There are various types of skis, each designed for a different style of skiing. In addition, cross-country skis have either waxable or waxless bases. Check out the details below to find out what's right for you.
Track skis are designed for use at "Nordic Centers" where tracks are set in the snow. They are light, flexible, skinny, have no metal edges, and are usually waxless although waxable versions (racing skis) can be found. These skis are used in classic diagonal racing
and for light touring.
Skating skis are designed for the skating technique, similar to on-snow ice skating or on-line skating. These skis only use glide wax, not grip wax, and are never waxless. The skating technique allows racers to go must fast under most conditions. Skis are shorter and stiffer than track models with rounder tips.
Waxless cross country skis have a "scaled" bottom so that they can slide forward and resist backward motion. These skis are a good choice for first-timers as they allow to concentrate to one’s technique. They are not as good for going up steep hills or for unpacked powder snow.
Waxable skis require waxing. With proper wax, waxable skis are faster than waxless on flat ground, and can be used to climb steep hills much more easily.
Two approaches prevail for waxing: some use a glide wax on the tips and tails, and a kick wax under the foot; others use a colder kick wax, which functions as a glide wax on the tips and tails, and a kick wax in under the foot.
Many suggest beginning with a "two -- or three -- wax system". These use two hard (solid) waxes and one klister (liquid) wax. The hard waxes are for new snow -- one for cold/dry snow and one for warmer/wet snow. The klister is for old snow or snow that has thawed and refrozen.
The next step up is with a hard wax system using a color-coded progression of waxes that correspond to the snow temperature such as the one offered by Swix (the most common brand in the US).
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