May 7, 2007 – NASA astronauts returning to the moon should be given intensive cross-country skiing lessons to help them explore the surface more quickly, according to published reports. Former Apollo astronaut Harrison Schmitt, who flew with the last manned mission to land on the moon, said the technique allowed him to glide over the surface faster than his fellow astronauts, who instead adopted what he called an inelegant “bunny hop” gait. He also predicted that settlers at Nasa’s planned moon base will be able to experience lunar skiing holidays.

He said astronauts did not have to actually wear skis, although taking poles for balance would help. “Settlers are going to have a delightful time on the moon. I wish everybody could share that experience,” he told the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in San Francisco.