Cross-country skiing shares few similarities with downhill skiing. Instead of zipping down relatively steep slopes, cross-country skiers travel along flat or rolling mountain terrain, usually for long distances. Because of the demands of the sport, cross-country skis have a different design than downhill skis. One of the most important qualities of a cross-country ski is its size. Sizing cross-country skis involves taking into account your body size and skiing abilities. Properly sized cross-country skis will allow you to ski more efficiently and effectively.
Step 1
Size the proper ski length according to your size or weight. The traditional method of sizing a cross-country ski for your body is done by raising your arm to the sky and measuring the distance from the floor to your wrist. However, advancements in ski technology have reduced the reliance on this method of measurement. Weight has become much more of a factor with cross-country skis, but this can be difficult to size because sizing charts can vary by manufacturer. In order to get the perfect length for both your height and weight, visit a ski pro shop or ski specialist to guide you through the various brands.
Step 2
Choose between a narrow waist or a wider one. The waist you choose should relate to the type of ski trails you expect to use the most. Wider waists will provide more speed to your skiing, but turning and handling the skis will be more difficult. Skinny waists provide much better steering ability but with diminished speed. Experienced skiers typically prefer wider waists because they are more skilled at handling the skis in the snow. The waist will also help determine the sidecut of the ski, which also influences turning, particularly when carving snow.
Step 3
Determine the appropriate camber for your skis based on your expected skiing surface as well as your weight. Camber refers to the natural arch in the skis that creates a cushion of air below your feet and creates a springlike motion in the skis when pressure is applied. How much camber you need depends on both your weight and whether you expect to travel on groomed courses or fresh snow. The heavier you are, the higher the camber that you will need. Similarly, packed snow requires skis with more camber than courses with fluffy snow because the packed snow lacks any give in the snow's surface. This is a facet of ski sizing that is best done by a professional, due to the technical attributes of cross-country skis.
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