All-Terrain Skating/Skiing

All-terrain skating is a combination of in-line skating, cross-country skiing and mountain biking. This sport represents a fusion that stands a real chance of becoming big.

All-terrain skating offers ...
...in-line skaters a way to skate comfortably on rougher surfaces
...cross-country skiers a way to enjoy skiing anywhere in the summer
...rollerskiers a way to ski in summer without pavement -- and enjoy the same trails used in the winter
...mountain bikers a new way to enjoy off-road trails, even challenging single-track trails
...power kiters a new way to enjoy their sport

All-terrain skating has these advantages ...
...if used with poles it provides a better workout than mountain biking and in-line skating
...a cross-training potential for downhill and cross-country skiers, water-skiers, snowboarders, skateboarders, skaters, mountain bikers, runners and hikers. Just about everybody actually.
...a wide variety of techniques from skating and skiing can be practised.

All-terrain skates may be better for the environment than mountain biking. The tracks created by all-terrain skates are like those of mountain bikes but are less intense because weight is more evenly distributed. In addition, the maximum speed of all-terrain skates is only about 15 mph (24 km/h) making conflicts with other trail users less likely. A counter argument: some people may intend to push the envelope more often than with mountain bikes. These users will likely have less ability to stop quickly on difficult downhills.

All-terrain skating is a relatively new sport. The first all-terrain skates were designed by Pat Gates in 1977. However, only now are these skates becoming available. Crosskates, the brainchild of James Page, are even newer. The company formed in 1998. So all-terrain skates are not yet sold widely and are quite expensive. Some models haven't caught on. The Coyote was dropped because of poor sales. Of course, the Coyote has been citicited as being ... Roces are also doing poorly, the sell only in Europe. http://www.roces.com/selfam.asp?f=offroad. Roces don't seem off-road enough to really be called all-terrain skates either.

The best but most expensive all-terrain skates are Crosskates. At $700, they are not cheap. However, they do have excellent brakes. Unlike the other models, with Crosskates, to stop all you need to do is crotch down. No hand brake on a cable to worry about. Crosskates are also more like skiing then the other models because it has a free heel that allows telemarking and cross-country skiing techniques. Crosskates have a feature called Power Carve Steering. When you lean on the skates they turn. None of the Crosskates wheels will go backwards, a benefit when going up hills. 10 inch inflatible wheels. For more information: http://www.crosskate.com/

The first all-terrain skates are Trail Skate by Gateskate. They are currently $350, about half as much as Crosskates. 10 inch inflatible wheels. Doesn't slide backwards. Resistance positions. Can switch techniques with use of one or two outriggers. They use hand-operated hydraulic breaks on a cable. It also has an adjustible binding system that fits over regular shoes. More info at: http://www.gateskate.com/ and http://www.speedyskate.com/products-ts.html
Can not skate on outside edge

Rockville ATS has number of models of all-terrain skates. Rangers at $225 are similar to the Trail Skate. Instead of hydraulic breaks it has drum brakes. Ranger uses its own boots, included in the price. Rangers front wheels will only go forward. It's StreetFeet are cheaper at $139 per pair. The wheels are smaller at 6 inches, and its wheels will roll backwards. FeetFleet are cheapest at $99. The wheels are 5 inches, and there are no hand-operated brakes. More info at: http://www.skaterace.com/RockvilleATS.htm or http://www.axtionsystems.com/ATSkates.htm

All-terrain skates are also made for power kiting. The requirements are much less for these type of skates. They do require breaks, or wheels that only move forward. More information at:http://www.kiteskating.com/

Links
http://www.speedyskate.com/information.html Info on crosskates & rockville skates
http://inlineskating.about.com/library/weekly/aa010204a.htm Gateskate review
http://www.freep.com/money/business/guide9_20030309.htm Review of sport