Choose cross-country skis. How to choose skis: best recommendations and tips

The quality of winter recreation directly depends on the skis. We will talk about how to choose cross-country skis and skis for skating in our article, and you will be able to put the acquired knowledge into practice.

There is an opinion that summer provides more opportunities in the field of entertainment and sports. This is far from true. In winter, snowboarding, skiing and skating are popular. What is better than a walk through the winter forest on good skis?

Skiing provides a pleasant pastime, helps to improve the work of the heart and tone the figure.

Choosing cross-country skis

As you know, skiing is a popular means of winter recreation. Many are happy to go for a walk in the forest or mountains. Rest leaves a pleasant impression if you choose the right cross-country skiing.

The modern market offers the following types of skis: mountain, cross-country, sports, amateur, extreme and hunting.

Riding styles

1. Classic style. Provides parallel movement along the track. Use soft models with a long and sharp end.
2. Free or skating. It consists in repulsing skis from snow according to the principle of skates. Provides for the use of hard varieties.
3. Universal style. It is popular among people who like to skate classic and skate style.

Right choice

1. Skis are made from natural wood or plastic. The cost of wooden specimens is much lower, but they are very rare on the shelves of sports stores.
2. Plastic ones do not need lubrication and ride better on snowy surfaces. They are more reliable, lighter and last longer.
3. Picking the size is not difficult. Sports stores have special tables for height and size.
4. Be sure to pay attention to stiffness. Before buying, stand on your skis and try to stretch a sheet of paper under them. If he passed unhindered - tough. If not, soft.

Video tips

Finally, I will pay a little attention to the choice of shoes. If you are a fan of classic style, buy low boots with soft soles. Skate style provides for hard and high boots.

Choosing skis for skating

Let's imagine that you decide to learn skiing. First of all, choose your riding style. Skate style began to gain popularity at the end of the last century.

When skating, they push off the snowy track with the inside of the skis, while the track itself is wide and compacted.

Skating skis differ from the classic counterpart in shorter length and more blunt toe. The center of gravity is slightly off.

1. If you like skiing, pay attention to the models of medium and low hardness. Rigid models have two significant drawbacks - they slip and spring when pushed.
2. Rigidity should correspond to the weight of the skier. If a person is heavy, you need to buy more rigid skis or lose weight a little.
3. It is necessary to strive to ensure that skating skis and poles correspond to height.
4. It is extremely important to choose shoes. Shoes for skating have some features. Modern skating boots are high-tech footwear, the development of which takes into account high mechanical loads, extreme weather conditions, and the anatomical features of the human foot.
5. The final touch is the selection of fasteners that exist automatic and mechanical. It is better to buy automatic bindings, as they make preparation for skiing faster and more comfortable.

If you have already mastered classical skating, you can safely switch to skating style. It's more fun and perfect.

Video tips

The right choice of skis

Modern people spend New Year holidays in different ways. Some go to the sea, the second prefer the forest, the third like a trip to the country, the fourth like winter skiing.

1. When visiting a specialized store, tell the consultant about your skill level. Otherwise, he will select skis based on your preferences and anthropometric data.
2. If you are a beginner or an amateur, pay attention to the standard models. They are geared towards driving at low to medium speeds.
3. Remember, the right choice depends not only on the level and style of riding, but also on the physique of the athlete. If you have an average weight, buy skis that are 10 cm shorter than your height.
4. If you have a lot of experience in the field of mountain skiing, but the weight exceeds the norm, skis with longitudinal rigidity are the best solution.
5. Before buying, decide on the place of skiing. Skiing on ordinary slopes is significantly different from skiing on big mountains.
6. If you want to ride on various slopes and mountains, buy universal models.
7. It is much easier for people with a high level of riding to choose. The range of choice in this case is much wider.
8. If you want to take turns with a large slope, buy shortened skis. If you are expecting virgin snow riding, you can safely purchase a longer model.

The development uses advanced technologies that are focused on improving manageability. However, if you are a beginner, learn how to ride with a trainer. Always put health and safety first.

How to choose roller skis

Roller skiing is similar to skiing. Not surprisingly, this type of physical activity is great for fans of winter sports. In addition, roller skiing brings more benefits than walking with sticks or cycling.

The modern sports equipment market offers the widest selection of roller skis. If a professional can choose the optimal model without problems, it is much more difficult for a novice athlete.

Such a division cannot be called absolute, since the market is overflowing with combined models. However, the development of the fundamental characteristics of roller skis comes from the listed subspecies.

Let's talk about choice.

