How to Fit Cross-Country Skis

Getting out and about during a snowy winter can be troublesome. Good cardiovascular exercise on an outdoor basis is hard to come by. But, for the cost of the equipment, you can have access to one of the best ways to exercise in the world via cross-country skis. Cross-country skiing can be fun and is a great way to exercise, but make sure you get the right size skis.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Tape measure Weight scale
Tape measure
Weight scale

Step 1

Decide what kind of cross-country skiing you'll be doing. For most beginners, a touring ski is recommended. Racing skis are thinner and longer while back-country skis are heavier and wider.

Step 2

Take a measurement. For the average person, measuring from the ground up to your wrist on your raised arm will give you a good measurement for the skis. A good rule of thumb is to start at a set height. If you're 5 feet 7 inches tall, you'll want 200 cm skis. From that central point, every 2 inches of height will raise or reduce the ski size by 5 cm.

Step 3

Factor in weight. More and more over the course of the past 10 years, weight has become a consideration for measuring for skis. You can still do the ground to wrist measurement but to make sure you accurately judge your ski length, factor in weight, as well. As skis become shorter, how heavy you are, regardless of height, will determine the length of your skis. The greater the weight, the longer the skis.

Step 4

Adjust for ski width. General touring skis are all fairly narrow at what is known as the waist. The waist of the ski sits directly under your foot. The narrower the ski, the less surface area. If you plan on going off of the groomed trail, you'll want a little wider waist, thus you can also have a shorter ski.

Step 5

Consult the ski shop pros. You can do all the measuring and weighing you want. If you're a real independent type, most cross-country skis will offer you a sizing chart so you can do the math yourself. But, for the true beginner, it's best to talk to a knowledgeable professional to make sure you've got the right size for your intended purpose.

Article Written By Patrick Cameron

Patrick Cameron is a freelance writer with 10 years of diverse experience in consumer goods branding, promotions and retail communications. He works out of his home in Denver, Colo. He received his Bachelor of Arts in mass communication from the University of Minnesota.

Editor's Pick

Backcountry Camping Tips

You've already tried car and RV camping. You've camped at commercial campsites that had a convenient restroom and water supply. Now, you want to explore the road less traveled. Backcountry camping, also known as primitive camping, is a wonderful way to explore the remote...
More Backcountry Camping...
Popular Article

Beach Camping Near Pismo Beach, California

Pismo State Beach, California, has many attractions and activities including camping, swimming, hiking and wildlife viewing. Birdwatching is one of the primary activities in the area. The park also has the largest over-wintering colony of monarch butterflies in the natio...
More Beach Camping...
Featured Video

Common Sense Hiking Tips

The first and most fundamental thing is never hike alone. There are too many situations, especially as an unexperienced hiker, where you may find yourself without anyone to help you. So the buddy system works and applies very much in hiking.
More Camping Basics...