The 5 Greatest Cross-Nation Skis of 2024-2025

How We Examined Cross-Nation Skis

Our Knowledgeable Testers

Our professional group of testers all work within the cross-country ski business year-round. They’re passionate winter individuals who like to geek out about ski stats, situations, terrain, and the nuances of excellent wax. They’ve been snowboarding for a mixed complete of 57 years, with expertise starting from former faculty racers to PSIA-certified basic and skate instructors to endurance athletes who obtained began on cross-country skis later in life.

Our lead tester, Kylie Collins, has been cross-country snowboarding for over 15 years. She started cross-country snowboarding in New England in faculty and has continued by way of the mountains of Colorado. She’s examined over 20 pairs of skis, together with the 9 greatest picked for this information, by way of every kind of situations for pleasure, coaching, and racing. She now works year-round within the cross-country ski occupation for Crested Butte Nordic and skis virtually each day within the winter.

Our Testing Grounds & Course of

We put these skis by way of the ringer in Colorado by way of the Elk and Sawatch Mountains and throughout Grand Mesa. Beginning on early season snowmobile groomed trails, by way of a full season of groomed trails and backcountry exploration in all of the difficult terrain Crested Butte gives. We additionally examined in variable spring situations each on and off the path. Every ski was examined at temperatures starting from properly under zero to 45°F.

We paid shut consideration to efficiency throughout this vary of situations, together with glide, weight, stability, agility, and, after all, enjoyable elements. This gave us confidence in every ski’s potential to sort out flats, uphills, and downhills throughout varied situations and temperatures, as is simply pure by way of a full season of cross-country snowboarding. We examined these skis in any respect hours of the day, on full moon skis with mates, and even jumped into a couple of native races.

Collectively, we’ve skied practically each model of ski in the marketplace, and these are our favorites for the 2024-2025 winter season for newbie and intermediate skiers. In the event you’re seeking to go additional into the mountains, take a look at our information to the very best backcountry skis and greatest backcountry bindings.

Purchaser’s Information: Methods to Select the Greatest Cross-Nation Skis

Stepping into cross-country snowboarding can really feel daunting. There are wildly completely different disciplines, every kind of drugs, and many various kinds of trails. The next ideas will assist you to decide the appropriate gear on your objectives and expertise.

Selecting Cross-Nation Skis: Which Type Is Proper for Me?

Nordic snowboarding breaks down into basic, skate, and touring kinds.

Basic and touring skis are related in that they require a forward-and-back striding movement to maneuver the skier ahead. The skis are saved parallel and use traction on the underside (wax, fish scales, or mohair skins) to seize the snow and cut back backward movement.

Basic skis are meant to slot in parallel tracks on a groomed path. Touring skis are wider and meant to be used off groomed trails. Many basic skis can be utilized off-trail. Some touring skis have steel edges for higher grip and stability off-trail and in variable situations.

Skate skis work with a sideways push-off movement, just like the look of a pace skater. The skis transfer outward in a V or skating movement. Skate skis are meant for groomed trails on the flat corduroy part subsequent to, and wider than, the basic tracks. In the event you’ve downhill skied earlier than, you’ve in all probability skated up a slight uphill. The movement is analogous.

Basic snowboarding can really feel extra approachable for somebody new to cross-country snowboarding or somebody who has by no means been on skis earlier than. The movement is extra like strolling. True basic approach is a lifelong sport and really stunning to look at.

If you wish to get into basic snowboarding for greater than only a social ski, we suggest taking a lesson or leaping right into a clinic to study among the fundamentals and keep away from dangerous habits. We suggest the Atomic Professional C3 Skintec or Rossignol Delta Comp R Pores and skin for traditional skis that may work for newcomers and develop with you as your approach improves. If you wish to enterprise off the groomed path, we suggest the Fischer Spider 62 Crown for its versatile touring capabilities.

Skate snowboarding is aerobically difficult, particularly at first. It requires extra health and steadiness than basic snowboarding however continues to be very approachable for a reasonably athletic starting and can really feel extra pure for those who’ve been on downhill skis earlier than. We suggest the Salomon RS8 Skate for newcomers or the Fischer Carbonlite Skate Plus if you wish to improve your gear.