1. Training rollers must provide the utmost compliance with the ski course. Such units in most cases have moderators. These devices reduce the speed to the speed of skis.
2. It is better if roller skis are equipped with wheels made of soft material. They provide good traction and reduce vibration. The frame of the training model simulates the deflection of skis.
3. Racing rollers have different requirements. They should have a minimum weight and provide maximum speed. Other characteristics play a secondary role. Such models are equipped with large polyurethane wheels and a short rigid frame.
4. Classic rollerskis should have a ratchet that is responsible for blocking the reverse rotation of the wheels. Such models are distinguished by an elongated frame and wider wheels.
5. The composition includes three components - mounts, wheels and frame. The last element is responsible for the transfer of force from the legs to the wheels. The main characteristics of the frame are length, weight and stiffness. The longer the frame, the more stable the rollers.

Choosing skis for a child

Some parents think that skiing is a waste of time. Such an opinion is superficial and erroneous. Skiing strengthens the cardiovascular system, develops the vestibular apparatus, hardens the child's body.

1. It is necessary to take into account the height, weight and age of the child. First, it is enough to purchase a regular children's model.
2. It is better to buy your child skis made of natural wood. Domestic products are cheaper than European analogues, but the quality is lower.
3. When choosing, make sure that the model you like has notches. They prevent rollback.
4. For the first time, do not give the child sticks, as they will harm the convenience of riding. If you still decide to buy them, make sure that the tip is of high quality, the reliability of the support depends on it.
5. With age, the views and tastes of the child change. Talk to him and get his opinion.

How to choose skis by height

When choosing, the main thing is not to make a mistake. First of all, it is recommended to select, guided by growth. After that, the level of preparation is taken into account.

1. If you cannot boast of strong physical fitness, subtract about 20 centimeters from your height. As a result, you will get the optimal ski length.
2. If you constantly train, and the level of training is high, subtract about 10 centimeters from your height.
3. If you are not riding for the first time and are confident in your abilities, purchase a model whose length matches your height.
4. It is better if you try out skis of various lengths in practice. This will allow you to choose the optimal model.
5. In addition to the length, you need to pay attention to the width. If you intend to ski on a flat track, buy wide skis that are highly stable.
6. If you have to ski on ice or on a hard track, narrow skis will be the best solution. They are more maneuverable and lighter than wide counterparts.
7. Regarding rigidity, I would like to say that during the choice you need to be guided by the level of training. If it is high, you can safely buy hard skis.

It is not so easy for a complete beginner to choose good skis on their own. Without knowing the subtleties, he will simply buy the first model he likes, which will not please with a comfortable ride.

Skiing is one of the most popular sports and also a favorite hobby of many people. Someone prefers extreme driving, others are not averse to calmly ride in the park. In any case, when buying modern skis, it is important to take into account not only the riding style and terrain features, but also indicators such as the height and weight of the skier. It is difficult to make a choice today, as hundreds of models are presented in sports equipment stores, both for skating and for walking. Let's try to figure out the main indicators that you need to pay attention to when choosing skis.

Selection of skis based on the height and weight of the skier

The selection of skis for height differs depending on the type of product. It is also worth considering the length and stiffness of the ski. For example, beginner athletes are advised to choose shorter models. On such products, you will be able to move around with any convenient technique, but if a beginner acquires skating skis, then he will not be able to ride them in a classic style. Therefore, consider the most popular types of skis.

Ski selection for classic skiing

Classic type skis are distinguished by their configuration, as they must always be parallel to each other when moving along the track. As a rule, such products are longer than skating ones, but the maximum value does not exceed 207 cm. In addition, they are distinguished by their softness, this is necessary so that when repulsed, the ski block touches the snow surface, in which case the products will not slip back during the push. But such skis should not be too soft either, otherwise, during sliding, the block will bend too much, deepening into the snow, as a result of which they will slow down.

When choosing the stiffness of a suitable ski model, weather conditions should be taken into account. For example, soft and elastic products are more suitable for cold winters, since in this case you do not need to apply a large layer of ointment. But for positive temperatures it is better to choose rigid models.

Professional skiers differ in their riding style, as a rule, they push off the snow surface with a powerful push, so for the “pros” hard products are suitable, on which athletes can do a long ride.

If you choose classic type skis, then their length should exceed your height by 25-30 cm. Sticks, unlike Nordic walking poles, on the contrary, it is better to choose 25-30 cm less height, although if you have excellent physical fitness and strive to increase the load, you can also purchase longer products.

To choose skis by weight, you need to check how stiff they are for your body weight. To do this, just use the flex tester. First you need to find the center of gravity of each ski and put a mark on this place with a marker. After that, you need to put the products on a flat surface and stand on them. In this case, the toes of the boots should be located on the line marked earlier. Try to relax and evenly distribute your weight on both legs. Have someone take a thin sheet of paper or a feeler gauge no thicker than 0.2 mm and pass it under one ski. In this case, the tester must move freely at a distance of 20 to 40 cm forward and backward from the marked center of gravity. If a sheet of paper or a probe does not go further than 5 cm, you need to take softer skis.

