XC skis- what to buy

[Disaster on Wheels]

I am going to go look at some XC skis and I am not sure what to get. I am more of a downhill skier so I know nothing about XC skis.

What brands do people recommend? Also, a few people have mentioned getting skate skis and I am wondering what others think. What is the benefit of skate skis over regular XC skis? If I have skate skis, can I still go with others that don't have them and keep up? I have heard it is harder than regular XC skiing, but others say it is more fun.

[gtbikes]

I currently have Fischer SNS skate skiis and you will need to stay on a groomed "skate" path. Usually they have classic tracks set right next to them. Probably be much faster after awhile, reminds me of inline skating....

[Berg]

Skate sking is about 3x harder, but it is also alot faster.
I got a rossignol evo combo set at REI last year.

[Paul Swenson]

Go to Finn Sisu and do it up right. Getting fit correctly is the most important element in purchasinng XC skis. They'll do it right

http://www.finnsisu.com/

[gtbikes]

Go to Finn Sisu and do it up right. Getting fit correctly is the most important element in purchasinng XC skis. They'll do it right

http://www.finnsisu.com/

Not sure about Finn but, getting a correct fit based on your height/wt will be key!

[egoo]

XC skiing is a lot like biking in the fact that it's not a cheap sport. Plan on dropping $300-500 to get started. The most important item is your boots. Don't cheap out on them. Skiing in bad boots is like biking with a bad saddle. It will quickly stop being fun and your gear will soon be collecting dust in the garage. You can look into getting some used skis and poles via skinnyski.com or ebay. But do some research first to make sure you get the right size stuff. After that, you will need wax and some tools for waxing your skis. See, it is going to be expensive but it's a great sport and will be a great investment in your fitness and overall winter sanity!

[Disaster on Wheels]

Not sure about Finn but, getting a correct fit based on your height/wt will be key!


So I shouldn't lie about my weight then like I do on my drivers license?:banghead: maybe I should wait until next week, I have been eating thanksgiving leftovers all day.:D



What about waxless skis? I am guessing skate skis don't come in waxless. I already have waxing supplies for my downhill skis; is the process and are the products similar?

[Paul Swenson]

So I shouldn't lie about my weight then like I do on my drivers license?:banghead: maybe I should wait until next week, I have been eating thanksgiving leftovers all day.:D



What about waxless skis? I am guessing skate skis don't come in waxless. I already have waxing supplies for my downhill skis; is the process and are the products similar?

I doubt they'll ask your weight. Generally they'll have you stand on the skis and see where the connect spots are.

Waxing skate skis is the same as waxing downhill. It's all about cutting down on fiction. Traditional skis can be a bear to wax but there's some tape stuff you can put on them if you sick of waxing

[FarmerBEN]

I love xc skiiing, but my honest recomendation is don't waste your money. I think in the last 7 years we have had roughly 3 weeks of average snow for skiing.

Although if you must, I have waxless classic "touring" cheap not fancy, but I am not a racer and as I previously mentioned they will probably sit in the closet most of the year anyhow. But they work great for me.

[Gingerdawg]

Are there trails around that rent skis? Or try b-4 you buy?

[charliebrown]

I got a rossignol evo combo set at REI

I also have this combo set and it works great for me. I would recommend it.

[gtbikes]

Are there trails around that rent skis? Or try b-4 you buy?

You can rent skiis from REI (at a discount if you are a member)...

[Berg]

Are there trails around that rent skis? Or try b-4 you buy?

hyland lake park
I think its $8 to rent an $4 for a day.

[badandyruh]

I am going to go look at some XC skis and I am not sure what to get. I am more of a downhill skier so I know nothing about XC skis.

What brands do people recommend? Also, a few people have mentioned getting skate skis and I am wondering what others think. What is the benefit of skate skis over regular XC skis? If I have skate skis, can I still go with others that don't have them and keep up? I have heard it is harder than regular XC skiing, but others say it is more fun.


I would suggest buying a pair of combi skis. You can skate and classic ski on the same pair. You can get boots and poles that will work well for both. I did this when I first started skiing. Granted, there is some time taken up changing wax, but its a great way to start out because you can narrow down which discipline you like more and go from there. Fairly inexpensive too. I've bought all my ski gear at Joe's Sporting Goods. Otherwise Hoigaard's and of course Finnsisu are great places too. Skate skiing is going to be faster then classic(traditional) skiing. Classic is the easier of the two disciplines to learn. You could go with people that are classic skiing and you are doing skating if the trail is groomed for both. Some brands to look for are Fischer, Rossignol, Atomic, and Peltonen. Hope this helps.

