I'm going to scout around for new skis for cross country in a couple months then since that will be off season here and I should be able to pick up a bargain. That way I can work on this for next year. It's too late this year to be trying to learn something new anyway. By the way, thanks for not laughing at the question
ETA; I would think you might be able to try XC with alpine gear, but I haven't so can't comment.
You can't XC in alpine gear, due to the fact that the heel is not able to be freed. But with Alpine Touring gear you can get around that and do "XC" - but you wouldn't want to use AT gear on flat or rolling. It's more for mountain touring where you may be doing significant descents.
That was what I figured, and hence my trying to explain the difference in my post The end was simply a disclaimer, since I hadn't tried it and so didn't want to be leapt on by someone saying; "Yes you can, I did it!"
That was what I figured, and hence my trying to explain the difference in my post The end was simply a disclaimer, since I hadn't tried it and so didn't want to be leapt on by someone saying; "Yes you can, I did it!"
AT is simply brilliant! Some engineer deserves a raise for coming up with AT bindings.
The end was simply a disclaimer, since I hadn't tried it and so didn't want to be leapt on by someone saying; "Yes you can, I did it!" 
Linear Mode