There is a similar method for determining the rigidity of products. To do this, all the weight must be transferred to one leg. Next, you also need to use paper or a probe, which should move freely 10-15 cm from the control point.

Selection of skis for skating

Skating skis are called so because during the movement the skier uses the same running technique as the skater. To do this, he pushes off the snow surface with the inside of the ski, transferring at that moment all his weight to the sliding ski and vice versa. It is worth noting that skating is more suitable for those who have well-trained arms and body.

In terms of length, this type of ski is shorter than classic skis, their maximum length is no more than 192 cm. While skating, the athlete should not come into contact with the middle part of the ski with the surface. Therefore, such models should be tougher than classic ones. And if you plan to use them only for walking, then it is better to choose products that are more elastic and soft, on which it is easier to maintain balance.

In order to decide how to choose skis for skating by height, it is enough to remember the following: such models should be 15 cm larger than the athlete’s height, and poles 15 cm smaller. Thus, the size of the skis for height will be optimal.

In order to determine the weight, on skating skis it is also necessary to determine the center of gravity, put a mark on it and stand on the products, distributing the weight. The probe or paper in this case should move freely 40 cm to the nose of the products and 10 cm from the heel of the boot to the back of the ski. If you stand on one ski, then 10 cm must be subtracted from these values.

Selection of combined skis

This type of ski can be used for both skating and classic skiing. The maximum length of the combined models is 200 cm. But to use different riding styles, it is better to choose skis no longer than 192 cm, in which case the “heels” will not touch each other during skating. The design of the Combi skis is more reminiscent of the classic models, but their length should be determined a little differently. Combination skis should be 20 cm longer than the height of the skier, and as usual, it is better to choose poles 20 cm shorter, unless you plan to train with increased loads.

The selection of skis by height and weight, the table of indicators of which is presented below, will not take much time. Most importantly, do not forget to take into account other characteristics. If we talk about mini-skis for children, then there is another story, which we will consider in more detail.

Selection of children's skis

When choosing sports equipment for young skiers, it is necessary first of all to assess the level of preparation of the child for such training. For children, it is better to choose products that do not develop high speed, manageable and reliable. If we talk about growth, then:

• Skis for children 3 years old should be 100 cm long, provided that the height of the baby is also 1 m. If less, then it is better to choose shorter models;
• Children's skis from 4 years old should be no more than 110 cm long, with a similar height;
• It is better to purchase children's skis from 5 years old with a length of 120 cm, while the height of the child should be about 115 cm.

The remaining indicators (for children from 6 to 11 years old) can be found in the table.

As with the choice of adult skis, purchasing products for a child must take into account its weight. The shortest skis with a length of 70 cm are ideal for children weighing up to 20 kg. Further, the division proceeds as follows:

• If the baby's weight is 20-32 kg, then choose models with a length of 90 cm;
• For children weighing 32-42 kg, products with a length of 100 cm are more suitable;
• If your child weighs more than 41 kg, then when choosing skis, you need to build on the height of the young skier (while the skis should reach the nose).

The choice of children's skis based on the height and weight of the child is very important, since only with the right ratio of these indicators will children be able to train properly. If your child has not yet practiced winter riding, then choose skis for him that will reach his chin, that is, shorter models.

In custody

When choosing skis, also consider the manufacturer of sports equipment. Cheap analogues will have the worst grip on the snow surface, so it is better to give preference to companies that have proven themselves in this industry. Before buying, it is better to try to ride on the model you like, since everything is very individual in this matter and depends on your weight, height, fitness level and physical activity.

How to choose skis? This question first of all arises for a beginner who is just planning to go skiing.

First you need to decide on the style of riding. There are currently two options:

1. Classic, involving skiing.
2. Skating, when an athlete overcomes a wide, specially prepared track.

Skis designed for the classic course can be either with or without a notch. When wondering how to choose skis for a child or a beginner, you should give preference to the first option. The notches in this case prevent the skis from slipping back, which greatly facilitates the skiing process. But it should be understood that the speed in this case will be somewhat lower compared to a smooth surface.

Important! Smooth skis can only be used with a special grip wax that will prevent them from slipping back. Otherwise, riding will be not only uncomfortable, but also unsafe.

Rigidity is an important indicator

When thinking about how to choose cross-country skis for height and weight, you should not least pay attention to the rigidity of the products. Ski performance is largely determined by the degree of deflection, which requires a certain weight of the rider. In simple terms, different models require different forces, sufficient to push through them.

Important! The easiest way to determine the stiffness of classic skis. To do this, you just need to get on the skis, having achieved their full contact with the floor. If this did not work out, then it is necessary to select products with less rigidity.

