How to choose cross-country skis, skate or classic?

Are you looking to try out a new sports discipline or want to continue training for trail running or cycling in the middle of winter? By working on cardio in a snowy environment, cross-country skiing is ideal for taking care of both body and mind. We give you all the information you need on Nordic skiing and its nuances in this article.

Cross-country skiing or Nordic skiing?

Before getting to the heart of the topic, a brief little history: cross-country skiing is the oldest snow sport there is. And if you’ve already heard of Nordic skiing when talking about cross-country skiing, that’s actually normal! Cross-country skiing actually forms part of all of the disciplines related to Nordic skiing, where we also find the biathlon and Nordic skiing combined. With the name referring to the north of the globe, this is because Nordic skiing started in the Scandinavian countries more than 3,000 years ago. At the time, one would move around to hunt, explore or simply to travel. This practice was ultimately considered as a sport in its own right at the end of the 1800s, before gaining the popularity that it enjoys today in the form of publicised global competitions (such as the biathlon, for example).

Classic cross-country skiing and cross-country skate skiing: what’s the difference?

Cross-country skiing and cross-country skate skiing are mainly differentiated by the sliding technique. One is practised with parallel skis in rails, while the other follows a technique that we could qualify as being freer, but more physically demanding.

Classic cross-country skiing:

here, you move forward in built "tracks" in designated skiing areas. The skis stay parallel and the technique used to slide is that of an "alternating step"; this is where another name for the sport comes from, that of "alternating cross-country skiing". The skier’s legs take turns propelling forward, together with a specific gesture in the arms to accentuate the movement and acceleration. It’s up to you to choose the level of physical exertion: you don’t need to be in any specific physical form. By doing it gently, you could call it a sliding walk. Beginners are often advised to start with the classic practise before advancing to skate skiing.
Skate skiing:

unlike its counterpart, here you don’t ski along the trails created for this purpose, but rather on groomed, flat or hilly snow. The skis also don’t stay parallel: we refer to the skater "step technique", due to the resemblance between this movement and that of ice skates. Although the propulsion is also done by alternating one leg and then the other, there is greater use of the arms, and the effort on the lower part of the body is more intense. It’s quite physically demanding, in addition to requiring technique and good balance. It’s also the more widely-publicised practice: in biathlons for example, athletes move in skater steps.

Both disciplines tick all the boxes in terms of a wellness"sport": the whole body works from a muscular point of view like cardio, and it is practised outdoors, in fresh air, which also allows you to benefit from the great outdoors. As this is physically positive, your brain will also benefit from this movement by desynchronising the lower and the upper body.

cross-country skis decathlon inovik binding

The practices - understood! So how do you choose your classic cross-country or cross-country skate skis?

Unlike Alpine skiing or freeride skiing where the skis are short and wide so you can take descents at a fast pace, Nordic skis are relatively thin and long. There is only one binding for the front of the foot, leaving the heel free. Although they seem to be built in similar ways at first glance, they do present some differences:

Alternative skis (or classic skis, if you’ve been paying attention!) are fitted with an anti-kickback zone under the ski, with skins or scales, which allows you to stop without the risk of sliding backwards. You can get specially-designed, anti-kickback wax, which has become more rare since the arrival of skin skis (which require less preparation) but which are still used quite often in competition.
Skate skis are shorter, making them more manoeuvrable. They don’t have an anti-kickback zone.

Of course there are a few nuances within even the categories and choosing the right pair of skis will depend on your level and your weight. We’ve written two articles to allow you to take your research a little further, according to your preferred practise of cross-country skiing.

For the skis: all good. But what about the boots and poles?

Like skis, boots and poles have some real differences.

Alternating cross-country ski boots have a sole that’s supple enough to allow the foot movement to flow smoothly. When skating, they have a rigid upper collar to ensure good ankle support. Today, all the new boots are compatible with the new skis: this wasn’t the case in the past where different standards existed, and where one therefore had to check compatibility with the binding. If you invest in new equipment, you won’t need to worry, but pay attention to this point if you’re making a choice between a pair of second-hand skis or boots.
Cross-country ski poles are bigger than those used for downhill skiing (Alpine skiing, freeride, freestyle or cross-country skiing). With the very essence of Nordic skiing being based on the propulsion of the skier themself, they play a very important role. In terms of size, in alternating cross-country skiing they generally reach the middle of the shoulder whereas in skating, it’s the middle of the chin.

Particular attention deserves to be paid to choosing the full set of equipment: all of our advice can be found here.

Cross-country skate skis caring for your decathlon cross-country skis

To conclude: how do you look after your equipment?

Maintenance is very important for all winter sports, but even more so with cross-country skiing: wax will be your best ally to make the most of your excursions and keep your equipment for a long time to come, this preventing the sole from drying out and sliding less well. You can wax your skis yourself at home, or even out on the slopes, using some types of wax that are easy to carry with you. As this is a subject in itself, if you have any questions, you can refer to the article focusing on this topic.

The first overview of cross-country ski equipment has now been done: now it’s up to you to go into the details, if you like, of the various items of equipment.

Interesting tips

THE BENEFITS OF CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING!

Cross-country skiing is increasingly popular, accessible to all and enables you to unwind while enjoying snowy landscapes. Whether it's classic, skating or Nordic hiking, there's something for everyone!