X COUNTRY COACHING NORDIC STEP
CROSS-COUNTRY EQUIPMENT
CALCULATE THE LENGTH OF CLASSIC CROSS-COUNTRY SKI
What is the correct ski length for classic cross-country skis?
In classic cross-country skiing, you move on the trail and in flowing processes; the arms and legs swing diagonally to each other. The body weight is shifted evenly and alternately from one leg to the other. Basically, the classic style is very similar to the normal walking movement and is therefore perfect for cross-country beginners.
The specialty of classic cross-country skis is the climbing zone. In order to move forward, you need the right grip, especially on climbs. This means that the climbing zone must interlock with the snow so that you can run well uphill. Logically, your body weight is therefore crucial for pushing the skis into the snow. The rule of thumb gives you a very rough guide: Height (cm) + 20-30 cm = ski length
Whether you calculate with 20, 25, 30 cm or something in between depends primarily on your level of experience. If you're just starting out with cross-country skiing, the ski can be a bit shorter. For advanced users, on the other hand, longer models are suitable.
If you want to know your exact ski length, just have a look at our Product Finder. There you have to give your exact weight, but depending on the model, we will calculate the exact ski length from us. If several lengths are issued, the longer length always applies to the technically stronger runner and the shorter length to the technically weaker runner.
THE RIGHT LENGTH FOR SKATING SKIS
Cross-country skating is perfect for everyone who approaches cross-country skiing with an extra dose of athletic ambition. The running style is sporty and dynamic and similar to inline skating. A certain fitness level definitely doesn't hurt when skating, because you need here more strength than with classic cross-country skiing. By the way, when you skate you usually run on your own skating track.
The skating ski itself has no climbing zone and is essential harder than the classic cross-country ski. As far as the length is concerned, you can roughly orientate yourself on this calculation:
Height (cm) + 10-15 cm = ski length
Absolute skating newbies can also start a little shorter instead of the 10 cm and add 8 cm to their height. You will also find simple help for skating by entering your personal data in our Product Finder. You already know what length you need for which model!
CROSS-COUNTRY SKI LENGTH FOR CHILDREN
Cross-country skiing is healthy and makes exercise fun for children: the perfect deal! From the age of approx. 3-5 years it makes sense to take the kids with you on the trail and you first experience in classic cross-country skiing to have it done. It is very important that the focus is not on athletic ambition and that the child does not feel overwhelmed.
The following roughly applies to children Rule of thumb as a length recommendation:
Skating: For newbies, heights up to -5 to -10 cm and for advanced users, heights of +5 cm to +10 cm
Classic: For beginners body size up to + 10 cm, for advanced users +10 cm to +20 cm.
Children's cross-country skis are available in lengths between 110 and 170 cm. If in doubt, it is wiser to choose a slightly shorter version - especially if the child is still at the beginning of his cross-country skiing career and has to get used to it first.
When parents and children have found the right cross-country skis, they can start - right? Yes, as long as the rest of the equipment is correct!
CROSS-COUNTRY SKI LENGTH + CROSS-COUNTRY POLES - LENGTH
What is the right pole length for cross-country skiing?
Just like with your cross-country skis, you should consider with your poles whether you are classic cross-country skiing or skating-style. The following rules of thumb apply:
Classic cross-country ski pole: height (cm) x 0.85 = pole length
Ski pole for skating skis: height (cm) x 0.90 = pole length
Here is the example for a runner who is 168 cm tall:
Classic: 168 cm x 0.85 = 142.8 cm
Skating: 168 cm x 0.90 = 151.2 cm
The bottom line is that skating ski poles are around 10 cm longer than the classic models. A classic ski pole for cross-country skiing should end approximately at shoulder height or armpit height if it is stuck in the snow. The skating stick goes approximately to the chin / mouth, at most to the nose
THE PERFECT CROSS-COUNTRY EQUIPMENT
windproof, breathable clothing that you can wear like an onion
a head warmer (headband or hat suitable for sports)
glasses that protect against UV radiation
Gloves that give you enough freedom of movement so that you have a good grip on your sticks
depending on the length of the tour a small one backpack or one Hipbag for snacks, a drink, keys etc.
THE 3 TYPES OF CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING
CROSS-COUNTRY SKI - CLASSIC
Classic cross-country skis are designed for skiing on trails. In order to be as fast as possible with these cross-country skis, they are often designed to be narrow and very light. With this type of ski, it is very important to choose the right amount of camber in order to get the optimal balance between kick and glide. Classic cross-country skis are the most common cross-country skis, which are also used, for example, in races such as the Vasaloppet.
If you buy a cross-country ski with too much camber, you will not be able to push the ski down on the climbing zone, which means that you do not come into contact with the snow and thus slide backwards.
In comparison, you will experience the opposite when buying cross-country skis that are too soft. You will get an amazing grip, but you will also get very poor glide as the climbing zone is constantly in contact with the snow. This is why it is so important to find the right amount of camber on your cross-country ski.
When buying classic cross-country skis, we recommend that you choose skis 20-25cm longer than the height of the driver.
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CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING - SKATING
Cross-country skating can be compared to inline skating in terms of driving experience and movement. So that you can glide better, this type of ski does not have a climbing zone but a sliding zone that runs completely over the entire ski.
In addition, the camber in cross-country skating skis is a little more pronounced than in classic cross-country skiing in order to ensure dynamic handling. The skis are also a little shorter in order to perform a clean skiing technique.
When buying skating cross-country skis, we recommend choosing skis 10-15cm longer than the body size of the driver.
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CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING - BACKCOUNTRY
Backcountry is used outside of the groomed slopes and cross-country trails, where the pristine snow is often soft and powdery. Therefore, the backcountry cross-country ski has a wider design than all other types of cross-country skis, so that you can distribute the weight evenly on the ski, which prevents you from sinking into the snow. And thanks to the steel edges that the backcountry ski has, you get more grip and can also ski on hard or icy snow. In addition, you can still use certain skins with the ski that prevent you from sliding backwards.
When buying backcountry skis, we recommend choosing the skis 20cm longer than the body size of the driver, as with classic cross-country skis.
Classic cross-country skiing zones
Classic cross-country skis have three zones (under the ski). The middle zone is called the climbing zone and the area where the climbing wax is applied. This zone makes it possible to push yourself off with the ski, which is also known as a kick. Apart from that, the rear and front areas of the ski are called the sliding zone. In order to improve the gliding conditions there, as the name suggests, the glide wax is applied here.