What Type of Skis Should You Choose for Cross-Country Skiing?

Are you finally taking the plunge into the incredible adventure of cross-country skiing or skating? To make the experience as enjoyable as possible, you need the right equipment. That includes your outfit, but more importantly, your skis. In fact, they shouldn’t be chosen at random. Discover our expert advice to help you select your gear under the best possible conditions.

How to Choose Your Gear for Cross-Country Skiing

The Ideal Skis for Cross-Country Skiing

Cross-country skiing equipment consists of clothing, boots, and most importantly, two skis. It’s best to choose skis with upturned tips. They must also have an anti-slip system designed to help with uphill glide. This can come in the form of:

Scales: These allow both grip and glide. However, scale skis are not ideal on soft snow, as they don’t provide smooth gliding. On the other hand, their grip is weak on icy terrain.
Microporous grip zones: Their grip chamber feels like sandpaper. They offer excellent grip on snow, making them ideal for temperatures around 0°C.
Grip wax: These skis are of higher quality than the previous two. They ensure great glide and grip performance, regardless of the weather or snow conditions. However, they require regular waxing, so you should factor in the cost of maintenance products.

The Ideal Size Based on the Skier

It’s best to choose skis that are about 30 cm longer than your height. For example, if you’re 1.70 m tall, you should opt for 2-meter-long skis. There are some subtle adjustments depending on your weight. To make the best possible choice, you can consult professionals at the resorts of Val Fréjus or Orcières — two of the best cross-country skiing destinations in France.

Enjoy Cross-Country Skiing with the Right Skis!

How to Find the Right Skis for Skating?

How to Find the Right Skis for Skating?

The Ideal Skis for Skating

Alternative cross-country skiing, or skating, can be compared to rollerblading or ice skating. It is practiced only on smooth surfaces. For this activity, you need skis with rounded tips. They should not have a grip system, as that would prevent proper gliding.

The model you choose should have a “sidecut” line, this is the central groove visible under the ski. It helps guide the ski while providing stability and maneuverability. Different brands offer various sidecut designs: very narrow sidecut (also called “wasp waist”), arrow-shaped sidecut, or reduced sidecut.

Choosing the Size of the Skis

Like classic cross-country skis, skating skis should not be chosen randomly. They should be longer than your height. Generally, it is recommended to choose skis about 20 cm taller than you. Depending on your profile, the length can be slightly less than 20 cm. When selecting your skis, you should also consider your skill level. If you are a beginner, it’s better to choose flexible skis. If you are an expert, you may prefer stiffer skis.

Cross-country skiing is not something you can improvise! It’s important to carefully choose your equipment to fully enjoy the sport. You can turn to the French Cross-Country Ski Federation for additional advice. When buying or renting your skis, professionals are also available at ski resorts to help you. Now you have everything you need to become the next cross-country skiing champion!