I used a cross trainer once in an attempt to do some exercise but not aggrevate shinsplints... bloody awful things. Such an unnatural movement, nothing like cross country skiing, just a weird movement of arms and legs.....
Buy some rollerskis instead. I have one other rollerskiier already, and Geoff has some rollerskis, so if you buy some as well, we woudl have 4 people to form the Bristol Rollerski club.....!
Unfortunately doesn't meet my goal of being able to do it in the house....