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Selecting the right classic ski for a new cross country skier is not too difficult and with the right information, you can do it yourself! For skate skis, navigate to our article on selecting the best skate skis for beginners. For classic skis, aka what you, a beginner, think of when you hear cross country skiing, read on…
Classic skiing happens in the tracks, groomed grooves of snow that fit your skis. It looks like walking if the skier is new, old, out for a tour, or all of the above. The skis are long and grip is achieved with either kick wax, applied to a two foot length of the bottom of the ski under where the boot attaches, or via a material change to the bottom of the ski in that same area. One of the material changes is a shingled looking texture known as “fishscales”. FIshscales are just a pattern etched into the ski surface that helps it grip when you apply weight onto the ski. Recently companies switched non-wax classic skis from fishscales to a mohair surface embedded into the bottom of the ski, typically referred to as a “skin ski”. For beginners, selecting a non-wax ski, either fishscales or a skin ski, is ideal. This will allow you to just go out and ski without worrying about wax.
Once you find some skin ski options, you need to figure out if you plan to ski for touring, recreation, fitness, or racing. If it’s touring or recreation, just bopping around to see some birds and catch snowflakes on your tongue, then a shorter and wider ski is probably what you seek. They will be heavy but they will also provide stability and a steady ride. If you’re after some fitness or some light racing, find a longer and narrower ski that resembles more of a racing classic ski. You can usually tell these because there will be a waxable version of the same ski.
The Best Cross Country Touring Skis for Beginners
You want comfort. You want stability. You want a battle axe that’s going to last forever. Touring on cross country skis is a leisure activity and the skis below are the best options; however, you can probably pick up some old Evo rentals for cheap and they likely will perform the same as a new pair. Here are some great option for my touring and rec skiers:
Rossignol Evo - This is the number one nordic rental in the USA and it’s not even close. These things do it all (except go fast). And if you want to snag some warm, comfortable, and durable touring boots while you’re at it, Rossignol makes a great pair in the XC-2. Fine those here. Note: it says “Men’s” but ski boots are universal.
Salomon Escape - The Salomon answer to the Evo.
Madshus Panorama - The Madshus answer to the Salmon answer to the Rossignol Evo.
Fischer Apollo - The Fischer answer to…you get the idea. Fischer is undeniably the most popular ski brand in the world, especially on the racing and performance side of things. No doubt these are made well and will last a long time.
All touring skis are pretty much the same. Buy one that’s cheap and get out the door.
The Best Cross Country Skin Skis for Beginners
You want to get some skin in the game…get it. Skin skis are great because you don’t need to worry about wax and they make them pretty fast at this point. I own a pair for pulling the kids around and they’re fantastic. They’re heavy but the kick is always there and you can get a great workout on them. The one thing you don’t need is the top-of-the-line skin skis, unless your dental practice is going well and you also own a Pinerello Dogma with those funky wavy carbon wheels. The difference between racing skin skis and the step down is marginal and you’re not racing on skin skis anytime soon anyways. Here are some cost-effective options:
Fischer Twin Skin Race - You do not need the Speedmax skin ski.
Madshus Red Line Skin - Ok, these are top-of-the-line, but they’re pretty cheap!
Rossignol Delta Comp Skin - Kinda like the Evos, the Delta line of Rossignol skis are the ideal beginner skis. I only own one pair of Rossignol skis anymore but I still love anything Delta.
Where to Buy Your First Cross Country Skis
You should go to a shop to buy your first skis; however, I realize that’s not an option for everyone. If you are near a shop, rest assured, cross country ski shops are not as elitist or filled with buttholes as bike shops. If you must buy online, go with one of these retailers:
There are local shops at all of the destinations we list in our Where to Ski guides. Find a shop and buy your skis there. You can then try on boots before you buy and have the shop mount your bindings and show you how they work.
Alternatively, if convenience is key and you need skis ASAP, use my Amazon links above to get your Evos shipped directly to your door.
