This section is only intended to give more detail for the Dryland Learning and Training page.  Deciding to use rollerskis gets into some tricky aspects of managing the risks and hazards.  This section assumes that you have already made the decision to use rollerskis.  

Here are some ideas about which aspects of rollerski techniques "transfer" more or less specifically to classic snow skiing technique:  

Good transfer from Classic rollerskiing to snow 

• Offset pole timing 
   
• All double pole techniques 
   
• Muscle training of for all poling techniques -- see the Pole-Push Power "secret" 
   
• Training of leg muscles for classic striding. 
   

Some transfer from Classic rollerskiing to snow 

• Committed side-to-side weight transfer 

The tricky part is that on classic rollerskis you still get good grip for the leg-push even if you do compromise the weight transfer commitment.  Because the grip with ratchet or clutch wheel on classic rollerskis is so strong and reliable, you do not get any "punishment" for lack of full commitment. 

It is very easy to not notice that you are touching the second ski down on the ground before you have finished the leg push.  And since falling on pavement usually hurts more than falling on snow, it is more tempting to touch the pole down vertically for balance. 

Therefore: 

 - - Stable balance on one ski must come first -- see below. 

 - - You and your coach must consciously monitor the commitment.  Videotaping could help. 

 - - The practice of striding with no poling is just as important for improving on rollerskis as with snow skis -- but more scary. 

• Stable balance gliding on one ski 

This is a little different from snow skiing, because there is no set track on the pavement, and because a rollerski responds differently to corrective movements than a snow ski.  Therefore the small, largely unconscious movements that your muscle control systems learn to maintain balance are slightly different on rollerskis. 

But the big difference is that balance is best learned in an environment that feels very safe.  And since falling on pavement usually hurts more than falling on snow, rollerskiing is at a disadvantage for learning this critical skill.  It is even possible that fear on rollerskis could worsen bad habits that would be transferred to snow skiing. 

Therefore, for practicing balance: 

 - - Choose an environment that is even better controlled and predictable and feels overall safer than you would normally require for your management of the risks and hazards of rollerskiing. 

 - - Wear even more protection and padding than you would normally require for your management of the risks and hazards of rollerskiing:  at least a well-designed helmet, elbow pads, knee pads, tough gloves -- and strongly  consider also wrist guards and hockey hip pads.  

• Smooth striding 
   
• Classic striding without set tracks 
    
• Timing sequence of kick double pole -- but not the "kick". 
   

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Little transfer from Classic rollerskiing to snow 

• Basics of getting comfortable with skis on snow. 
   
• "Feel" for getting good grip for the leg push. 
   
• Techniques for climbing up a steep hill -- but that's OK because some dry land practice variations from walking or running are useful for this. 
   

Good transfer from Skate rollerskiing to snow 

• All double pole techniques 
   
• Muscle training for all poling techniques -- see the Pole-Push Power "secret" 
    

Some transfer from Skate rollerskiing to snow 

• Stable balance gliding on one ski  
   

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