Many web sites lump backcountry skis and cross-country skis collectively, however they’ve little or no in widespread. So, we’re not together with any backcountry skis (which use completely different boots and bindings and give attention to downhill efficiency) on this article. Nevertheless, for those who want this self-discipline, take a look at our information to the greatest backcountry skis.

Location

The place you anticipate to make use of the skis is essential. In the event you plan to ski on groomed trails at a Nordic heart you’ll in all probability have to buy a go. Basic snowboarding in groomed tracks typically requires skis which can be 65mm broad or much less. The Atomic Professional C3 Skintec and Rossignol Delta Comp R Pores and skin are all nice skis for groomed trails.

Groomed Nordic trails are additionally the place for skate skis. In the event you’re fortunate, crust snowboarding within the spring will increase the places the place skate skis are succesful. The Salomon RS8 or the Fischer Carbonlite Skate Plus are each nice selections to hit the paths.

In the event you plan to ski extra socially on canine or strolling trails, you possibly can think about wider basic skis or touring skis (although any basic skis can even work). We extremely suggest the Rossignol Evo XT Positrack 55 or Fischer Spider 62 Crown for his or her versatility. Although the Rossignols don’t have steel edges, each skis are shorter and wider and excel on and off the path.

In the event you plan to discover off-trail and untracked places, you may think about a shorter, wider ski with steel edges to assist in mobility, flotation, and confidence in powder and on downhills. We advise the Fischer Spider 62 Crown for its versatile efficiency off-trail. The Rossignol BC 80 Positrack is a heavy-duty choice, however it requires specialised boots.

Apart from ski selection, location is extraordinarily vital for security. Nordic Facilities typically groom in avalanche-safe terrain. Nevertheless, you’ll want to verify a middle’s day by day path report and cling to any warnings and path closures.

In the event you select to journey in a backcountry surroundings, think about an avalanche consciousness class, verify the avalanche report earlier than you head out, know your terrain, carry a beacon and ski with mates, and all the time inform somebody the place you’re going.

Traction

Since cross-country snowboarding consists of touring throughout uphill, downhill, and flat terrain, the bases make use of completely different types of traction to maintain the skier shifting ahead.

Skate skis have a easy base that helps skiers preserve momentum going ahead with a skating movement. Wax utility on skate skis will increase glide and might be tailor-made to particular temperatures and situations. A leisure skier may not want to use wax for each outing; nevertheless, temperature-specific wax will all the time enhance efficiency. Within the skate division, we examined the Salomon RS8 Skate, Fischer Carbonlite Skate Plus, and the Madshus Lively Professional.

Basic skis have three strategies of traction to lower backward glide. Since skiers use a kick movement to push off, they want some resistance to maintain ahead momentum.

Wax skis are nonetheless the gold normal for consultants. Wax might be tailor-made to each temperature and situation, however kick wax must be utilized each time you head out the door.  We didn’t take a look at any waxable skis on this information as it’s tailor-made for the start and intermediate skier.

Waxless skis at the moment are common for skiers who wish to spend much less time on the wax bench or are simply stepping into the game. Some basic skis use fischales for traction, just like the Rossignol Evo XT 55 Positrack, Fischer Spider 62 Crown, and Rossignol BC 80 Positrack. The fish scale sample is efficient, grippy, and common amongst newcomers and pastime skiers.

Different basic skis use mohair pores and skin inserts just like the Atomic Professional C3 Skintec, Rossignol Delta Comp R Pores and skin, and Fischer Twin Pores and skin Cruiser EF. Skins are a mushy material that grabs the snow for traction. Skins are quicker than fish scale sample bases. They’re nice for intermediate skiers or a affected person newbie. Additionally they require minimal upkeep and flexibility with simple replacements.

The Rossignol BC 80 Positrack additionally has tip notches for backcountry skins for elevated grip on steep and difficult terrain.

We use the phrase waxless to explain the fish scale and pores and skin basic skis. Which means the kick zone (the grip zone beneath the boot) doesn’t want condition-specific wax to offer traction. The tip and the tail ought to nonetheless be given a very good dose of glide wax to take care of pace and supply hydration to the bottom of the ski.

