Have you ever thought about skiing in Australia? Well there is snow in some parts during the aussie winter but for the most we live snow free so the answer to your wishes is Roller ski Downunder!! We specialise in “Dry land" skiing most commonly known as Roller skiing. Based on the technique of Cross country skiing it is the closest you’ll get to simulate skiing on snow. The basic equipment is identical. Poles, boots and binding. Only our skis are on wheels. Rollerski has always been a popular training tool for skiers in the snow free season but increasingly more popular with outdoor enthusias ..read more

Outdoors & Fitness, that is Nordic walking. There are many ways to stay active outdoors, running, cycling… but most of them are high impact on joints and body. Nordic walking is using poles to engage upper and lower body but the load is distributed evenly throughout so the impact on especially lower body (Ankle, knee & hip joint ) is reduced. This is why Nordic walking has become very popular for rehabilitation proposes but also for mature adults. However you can make Nordic walking a regular exercise or high intensity fitness training, depending on your condition and goals. Many of th ..read more

Walking info and updates!! Covit-19 has impacted all of us but with some common sense and simple changes nothing should stop us from walking for now. On the trail We respect social distancing and we have more than enough space on our trails to enjoy the walk. Pole Hire All our poles will be cleaned after each use and we provide sanitizer for all of our walkers who like to have extra protection. Payment We also offer pay as you go payments or choose to pay via our online payments system at www.active4life.com.au If possible no cash payments! Stay Away Please respect fellow walkers and stay away ..read more

One of the most neglected areas for recreational athletes is proper preparation and warm up before skiing and even more so leading up to an event. Not only will your performance suffer you also have a higher risk of injury. Many studies have shown how important it Is for your body and mind to prepare by using specific exercises that will allow your muscles to perform at their best and you to be 100% focused for the task. In our Part I we talk about warm up and cool down before a ride or event. The important BUZZ word is Dynamic warm up. What does this mean and what should you do? During warm ..read more

Cutting Poles!! There are few ways to cut depending on Carbon or Aluminium shafts.  I prefer a Hacksaw & Poles cutter. First remove the grip with a Heat Gun, be patient and don't get too close as cork handles can get damaged by heat. (Alternatively use hot water ) Clean the pole and measure required length.  Use Masking tape at the required cut length as this prevents fraying at the end. Use some hot glue and slide handle back on. Make sure you align it from the start to avoid and problems later. If you are not confident ask at your local shop or practice on an old shaft! www ..read more

If you like to be active and love the outdoors than Roller skiing should be on the MUST TRY list! Sport has always been an important part of the Aussie way of living but skiing traditionally might not have been ranked in the top 5 yet. Cross country skiing might not even make the top 15 and Roller skiing? Well most don't even know it exists! Events like the Winter Olympics have lifted the profile of skiing a lot and even in snow free places like Perth or Cairns people have heard about the hero's on skinny skis :)  So what is the connection between Roller skiing and winter sports like Cros ..read more

One of the first questions we get at our clinics is how do i stop! Now there are a few options but some are safer than others :)   Tradition braking techniques like V step or snow plow are most commonly used by skiers around the world but there are new accessories on the market helping us to slow down or stop safer and faster. We teach the traditional form of stopping at all of our clinics, as it should be part of everyone basic skills set but Roller ski brakes are more common now and it does make stopping easier and safer. Most brands are fitted onto the ski and you engage the bra ..read more

How to best keep track on your training or progress is a common questions, many of us use apps, GPS watches or training protocols. In this blog i try to explain some of the pro's and con's of gadgets available so if you are looking for something this may help you. The devises listed are specifically for Roller skiing/ Cross skating, there is a much bigger choice for Cross country skiers but not all have a Roller ski function. I have use may devices from Fit bit to Phone apps, GPS watches and followed training protocols. Let's start at base level with Smart watched or Fitness trackers ( Fit Bit ..read more

A lot has change in the past 12 month regarding pole sizes especially in classic technique. This blog is all about making things easier to understand and helping you to find the right size pole in Classic, Skate & Roller ski. Note this measurements are for competition only, but if you plan to participate in intl. races like the Kangaroo Hoppet or Vasaloppet these rule may apply. International Rules (343.8.1) In classical technique competitions, the maximum pole length must not exceed 83% of the competitor’s body height The body height is measured with ski boots on from a flat surface, to t ..read more

Nordic skiing down under? Yes you can and you should! When the snow is melting in the northern hemisphere the winter is slowly coming to us. Winter might not last as long as in Europe or Northern America but there is a great choice of cross country ski trails waiting for you to explore. Cross country skiing is for the whole family, no matter if you are a beginner or expert skier. This is a great way to enjoy the snow.  There are various events throughout the Australian Winter season, the highlights are the annual Kangaroo Hoppet in Falls Creek or the Parisher XC ski week. You can find mor ..read more