Most modern manufacturers indicate the weight range of athletes for which their products are designed. For beginners, it is best to choose skis of medium hardness.

Choice of length

How to choose skis for height? This is a very important nuance that must be taken into account when choosing. Everything is simple here:

1. If we are talking about classic skiing, then 30 cm must be added to the athlete’s height. The result will be the length of the skis.
2. When choosing skating or cross-country skiing, we add 15 cm to the height.

Table: how to choose skis and poles for height

The length of most products is directly proportional to their rigidity. Therefore, if the model chosen for the length turns out to be too soft, then it is advisable to purchase a longer version.

Features of the choice of ski poles

No less important than the choice of the skis themselves is the selection of sticks. First of all, you need to understand the materials from which these products are made:

1. Fiberglass. This is the cheapest option, which is characterized by low strength and rigidity. At the same time, they are quite heavy, but they are quite suitable for beginners.
2. Carbon fiber. Light, tough, but expensive.
3. Composite, made of carbon fiber and fiberglass. In this case, strength and cost directly depend on the percentage of carbon in the composition.
4. Aluminum. They are a good choice for beginners and heavyweights due to their strength. They are very affordable.

Advice! When choosing ski poles, it is advisable to give preference to those models that have hand loops. They must be securely fixed with Velcro.

Conclusion

How to choose the right skis was described in detail above. This process is not particularly difficult, but requires certain knowledge that will help any novice skier to master this sport. You should also pay attention to protection and equipment.

The question is not idle, especially when you enter the trading floor and look at their endless rows. Let's find out now! To begin with, of course, let's decide on the size of cross-country skis. The choice depends mainly on your height, weight and riding style.

The unspoken rule, but rather the accumulated experience, gives the following recommendation: For a skate: +5...15 cm to height. For classic: +20...30 cm. Universal: +10...20 cm. Tourist/walking: +20...30 cm.

Why exactly? It's very simple - skating skis need to be constantly "rearranged" along the track, and if they were as long as the classic models, then not everyone would be able to handle them.

Outwardly, skating skis are very easy to distinguish from classic ones - in modern skating skis, the toe height is not so much higher than the heel, it is almost flat, unlike the "classic". But the skating technique does not involve movements that could “bury” the toe under the snow, and in practice, even in deep fresh snow, the lowest toe does not cause any problems. He just disappears from view under the snow for a while, but continues to slide unhindered under it. Of course, you shouldn't try too much to lay a new trail across the virgin lands on skating skis - after all, they are not intended for this.

But such a low-profile sock significantly reduces the weight of the ski and increases the "real" length of the ski. With the same dimensions as the "classic" - the ridge model will have a slightly larger contact area with snow. This also helps to design skating skis a little shorter than classic ones.

For the best glide, the length of the skis, combined with their stiffness, should distribute the skier's weight on the snow as evenly as possible. For example, if the height of a skier is 175 cm and the weight is 65 kg, then a size of 180 is quite suitable for a skate, and 195 cm for a classic. And for a skier with the same height, but weighing 85 kg, skate skis 185-190 and classic 200-205 cm. The Salomon Equipe 8 and Fischer LS SKATE models meet the above requirements.

In the same way, skis differ depending on the hardness of the track. On "concrete" they usually choose skis with a hard toe and heel for greater stability, and on fresh snow - softer. In any case, for serious skiing, it is better to have several pairs in your arsenal in order to be able to appreciate the difference in gliding just before the start.

General characteristics of the types of weight deflections depending on the riding conditions:

People who start skiing are faced with the problem of choosing a pair of skis. When buying skating skis, you need to consider: the method of use, the experience of the athlete. And also, you should not forget about what surfaces you are going to ride on: prepared tracks or undeveloped virgin lands. When choosing a ski pair, you need to pay attention to the rigidity and length of the product.

Skis

Such skis are designated by the letters SK or the word Skate. They are shorter than running models. In addition, there are no notches on them. When skating, notches only slow down the skier's movements. Products must be selected depending on the athlete.

Boots

To ride safely, you need to choose the right shoes. Ordinary boots are not suitable for skiing. For reliability, comfort and better control, you need to buy special ski shoes.

ski poles

At the time of buying

In order for the skis to last as long as possible, they need to be properly looked after: treated with various impregnations and lubricants. When the skiing season is over, they need to be properly prepared for storage. Before putting the equipment in the case, the remaining grease is removed from the products and covered with a new layer of paraffin.

High-quality equipment will serve the skier for several seasons, retaining its characteristics in its original condition. When choosing ski equipment, take into account the way the product is used and the experience of the athlete. Skating skis are not suitable for performing tricks and jumps.