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Choosing nordic skis
- Thread starter Christy
- Start date
WaterGirl
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
176 for DD and I in same Rossi Ski, weight amongst us is anywhere from 123-130. Which is why I want to maybe buy more xc skis b/c we can both use them. I would like to get a metal set up for local mts and off track. Really we lucked out last year at the xc demo sell off. First come first serve, we scored proper boot sizes and basic classic skis in pretty good condition. The only reason I ended up with the combi boot is b/c thats all they had in my size ;0.
MissySki
Angel Diva
@NewEnglandSkier do you have places in MA you go for cross country? I was wondering today where to go if things were to get shut down. For example, do you head to golf courses ever? I’ve seen a lot of people say they do, but then I’m curious if that’s officially endorsed by some areas or if it isn’t allowed at some etc. Any suggestions outside of golf courses are also very welcome.
NewEnglandSkier
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
@MissySki , yes we have a golf course in my town and I sometimes go there. They don't seem to mind--lots of people use it to ski, walk, sled etc. It may depend on the course. There is also another golf course that is close by that gets run as a nordic center in the winter--they make snow etc. When I first started I went there a lot, but now I like blazing my own trail more so I don't go there as often, but they have lots of groomed trails for both classic and skate (www.skiboston.com).
I also go into the town conservation lands and woods, so anywhere you have wooded trails or open meadows would work.
I also go into the town conservation lands and woods, so anywhere you have wooded trails or open meadows would work.
nopoleskier
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
check bike trails, once covered in snow they are great to xc ski on, Yes to golf courses and state parks, i googled and found this https://www.mass.gov/cross-country-skiing-in-massachusetts
MissySki
Angel Diva
@NewEnglandSkier and @nopoleskier thanks for the ideas and links to check out! I'm so excited to get started, if only the weather would cooperate.
SkiBam
Angel Diva
The traditional length was the skis reach your hand (when holding your arm up). Last year I bought skis that are a bit taller than me (and narrow) - they're ok but I felt I was lacking some stability. Just bought new ones that are 10 cm taller than last year's (but still about 15 cm shorter than my old, what I would call traditional-length, skis). So, yes, I would sure want them taller than me.
I wish you x-c keeners were closer to me and able to visit. No skiing yet, but we have an amazing choice of trails - from groomed for classic, groomed for classic and skating, flat (old railway line), very hilly, off piste untracked. From my house I could easily go at least 60 or more km, staying on marked trails. My town has a ski centre based out of our community centre, and the x-c club I belong to is about 10 min. away. All the trails link up. When we get the snow, it doesn't get better.
@Christy - length is based on weight and it should be near the tail of the ski or near the middle. I just looked at mine and I don't see the chart, so it must be under the binding. But here's a chart from REI.
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/crosscountry-ski-touring-gear.html
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/crosscountry-ski-touring-gear.html
Tvan
Angel Diva
@nopoleskier beat me to it... i was also going to recommend checking bike trails and local parks. We frequently go to the town ball fields which have a lovely hill between fields that I have not yet successfully skied down on nordic skis. I really need a lesson.
MissySki
Angel Diva
I was also going to ask if it's necessary to have a professional adjust bindings in any way before using them..
NewEnglandSkier
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
No need to check anything with the bindings if they are already mounted on the skis. I always wax my XC skis. The term waxless in regard to XC skis refers to the fact that they have fishscales on the base (older style XC skis didn't have this apparently and you needed to use special wax on the kick zone and I guess waxing them was a big deal). So you no longer need to make a big production out of waxing, but even with the fish scales under the kick zone for grip, they still benefit from being waxed for glide.
MissySki
Angel Diva
Ah good, thanks for confirming on the bindings!
Would this be along the same lines as downhill ski waxing we can do ourselves with the same wax and tools?
NewEnglandSkier
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
yes, same wax and tools work
gingerjess
Angel Diva
Now I'm curious... who's going to be the first to try DPS Phantom on XC skis?
I just threw out all the old XC waxes that were in a fishing gear box at the cottage. Blue, Red, Green, Silver Klister, Pine Tar, but I kept the iron!!
What a chore....tarring the bases the of the wood ski, then add wax, iron it with an old fashioned iron....Remove the wax to do the right wax for the temperature....Arghh....
What a chore....tarring the bases the of the wood ski, then add wax, iron it with an old fashioned iron....Remove the wax to do the right wax for the temperature....Arghh....
SkiBam
Angel Diva
We used to burn the tar into our skis not with an iron, but a blowtorch. Yikes.
Waxing properly is a lot of work though there's nothing better than being waxed correctly for the conditions. But with fish scales or skins, really just (as was mentioned) a glide wax is needed. I've had problems on warm days with fish scales and snow caking underfoot if skis are not waxed. At my ski club, many people take waxing very very seriously. Lots of discussion (and often disagreements) about the preferred wax for the day.
MissySki
Angel Diva
Wow and I thought it was supposed to be pretty simple if you weren't skate skiing! haha
I usually just use a universal wax (sometimes add in a spring formula when too warm) on my regular skis, iron in, scrape off, brush etc.. hope that's okay with the different bases of cross country? I had originally been under the impression that I didn't need to do anything to these, so I definitely will want to get that done soon if that's the best path forward.
I usually just use a universal wax (sometimes add in a spring formula when too warm) on my regular skis, iron in, scrape off, brush etc.. hope that's okay with the different bases of cross country? I had originally been under the impression that I didn't need to do anything to these, so I definitely will want to get that done soon if that's the best path forward.
NewEnglandSkier
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Your universal wax will be fine.
