What are cross country skis and how to choose them?

Skiing is very popular among both children and adults. In order for a person to enjoy skiing, he should choose high-quality skis for himself.

Modern cross-country skis are designed for skiing on flat terrain. They are well suited for people who are starting to learn to ride. Running models differ from mountain models in that they are longer and narrower. The difference is noticeable even to those who have never played this sport. Another difference is that cross-country skis are not as stiff as downhill skis because they are designed for skiing, not off-roading.

There are several main types of cross-country skiing. They differ in the style of riding, as well as in the level of training of athletes.

When buying sports equipment, first of all, you need to pay attention to the person's riding style. This will facilitate the selection of suitable kits.

• Classic. Classic skis are suitable for those who are just learning to ski. They are long and narrow. Their surface is covered with special notches. It is very convenient to ride them.

• Skating. Such models are shorter and narrower in comparison with the classics. They are suitable for experienced people who have been skating for more than a year. They can be distinguished from classic skis by their blunt toe.

• Combined. Such versatile skis are very popular among athletes. This is because they are suitable for both walking styles.The combined models are quite long, but wider than the classic ones. The only drawback of this kind of sports equipment is that it always takes a long time to prepare it.

• Tourist. These skis are rarely found on the market. They are usually used by professional athletes. They are designed for extreme walking on snowy and uneven terrain. The main disadvantage of such products is their high cost.

Correctly selected skis will serve their owner for more than one year.

Another important point worth paying attention to is the athlete's fitness level. All kits can be divided into several main groups.

• For newbies. These skis are suitable for people with little skiing experience. They are bought by people who ride the prepared tracks. Skis of this type are inexpensive. They are suitable for both children and adults. Most of the kits are designed for the classic move. But there are also universal models on which you can ride in different ways. Cross-country skis for beginners are less rigid than professional sports equipment. This is to make it easier for beginners to ride.

• Basic. Intermediate sports equipment is suitable for skiers who already have a little experience in skiing. They are stiffer and wider. Such kits are suitable for people who ride in order to maintain their health and shape in order. Cross-country skis of this type are suitable for all skiing styles.

• Professional. Such products are suitable for people who have been skating for more than a year. Both amateurs and athletes buy them. In the second case, skis are used for training. Such sports equipment is characterized by light weight and high rigidity.

• For athletes. Stiff and fast cross-country skis are commonly used by people taking part in various competitions. They are lightweight and very fast. These kits can vary in length and sliding surface. They can be used for both warm and cold weather.

Previously, skis were made from wood. Over time, such products began to lose popularity. Wood is also used in the creation of modern models. But, as a rule, the core consists of it. But the cover is made of lightweight sliding plastic. Each type of ski has a number of specific features.

Wooden models are made from materials of high strength. Most often, birch or aspen is used to create them. These skis are lightweight and are great for walking both on flat terrain and on various hills or ravines.

Plastic skis are not inferior in strength to wooden ones. They are distinguished by their maneuverability and durability. A big plus of plastic products is that they do not require additional maintenance.

Now both domestic and foreign companies are engaged in the production of skis. When choosing high-quality running models, you should pay attention to the best models that are very popular among athletes and outdoor enthusiasts.

• Fischer CARBON SK H-PLUS STIFF. These skis are chosen by true professionals. They are highly rigid and are suitable even for heavier people. The stylish appearance of such products attracts the attention of both boys and girls.

• Fischer RIDGE CROWN. Stylish walking skis from a famous brand will appeal to beginners. They are highly durable. The selected skis will be able to serve their owner for several years in a row. If properly cared for, the quality of the products will not deteriorate over time.

• Atomic Redster S9. These skis are suitable for people who enjoy cross-country skiing. They are suitable for both beginners and those who have been fond of this sport for a long time. The kits are of high quality and easy to operate.

• Salomon Snowscape 7 Siam. These skis are made from high quality foamed polymer. They are suitable for both skating and classic skating. They look very stylish. Therefore, they are very popular among young athletes.

