Downhill Skis Vs. Cross Country

Downhill skis and cross country skis, while both designed for travel on snow, have significant differences that have evolved to meet the different demands of the respective sports.

  1. Edges

    • Downhill skis have full metal edges to help with turns on hard-pack snow. Cross country skis usually don't have edges, though some skis are made with partial metal edges in the middle area of the ski to help with traversing on hills.

    Camber

    • Downhill skis are all single-cambered; cross country skis are double-cambered, giving the ski more spring. The camber refers to the arc in the middle of the ski going from tip to tail

    Traction

    • Cross country skis have a wax pocket, or waxless fishcale pattern, under the binding area to provide traction when traveling uphill.

    Length

    • Cross country skis are longer than alpine skis, usually extending 6 to 12 inches higher than a skier's head. Downhill skis are often shorter than the skier's height.

    Shape

    • Downhill skis have a significant sidecut from the tip and tail to the middle of the ski, resembling an hourglass, making the ski easier to get on edge and turn. Downhill skis are wide, to help the skier float in deep powder. Cross country skis are skinny and much straighter, and are usually skied in pre-groomed tracks.

    Weight

    • Skis used for downhill skiing are much heavier than skis used for cross country, in part because of the metal edges, and in part because of the core materials, so that the ski can withstand the heavier forces on it from the high speeds skiers achieve while downhill skiing.