Cross country skiing is a terrific way to enjoy
the great outdoors in winter. The
pleasures of cross country skiing can take
your mind off the stresses of the
daily grind, whether you seek the solitude
of solo skiing or are spending some
quality time with family and friends. It's
also a great aerobic activity, enabling
you to burn up hundreds of calories per hour
without straining joints such as
ankles and knees. You'll get a low-impact
workout while enjoying the outdoors,
and the scenery sure beats the view at your
local health club.
But as with any new sport, cross country skiing
can seem daunting to
newcomers. Novices can be baffled by the variety
of equipment choices and
even the unfamiliar words. This guide is designed
to put you at ease and give
you basic information that will help you get
started the right way.
Skip to:
Gear
Up -- should you rent or purchase, types of skis, boots, bindings
and poles
Measure
Up -- what size do you need?
Get
Going -- where you can take lessons
Get
Smart -- tips, stats and other resources
Before renting or purchasing equipment, ask
yourself a few questions:
How much do you think you'll be skiing? Will
you ski two times a year or
more? You also need to consider where you
plan to ski. The terrain and
location helps determine your equipment choices.
Cross country skiing allows
you to choose from a variety of locations.
Parks, golf courses, hiking trails or
cross country ski areas are all good choices.
Determining your projected
commitment level will help you decide whether
to rent, lease or buy equipment.
Your equipment options include:
Renting equipment
at your local ski shop or at the ski area. You can
rent equipment
by the day or week. This is often recommended for
first-time skiers.
(Note: Some ski shops will apply the price of rentals
toward purchasing
new equipment.)
Leasing equipment
for an entire season. This is a good option in areas
where it might
snow only a few times a year, because rental equipment
can be scarce.
Some ski shops offer this service and it can especially
make sense for
children who quickly out-grow gear.
Buying used
equipment at a local shop or ski swap. Be aware that at
garage sales
and some swaps, you may wind up with gear that is
outdated and
inappropriate.
Buying new equipment.
You might want to consider a package deal that
offers a discount
when you buy skis, boots, bindings and poles together.
Ultimately, owning your equipment allows you
continuity, comfort and control
as you progress through skiing's learning
stages and can also save you time
and money in the long run.
Where you plan to ski the most will influence
what type of equipment you use.
There are basically several types of cross
country skis, designed for different
activities:
Traditional In-Track Touring Skis: These skis
are often used with a
traditional kick-and-glide motion on maintained
track systems set by special
grooming machines. They also can be used on
ungroomed terrain. They have
minimal sidecut so the skis will stay in the
tracks. (Sidecut refers to the
narrowness of the middle part of the skis
in relation to the wider tip and tail.)
Off-Track Touring Skis: These skis are often
used to navigate ungroomed
terrain in parks, open fields and on golf
courses. They are wider than in-track
touring skis and provide more flotation and
stability in fresh snow.
Skating Skis: These skis are used with a skating-type
stride on groomed
trails. They are shorter, narrower and lighter
than traditional cross country
skis. The technique is similar to inline skating,
except poles are also used.
Skating skis can provide the ultimate fitness
workout.
Backcountry Skis: These skis are for the more
adventurous, who are
exploring the backcountry and experiencing
variable snow conditions. They
can be as wide as alpine skis, for better
flotation, and feature metal edges for
more control.
Wax vs. waxless: Although more advanced skiers
prefer waxing their skis,
most enjoy the convenience of waxless skis.
If you buy waxless skis, you can
strap them on and go.
The boots you choose can make cross country
skiing a real pleasure.
Comfortable, warm boots are the most important
component of the equipment
package. Boots should be moderately rigid
to resist twisting or deformity.
Look for a boot with some insulation between
the inner lining and the outer
shell. Classic touring boots that come up
over the ankle might be the best
choice for new skiers. These boots offer lots
of support, warmth and comfort.
If you are planning to conquer the backcountry,
look for sturdier, more rigid
boots that offer the most support.
There are many types of cross country ski bindings
available, but the basic
concept is the same: Keep the toe and front
of the boot locked in place, leave
the heel and back part of the foot free to
move up and down. Boots and
bindings are usually sold together as they
must work as a team.
Recreational boots are available in three binding
systems: 75mm three-pin
(uses three pins that mate with three holes
in the boot sole); Salomon system;
and Rottefella NNN (New Nordic Norm).
Poles are used to help you with your balance
and for pushing off while skiing.
Poles can be made from fiberglass, aluminum,
graphite or some combination of
these materials.
Skis are measured in centimeters (cm). Your
ski length will depend on your
ability, height and weight along with the
type of skiing you plan to do most
often. A shop employee will help you decide
on the appropriate length.
In general, cross country ski boots come in
traditional American sizes and also
"mondo point," which is simply the length
of the boot in centimeters. When
trying on boots, wear one pair of medium-weight
or light-weight socks and a
liner sock made of synthetic materials or
silk. The fit should be snug and your
heel should remain in place. You should be
able to wiggle your toes.
Poles are measured in inches or in centimeters (cm).
Cross country skiing is relatively easy to
learn, but first-timers should still take
a lesson from a qualified instructor. Lessons
can greatly enhance the
experience. This is especially true if you
don't have any experience ice skating,
inline skating or exercising with a cross
country skiing simulator.
Call ahead to the local area or destination
resort to find out about beginner
lessons and any special deals or packages
that might be available. Make the
ski school your first stop. Take a group or
private lesson.
In addition to this guide, there are a number
of resources to help you get
started cross country skiing, including:
Your local outdoor
or snow sports shop. Employees should be able to
answer many
of your questions. To find a shop near you, use
SnowLink's search
feature in its Buy It! section. Just enter your ZIP
code and a mileage
radius and you'll get a list with addresses and phone
numbers.
Your regional
cross country ski area, if applicable.
Your local park
system, if applicable, which may have an existing trail
system.
Cross country
skiing magazines and books.
Among other
Web sites that will give you information about cross
country skiing
are Cross Country Ski World, Cross Country Ski Areas
Association
and the Web sites that list trail systems in SnowLink's Do
It! section.
To see the Web sites of cross-country equipment
manufacturers,
go to Products Online in the See It! section of
SnowLink.