Moreover, if the fish scale skis begin to dry out (tackle a white coloration), they are going to want the occasional base wax. We suggest a simple liquid wax like Toko Categorical or Swix F-4. These are very simple to use with a shoe polish foam applicator. Then, simply buff them with a towel.

Discover the Proper Match

Match is important. Not like downhill skis, cross-country ski size is predicated on the skier’s weight as an alternative of top. The ski doesn’t know the way tall you might be however is aware of precisely what you weigh. As you step on the ski, the camber or bend of the ski depresses and makes contact with the snow. The correct quantity of despair will guarantee you might have grip and glide for each basic and skate methods.

Cross-country skis additionally are available a spread of flexes. Skis which can be too mushy will really feel unstable, particularly on downhills. Skis which can be too stiff won’t make contact with the snow and really feel slippery. A extra superior skier might search for a stiffer ski for effectivity, whereas a newbie skier might search for a softer ski for elevated grip and forgiveness. A extra superior skier might use snow situations to decide on ski flex.

Fortuitously, it’s simple to know which skis to purchase. Every ski model publishes a dimension chart particular to its quiver of skis, which advises on ski size and flex primarily based on the rider’s weight and skill.

Boots

There are basic, skate, and combi boots in the marketplace. A basic boot has minimal ankle assist as a result of skiers transfer ahead and backward. A skate boot has elevated ankle assist to assist the skier with the sideways skating movement. A combi boot is a mixture of the 2 and can work properly for skiers who take pleasure in each disciplines however solely wish to personal one pair of shoes. Most basic skate and combi boots in the marketplace are NNN appropriate and can work with all NNN bindings — Turnamic, NIS, NNN, and Prolink.

If you’re snowboarding a touring ski with an NNN BC binding, you’ll need an NNN BC-specific boot. These boots are sometimes extra like mountain climbing boots, with a wider and thicker toe bar. They’re meant for lengthy days out as an alternative of efficiency. There are additionally three-pin backcountry boots in the marketplace that use a telemark binding.

Salomon used to fabricate two fashions of SNS boots and bindings. This technique was completely different from the present NNN (New Nordic Norm) system. The SNS system is now not bought, nevertheless you could discover SNS tools for those who purchase used tools or go to a ski swap.

In the event you can spend a couple of additional {dollars}, midrange boots are an important selection. Their elevated options will supply dividends in efficiency with out sacrificing consolation.

Bindings

Many skis include bindings. Verify the producer’s suggestion if a ski doesn’t include a binding. Most bindings and boots comply with the NNN system (New Nordic Norm), however you’ll want to verify for compatibility when buying. The Turnamic, Prolink, NNN, and NIS programs are all NNN appropriate.

NNN bindings connect to the ski on a pre-mounted plate. The bindings are adjustable for the skier’s potential, desire, and situations. For a basic ski, shifting the binding ahead will enhance grip, whereas shifting the binding backward will enhance glide. For a skate ski, shifting the binding ahead will enhance management and stability, whereas shifting the binding backward will enhance pace and float on mushy snow.

NNN BC bindings settle for a single toe pin, just like the NNN system, however the bar is wider and thicker. The elevated stability permits skiers to ski with confidence off-trail and in difficult terrain. Nevertheless, these bindings require a special boot.

Salomon used to make an SNS binding that required completely different boots, however they’ve phased out that mannequin. You should still discover the SNS system for those who purchase used tools or go to a ski swap.

Poles

When buying poles, top is vital. For skate snowboarding, an extended pole is required. The overall components is to decide on a pole that’s 90% of your top. That is normally slightly below your decrease lip. For traditional snowboarding, the final components is to decide on a pole that’s 83% of your top. That is normally about shoulder top.

Store Your Stage

Don’t purchase racing or expert-level tools and hope to develop into it. Excessive-end tools requires high-end snowboarding expertise. Intermediate gear is commonly a better option if you wish to develop into the game. That is excellent news for the checking account!

