How to find the perfect cross-country and alpine skis: instructions and money-saving flyhacks

Winter is the perfect time for outdoor activity. Cross-country and alpine skiing is not just a sport, but also a way to have a great time outdoors. The main thing is to choose the right equipment. How to do it, so as not to overpay and not to lose in quality?

Let’s look at the nuances associated with cross-country skis, and then move on to alpine skis. Everywhere there are specifics and opportunities to save money.

Cross-country skis

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The most important thing is to decide how exactly you plan to ski: whether it’s a walk through a snowy forest at your dacha, a skate run or a classic cross-country ski.

If you are walking in the woods on a “natural” track or no track at all, wider skis are useful. They are more stable and do not sink in the snow. For a groomed track, you need narrower skis . They are faster and lighter.

For classic skiing, the skis should be about 25 cm higher than the athlete’s height. This way they will be more stable when moving. Classic skis need a holding area so that you can push off the snow and drive forward.

If the ski is smooth, the sliding surface under the binding and a little further to the toe is lubricated with a special holding ointment. To simplify the preparation of skis for walking, manufacturers also make variants with notches, and for enthusiasts skis with a camus – a special insert made of pile fabric.

Skate skis are shorter than classicskis. Here you need to add 10-15 cm to the athlete’s height. Their surface is completely smooth. There are combi skis: they are longer than skate skis, but shorter than classic skis and require different preparation for different skiing styles.

Boots, bindings and poles for classic and skate skiing are also different. Skate shoes are taller and stiffer – they should support the ankle and help you push off. Skate poles are taller – about as high as your earlobe (not shoulder height as for classic skating). In addition, skate bindings have a stiffer flexor.

In any case, the weight of the person rather than height is more important when choosing skis. As a rule, the taller the skis, the stiffer they are, but some manufacturers produce models of different stiffness in each height range. When choosing equipment, be sure to follow the weight recommendations for different skis and styles.

For the little ones

For economy reasons, children’s equipment is often chosen for growing up. This is understandable, but it is still important to ensure that the equipment is comfortable for the child. If you choose too long skis and poles, it will be uncomfortable for him to ski.

Skis for walking and school can be bought in a set consisting of skis, bindings and poles. If you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and add 15-20 cm to the child’s height, such a set will be enough for a couple of seasons. Except that in a year you’ll have to replace the poles with higher ones.

The same with boots. For adults, boots are chosen exactly according to the size of the foot, dressed in a sock. For children, you can make a small reserve. But not more than a centimeter, otherwise the feet in the boots will feel too free, and the child will rub his feet. And in the worst case, the young athlete will lose control over the projectile and may get injured.

How to save money

Usually, to save money, people buy more expensive skis and cheaper boots. This is not a good idea: both the quality of skiing and the comfort of your feet depend directly on the boots. It is better to choose a balanced set, paying due attention to the selection of boots.

You should save money on poles or accessories like pouches and bindings. You can choose options from lesser known brands. But it’s important to always make sure that the poles match the intended purpose in terms of strength and stiffness.

For example, fiberglass or aluminum ones can easily fail to withstand a powerful push when skating. And that’s not to mention that they will be too flexible. It’s best to choose models with carbon in the shaft.

Alpine skis

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To the selection of alpine skis should be approached a little more responsibly, taking into account the physical preparation and parameters of the person, as well as his skiing skills and the trails that he plans to master.

For beginners it is better to start with softer and narrower models. They allow you to train the correct stance – at the first stages of training this is the main criterion. If you develop the wrong technique, it will hinder your future development within the sport and may lead to injuries.

The stiffness of the ski is determined by the ratio of materials: wood, composite, carbon and metal (mainly titanal). It is preferable to opt for a model that lacks the last ingredient. It enhances the speed and stabilization properties. A beginner does not need this.

If at first you choose a model not on the level, a beginner will not be able to cope with it and will lose the desire to move on. It is better to take a simpler version, having in mind a reserve for building up experience and skills. Then the skis will give an incentive for further improvement.

The basic principles of choosing alpine skis:

• A beginner with a low weight to height ratio (skinny) will find a ski with a core made of a mixture of wood and composite. The height is approximately minus 10-15 cm from the height;
• A beginner with a normal build can be recommended a ski with a wooden core. The height is approximately minus 8-12 centimeters;
• A beginner with a trim body should look for a stiffer model made of wood with a carbon or titanal stringer. The height range is minus 5-10 cm.

If we are talking about a child, then, as in the case of cross-country skis, it is important not to overdo it with economy. The reserve in the boots should not be more than 1 cm. The length of the skis – no more than 15 cm minus the height of the young athlete.