Tips for Buying Cross-Country Ski Equipment

Cruising over a frozen white landscape is part of the romanticism of cross-country skiing. But having the wrong style or size of ski can turn that romantic dream in to a nordic nightmare. So before heading out to the store, a little knowledge of what you are looking for will go a long way.

As far as skis go, there a couple types of skis you can get based on your skiing style. If you are a regular nordic skier, then you would generally be found cruising around on groomed or track-set terrain, usually on or around local ski hills or parks. Nordic skis can come in a few subcategories but are generally fairly thin skis, have no metal edges, and can come with waxable or even waxless bases. Classic skis are the most common cross-country ski and dominate the 'nordic' style of ski. If you envision the stride-and-glide motion while thinking of a cross-country skier then that person would be wearing Classic skis. Skating skis are another type of popular Nordic ski. This is a more aerobic form of cross-country skiing and has an angled skating motion. Skate skiing can only be performed on wide groomed areas at your local cross-country ski areas. You can also get high-performance nordic skis, and these can be either skate or classic skis. Generally lightweight, stiff, and thinner than recreational classic or skate skis, these skis are built for the advanced skier looking for speed during competitions. If getting away from the crowd and breaking your own trail is more your thing, then you may wish to opt for Backcountry Touring skis. These skis are made for people who ski on ungroomed trails and like to venture anywhere as long as there is snow. Backcountry Touring skis are generally wider and stiffer then regular nordic skis, made this way to handle the load of a backpack and to float on the snow where there is no set track. As well, Backcountry Touring skis also have full metal edges to aid in traversing and descending hilly terrain.