Hello, I am chosing the boots for rollerski classic potentially also for use on skis in winter.

How much heel/upper leg support is needed?

I am chosing between Alpina T10 and alpina Race Classic AS SM. AS SM has better heel support and plastic ankle hold as they are purposed for rollerski.

I am leaning towards Alpina T10 due to price and potentially destroying them with falls in begining (happened in the past on xc technique). And later going for something like AS SM. The part that puts me off is that T10 doesn't have ankle support and less firm heel support, how much is this important?

I’m looking for recommendations for a good and practical ski bag for air travel.

I’m having a hard time deciding which one to get. Ideally, it should fit 2–4 pairs of cross-country skis along with the poles.

I also occasionally travel to warmer countries for training camps, so I’d like to be able to pack my roller skis in the same bag.

What bags do you use, and what would you recommend? I’m considering both hard cases and padded soft bags.

Any experiences or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

I've been skiing occasionally with my dad for years, but last winter was the first time I really started training consistently and taking cross-country skiing seriously.

Now I'd like to set myself some goals to work towards for the upcoming season. For example, in running, a sub-20-minute 5K is a pretty recognizable benchmark for a recreational runner who's gotten serious about training.

What's the xcountry sking equivalent? Are there any good performance benchmarks, or milestones that would be worth aiming for as an amateur skier? I am aware that conditions of snow and tracks make it difficult to set a time / speed goal. (I mainly do classic xc).

Thanks!

Hello! I’m looking to buy my first pair of cross country skis. I’ve been going skiing on groomed trails on weekends for the past 2 winters. I’ve been renting skis, but would like my own pair so I can go to other trails and will likely do some ungroomed trails. The rental pair was a red and white Rossignol, but not sure what kind they are. I am fairly athletic, and 5’0. I would like low maintenance. Any recs?

Guess it’s ski season

I am trying to get back into cross country skiing and I am looking for advice on what gear to get and where to buy it from for non snow times that I can train my body to be ready for when snow time happens. I am going in for foot surgery this fall, and will not be able to ski this winter. I am looking at wanting to race in the Birkebeiner in Hayward, WI in a couple of years, and I am wondering gear would be the best to get. I live in WA state, but am from WI. I am wanting to go in to the store to try on the gear, but will take any recomendations. Thank you in advance.

I went from barely being able to do a 5K to finishing my first Kortelopet (29K) last year at a respectable pace on classic skis. This year I want to switch to skate for the Kortelopet. So many people have told me that once I switch to skate, I won’t go back.

I’ve tried skate a few times, which resulted in many face plants and an almost broken pole. How did you make that switch?

Also, I love the meditative repetition of classic and the feel of a good kick catching snow. I like the silence and narrow trails. What does skate give you that classic doesn’t? It always looks so intense to me. Some people don't even look like they are having fun as they skate by. I'm worried that if I start skating, I may never smile again on the snow.

Highway 88 Carson pass. Sierra Nevada. very convenient beautiful snowshoeing, cross country skiing, split board or Alpine touring up toward round Top peak. Two plowed snow park lots. Camping allowed in the parking lot if not too much snow removal happing. Excellent spot for overnight trips. About an hour to Grover hot springs and winter camping there also. When the snow level drops to a thousand feet the powder is very good. 8500 ft at the pass and you can ski up to over 10,000. Wonderful spring skiing , sometimes into memorial Day or later. Lots of other Alpine touring runs in the area.

Hey all - I’m looking to get into this sport for the winter season. Lucky to have 200km+ worth of trails in my region. I snowboard each year but when I can’t make the trip to the mountain I want to use the trails around me. Does anyone have a beginners guide or suggestions on what I need to start off with? Or perhaps generally techniques on form etc? I don’t know where to start. Thanks all!

I’ve been occasionally xcountry skiing for the last several years and usually dress in clothes that I have around from running, but I want to get some clothes that are better fit for the sport. I’m planning to spend more time skiing this year. I’m okay with spending money on quality items, but because I’m not skiing super often and I’m doing it recreationally, I don’t want to spend money on clothing that is really expensive. What clothing items are a must for you? Like base layers, fleeces, jackets, gloves, pants, socks, etc. How do you layer your clothes? Any tips?

Btw, I’m a 25 yo female living in Ontario, Canada. Temperatures can vary in the Winter considerably from 0 degrees Celsius to -30 degrees Celsius.

