Cross country skiing -- commonly referred to as XC or Nordic skiing -- is an ancient sport characterized by alternating full body movements over snow covered landscapes and trails. Equipment needed for cross country skiing includes the skis, bindings, boots and poles, but the equipment can be chosen based on intended activities. For example, choosing cross country skis for camping needs to consider the terrain and size of the ski. According to Backcountry.com, the best cross country skis for camping and skiing off trails are backcountry touring skis.
Terrain
Trails and terrain around organized campsites can be groomed winter activities such as trail running, but there are also numerous areas to move off the trails into deep untracked snow. To encounter this type of terrain, backcountry touring skis are ideal because of the short, wide and durable design. However, the backcountry touring skis can also be used on the groomed trails. The wide width improves flotation in the deep snow and the sidecut design improves control and turning ability on descents and varied terrain.
Size
The backcountry touring skis are lighter, shorter and wider than classic cross country skis, making it easy to store the skis at the campsite. The smaller size also improves the ability to place the cross country skis in your vehicle rack for transportation. Your bodyweight determines the flex in the backcountry touring skis and include soft, moderate or stiff ratings. For example, a lightweight person can use a soft ski but someone heavier requires a stiff ski to support the arch.
Bindings
Ski bindings and boots are an essential accessory to the backcountry touring skis and are commonly overlooked. For camping, the ski bindings and boots should allow easy clipping into the skis along with a comfortable design to be worn around the campsite. The best ski bindings and boots perform well in any winter or skiing conditions while providing a durable boot that increases comfort and warmth when you finish skiing and return to camp.
Poles
Similar to the bindings and boots, poles are an essential accessory and commonly overlooked. Cross country skiing poles for camping can improve skiing performance by keeping you balanced and allowing you to push yourself forward while skiing off trail (see References 1). Choosing the best poles to complement the backcountry touring skis should include adjustments for length to match ascending or descending terrain with larger baskets to navigate through the deep snow.
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