Imagine gliding over the snow just a little faster than you can run. You’re working up a sweat, but there’s no pounding. Skis skim silently over a perfectly groomed corduroy snow track that courses through the rolling forest.
Sound idyllic? Well, the world of cross-country skiing really can be. And with its amazing full-body workout and mind-easing outdoor setting, it’s no surprise the sport is booming.
There’s more than one style of cross-country skiing and the supporting gear including classic and skate, which this article dives into for beginner and intermediate nordic skiers.
At the bottom of this article, find more advice about purchasing cross-country ski gear in our buyer’s guide and FAQ including variables like fit, fitness level, and more. Looking for a quick overview of each model’s price and features? Check out our useful comparison chart. Otherwise, scroll through to see all of our recommended buys.
Editor’s Note: We updated our Cross-Country Skis guide on November 10, 2023, to designate product awards and be a more reader-friendly format.
The Best Cross-Country Skis of 2023-2024
Best Overall Cross-Country Skis
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Sizes
186 cm (99 lbs for medium flex) – 208 cm (242 lbs for stiff flex) -
Sidecut Dimensions
41 / 44 / 44 mm -
Grip
Replaceable mohair insert -
Weight
2 lbs, 8 oz.
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Supportive for kicking and gliding for skiers of all levels -
High-performance mohair grip
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Only one year manufacturer warranty -
This is a nordic classic ski, so if you’d like to skate, check out other designs -
Binding not included
Best Budget Cross-Country Skis
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Sizes
Small (121 lbs) – Extra-large (209 lbs) -
Sidecut Dimensions
49 / 45 / 47 mm -
Grip
Twin Skin -
Weight
2 lbs, 12.8 oz.
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Easy Anti Ice Skin HF liquid wax included -
Four year manufacturer warranty -
Mounted with bindings
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This is a classic ski so skate skiers can check other options -
Design is not as advanced as other classic skis
Runner-Up Best Cross-Country Skis
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Sizes
174 cm (88 lbs) – 191 cm X-Stiff (221 lbs) -
Sidecut dimensions
44 / 43 / 45 mm -
Grip
None -
Weight
2 lbs, 14.4 oz.
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Premounted bindings -
Thin edge serves great grip and transfer -
Coated with wax for glide
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This is a skate design — if you want to do classic style, scope other options
Best of the Rest
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Sizes
164 cm, 172 cm, 180 cm, 196 cm -
Sidecut Dimensions
97 / 62 / 86 mm -
Grip
None -
Weight
4 lbs, 2.24 oz.
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Wide, ultralight backcountry-centric ski for steeper terrain and longer trips -
Generous sidecut -
Carbon reinforcements for torsional rigidity
Cross-Country Skis Comparison Chart
Scroll right to view all of the columns: Price, Sizes, Sidecut Dimensions, Grip, Weight.
How We Tested Cross Country Skis
We spoke with the most expert cross-country skier we know: The father of author and editorial director Sean McCoy, Lowell McCoy, to learn his opinions about the sport and what gear new skiers should buy. He bases his opinions on 15 years of level III PSIA Nordic ski instruction and rental/sales experience. And if you knew him, you’d know he’s pretty passionate about the sport.
“Nordic skiing is an admixture of fitness, technique, and equipment. For a satisfying experience, these three should be in balance,” he said. “Nordic skiing is a somewhat technical sport. The proper equipment makes the learning curve much lower.”
Buyers Guide: How to Choose Cross-Country Skis
Speaking with Lowell McCoy, we learned a few more tips for people searching for cross-country skis. Here was his feedback.
Choosing Cross-Country Skis: Which Style Is Right for Me?
Nordic skiing breaks down into classic, skate, and touring designations.
Classic and touring skis are similar in that both require a forward-and-back striding motion to move the skier forward. Touring skis are wider and meant for use off groomed trails.
Skate skis work with a sideways push-off, similar to that used by ice skaters. They’re only meant for groomed trails. For many situations, skate skiing is faster. It requires somewhat more fitness and balance than classic cross-country skiing but is still very approachable for the moderately athletic beginner. If you’ve downhill skied, you probably know the motion of skating already. So, strap on these superlight skis and feel speed like you never expected on flat terrain.
Many websites lump backcountry skis and cross-country skis together, but they have very little in common. So, we’re not including any backcountry skis (which use different boots and bindings and focus on downhill performance) in this article.
But we do include a few metal-edge touring skis — and explain when they make sense. The vast majority of cross-country skis don’t have metal edges. But a niche area of expedition skis provides efficiency on flats and hills with effective edges for descents.
This article is for beginner and intermediate skiers; experts are probably well beyond this story.
A final note: Cross-country skis have been hard to find during the COVID-19 pandemic. While we’ll do our best to keep our links fresh to in-stock gear, you may need to look for alternatives in stock at major retailers. And when you do find a good ski for your needs, don’t hesitate to buy!
Location
Where you expect to use the skis is very important. Will you mostly use them at a groomed nordic center (where you probably need to purchase a ski pass) or social (dog walking) trails?
Groomed trails need 65mm-wide skis or less to fit into classic tracks. Off-grooming skis should be shorter for mobility and a little wider for flotation.
For downhill-experienced beginners, a metal edge helps on downhills and increases confidence off-grooming.
Traction
Consider your underfoot traction options. For experts, wax is still the gold standard. But other options are getting better and better. Skins use a soft fabric that grabs the snow for traction and works very well.
A fish-scale pattern is also effective and used on many beginner skis. Fischer calls its pattern a “crown,” and Rossignol uses the term “positraction.” Both are good. Skins are faster, more expensive, and require a little maintenance.
Waxless vs. Waxable Skis
You’ll see a lot of skis called “waxless” when shopping. But in fact, there is no such thing as a “waxless” ski.
While they may have traction like a fish-scale pattern, the glide zones still need occasional base wax. We recommend an easy liquid wax like Toko Express or Swix F-4. These are very easy to apply with a shoe polish foam applicator. Then just buff them with a towel.
Find the Right Fit
Fit is critical. Fit is mostly by body weight, not height. The ski doesn’t know how tall you are, but it knows exactly what you weigh.
Skis that are too stiff or too soft are unstable, especially on downhills. Skis that are too stiff will not reliably grip and result in slipping. Too soft, and you’ll have very little glide.
Fortunately, it’s easy to know which skis to buy. Look for a marked weight range. Longer skis usually have a higher weight rating.
Boots
Spend more on quality boots. Midrange boots are a good beginner choice, offering more control.
Ski Swaps
Beware ski swap bargains. Unless you have lots of experience or the help of an expert, you risk frustration.
Shop Your Level
Don’t buy racing or expert-level equipment and hope to grow into it. High-end equipment requires high-end skiing skills.
FAQ
Most beginning cross-country skiers should use “light touring” gear that works with a classic skiing stride. Experienced downhill skiers who would like to transition to cross-country skiing may be able to start on skate skis if they desire. However, skate skiing requires more athletic skill and balance to learn.
Cross-country skis come in various lengths, but you should choose your ski length based on your weight, not height. Almost all cross-country skis come with a weight rating listed on the ski or wherever they’re sold.
Cross-country skis come in three main types: classic, touring, and skate. Telemark skis and backcountry skis have some similarities but are much more focused on the downhill portion of skiing such as fast descents and powder turns. Those are outside the scope of this article.
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