Despite his efforts, cross-country skiing can make a poor first impression, Mr. Newell said, because it’s not easy to master. “It’s easy for folks to put on alpine skis and go slide down a mountain,” he said. “It’s easy to fake that you’re really good at something.”

With cross-country skiing, however, “if you really want to propel yourself down the track, you kind of have to know a little bit about what you’re doing,” he said. Cross-country skiing “is trying to see how fast you can go with just the power of your own arms and legs — and seeing how fast you can go down the hills, too.” While Mr. Newell is at the peak of his sport, he does have plenty of suggestions for recreational athletes, of whom there are many; according to a survey by the National Sporting Goods Association, about 1.6 million Americans participated in cross-country skiing in 2008, the most recent year available.

Here, he offers tips for amateurs, and a glimpse of his own regimen.

ADVICE FOR ROOKIES Cross-country skiers race in two styles — classic, in which the skis move parallel along the track, and freestyle, a technique that resembles speed skating. Which one is easier to learn is likely to depend on a skier’s background: runners and cyclists might feel more comfortable trying classic skiing, while in-line skaters might prefer freestyle, Mr. Newell said.

For someone learning classic skiing, Mr. Newell recommends starting slowly. Walk the trail with a pair of poles but without skis. This is the easiest way to get acclimated to the opposite-arm, opposite-leg movement required in cross-country skiing, he said. Then, once the movement feels comfortable, incorporate the skis. Finally, try adding power by kicking down into the snow with one ski, then gliding on the other.

Because the sport is physically demanding, beginners sometimes get discouraged. “Maybe the biggest mistake is that people get out there and they try to take it seriously,” Mr. Newell said. “Sometimes they forget that it’s supposed to be fun.”