This encompasses all forms of skiing involving 'free-heel' skiing, whereby the foot is only attached at the toe region to the ski. It includes biathlon, cross-country skiing, langlauf skiing, ski-orienteering, ski-racing (track racing), ski touring, telemarking, XCD skiing, and even bushwalking on skis.

Traditional cross-country skiing in which skis do not have metal edges, have a large degree of flex and bend or camber, and are thin and lightweight.

Another name for cross-country skiing.