There is an excellent way to increase your exercise efforts while walking, which is to use properly fitted Ski Walking poles that are similar to cross country skiing used on the snow. Ski Walking is relatively new to America, but has its origins dating back to the 1930s in Finland, where cross country ski racers used their ski poles to hike and run in the off season months from Spring to Fall to keep their upper body and cardio strong for the next winter ski season.

Whether you are beginning an exercise program, looking to drop a few pounds and improve your overall health or you are a high level athlete seeking a new cross-training activity,  Ski Walking offers many benefits that few other low-impact exercise activities can match!

• Ski Walking increases heart and lungs function by increasing cardio capacity by 20%-40% more than regular walking depending on the level of ski walking that has three different levels (L1-L3).
• Ski Walking poles also provide more upper body strengthening and  better support for your lower joints while providing better balance on slippery surfaces, traversing rough terrain or crossing a small stream by increasing stability.
• Ski Walking also burns 20%-40% more calories than regular walking if done with the proper technique, which includes Level 1 being the easiest through Level 3 being the most intense Ski Walking technique.

The next school will start:

Each MONDAY
April 6 – April 27, 2026
(6, 13, 20, & 27)
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Monteith Park & Farmstead
Dillsboro, NC

Participants will be provided ski walking poles for the entire duration of the school, which can be taken home to practice and even compete in a competition that will go through April 27th.

So if you are looking to increase your fitness and try a new exercise activity, why not take ski walking poles along with you on a walk to “economize your exercise!” Be sure and register on Eventbrite and then show-up on April 6th!

Please contact Jackson and Swain County Extension Director Robert J. Hawk at 586-4009 or 736-6919, or email “robert_hawk@ncsu.edu” for more information.