Where to buy xc skis

That ease of access is appealing. Shops across the country are selling much more gear than in past years; in Colorado, Boulder Nordic Sport reports seeing shortages from many manufacturers.

This means now is the time to buy. But cross-country ski gear is undeniably confusing. There are several different types of boots and skis—and different ways to ski them—plus a complex matrix of boot-binding compatibility.

Possibly more so than any other sport, there is massive value in working with a shop to get set up with proper skis, boots, bindings, and poles. The first question will be: Do you want to ski in tracks at a nordic center or out of tracks in the backcountry?

Skate skiing is exactly what it sounds like: each ski glides forward diagonally, similar to what happens ice skating, every stride starting with a push-off on the inside edge of the opposite ski. Anyone who likes to go fast off the bat, and who plans on skiing exclusively at groomed nordic centers, will likely gravitate toward this discipline. Though the best way to decide whether you prefer skate or classic skiing is to rent equipment and try them both.

Higher-end base materials glide and hold wax better, and well-engineered foam or corrugated composite cores make skis lighter and livelier, moving your energy down the trail instead of absorbing it. Most beginners simply walk on skis. The true kick-and-glide motion takes awhile to learn.

Classic skiing is also more versatile. These skin skis are rapidly gaining in popularity, as they reliably grip the most challenging, icy surfaces and are quieter than textured fish-scale bases.

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How to choose cross-country Nordic skis. Here are the main things to consider when deciding what cross-country skis are best for you: Your skiing style: Do you want to glide smoothly in set tracks, or do you want a workout as you zip along at high speeds? Maybe you want to explore snowy forests? Knowing how you to plan to use your skis is the first step to choosing the right pair.

Choosing the right ski size: The correct length is critical to an enjoyable ski experience — learn how to find it. Waxable or waxless bases: For classic skiing and off-track touring, this is a key choice.

Shop cross-country skis. Many cross-country ski racers use waxable skis as there is no cross-country ski faster than one that is properly waxed.

Waxless skis use a scale pattern on the bottom that prevents any slip backwards and provides grip in a variety of snow conditions. Regardless of their name, you can still apply glide wax to the tips and tails of waxless skis for maximum performance. Metal Edges. Nordic skis with metal edges are designed for use on steep terrain and in icy conditions.

Although skis with metal edges are heavier, they provide much better traction when traversing up, down and around the mountains. The deeper sidecut gives easier maneuverability when turning and carving. Most people prefer an original sidecut construction, but some skis are made with a reverse sidecut. Skis with a reverse sidecut are wider in the waist, giving better flotation in deep powder. For skis with a standard sidecut, the deeper the sidecut the more stability the ski will have while turning and the shorter its turn radius will be.

Skis with a smaller sidecut, however, will glide better and are best for those looking for speed. Cross-Country Ski Length and Sizing. Choosing the proper length for a cross-country ski depends on what type of skiing you will be doing. Once you have decided what type of ski you are looking for, use the guidelines below to determine what size ski is proper for you. View all our size charts here. Take your information and input it in the equation below to find your size in a classic touring cross-country ski:.

Your height in inches X 2. When it comes to compact touring cross-country skis, base the length of the ski off of your weight. Reference the chart below to see what length range your weight falls into:.

Skating Cross Country Ski Sizing. Take your information and input it in the equation below to find your size in a skating cross-country ski:. Backcountry Cross-Country Ski Sizing. Ready to get started? Use the refinements on the left side of this page to find the perfect cross-country ski for you. Click here to find where the nearest cross-country ski trail is to you. Refine Results. Quick View. Groomed Cross Country skis Groomed cross-country skis are best used on the groomed tracks and have scales on the bases that provide you with traction as you glide down the track.

Skating Cross Country Skis Skating cross-country skis are the speed demons of the cross-country world. Make sure you have these items checked off your list before you head out on the trail: Boots There are two important factors that you need to consider when selecting a cross-country ski boot. We classify boots for cross-country skiing like this: Backcountry: Backcountry cross-country skiing boots have more support, and a stronger wider connection to the NNN BC bindings that will give you more control as you make your own trails through backcountry terrain.

Groomed: Cross-country ski boots for groomed terrain are lightweight, typically with Neoprene liners that allow you to glide on the groomed tracks quickly and efficiently. Bindings The bindings you choose can have a big impact on the performance of your ski. Cross-Country Ski Features Specific features and constructions of cross-country skis will have a significant effect on their performance.

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