Mens's and women's classic cross-country skis

Men's buyers' guide for classic skis

Are you looking to buy a pair of classic style, men's cross-country skis with bindings? If so, you've come to the right place! Men's traditional cross-country skiing packs by Simon Fourcade Nørdic are made for exactly that. So, what next? Waxable, or waxless (with scales or skin) At first glance, it's not surprising if you have no idea where to look next, due to all these different ski types. No need to worry - just follow this buyers' guide, which is bound to help you reach your decision.

More information and a tutorial on how to choose classic skis have been prepared by the experts at Simon Fourcade Nordic.

Your choice of grip system in the ski will depend on your skill level.

There are three different ways to add grip to a ski: wax, skin, and scales. Let's start with the traditional system, which uses wax to create grip. These skis are aimed at people with a high level of technical skill and who understand the process of waxing. Effectively, even the slightest misstep or waxing mistake can cause a real setback. In addition, these cross-country skis require regular maintenance and the wax needs to be removed after each session.

For skiers who have neither the desire, nor the skills to perform this waxing, it is preferable to choose a grip system that uses scales or skin. With this type of classic cross-country ski, no preparation is needed. Skins or scales take care of the grip. Skis with skins or scales are therefore an ideal choice for skiers who want a ski that is both easy to use and capable in a wide variety of situations.

Which range of men's skis suits me best?

Once you've chosen your grip system, it is time to choose your classic ski. This is an important step, as each ski has its own, unique characteristics. To help you in your choice, we have created three different levels of approach.

The first category of ski is aimed at skiers who enjoy cross-country skiing as a leisure activity. It includes skis that don't require a great deal of technical finesse. They are there to help you move easily and to enjoy a trip on your skis without worrying about your technique. This makes them an ideal choice for enjoying the sensation of sliding over the snow for the first time.

The second category is aimed at regular skiers who are looking for a ski that will help them to progress technically while also improving their fitness. In other words, we are dealing with sports skis Skis that are included in this category offer exceptional gliding properties while remaining accessible and tolerant of minor technical imperfections.

We now turn to the third category, for racers and experts. This includes skis that are capable of meeting the expectations of the most demanding skiers. The greater camber of these skis, compared to other categories, requires a good technical basis for them to be effective.

What size of classic cross country ski for men should I choose?

The size of a classic cross-country ski is calculated based on the weight of the skier. Why? Don't forget that part of the base of a cross-country ski is used to create grip. It is therefore vital to ensure that the ski is not too stiff to maintain effective grip.

Here is a table that shows sizes for traditional, classic cross-country skis:

- 45 to 55 Kg = 187 to 190 cm

- 55 to 65 Kg = 192 to 198 cm

- 65 to 75 Kg = 200 to 203 cm

- 75 kg and above = 205 to 208 cm

Please note that this table is provided for general information only, and the length of the skis may vary by a few centimetres between different brands. Compact skis are not included in this table due to the fact that they are shorter, which makes them easier to handle, as well as safer for beginners.

What kind of cross country ski binding should I choose?

Bindings are chosen based on two criteria.

- The first relates to the standard of your cross-country ski boots Some boots are not compatible with all bindings. The simplest way to be certain of the standard used in your boot is to look underneath. If there are two bars, you are using the SNS Pilot binding standard, and choosing a binding is easy: simply follow the same standard. If, however, you only find one connecting bar, you can choose between the compatible NNN and Prolink standards.

- The second is the binding template. But don't worry: Simon Fourcade Nørdic's experts have already pre-selected bindings for our range of skis You simply have to choose the one that matches the standard that your boots use.

For more information, we suggest that you take a look at our tutorial on classic binding standards in the "Guides" section.

Your classic ski pack is put together by our technicians.

Once these choices have been made, our technicians will take care of attaching the bindings to your skis. As a result, all you have to do is put on your new kit and follow the kilometres of pistes that are there for you to enjoy!

Shopping guide for a classic women's ski pack

Do you want to buy a pair of classic skis with bindings but you're not sure which one to get? Are you nervous about your restraint system? Here's some advice to help you out.

What are the different grip systems for womand cross country ski?

There are three types of grip systems in cross-country skiing - fish scale systems, skin systems and restraint systems with wax. The grip system with wax is designed for knowledgeable and competitive skiers, as this needs a certain amount of experience. They also require daily maintenance, because it's very rare that the grip wax used for one session is suitable for the snow conditions for another. It's still the traditional restraint technique by definition which could be interesting to try out if you're really passionate about Nordic skiing.

For skiers less concerned about performance, skis with skins or fish scales will be fine. Their advantage is that they're always ready for skiing, so there's no need for any specific preparations. They also guarantee great launches. They're perfect for low-intensity outings as well as sporting trips.

Which cross-country skiing range for women should I choose?

The choice of brands has been simplified by our experts. They have grouped the skis in three categories, depending on your level.

The 'Leisure' category is perfect for beginners and occasional skiers. These skis are designed to help you to move around as easily as possible and give you the first sensations of gliding without technical constraints.

The 'Sport' category includes some of the highest-performing skis. It's a long-lasting choice - they're adaptable and affordable, ideal for accompanying you through all the phases of learning and perfecting classic technique. This category is for frequent and competitive skiers.

The last category - 'Race/Expert' - includes the highest-performing classic cross-country skis on the market. Designed for competition, they offer an excellent quality of grip and glide. The zone dedicated to grip is limited by an optimal glide. To handle these skis you need excellent technical skills, as the placement of supports is is essential to optimise your skiing experience.

What size should my women's classic cross-country skis be?

The size of the ski is an important element in determining its effectiveness. Skis today are made with a camber that allows the grip system to be in contact with the snow during the launch phase in classical skiing, and also limits contact with the snow to improve the glide once body weight is distributed evenly between the two skis. So the choice of a classic women's ski depends on your weight.

Here's a chart for traditional classic skis:

- 45 to 55kg = 187-190cm

- 55 to 65kg = 192-198cm

- 65 to 75kg = 200-203cm

- 75kg + = 205-208cm

These sizes can vary by up to a few centimetres depending on the brand. On the other hand, compact skis don't correspond to this chart at all - they're shorter to be easier to handle and safer for skiers who are just starting out.

How do I choose a binding for cross-country skis?

To make your life easier, we've chosen a list of bindings depending on your skis. You won't have to worry about choosing the right one. You'll only have to choose the binding most suitable for your level by paying attention to the compatibility with your cross country ski shoe.

You need to compare the systems to know if the fastening corresponds to your shoe. If you don't know the systems of your shoe look underneath to determine if you have one or two coupling elements.

If you have two: you're using the SNS Pilot system. The binding is only compatible with this system.

However if you only have one you can ski with several binding systems, the NNN and Prolink.

Be careful not to confuse the two, as binding systems do not necessarily correspond to a given brand. For more information on the subject you can take a look at our tutorial on binding systems written by our experts in the 'Our Advice' section.

Now your women's classic ski pack will be ready to use!

Once the skis and the binding are chosen, our technicians will put it all together. The only thing to do is wait to receive your parcel!