Cross Country Skiing

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Cross-country skiing is a science in itself. Here we give you an overview of the various systems that is as uncomplicated as possible, so that you can find the right equipment!



THE TECHNIQUES AND THE STYLE

1. Skating
When skating, you move forward in an ice-skating motion. The skis only have one sliding surface, which should be waxed appropriately depending on the temperature or snow conditions.


2. Classic
In classic cross-country skiing, you move forward in the so-called "parallel style". The classic skis have a climbing zone. This can be waxed (wax ski), have a flaky coating (Nowax ski or Crown ski) or it can also be provided with a skin insert (skin ski). Even if the skis are called "Nowax", the gliding surface of these skis should always be waxed!

Since when running a classic ski, the climbing zone has to be on the snow when pushing off, the ski selection based on body weight is extremely important for classic skis!

The different types of classic skis

• The Crown ski (Nowax) is a classic ski with small notches in the base of the climbing zone (Crown, Grip). Crown skis are a very good compromise for recreational skiers who do not want to invest too much time in preparing their skis. The shed offers good grip in all snow conditions. They have their own dragging sound when sliding.
• The Skin ski (Nowax), like the Crown ski, is very uncomplicated to use. A skin insert is built into the climbing zone and should be replaced after approx. 150-200 km. To prevent the skin from freezing, it is recommended that the fur be cleaned or treated with fur care products. In contrast to the Crown ski, the skin ski is noiseless and slides better in icy conditions.
• The Wax ski (wax) is the veteran of the classic skis and is mainly used in competitions or in the Scandinavian countries. With the Wax ski, the climbing zone has to be waxed with special hard waxes, grip waxes or klister. When it comes to performance, the wax ski is definitely the fastest, but the preparation is also associated with more effort.

BINDING SYSTEMS AND SOLES OF CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING BOOTS

Cross-country boots soles
We have two different soles for cross-country skiing. The SNS soles and the NNN soles.


SNS: the Salomon / Atomic system
SNS bindings are screwed onto the ski. The main feature of SNS soles are the two bars on the boot and they offer very good lateral support. Boots with an SNS profile sole can also be used on SNS bindings - these only have a single bar, but only fit on the SNS profile.

SNS Pilot sole:


SNS profile sole:




NNN: the widely used system
Every cross-country ski boot that does not have an SNS sole fits on a binding with the NNN system. - For trademark reasons, however, these are called differently by each manufacturer. The advantage of the NNN system is that you stand very close to the ski and so the power transmission is even more direct.

Important: This is only about the shoe. The following shoes all have the NNN system, but have different names:

• Atomic / Salomon: Prolink sole
• Fischer: Turnamic sole (until season 17/18 NNN sole)
• Rossignol: Turnamic sole (until season 17/18 NNN sole)
• Madshus: NNN sole
• Alpina: NNN sole

NNN sole:








BINDINGS

SNS bindings:
There are two different SNS bindings. SNS bindings can basically be mounted (screwed) onto any type of ski - an adapter must be attached between skis with pre-mounted plates.

SNS Pilot (2 bars)
Can only be used with shoes with SNS Pilot soles.



SNS profile (1 bar)
Can be used with shoes with SNS Profil soles and SNS Pilot soles.






NNN (NIS) bindings
... are normally pushed directly onto the ski plates (except for Prolink bindings - these are screwed). Again, every manufacturer has its own designation, and unfortunately not every binding fits every ski - Further down you can find a compatibility table for the cross-country systems.

The following bindings all fit NNN shoes.

• Fischer: Turnamic binding (until season 17/18 NIS binding) fits on IFP plate otherwise adapter
• Rossignol: Turnamic binding (until season 17/18 NIS binding) fits on IFP plate otherwise adapter
• Madshus: NIS binding (Rottefella System): fits on NIS plates, otherwise adapter (not possible on IFP plate)
• Atomic / Salomon: Prolink bindings: can be screwed onto any ski (with a mounted plate with adapter)

SHIFT (NIS) bindings
The ergonomic, sliding SHIFT binding suitable for Prolink, NNN and Turnamic shoes has been available since the 2019/2020 season. With this ergonomic binding, which can be easily moved forwards or backwards, you will experience the perfect running experience and improve the performance of your skis.





CROSS COUNTRY COMPATIBILITY
Here you find tables in which you can see exactly whether and how individual systems can be combined with eachother.