In order to help folks pick the right gear, find the places and learn about the sport, I put this together in hopes of encouraging others to give it a shot and make good decisions when it comes to purchasing equipment and how to use it.
Before we talk about buying stuff, its important to understand the dynamics, the how to of the sport. Most of us grew up riding a bicycle, we have that fundamental down, however not many of us grew up xc skiing, we probably went downhill skiing, however that is nothing like xc, other then they both require skis, poles and bindings.
How To
To understand the basics of xc skiing, watch this video. Saul is one or two jokes away from being Norm, if Sean wrote some lines for him he would be more entertaining, but I do like his no nonsense delivery and how serious he takes xc skiing, he kinda reminds me of Ben. Watching anything these days for 10 minutes can be painful, but do yourself a favor, save this and watch it, re-watch it as needed. I watch it several times a year, your brain always needs reinforcement and Saul does a good job explaining things.
But wait, Saul didn't teach me how to stop or slow down when going downhill, watch this or die.
Equipment
Only after you've watched the above video can you move on to finding the right equipment. Like mountain bikes, xc skis have changed over the last several years, technology has made it easier to have an enjoyable, comfortable experience on the snow. With that in mind, you should be aware that a pair of xc skis you find in a garage sale for $10 that are 30 years old will not be as user friendly as a pair of new skis you buy for $250. There is nothing wrong with doing the $10 thing, that's how I started 20 years ago, but I'm gonna insert the You Get What You Pay For line here and add that if you really enjoy xc skiing, you will make upgrades.
Below is a chart of ski sizing recommendations for various types of xc skiing and ski pole sizing. Most of you will be interested in Compact Touring XC or Back Country XC. Classic Touring sizing refers to traditional touring xc ski sizes, skis which still adhere to older, longer lengths more suited to groomed centers, whereas Compact Sizing are updated ski lengths which allow for greater versatility and allow the user to ski in and out of track. In a nut shell, Compact Touring Skis are what you want if you plan to break trail in a local park, with an occasional trip to a groomed center. Classic Sizing is what you want if you plan to go exclusively to groomed centers. If you have zero interest in going to a groomed xc ski center then you will want Back Country skis however keep in mind that this equipment is considerably heavier, bulkier and more expensive, also its much more difficult and will require stong alpine skiing skills. These days a lot of touring skis are suited for local mtb trails, provided they are not too steep. If you are unsure what type of ski to get, let me know where you plan to ski and I can make recommendations. Also, once you choose a ski, the manufacturer has sizing recommendations for that particular ski. Finally, these are recommendations within in a range, sizing up or down should be considered for ability levels.
Classic Touring Cross Country Ski Sizing
Your Height in Inches X 2.6 + 15 = Approximate Classic Touring Cross Country Ski Size
Compact Touring Cross Country Ski Sizing
Ski Size Skiers Weight
Small (160-165cm) <140
Medium (170-175cm) 132-185
Large (180-185cm) 176-209
X-Large (185-195cm) >209
Skating Cross Country Ski Sizing
Your Height in Inches X 2.6 + 5 = Approximate Skate Ski Size
Backcountry Cross Country Ski Sizing
For backcountry cross country skiing take your height and +/- 5 to 15 cm depending on your specific use and the skis you are looking into
Ski Pole Sizing
https://gearwest.com/cross-country-pole-sizing/
Just Tell me What to Buy
If I just totally overwhelmed you and you are now more confused and do not want to try and figure this stuff out, then just buy these skis. I run these in Watchung, local golf course/park/mtb trails and can be used a groomed ski centers.
https://www.skirack.com/rossignol-evo-tour-60-ski-with-control-step-in-binding-2018-19-13131326
Where to Buy
The following places have knowledgeable staff to assist you in buying xc ski equipment, also I included several places that rent equipment, which I highly recommend if you are unsure if this is for you and don't want to lay out the cash to find out. Of course there are internet deals but you need to be informed as to what you are getting and need., you are taking a gamble with buying xc ski boots on line without trying them on. Getting the right size boot, which is comfortable for you is very important, since this is the one piece of equipment that you have direct contact with, shoes that are uncomfortable are shoes that we do not wear.
https://www.rei.com/stores/east-hanover.html
To buy or rent.
