To properly enjoy skiing, it is important to be properly dressed and equipped. With the wrong equipment, a beautiful sunny day turns into a day of frustration. Wrong clothing, and you might freeze or overheat too easily. This is a starting point to provide a little help in choosing the appropriate ski equipment and clothing.
Know yourself. Some people have a ‘hot’ metabolism while others have a ‘cold’ metabolism. Individuals differ in their reaction to the cold and these reactions can vary depending on mood, fatigue, and /or state of health. Purchase warm mitts/gloves. Purchasing suitable equipment is a good investment for two reasons; the equipment retains its resale value and it is an investment in a positive, healthy, and fun activity.
Equipment Sources and Options
Clothing - Layers are the key to dressing for cross-country skiing. Layers provide the flexibility to adapt clothing according to the needs each day. Without layers you can both under dress and over dress. An enthusiastic skier can generate a great deal of body heat and perspiration even on the coldest days.
Head - A warm polar fleece/wool toque or balaclava that protects all of the ears is essential. Headband and earmuffs can be worn on warmer days.
Hands - A good pair or two of gloves or mitts is critical. Your hands are the first body part to become uncomfortable in the cold. For this reason alone it is worth spending a bit more and purchasing quality mitts/gloves. Many use shelled thinsulate or polar fleece liners with a water repellent/waterproof shell.
Body - It is important to be warmly dressed, but it is important to be dressed in such a way that allows excess heat and moisture to dissipate away from the body. Dressing in layers should be used. These layers can be removed or replaced at will, even while on an outing. The layer next to the skin should be made from a material (ie polypropylene) that keeps moisture and perspiration away from the skin and retains its insulating qualities when wet. What ever you do avoid cotton!
Instead of insulated snowpants, light wind-pants or rain pants over one or two thin layers of polypropylene or polar fleece, will provide sufficient warmth and more freedom of movement and still repel the snow. Polypropylene shirts covered by a polar fleece jacket and on windy/very cold days a windbreaker or light insulated jacket is a very simple way to keep the upperbody clothed. It is quite warm, allows excess heat and moisture to escape and repels the snow as well.
Socks - Avoid cotton. A wool blend with polypropylene or some other synthetic is ideal.
Boots - Need to fit properly: after cold hands, cold feet are the next body part that will adversely affect your enjoyment of the sport. The boots should have enough space to allow for warm non-cotton socks to be worn underneath.
Tip - You should be able to fit a finger behind the heel with the boot loose, and the foot pushed to the front of the boot, when wearing ski socks.
Equipment
Bindings - quality, warm and durable boot/binding systems (Salomon or NNN) are available. Both systems are equally functional but the Salomon system offers more variety and is available from more retailers.
Poles - Frequently this is the most neglected piece of equipment. With poles that are too long or too short the skier will have difficulty mastering the technical skills necessary to become competent in the sport.
Pole length
Classic - Poles should reach under the arm when the skier is standing on the floor.
Skating - Poles should be the same height as the skier’s chin.
Straps - must be adjustable and the material must be flexible (not plastic).
Tips - metal only, plastic tips are useless.
Skis - Skis have a number of features that need to be considered to make skiing enjoyable for the skier. These factors include type, length, camber, and base. Below you will see some descriptions and suggestions to assist with the ski decision.
Types of Skis
Classic Skis - skis used for the traditional cross country skiing motion, using either track-set or non-tracked trails
Skating Skis - used for the “new” motion of skating on skis, requiring shorter and stiffer skis.
Combi Skis - skis that have been designed to perform adequately for either skiing motion. This type of ski offers the ability to enjoy both skiing methods, but is considered to be more basic in the sense that they are not specifically designed for either method.
Ski Length
For adult skiers the length depends on the ski type - these are some basic guidelines, however, it is best to consult with others before purchasing.
Classic Skis - the tip should reach just below the skiers wrist when the arm is held straight above the head. The camber should be suitable for classic skiing
Skating Skis - should be about 5 cm above the head of the skier with the camber suitable for skate skiing
Combi Skis - the length should be mid-way between the length for a classic ski and a skating ski but the camber should be suitable for classic skiing.
Camber - Camber is the amount of flex a ski has along its length. Classic skis are much more flexible than skating skis. Classic ski camber should be about 60% of the skiers body weight. You can test for this by placing the skies parallel (about 8” apart) on a smooth, hard surface and have the skier stand on them at the approximate balance point. A letter size piece of paper should be able to move between the ski and floor at the balance point. Then have the skier stand on one leg (on the ball of the foot), the paper shouldn’t move now. Skating ski camber should be close to 100% of the skiers body weight.
Base
Most experienced skiers recommend that all skiers use waxable bases as the performance is far superior to waxless skis. Waxless skis have the benefit of no fuss with wax, but their performance is much worse. In most conditions, skiers will do better with waxable skis, which give superior grip and glide when properly waxed. Waxless skis are durable, inexpensive, widely available but no better than adequate. The pattern on the base can help on a climb but this resistance also reduces the speed, ease and glide on both flat and downhill terrain.
Buy two sets?
Many experienced skiers have two sets of equipment (skating and classical), and alternate between skiing techniques when they go out for a day on the trails.
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