• Salomon Carbon SK Blue. Skis made of carbon. They are highly durable. It is very easy to care for these skis. Their only drawback is the high price.

When choosing the right sports equipment, you should pay attention to the products of other well-known brands.

• Rossignol. This French company produces kits of the highest quality. They are distinguished by their durability and high energy consumption. Among the assortment of this company you can find both female and male models.

• Madshus. This brand is known all over the world. She is one of the most popular among athletes. Products from this company are perfect for both amateurs and professionals.

• Nordway. Russian-made products are of high quality and low price. The most popular in the assortment of this brand are children's kits. The products are lightweight, durable and visually attractive. You can buy them all over Russia.

• Larsen. Finnish sports equipment is popular with beginners. The range of this company has skis for any skiing style. They are inexpensive but not long lasting. They are usually bought in order to learn how to ride.

When buying sports equipment, special attention should be paid to the choice of additional accessories. The main one is sticks. The choice of their length depends on the style of skiing, as well as the height of the skier. Classic poles should be 15-20 centimeters less than human height, and skate poles - 20-25 centimeters. With the right poles, it will be easier for the skier to learn how to ski.

The choice of mountings also plays an important role. There are three different types of retainers. The bindings must be well compatible with the boots. The most popular are SNS system clips. Such mounts consist of a wide longitudinal runner. SNS flexors are suitable for both adults and children. You can also find Norwegian NNN fasteners and metal NN 74 fasteners on sale. The latter have been popular in Russia since Soviet times.

The choice of the skis themselves should also be approached responsibly. You need to pay attention not only to who is the manufacturer of sports equipment. The following details play an important role.

1. Length. To find the perfect cross-country ski, you first need to measure your height from your heels to the tips of your raised arms. Subtract 10 from the resulting figure. This will allow you to determine the most suitable size for the products. The weight of a person also affects the choice of sports equipment. The heavier the future athlete, the longer the skis should be.
2. Width. When choosing skis, you need to pay attention to their width. The narrow models are suitable for riding on well-cleared trails. They are lightweight and manoeuvrable. Wide skis are suitable for skiing on freshly fallen snow, as well as on unprepared roads. It is best for beginners to purchase medium-width models for themselves.
3. Rigidity. When buying the first skis, preference should be given to products of medium hardness.Over time, the athlete will be able to understand what his riding style is and decide what kind of equipment he needs. It is worth noting that hard skis are more maneuverable and suitable for riding on slopes, while soft skis are for walking on well-prepared trails.

Before skiing, purchased skis must be properly prepared. Even a beginner can do this at home. There are two ways to handle sports equipment.

All lubricants can be divided into two categories. The first includes ointments for holding, the second - products used to treat a sliding surface. The process of preparing skis for recreational skiing looks very simple. All you need is to apply the ointment to the pad area and grind it using an iron or cork.

For the maintenance of sports equipment, special paraffin wax can also be used. For processing skis, the following components are needed:

• a machine or vise for preparing skis;
• a special iron that quickly heats up hard paraffin;
• brushes with bristles of different hardness;
• scraper for surface treatment;
• a set of paraffins.

The paraffin wax treatment process consists of several stages.

1. First, the skis must be fixed on the machine. Next, the paraffin must be applied to a heated iron. After that, the paraffin must be distributed over the surface of the skis.
2. Next, they must be gently ironed.
3. Paraffin must be removed from the surface, without allowing it to cool. This should be done first with a scraper and then with a brush.
4. After cleaning, a new layer of paraffin can be applied to the ski surface. You need to choose it based on the weather conditions. This is done quite simply. The paraffin must be spread over the surface of the skis and then cooled. This takes 15-20 minutes.
5. When this product is absorbed into the substrate, it must be scrubbed off. After that, you need to walk over the surface with a soft brush. If the skis are clean, this means that they can be used for their intended purpose.

Ridge models are completely covered with paraffin. In classic ones, you need to leave the last intact.