What Is Nordic Backcountry Skiing?

Nordic backcountry skiing is an adventure sport that, unlike telemark or alpine touring, focuses more on travel and less on downhill thrills. The gear is lighter and more oriented toward rolling terrain instead of the steeper terrain people on telemark and AT gear focus on.

  1. The Skis

    • Skis meant for Nordic backcountry skiing are shorter and wider than traditional skis meant for cross-country track skiing and are wider than skate skis. The additional width helps the skis float in snow, and the shorter dimensions make them easier to turn in the woods. For uphill travel, waxless or properly waxed traditional skis are needed.

    Boots

    • NNN BC boots are stiffer and heavier than traditional cross-country boots, though nothing as beefy as plastic telemark boots. NNN BC boots are like a lot like a hiking boot from the sole up; the toe has a metal bar meant to click into NNN BC bindings.

    Bindings

    • NNN BC bindings are made by several companies, including Rossignol and Rottefella. The bindings are step-in compatible with NNN BC boots.

    Terrain

    • Nordic backcountry skiing can be thought of as a little of everything. Generally, it is not as downhill-oriented as telemark or alpine touring backcountry skiing, but you can make telemark and parallel turns on NNN BC gear.

    Technique

    • With waxless NNN BC skis, a skier can ski up and down moderate slopes using the traditional Nordic stride or the newer skate style for the ascent. For the downhill, several turns work, including the telemark turn, the parallel turn and the wedge turn.