Cross-Country skiing, aka Nordic Skiing, is a sport that takes coordination and stamina.  Don't let that scare you; you can develop both and find that your winter outdoor experience goes way beyond what you'd encounter on a normal hike.  The trick to it is learning to push off and glide along the snow, making long strides to cover a lot of distance in a relatively short time.  If you really work at it, you will develop a solid technique on your own, but a lesson from someone who is experienced will help at first.  The skis, boots and poles are different from those used in downhill (alpine) skiing.  Skis are long and thin with a texture underneath to help grip the snow.  The boots are flexible and ankle-high or slightly higher.  The poles are long and have a large bail at the bottom.  You don't need to spend a fortune for this equipment, but you might want to rent a few times before buying.