Don's Home Sports Skiing Cross Country Skiing - XC

XC - Cross Country - Nordic Skiing

All cross country bindings attach at the toe allowing the heel to lift up.

Styles:

  • Classic - Touring / Back Country - long (2 m) narrow skis with more camber than downhill skis.
    • Waxless skis have a fish scale, cross-hatched or ridged pattern in the kick zone (or "grip zone") to provide grip.
    • Traditional XC skis used kick wax in the kick zone (center of the ski) and glide wax at the tip. Stepping down on one foot will allow the center portion of that ski to grip the snow while the other ski is pushed forward resting on the tip and tail because of the camber.
    • Free/Skating - Skate skiing involves the skier pushing one ski outward with the ski angled, so that the inner edge of the ski is driven against the snow, much like an ice skater.
    Telemark - A technique for descending used primairly in back country, but also in alpine/downhill areas. Uses wider skis with metal edges (downhill skis can be fitted with telemark bindings. Most have smooth bottoms and climbing skins are used for assents, but some may have a pattern under the boot (kick zone) for traction.

    Bindings:

    • Three-pin bindings (Nordic Norm) or 75mm - Older style provides more control. Three holes in boots fit into three pins in the toe plate and is clamped in place. Used by backcountry and Telemarking enthusiasts. With or without a heel cable.
    • New Nordic Norm (NNN) - Rossignol, Madshus and Fischer. Most Popular a/o 2008
      a short, metal rod mounted in the toe of the ski boot sole, which clips into a matching ski binding.
    • Nordic Integrated System (NIS) - The bindings attach via a mounting plate that slides onto the side rails which are an integral part of the ski designed for NIS.
    • Salomon Nordic System (SNS) - Salomon and Atomic
      Similar to NNN a metal rod mounted in the toe of the ski boot clips into the binding.

    • Salomon Nordic System Pilot - Used mostly by elite skiers.

    • Telemark - Most bindings now have a stainless steel toe piece that is stamped into shape to accept the duck bill of a tele boot. The boot is then secured to the toe piece via a lever and a spring loaded cable system that clamps over the heel of the boot. Many include climbing risers to raise the heel when climbing.
    Telemark:
    Telemarktips.com--The Telemark and Backcountry Skiing Webzine--
    Telemark Skis from TELEMARKSKI.COM | telemark skiing info and gear

    Links:
    Wikipedia
    How to Choose Backcountry Touring Gear: Expert Advice from REI
    rec.skiing.backcountry FAQ -- Backcountry skis
    rec.skiing.nordic
    rec.skiing.backcountry
    SkinnySkis.com/
    Telemark Bindings
    ORSCrossCountryskisdirect.com

    last updated 6 Jan 2009