sons "either want to go fast, or stop." She says that younger kids can enjoy ski tours of up to an hour. "A lot depends on the weather. You've got to make sure that they are well dressed, and you have to bring lots of food they run out fast." Campoli supplies M&Ms;, PowerBars, gorp, and hot chocolate.

Ariel takes a break.

Brodhead feels that many kids get turned off to cross-country skiing because of inferior equipment that makes it too hard."Good skis, bindings, and poles make such a difference in performance on groomed snow conditions," he says. He suggests that kids try good equipment at a local cross-country center. Parents can also ask a local ski club, cross-country center, or Bill Koch League in the fall to find out about Nordic ski sales or swaps.

Gina Campoli notes that there is another benefit to raising your kids as cross-country skiers. "When the kids go to the alpine ski areas, they can downhill ski instantly because it's so much easier. So you can save money on downhill ski lessons!"