Cross Country Skis

more information about cross country skis

Cross Country Skis at Sport Conrad

Passionate cross-country skiers and those who want to become one will find a huge selection of different cross-country skis. Whether classic, skating or backcountry - with this winter sport, everyone can enjoy the outdoors. Find your cross-country ski at a top brand and learn now what matters when choosing your cross-country skis. Get all the important information about styles, skis and more at Sport Conrad!

The perfect Ski for your preferred style

Before you put together your cross-country skiing equipment, you need to be clear about which style is right for you. Generally, cross-country skiing is divided into three styles: classic, skating and backcountry. Find exactly the right cross-country ski for each style.

Gliding through nature on classic cross country skis

If you like to glide through winter landscapes in a relaxed way, classic skiing is just the thing for you. In this classic form of cross-country skiing, you move on your skis in two tracks laid out parallel to each other, the so-called cross-country track. The area in the middle of the ski that is somewhat raised by a curved shape, the so-called climbing zone, is pressed forcefully into the ground here and by a pushing-off movement you glide forward on the rest of the ski. The motion sequences here are very similar to the normal walking movements, which is why classic cross-country skiing is very well suited as a discipline for beginners. Thanks to new equipment, however, you can already speed up here without having to practice to overcome large ascents before.

Athletic cross country skiing on skating skis

With skating skis, on the other hand, you are not restricted by the track and are usually much faster. On skating skis you are very agile and train the whole body, while you leave climbs and curves behind you without any problems. This is why it is often referred to as the "free technique". The basis for movement on skating skis is the so-called V-style. In order to do so, you press the edge of one ski into the snow and push off as powerfully as possible. Meanwhile, the weight is shifted to the other cross-country ski to glide forward. As with classic cross-country skiing, the skating technique involves moving along a groomed trail, which is merely a wide track of flattened snow.

Backcountry cross country skiing in deep snow

If you want to be completely free and like to find your own way, then backcountry cross-country skiing is the best option for you. Here you make your own way with your cross-country skis through untouched deep snow and remote landscapes. This style of cross-country skiing is therefore also considered the most original form of locomotion on cross-country skis. The movement is very reminiscent of classic cross-country skiing. The biggest difference is in the terrain, because backcountry skis are less suitable for the straight track, but more for untouched deep snow.

Which cross country ski suits you best

Whether you're a beginner or a pro - when buying your cross-country skis, you need to pay special attention to a few factors. These include your body weight and your height. The ski length is mainly dependent on your own size. However, your cross-country skiing technique is also important for the appropriate length of the skis. Especially with the technique, there are some differences in the structure of cross-country skis.

The athletes weight plays a decisive role when choosing the perfect ski

Classic cross country skiing with wax- and no-wax models

Classic skis have a climbing zone, and a gliding zone in the front and rear thirds. Depending on the model, the climbing zone is treated with climbing wax or klister, which is particularly effective in wet and old snow. There are also suitable klisters and climbing waxes for every snow and temperature condition.
Classic cross-country ski models that rely on this variant of the climbing zone are generally referred to as wax skis. For those who find it too much effort to re-prepare their skis before each session, there are some alternative climbing aids. For example, fish scale skis, which have a scale or a so-called "crown pattern" that hooks into the snow, making it easier to advance.

Probably the latest variant of no-wax skis are skin skis, in which, similar to touring skis, a skin creates the necessary grip on the ground. With furred skis, you are also in good hands in any snow condition. All these variants are summarized under the term no-wax ski. The front and rear parts of the ski are often treated with glide wax, so that you can glide on them as far as possible through the trail. Since the climbing zone does not touch the ground during gliding due to the curvature of the ski, the weight of the athlete plays a very important role in choosing the right skis.

Choosing the perfect skating skis

Skating skis, on the other hand, are treated with glide wax throughout and have no climbing zone, as here you push off with the edge of one ski and glide forward on the other. In addition, they are usually harder and also shorter than classic skis, since this cross-country technique involves transferring more power to the cross-country ski. When choosing cross-country skis, you can also say that the better the skier, the harder the ski. Since softer cross-country skis are even more forgiving of minor mistakes, they are particularly suitable for cross-country skiing beginners.

Wider cross country skis for your backcountry adventure

Finally, there are the backcountry - cross-country skis. Compared to the other two variants, these are much wider and have steel edges. Similar to the classic ski, they have a climbing zone in the middle, where you again have the choice between scale structure or fur. Both have their advantages. While you can overcome steeper sections a little easier with the skin-skis and have better climbing behavior, the scale ski glides comparatively better. If you set out on a longer climb, a separate climbing skin can be retrofitted in a similar way to touring skis.

Since backcountry skis are used in untouched terrain, they are much more robust and offer sufficient lift in deep snow. However, these cross-country skis do not glide quite as well as classic skis, which is not a big problem because backcountry skiing is all about experiencing untouched nature and not about going as fast as possible.

Cross Country Skis, boots & more for your wintersports season

Once you have found the right cross-country ski for you, you still need boots, poles and more to get started. Above all, you should make sure that you choose the right cross-country ski boots for the binding on your cross-country skis.

Generally, a distinction is made between the SNS binding system and the NNN system. Since these two systems are not compatible with each other, you must pay close attention when buying. In addition, a distinction is made between classic, skating and combination boots, while the first two are adapted to the respective discipline, the combination boot can be used for classic and skating and is therefore particularly suitable for those who do not specialize in either discipline. However, we also offer pre-configured cross-country ski sets in which the cross-country skis and binding are already perfectly matched.

Just as important as the right shoes are suitable poles. Skating poles are usually chosen slightly longer than classic poles. For cross-country skiers who ski both classic and skating, a variable pole with adjustable length is recommended. Of course, you can also add our cross-country poles to your sets.