According to the XC Ski World website, if you’re a beginner cross country skier, you should consider renting contemporary ski equipment and taking lessons from a certified ski instructor before purchasing your own equipment. Renting cross country skiing gear will help you determine what brand and style of equipment is best for you. The most important cross country skiing gear includes skis, poles and boots and bindings.
Skis
Cross country ski design varies based on the style of skiing you’ll be performing. Skis designed for classical or diagonal stride skiing are different from skis designed for freestyle or skate skiing. Likewise, touring skis and racing skis are different, as are skis designed for track skiing and backcountry skiing. Cross country skis—which posses synthetic foam cores—typically are longer, thinner and lighter than downhill skis, and incorporate a built-in camber or arch of varying stiffness under the footplate that’s used to help propel you in a forward direction. Beginner cross country skis for the classical technique often incorporate a fish scale pattern in the kick zone under your foot that helps grab the snow. Beginner cross country skiers usually enjoy the hands-off approach to ski maintenance and preparation that fish scales afford. However, intermediate and advanced skiers, especially racers, prefer applying grip wax to the base of their skis. Skis for the freestyle technique are designed to glide, and therefore no kickwax is applied to the base.
Poles
According to Skis.com, the style of cross country skiing you enjoy most dictates your choice of ski pole. Other factors to consider when you’re buying cross country ski poles include the pole’s weight, stiffness or rigidity, flexibility and balance. You should also consider basket size, shaft composition and pole straps. The XC Ski World website states that, for beginners, the type and weight of your pole is secondary to its height and that, when you’re standing on the ground, classical technique poles should comfortably fit under your armpits while skating technique poles should reach to the cleft of your chin. Adjust your pole straps to fit snugly around your hands and wrist while you’re wearing gloves. You’re able to recruit more power from your cross country ski poles if your hand and arm are sufficiently bound to your pole’s handle.
Boots & Bindings
Cross country skiing boots differ considerably from downhill ski boots, as they’re lighter and less bulky, although they do support your foot and ankle during activity. Cross country ski bindings also differ from alpine bindings. Like cross country skis and poles, boots and bindings vary in design based on the different techniques and performance demands. Boots designed for the freestyle technique incorporate a higher cuff and greater lateral stability, which assists the push forces exerted while you’re skate skiing. Classical technique boots are lower cut and more closely resemble running shoes.
Cross country ski bindings—which couple your ski boots to your skis—have evolved considerably over the past two decades. Current binding systems are less bulky and cumbersome than earlier versions, and allow you to easily get in and out of your skis. The three-pin binding system previously in use is now rarely used. Bindings also incorporate a footplate that’s used to assist forward motion, especially with the freestyle technique.
