Skate skiing is usually my cardio exercise of choice in the winter. Not this year though, we haven't had much snow. I love it. It's great frontal plane stability exercise and it's excellent cross training for cycling.
It's not usually expensive to rent skate gear so I often encourage beginners to rent for the first 5 times or so and to try to rent different brands. It's good to get a feel for what the different equipment is like and get a sense of what you want to buy. Buying used at swaps is a fantastic way to go.
The moment I knew I had progressed from being a beginner was when I could ski for 20 min straight and not feel like I was pinning it the whole time. When you get comfortable on the skis and start finding your different gears so to speak, then it gets easier and more fun.
My favorite days are the ones where the snow off track is frozen enough to ski anywhere. Then you can ski, dodging and diving through the trees feeling like James Bond in... I don't remember which movie it was with the ski chase, but like that.
Enjoy the journey!
Living life like there's no tomorrow.
http://gorgebikefitter.com/
2007 Look Dura Ace
2010 Custom Tonic cross with discs, SRAM
2012 Moots YBB 2 x 10 Shimano XTR
2014 Soma B-Side SS