- 1). Keep track of what terrain you like to ski most, if you are experienced, or think about your primary goal for the ski if you are beginner. Cross-country skis can loosely be divided into three groups: classic track skis, skate skis and back-country skis. Skate skis are shorter for skating technique, while back-country skis are fatter to provide flotation in snow when leaving packed and groomed terrain.
- 2). Check the manufacturer's guidelines, or consult with a shop salesperson to find out how long your skis should be based on your weight. Generally, you can follow a formula of taking your height and multiplying it by 2.6, then adding 25 to get the number in centimeters for traditional skis. Add 15 instead of 25 for skate skis.
- 3). Decide whether you need edges. Some cross-country skis have either partial or full metal edges. Edges provide more grip when traversing and better control on packed or icy terrain when skiing downhill. For skiing in tracks, edges are not necessary.
- 4). Choose waxable skis to get the best performance, or choose waxless skis if you don't like to take control of your equipment. Cross-country skis need either a fish scale pattern underfoot (waxless) or the application of kick wax underfoot (waxable) to provide traction for going uphill. Waxable outperforms waxless, but requires frequent maintenance.
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