[Paul Swenson]

You mentioned that you downhill so I'm guessing you're comfortable on boards. Also you've probably done something close to skate skiing when going on catwalks and up to chairlift lines. So you should be able to take up either style easily.

the heal lift feels strange though

[Nita]

Jodi, I have classic xc skiis that are short and fat with fins on the bottom (waxless). They aren't fast like skate, but more of a touring, trail breaking ski that are predictable and easy to learn. I didn't spend alot on them, about $250 for the skis and SNS bindings with a Solomon boot. I didn't go overboard on the boot either, they were $120 and I got them on sale for $89. I've never had a problem with them, my feet are warm, no blisters or pinching. Got a good pair of graphite poles that were I think $39. As much as I've used them and what I thought would be snowy Minnesota, I'm still satisfied with them. I have an extra pair of skiis and poles that you can try, and an extra pair of boots (but they are size 9.5 I think, too big). But you can try my skiis and poles if you'd like.

[Berg]

If you want a free place to go, you got to have your own stuff to go.
Go to bramar golf course in edina. I see lots of people xc sking there. The track I think is 5 miles long.

[c'dale600dsc]

just as most of the replies have mentioned a properly fitted skis is a must. Wxless, classic, or skate are the choices. Eventually you may even venture into backcountry skis which are a bit wider.
Waxless would be the best choice for a newbie IMHO or for those who are lazy to wax. The other advantage would be the changing temperature as you ski you won't have to worry. For warmer weather (mid 30s) you may go waxless.
As you go along, you'll meet those who have wood skis, different bindings (Salomon, Pilot and telemark). Combi skis may be right for those who would like to do both, although strictly poles may be higher for the skate skis (right about mid of the chin vs armpit level for classic)
It may not be that simple, but cross country skiing is fun. Ergo, it may not just be which one to buy, the important thing is you'll enjoy it.

Hope you have fun this winter....:)

JD

[Whatsmymantra?]

I am going to go look at some XC skis and I am not sure what to get. I am more of a downhill skier so I know nothing about XC skis.

What brands do people recommend? Also, a few people have mentioned getting skate skis and I am wondering what others think. What is the benefit of skate skis over regular XC skis? If I have skate skis, can I still go with others that don't have them and keep up? I have heard it is harder than regular XC skiing, but others say it is more fun.

I'd say get some skis.
There are many differences between skate and traditional. Traditional or classic uses wax or fish scale bottoms for grip and you shuffle your feet front to back in a little track or you can make your own tracks.
Skate skiing looks like ice skating or rollerbladeing with poles and requires a groomed surface. You will still need wax but only a glide wax. Your grip comes from using the edges of the skis.

IMO skip the "combis" cause just like bikes, dual purpose = dual compromise.
Get two pairs. Get some garage sale or "play it again sports" waxless/fish scale crappy skis for your crud skiing and social skiing $20 or less cause you will only use them a couple of times a year max. Key here would be to get the same binding system as what you are going to use on your skate skis. Although if you find them cheap enough used, you may wind up with an old school 3 pin leather boot binding set up. That's ok as long as they fit and are cheep. You may even have to buy 2 pairs of crappy traditional skis just to get enough parts that will work together for you. again no more than $20 including some crappy bamboo poles. Brands are not important here.
Then spend as much as possible on your skate boots cause they are the key. Like someone else said if you are uncomfortable it does not matter. At this point in your life you are probably not going to grow out of them so get some that will last you for a long time. I really like the Salomon products, but what fits you best is what is most important.
Newer boots are mostly plastics and as such should fit perfect from the start. The fit should be firm around the heel and ankle but should allow the toes a little room so they can lay flat.
Then spend the time to get fitted for the skate skis, and then shop hard to find some midrange to higher end closeouts or sale items in the size you need. Get better bindings as well. Brands here are Atomic,Fischer,Salomon. I would not go top end on the skis as you will trash them after a few years and want better. At that point all you will need is another pair of boards as all the other gear will go forward.
Skate gear is usually featherweight and a delight to wear. Get some carbon fiber poles as well.
You will feel like you are ice skating through the woods. Add some telemark turns for the downhills and you will be in heaven.
Once you start skating you will not want to go back to classic. The when the conditions deteriorate or you want to go with a group of traditional skiers you can still play.