Thanks! :)

I started skating 3 seasons ago, This season will be my 4th.

First season was on an inexpensive beginner setup i got used.

For season 2, I picked up a set of X-Ium S2 non-premium skis, and have been using them since then. I am about 170lbs, and I got the 186 size. These skis developed a small delamination, which I epoxied. I am pretty sure the delam happened in a crash, and I am not unhappy with the skis.

But, now, I want to get another pair.

I was thinking of the X-Ium Premium+ SX, but I have never skied them, and demoing is probably not going to be possible. It's pretty unlikely that I can get to the kind of shop that would stock these, and any competing skis.

Does anyone have any idea of what difference -if any - I might perceive between those skis, assuming I got the same length?

Curious if anyone has or knows anyone with experience with the Kastle RX10 WC skate skis and what they think of them. I came across a pair that fits well that are on clearance, and can't really find any recent reviews (within three or four years). Not sure if this would be a good option, or if I'd be better off going with a more established brand and paying a bit more. Thanks!

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Does anyone know of cold weather 75mm boots with a removable liner that aren't either a huge insulated slipper (Baffing Guide Pro III) thus useless for downhill, or extremely expensive (Alfa Advanced Polar Expedition)?

Seems like the only reliable 75mm options are the Alpina Alaska which don't really allow for proper layering or a removable insert. I'm trying to avoid converting to a "monster nordic" setup with tech toes and hard plastic.

Found these at a garage sale brand new, never even mounted. Anyone have and background info/value. I found some similar skis online but no exact matches.

A year ago I got into XC skiing in my late 30s. It was my way back into working out after years of failing to do it regularly (young kids make that hard, it turns out).

I committed and went from basically no ski experience to finishing a 29K on classic skis. But more than anything, I finally got a consistent workout routine again.

Learning a new skill, having something to do in winter, and those calm, rhythmic morning sessions that felt almost meditative. I'm looking forward to all of it again. Might even try skate this year... looks hard.

Why do you all ski? What are you looking forward to as the season gets closer?

Hallo zusammen,

wir planen einen Langlaufurlaub im kommenden Februar und ich bin noch etwas ratlos wegen des Reiseziel. Die Rahmendaten:
- Skating
- Reisezeit Februar 2027
- möglichst flache Loipen
- evtl. auch Nachtloipe
- Anreise via Auto oder Flug ab Hamburg
- da der Urlaub nur aus Skating, Sauna und Liebe bestehen soll, haben wir keine besonderen Ansprüche an Gegend, Sehenswürdigkeiten etc :)

Habt ihr Ideen oder Erfahrungen, die ihr teilen mögt?

Was wir schon kennen:
- Sjusjøen (komplizierte Anreise)
- Oslo (extrem hügelig 😩)
- Ramsau
- Lenzerheide (nicht schneesicher und Anfahrt kompliziert)
- Levi (bibber bibber)

I'd like to move from classic to skate this winter and REI is running a sale on:

185 CM Fischer Aeroguide 65 Skate Skis with TURNAMIC Bindings: $250

I like the idea of doing REI for this - just wondering if 185cm is going to be ok for me just starting out - I'm 6'5" 225.

Any advice appreciated. This would be my first season for skate and I was never very good at classic - so need something easy.

Anyone else wondering what's in store for winter in the Northern Hemisphere? My daughter is interested in joining her school cross-country team I think and I'm starting to wonder if there will really be a season this year. I'm remembering a winter not so long ago where there was only a week or so of snow on the ground. I know we just have to wait and find out — I have no idea what to really expect this early — but it's on my mind a lot. I find myself wondering whether I'm just planning for one thing while anticipating another. It's remarkable to me that this is even a possibility to be considering.

Hello reddit xcountry skiing community! I like to skate ski, but I find when I tuck going down hills I have really bad lower back pain. Otherwise, my back never hurts and my joints feel fine. Anyone experienced this/has tips?

I am not new to skiing, but it has been at least eight years. I stopped skiing due to weight gain and not having compatible skis. However, I did classic skiing for most of my childhood, and I want to try it again.

I am 6'5" and 300 lbs. I want to ski in the tracks, like before.

My local shop does not have anything for my size; it is more of a take-it-or-leave-it situation. I would like to order online. Does anyone have any classic ski recommendations?

Much appreciated!