Hans at High Point has good equipment, you can rent it, try it out and I think he puts rental fee towards purchase price.
http://www.xcskihighpoint.com/Rentals.aspx
If you go to New Paltz, there is good xc skiing and a knowledgeable shop in town that rents and sells.
https://www.rockandsnow.com/177/Rentals/
Where to Go
I strongly recommend going to a groomed center, they prepare ideal conditions for you to xc ski. Its a good place to learn, they usually have beginner sections suited to get you going which is helpful your first time out, when everything feels so awkward. Even if you prefer to hit up local parks when you get snow, going to a groomed center will make it easier to practice on the fundamentals, which will allow you to better transition to off trail skiing, which is harder. Its somewhat like mtbing, Allaire is suited for beginners, while Allamuchy your first time out can be discouraging. If you can't make it to a groomed center, then at least avoid tight single track with elevation, instead practice in open fields with little elevation and plenty of places to fall without getting hurt.
Groomed Centers nearby, nearby is relative term, day trips can be had in the NY region and High Point however going upstate and to VT is a destination wknd or over nighter, which I highly recommend Prospect Mountain in VT for a wknd get away, its real VT, if you don't know what this means, you will after you go there. For a day trip, my go to is Minnewaska, this link is old but still has useful info about the park, like trail maps.
High Point NJ
Fahnestock NY
Minnewaska NY
Mohonk NY
Lapland Upstate NY
Prospect Mtn VT
Trail conditions for New Paltz area (the Gunks) This is a FB feed, yes, FB can be useful.
Questions
Of course you have them, the more you learn the more questions come up. Post up your questions here, we will try to help you and in the process help others. If this is something you always wanted to try, then do it, do it now.
Before we talk about buying stuff, its important to understand the dynamics, the how to of the sport. Most of us grew up riding a bicycle, we have that fundamental down, however not many of us grew up xc skiing, we probably went downhill skiing, however that is nothing like xc, other then they both require skis, poles and bindings.
How To
To understand the basics of xc skiing, watch this video. Saul is one or two jokes away from being Norm, if Sean wrote some lines for him he would be more entertaining, but I do like his no nonsense delivery and how serious he takes xc skiing, he kinda reminds me of Ben. Watching anything these days for 10 minutes can be painful, but do yourself a favor, save this and watch it, re-watch it as needed. I watch it several times a year, your brain always needs reinforcement and Saul does a good job explaining things.
But wait, Saul didn't teach me how to stop or slow down when going downhill, watch this or die.
Equipment
Only after you've watched the above video can you move on to finding the right equipment. Like mountain bikes, xc skis have changed over the last several years, technology has made it easier to have an enjoyable, comfortable experience on the snow. With that in mind, you should be aware that a pair of xc skis you find in a garage sale for $10 that are 30 years old will not be as user friendly as a pair of new skis you buy for $250. There is nothing wrong with doing the $10 thing, that's how I started 20 years ago, but I'm gonna insert the You Get What You Pay For line here and add that if you really enjoy xc skiing, you will make upgrades.
