You Need One of These Nordic Skis Before Your Next Cross-Country Excursion

Cross-country (or Nordic) skiing is much more of a workout than your typical day at the resort — your legs have to do all of the work, after all. It's a great way to get exercise in the winter, whether you like to ski on a developed track or alongside the road to nowhere.

Cross-country skis all have some common features, such as lightweight construction, a long and thin shape that minimizes resistance with the snow, and the ability to grip the snow for uphill ascents. But there are plenty of differences as well: Some Nordic skis are designed for speed in the classic track, others for touring and creating your own route, and even others are built for use in mixed-snow conditions.

The Best Cross-Country Skis

What to Consider

Cross-country skis, just like downhill skis, come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. We'll highlight a few of the most important considerations to help you make the most informed decision.

Styles: Classic Skis Versus Skate Skis

Classic Skis: These include touring, racing, and metal-edge touring skis, and they are used with a traditional, reciprocal motion that resembles your gait stride. The first two are made for skiing on groomed tracks, while metal-edge touring skis are built to perform on fluffy snow outside of the track's boundaries.

Skate Skis: These are used with a motion that resembles that of an ice skater (think hips externally rotated in a V-shape). Skate skis are lighter, shorter, and stiffer than classic skis, which is ideal for climbing hills, but it's a completely different motion and type of cross-country skiing.

Width

Narrow skis have less surface area than wider ones, making them faster for on-track skiing. Classic skis typically have a waist width under 68 millimeters, and skate skis are the narrowest with a waist that is under 45 millimeters wide. Wider, shorter skis with metal edges will float and carve better when you venture off-track, and these are typically from 65 to 100 millimeters wide. Consider if you'll be doing most of your skiing on a groomed trail or if you'll be venturing into more unmaintained areas.

Base

Cross-country skis perform because of a base or edge that grips the snow for uphill traction. Classic skis are typically waxless, with a textured pattern in the base that grips the snow. Classic skis can also be waxable, and a kick wax must be periodically applied to improve traction. Skate skis, on the other hand, rely on their edges for grip rather than on a textured pattern or a grippy wax.

How We Chose

To compile this group of the best cross-country skis, our editors considered a wide variety of options. We researched current technology, award-winning brands, and surveys of user reviews. We chose our picks based on shape, weight, price, intended use, and extra features they offer, like bindings, to find the best cross-country skis available for users of all levels.

Editor's Note: Many cross-country skis require that you purchase bindings separately, but we've selected only skis that come mounted with bindings for simplicity.