Skate Skiing

Take your cross country skiing to an entirely new level

By Courtney Johnson

For many warm season athletes, staying fit in the winter while avoiding burnout is tricky. If you live in an area where the snow falls regularly, this can be even more difficult. So why not pick up another sport that will let you get outside, have fun, and keep you fit? If you’ve never tried it, skate skiing is a very hard and demanding sport on your entire body.

To get started in your new winter sport there are some basics you need to know. Figuring out the equipment you will need can be a bit intimidating. There are more than a few companies, models and styles to choose from. Skis, boots, bindings and poles are the basic hardware needed to get you started in a range of prices and quality.

The range of skis is broad, and depends on your ability, height, weight, and if you intend to race or just tour around. Renting skis is a great way to start. Karl Ramsen, of the Leadville Nordic Club, recommends going to a Nordic Center and talking to an employee. “They can gauge how much you might use a ski, your fitness level, your athletic ability, etc, and give you some ideas on skis that are right for you,” he says. “Also, you can try out their equipment to see what you like. Renting also gives you a chance to get a feel for the sport before you buy all the gear. Rental prices range typically from $15 to $25, and some Nordic centers have a demo program where the price of a rental is applied towards your purchase.

If you do get hooked on the sport and decide to buy your own skis, selecting them can be a daunting task. I stopped into Boulder Nordic Sport to have my bindings mounted and a quick wax. If you are lucky enough to have people as knowledgeable as the guys at B.N.S., rely on them. B.N.S. goes so far as to visit some ski manufacturers in the summer to hand test high end skis to select the ones that meet their standards.
For those that don’t have obsessed skiers to guide them, the two biggest elements you need to consider are length and stiffness. Ski lengths range from 172 mm to 192 mm. Each manufacturer has a chart based on the weight and height to help you determine the proper length. According to Shawn Delaney of B.N.S., “The longer a ski you can properly ski on, the faster you will go.” Manufacturers like Fischer and Atomic make women specific skis.

Stiffness in a ski can be a double-edged sword. A stiff ski will be more responsive and faster, but if you are new to skating this can wear you down. Delaney believes that most skiers select a ski that is too soft for them. Unfortunately there is no industry standard stiffness index to help guide buyers. If you are lucky enough to find a high-end shop that has stiffness testing equipment, look for a stiffness rating that is 20% more than your body weight. Top of the line skis will range between $550 and $600. The more expensive ski will be lighter, more active, and have a better base to accept the wax. If you have rented a few times, then buy new skis, you will be amazed at the difference the proper ski with good wax can make.

Your footwear will be your next big decision. Delaney’s advice is “if you can spend money, spend it on your boots.” Much like running shoes, skate boots have a monetary point where the quality is discernable. High-end boots are as high at $400, and according to Delaney the quality dips under $300. Why spend that much? “What you’re getting at the high end is a stiffer boot and better fit,” said Delaney. In addition, a high-end boot will last you 5 to 7 years while a less expensive boot may last 2 to 3 years, and in some cases only one season. Skate ski boots are not rigid like an Alpine boot. Skate boots are mostly soft with some reinforcing materials like plastic or carbon to add stiffness. They usually have some type of internal lacing system and a simple buckle at the top to add some stability. Sizing will vary so make sure to try them on to ensure a good fit. Some companies have boots in 1/3 sizing, making the fit process more complex, but also giving customers a better fit. Having used rental boots for years I can attest to the necessity for a quality boot.

You will be connected to your skis via the bindings, just as pedals keep you connected to the bike. Like pedals and cleats, boots and bindings are not universal. There are two different binding systems, N.N.N., or New Nordic Norm, which several manufacturers use, and S.N.S. or Salomon Nordic System, marketed by Salomon. Both systems are easy to use and work in a similar method. Your boot will have a small metal bar running perpendicular to your foot just behind your toes. The binding has a clamp that you open by pulling up a small tab, press the toe bar into the clamp and then push the tab back down to close the clamp. Both systems will allow your heel to come up, giving you the freedom of movement needed. When it comes time to choose your binding system Delaney recommends that athletes choose their binding system based on the boot they are using. In other words, fit the binding to the boot, not the boot to the binding.

The poles are basic, but for a first timer there are two things to know. First, they are supposed to be longer than you think. According to Ramsen, “poles should come to between your chin and nose.” Second, loop your hands through the wrist strap so you can place your weight on the pole without having to grasp it. If you try to just grip it as hard as you can your hands will be cramping in minutes.

There is a little maintenance involved in skate skiing, the biggest one being wax. The type of wax layered on the bottom of the ski will greatly determine how well your skis perform. Think of the wax on the ski like the tire on your wheel. Imagine having a disc wheel, but only putting 80 P.S.I. in the tire. Complicating matters is the fact that there are many different types of wax. Since snow conditions vary in terms of moisture content and temperature, different waxes excel in different conditions. There are basic waxes that do well in a majority of conditions, but talk with your local Nordic store about what wax will work best for you.

How often should you have your skis waxed? That depends on how much you ski and how competitive you are. Ramsen’s advice is “in general, if you want to take good care of your skis, you should do it about once a week. It is important to note that lots of people do it more like once a year. Wax is dependent on lots of factors, but temperature and moisture content are the most important.” To keep it easy, Ramsen says “if a beginner/intermediate had three waxes - one for cold, one for 20 to 30 degrees, and one for warm it is pretty easy to determine which one will be correct”.

Beginners should also know that skis get faster after some use. At B.N.S. they have a heat box treatment where the ski is heated for a period of 6 to 10 hours and simulates approximately 50 waxings. When I asked Xterra professional and skate skier Josiah Middaugh how often he waxes his skis he replied, “I try to keep it as simple as possible. I typically only get my skis waxed every 3 to 4 weeks unless I am racing. I just drop them off at the Vail Nordic Center and they will do a professional job for $10. If I have an important race then I will go with a more expensive wax that is specific to the temperature and humidity of the race.”

The soft goods are very straightforward. A good shell pant will keep you dry in case, or when, you fall. Use a base layer underneath for warmth and wicking. While you can use a basic snow pant, they tend to be bulky and restrict movement. In a pinch and if it’s not too cold you can even use a good pair of cycling bib tights. To keep your upper-body warm a base layer combined with an insulating layer and maybe a windproof vest or jacket will work for most occasions. Since you use your entire body when skate skiing you will produce a tremendous amount of heat and perspiration. Because of these two factors what looks to be underdressed is actually perfect. On several occasions I have hit the trails feeling a slight chill, only to be peeling off layers just 15 minutes later. Put on a hat, some gloves and a good pair of sunglasses and you’re set. Just don’t forget a bit of lip balm and sunscreen too!  

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Courtney Johnson is a freelance sports writer and photographer based just outside Denver. She is always up for adventure from stand up paddle boarding to snowshoeing up the mountain side.