How to Choose Cross Country Ski Touring Gear

Ski touring is loosely defined as using cross country ski equipment to hike in the woods. It can also be skiing in cross country tracks at Nordic ski areas. Unlike telemark skiing, which uses equipment almost as heavy as alpine gear to ski steep lines in the backcountry, cross country gear is lightweight and designed for more gentle inclines and downhill grades. Choosing cross country gear is not too difficult, but you do need to carefully consider a few variables while shopping.

Instructions

    • 1

      Choose your boots. Cross country boots can be either three pin, Salomon Nordic System, or New Nordic Norm. The boots are binding specific, so the choice of boot will dictate the binding. If you want to explore more downhill-oriented terrain, choose a backcountry touring boot that has a plastic cuff that will provide more lateral stiffness. For general touring a lower-cuffed lightweight leather boot is usually sufficient.

    • 2

      Examine the terrain that you will be exploring. If the snow is deeper and you are going off trail, you will want a wider ski. If you prefer skiing in groomed tracks, choose a narrower ski.

    • 3

      Multiply your height in inches by 2.6 and then add the number 25 to it to find the number in centimeters for the proper length ski. Go a little longer than that number if you are heavier or want more float in deeper snow, and a little shorter if you are lighter or want more maneuverability.

    • 4

      Measure from the floor to just under the armpit to find the proper length ski pole for most general touring. An adjustable ski pole can be useful if you like to ski a lot of rolling terrain, as you can increase the pole length for uphill and flat travel and decrease it for downhill travel.