>>421534You can just hike with the skis on, but actually XC skiing is different. You can push yourself along with the grip of the skis. You make small kicks as you walk to propel you along. Usually, you would do it on a groomed trail, where there are tracks your skis would stay in. You use your poles to help balance and push.
If you work, you can get a really nice glide going and can move pretty fast.
