Cross-country skiing is one of the hardest forms of skiing, not to mention one of the most rigorous forms of exercise. Both your upper and lower body muscles are used in the exercise, which is often done in mountainous territories during the winter months. The skis used for cross-country skiing are specially designed to provide a mix of traction and glide to help get you up and down snowy hills and banks. The length of these skis is often related to your own height, but your skill level can also play a role in ski selection. Regardless, choosing the right ski is a fairly easy task.
Step 1
Measure your own height to decide what approximate length of skis you need. A traditional ski-sizing chart recommends skis that are 180 cm for an individual who is approximately 5 feet tall. Five extra centimeters should be added for every 2 inches taller than 5 feet for the height you are.
But this can vary slightly depending on your ability levels. If you are experienced as a cross-country skier, you may prefer skis that are slightly longer, allowing for better control over your skiing.
Children, on the other hand, tend to use skis that are taller than their bodies are to help stabilize them on the skis.
Step 2
Choose the width and sidecut of your skis. Width relates to balance and speed--wider skis offer more balance, and narrower skis are built for speed and energy conservation. The longer the trek, typically, the narrower you will want to make your skis to reduce the workload by making it easier to glide.
But beginner skiers should stick to wider skis that will provide support--faster speeds won't make any difference to people who are consistently falling into snowbanks.
Sidecuts should be kept to a minimum unless you are covering backcountry terrain or other trails involving tight switchbacks. The sidecut relates to the ski's ability to carve out sharp turns, but in most basic cross-country situations, only a minimal sidecut is needed, if any.
Step 3
Determine what stiffness of flex is best for your ski and your riding. Your ski's flex will determine the grip of the ski on the snow when you are standing on the skis and riding them.
Flex can respond differently in different types of snow, but stiff-flexed skis feature an efficient design that works well on pre-made tracks and hard-packed or well-worn trails.
More flexible skis are used for backcountry skiing, fresh powder and other locations where the snow is loose. Most beginners will find themselves on trails where a stiff flex is best, and advanced, adventurous riders may gravitate to situations needing a softer flex in the ski.
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