One thing all three of those steps do together is assure that the
forward driving foot lands in front of the kick foot instead of behind
it or alongside.

-JP- wrote:

4)Go out in your great backyard and repeat this progression on snow.


Thanks Gene. The flex ankle and hold heel improved my glide. I went
out today to do easy 12k w/o poles (poles held in mid section). It was
the same trail I did with poles on the day of Xmas eve. May be it was
because I didn't have to say Merry Xmas to everyone I saw on the
trail, I was surprised and pleased that it took me about the same
amount of time.

JP