Value & Worth

The cross-country skis we examined vary in value from $250-$450, although higher-end skis might value nearer to $1,000. Many budget-friendly skis will serve newcomers properly and for a few years. Value shouldn’t be instantly associated to high quality or sturdiness, however slightly developments in ski expertise extra associated to talent stage. Because of this, we don’t all the time suggest buying the most costly ski your funds permits. As a substitute, assume truthfully about your snowboarding talents and objectives to choose the appropriate ski.

Funds

Funds-friendly skis fall within the $250-$300 value vary. These skis sometimes embody bindings, are forgiving in nature, and can go well with newbie skiers properly. There’s a steep studying curve to interrupt into cross-country snowboarding for each skate and basic methods. Newbie-friendly skis will make the educational course of extra enjoyable, whereas skis geared in the direction of superior skiers will typically trigger frustration. Although you may sacrifice a couple of ounces in weight, the advantages in ski stability and due to this fact confidence are properly value it.

Our funds decide for this information was the Rossignol Evo XT 55 Positrack Cross-Nation Skis with TURNAMIC Bindings. At simply $250, these basic skis are enjoyable, forgiving, and simple to study on. The deliberately wider ski matches in normal basic tracks however supplies elevated confidence in each kicks and stability on the downhill. These skis are surprisingly mild for the value and intensely sturdy. It is a nice budget-friendly decide.

Mid-Tier

Spending a bit extra on cross-country skis brings advances in expertise, elevated versatility, and sometimes financial savings in weight. Mid-tier skis fall within the $300-400 vary. Skis on this vary are nice for skiers of all talents. Slight advances in expertise over funds skis will increase versatility to match a wider vary of skier sorts. Mid-tier skis are an important selection for those who’re searching for tools to develop with you as your expertise enhance. 

We love the Rossignol Delta Comp R Pores and skin Medium for an important all-around basic ski within the mid-tier vary. Priced at $350, these skis are nonetheless very inexpensive for a high-quality ski. The pores and skin base gives extra versatility than different fish scale bases for those who’re searching for pace or an important exercise. We suggest the Salomon RS8 with Prolink Professional Skate Bindings for a skate ski on this vary. Priced at $360, these easy-to-ski skate skis are enjoyable, quick, and an important selection for skiers of all talents. 

We additionally love the Fischer Spider 62 Crown Xtralite Cross-Nation Skis with TURNAMIC Bindings. These skis are unicorns. Priced at $369, these basic fish scale skis with steel edges do all of it. The narrower profile matches in most basic tracks, the steel edges and formed ideas and tail present confidence within the backcountry, and the fish scale base is beginner-friendly. 

Premium

We examined top-of-the-line skis within the $400-$500 vary. In the event you’re a newbie, the advances in ski expertise is probably not definitely worth the extra spend. Excessive-end expertise requires and rewards correct approach, so these skis can really feel irritating for a newbie. Nevertheless, for those who’re already an intermediate skier and seeking to keep within the sport, the extra spend and profit in weight financial savings and new expertise generally is a sport changer.

Many manufacturers use their world cup and race particular expertise in these premium-tier skis with out all of the bells and whistles of the very top-end, which means you reap the advantages. This implies a premium-tier ski could also be equivalent to the top-of-the-line in weight financial savings, premium development, and high-end core materials. The one distinction is commonly developments in base high quality, particularly wax absorption potential and due to this fact higher glide efficiency.

On this premium vary we love the Atomic Professional C3 Skintec + Shift CL. Our general greatest cross-country ski of the yr is available in at $430. For this value, you’re getting a really high-quality ski, gender-specific sizing, interchangeable common or race particular skins, and a extremely enjoyable ski. This ski can do all of it. It could possibly carry out properly on quick flat intervals, present nice kick on steep hill climbs, and sort out any situations from frigid mid-winter temperatures to spring mashed potatoes.

Take into accout, there’s additionally the Rossignol BC 80 Positrack Skis with NNN BC Bindings priced at $450 on this class. These skis are extremely particular to backcountry snowboarding and require specialty boots. This excessive price ticket doesn’t translate to a flexible ski. 

In the event you love cross-country snowboarding, you might have a very good talent base and also you’re working in your approach, and also you desire a pair of skis to final many seasons, this premium vary has nice choices. 

Continuously Requested Questions