Below is a chart of ski sizing recommendations for various types of xc skiing and ski pole sizing. Most of you will be interested in Compact Touring XC or Back Country XC. Classic Touring sizing refers to traditional touring xc ski sizes, skis which still adhere to older, longer lengths more suited to groomed centers, whereas Compact Sizing are updated ski lengths which allow for greater versatility and allow the user to ski in and out of track. In a nut shell, Compact Touring Skis are what you want if you plan to break trail in a local park, with an occasional trip to a groomed center. Classic Sizing is what you want if you plan to go exclusively to groomed centers. If you have zero interest in going to a groomed xc ski center then you will want Back Country skis however keep in mind that this equipment is considerably heavier, bulkier and more expensive, also its much more difficult and will require stong alpine skiing skills. These days a lot of touring skis are suited for local mtb trails, provided they are not too steep. If you are unsure what type of ski to get, let me know where you plan to ski and I can make recommendations. Also, once you choose a ski, the manufacturer has sizing recommendations for that particular ski. Finally, these are recommendations within in a range, sizing up or down should be considered for ability levels.
Classic Touring Cross Country Ski Sizing
Your Height in Inches X 2.6 + 15 = Approximate Classic Touring Cross Country Ski Size
Compact Touring Cross Country Ski Sizing
Ski Size Skiers Weight
Small (160-165cm) <140
Medium (170-175cm) 132-185
Large (180-185cm) 176-209
X-Large (185-195cm) >209
Skating Cross Country Ski Sizing
Your Height in Inches X 2.6 + 5 = Approximate Skate Ski Size
Backcountry Cross Country Ski Sizing
For backcountry cross country skiing take your height and +/- 5 to 15 cm depending on your specific use and the skis you are looking into
Ski Pole Sizing
https://gearwest.com/cross-country-pole-sizing/
Just Tell me What to Buy
If I just totally overwhelmed you and you are now more confused and do not want to try and figure this stuff out, then just buy these skis. I run these in Watchung, local golf course/park/mtb trails and can be used a groomed ski centers.
https://www.skirack.com/rossignol-evo-tour-60-ski-with-control-step-in-binding-2018-19-13131326
Where to Buy
The following places have knowledgeable staff to assist you in buying xc ski equipment, also I included several places that rent equipment, which I highly recommend if you are unsure if this is for you and don't want to lay out the cash to find out. Of course there are internet deals but you need to be informed as to what you are getting and need., you are taking a gamble with buying xc ski boots on line without trying them on. Getting the right size boot, which is comfortable for you is very important, since this is the one piece of equipment that you have direct contact with, shoes that are uncomfortable are shoes that we do not wear.
https://www.rei.com/stores/east-hanover.html
To buy or rent.
Hans at High Point has good equipment, you can rent it, try it out and I think he puts rental fee towards purchase price.
http://www.xcskihighpoint.com/Rentals.aspx
If you go to New Paltz, there is good xc skiing and a knowledgeable shop in town that rents and sells.
https://www.rockandsnow.com/177/Rentals/
Where to Go
I strongly recommend going to a groomed center, they prepare ideal conditions for you to xc ski. Its a good place to learn, they usually have beginner sections suited to get you going which is helpful your first time out, when everything feels so awkward. Even if you prefer to hit up local parks when you get snow, going to a groomed center will make it easier to practice on the fundamentals, which will allow you to better transition to off trail skiing, which is harder. Its somewhat like mtbing, Allaire is suited for beginners, while Allamuchy your first time out can be discouraging. If you can't make it to a groomed center, then at least avoid tight single track with elevation, instead practice in open fields with little elevation and plenty of places to fall without getting hurt.
Groomed Centers nearby, nearby is relative term, day trips can be had in the NY region and High Point however going upstate and to VT is a destination wknd or over nighter, which I highly recommend Prospect Mountain in VT for a wknd get away, its real VT, if you don't know what this means, you will after you go there. For a day trip, my go to is Minnewaska, this link is old but still has useful info about the park, like trail maps.
High Point NJ
Fahnestock NY
Minnewaska NY
Mohonk NY
Lapland Upstate NY
Prospect Mtn VT
Trail conditions for New Paltz area (the Gunks) This is a FB feed, yes, FB can be useful.
Questions
Of course you have them, the more you learn the more questions come up. Post up your questions here, we will try to help you and in the process help others. If this is something you always wanted to try, then do it, do it now.