Buying Guide For Cross-Country Skis

According to the Cross Country Ski Area Association, cross-country skiers use natural movements, skis and poles to travel over groomed trails or in snowy back country. While downhill skiing requires equipment that focuses on speed, gravity and agility, cross-country skiing focuses more on navigating extensive trails and active movement. Developing a strategy for buying cross-country skis is simple and relies on a few basic considerations.

  1. Types of Skis

    • Determining the type of cross-country skis you need is a major consideration as you develop a buying strategy. There are four types of cross-country skis. Choosing the right type of ski depends on what kind of environment you will ski on: groomed trails, broken-in ski paths, ungroomed ground or back-country wilderness. Generally speaking, the largest differences between the types of skis needed for these environments are length, width and weight: the less groomed the terrain, the wider the ski.

    Sizing and Flex

    • Determining the size and flex of your cross-country skis is a critical piece of a buying strategy. According to Ski Post, the size of your skis generally refers to length; flex refers to how difficult it is to flatten the entire ski against the surface. A general rule of thumb is that shorter skis will give you more control, while longer skis will give you more speed. Ski Post recommends determining approximate ski size by multiplying your height in inches by 2.6 and then dividing the result by 25. The result in inches is your approximate ski length. Flex options are stiff or soft, with stiff skis offering much less give or flexibility. Depending on your weight, stiff skis will require more leg force to maintain contact with the snow.

    Boots, Bindings and Poles

    • A cross-country ski buying strategy should also take boots, bindings and poles into account. According to eBay's ski buying guide, boots are available in European Mondo sizes. Bindings connect the ski boot with the ski and are available in different ratings called DIN, which show how quickly they release when you fall. EBay's buying guide recommends that beginners choose bindings with a DIN between 3 and 6; intermediate skiers should choose bindings with a DIN between 6 and 9; and advanced skiers should choose a DIN between 9 and 12. Pole options include in-track and off-track poles; the largest difference is in the size of the part of the ski pole that comes in contact with the snow (pole basket).