This is the first and most important thing when sizing or fitting a cross country ski because skis have different stiffnesses. The stiffness of a ski will determine how the ski behaves under the skier.
2) Skiers Height:
Longer skis are naturally stiff because of the amount of material used in their construction. So often the skier's weight will dictate the length of the ski, but if given the choice of two lengths the skier's ability should be considered.
3) Skier's ability level:
Longer skis are generally faster but can be difficult to control or maneuver for beginning skiers.
Classic technique
The most like walking and running. Skis are kept parallel either in a track or out of a track, and weight is shifted foot to foot in a ‘stride and glide’ motion. Glide is achieved by pushing from a stationary ski. Classic gear has been developed to accommodate the weekend touring skier up to the high-level racer.
Developed in the late 70’s/early 80’s. As snow grooming improved, racers in high level competitions started to forgo the traditional ski track and started to improve their times by pushing their skis side to side in a herringbone pattern down the track, much like a speed skater. Skis, poles and boots, quickly developed to accommodate this style.
Touring is a type of classic skiing that is done on or off a groomed trail. Traditional touring skis have been around for decades and are made with a mechanical climbing aid cut into the ski base (fish scale) or a mohair ‘skin’ to help with ski grip. They have a length of somewhere between 195 and 210cm long. These skis are generally made with a foam or wood core, a fiberglass top sheet, and affordable polyethylene base material. Over the last decade a shorter version of touring skis has developed. These skis are anywhere between 170 to 195cm. These skis are much wider to help with stability and provide a nimbler experience. Touring skis are for those skiers who are looking to enjoy the outside in the winter, touring local trails, parks, fields and lakes.
Backcountry skis
Backcountry skis are for those looking for a wilderness experience while skiing. Backcountry skis come in different lengths and styles, but all provide a stable, robust ski that allows skiers to ski off trail and over varying terrain. Most backcountry skis come with either a full metal edge or a 2/3 metal edge down the length of the ski. Backcountry skis come with a mechanical climbing aid, a mohair skin, or have a flat base to allowing for an external skin to be attached while climbing. Most backcountry skis are wide and longto make for a stable experience. Backcountry skis can often accommodate a wide variety of binding choices, from light touring bindings up to wider backcountry bindings.
Performance Classic Skis
Performance classic skis are more race-oriented skis that are much thinner than touring and backcountry skis to allow for more speed in the track. These skis are used in a groomed track meant exclusively for cross country skiing. Performance classic skis are generally much stiffer underfoot than touring skis to allow for a layer of kick wax or a mohair skin. A properly fit classic ski is stiff enough to allow the wax or skin to ‘glide’ over the snow, but also allow the user to ‘kick’ the wax or skin to engage the snow crystals for grip. These skis are generally between 180-210cm for adult sizing.A well fit classic ski is necessary for this type of skiing.
Race Classic Skis
Race classic skis are similar in shape and appearance to performance classic skis. The difference is in the materials used and the shape of the camber. Race skis are built with the lightest possible materials, have the highest quality base material, and are generally the stiffest cambers of all the classic skis. These classic skis are built to be as fast as possible, favoring the fastest possible glide over ease of kick, and consider that the user has a strong, athletic kick to get the skis to function. Along with wax able classic skis there are a few special outliers in this category. Zero skis are a type of race classic ski that have a special inlay in the kick zone to be roughed up with sandpaper for tricky wax conditions around zero and above. Double pole skis are skis with a special camber profile for marathons that have many double pole sections with flat and rolling terrain.
Performance Skate Skis
Skate skis fit shorter than classic skis. The camber underfoot also needs to be much stiffer than classic skis as it must support the skiers’ weight in suspension throughout the entire push phase. The camber will never touch the ground. Performance skate skis are built and designed with stability as the focus.
Race Skate Skis
Race skate skis are built to be as fast and light as possible. Most manufacturers achieve this by building a camber profilethat pushes the contact zones of the ski in towards the heel and toe of the skier, this makes for a fast ski, especially when you compare it to a performance skate ski. The best skis are built with very light and stiff cores and the best polyethylene base material. Race skate skis can be purchased for different snow conditions with most manufacturers making skis with different camber profiles and base material for cold, warm, soft track, hard track, or wet conditions.
Fitting Skis
The most important consideration in fitting skis is finding the right flexed ski for the skiers’ body weight. Cross country skis are generally built and constructed stiffer as they get taller – allowing for skiers to have a proper length of ski to comfortably maneuver.
Manufacturers size and length skis in different ways but most adult skate skis are built at 5cm increments from 171cm (172 or 173) to 191cm (192 or 193) fitting adults from 100lbs and up.
Classic skis are built at 5cm increments from 181cm (182 or 183) to 206cm (207 or 208).
Most manufacturers have weight to length charts that provide a rough fit, but the best way to get properly fit for cross country skis is to come in to Gear West and work with one of our ski fitters.
Skiing Location
"Where do you plan on skiing?" This is an important question when determining the correct ski. Do you plan on skiing on frozen lakes, snow-covered golf courses, or in the woods through fresh ungroomed snow (waxless classic is your best option), are you planning on skiing on machined groomed trails at a ski area or local park? (skate or classic)
Adult Ski Sizing
Skier Weight
Skate Ski Length
Classic Ski Length
Waxless Classic Ski Length
100 - 110 lbs
170 - 180 cm
180 - 190 cm
S
110 - 120 lbs
172 - 182 cm
182 - 192 cm
S
120 - 130 lbs
175 - 185 cm
185 - 195 cm
S
130 - 140 lbs
177 - 187 cm
187 - 200 cm
M
140 - 150 lbs
180 - 190 cm
190 - 205 cm
M
150 - 160 lbs
185 - 195 cm
195 - 210 cm
L
160 - 180 lbs
190+ cm
200 - 210 cm
L
>180 lbs
190 + cm
200 - 210 cm
XL
Kids Ski Sizing
Skier Height (inches)
Skate Ski Length
Classic Ski Lenght
30"
N/A
90 - 100 cm
30 - 35"
N/A
100 - 110 cm
35 - 40"
N/A
110 - 120 cm
40 - 45"
N/A
120 - 130 cm
45 - 50"
120 - 130 cm
130 - 140 cm
50 - 55"
130 - 140 cm
140 - 150 cm
55 - 60"
140 - 150 cm
150 - 160 cm
60 - 65"
150 - 160 cm
160 - 170 cm
65 - 70"
160 - 170 cm
170 - 180 cm
Wax and Waxless Classic Skis
Waxable Classic Skis A Waxable Classic ski can be used in all types of snow conditions and when waxed properly will be the fastest and most efficient option. Waxable Classic skis use kick or "grip" wax on the base of the ski under and in front of the skier's foot (kick zone) and glide wax on the tips and tails. Most Nordic ski racers prefer to use waxable skis because it gives when the ability to make an adjustment based on snow conditions and temperature.
Waxless Classic Skis A Waxless Classic ski is a popular option because they do not require a lot of maintenance to perform efficiently. A waxless classic ski may use a fish scale or crown pattern or skin material in the "kick zone" which allows the skier to grip the snow and glide the other ski forward. Waxless Classic skis provide grip in a variety of snow conditions, making them the best option for the skier who wants to "grab and go" and not worry about waxing.
Note: You can still wax the glide zones of your waxless classic ski with glide wax, this will allow the ski to glide faster and further.
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