I used to x country ski too when i was little. I begged my parents to let me try downhill when i was in 3rd grade, and i have never skied on a pair of x country skies again. i should upload a pic of me with my x countrys when i was little. i was worse.
woa, i started out as a cross countryer too. i would always go to the rope tow and attempt to straightline the crapass bunny hill. finally i got to downhill, and never looked back.
and of course they're tall, they're cross country skis.