The Best Cross-Country Skis of 2024-2025

Imagine gliding over the snow just a little faster than you can run. Cross-country skiing offers just about the best full-body workout you can get. Think running with increased core and arm activation and a lot less pounding. Cross-country skiing is an accessible sport suitable for any beginner athletes looking for cross-training opportunities. Or, it can be a lifelong endeavor with tons of nuance in technique to keep you active for years.

Cross-country skiing provides access to the most beautiful winter landscapes, whether on groomed trails at a Nordic center or less traveled backcountry routes with majestic mountain vistas. There’s more than one cross-country ski discipline, which means you can find a great deal of variety. Whether you’re looking for a hard workout, a peaceful solo outing, movement variation, or a social ski with friends and dogs, cross-country skiing has it all. However, it’s important to have the best cross-country skis for your ability and desired discipline.

Kylie Collins, our lead tester, has been cross-country skiing for over 15 years. She now works for Crested Butte Nordic year-round. She tested the best skis highlighted in this guide side-by-side through a Crested Butte winter and spring to find the best skis for all abilities, terrain, and conditions.

After a season of testing classic, skate, and touring skis, our experts have picked the best options. We tested these skis across Colorado in everything from sparse early winter snow to deep powder, from below-freezing mornings to sunny afternoons, and from perfect corduroy to icy spring conditions.

At the bottom of this article, find more advice about purchasing cross-country ski gear in the buyer’s guide and the FAQ section. Check out the comparison chart for a quick overview of each model’s price and features.

Editor’s Note: We published a massive update on this guide on September 22, 2024. We updated our product choice to reflect the current selection of the best cross-country skis on the market and greatly expanded our buyer’s guide and FAQs.

The Best Cross-Country Skis of 2024

Cross-Country Skis Comparison Chart

How We Tested Cross-Country Skis

Our expert group of testers all work in the cross-country ski industry year-round. They are passionate winter people who love to geek out about ski stats, conditions, terrain, and the nuances of good wax. They have been skiing for a combined total of 57 years, with experience ranging from former college racers to PSIA-certified classic and skate instructors to endurance athletes who got started on cross-country skis later in life.

Our lead tester, Kylie Collins, has been cross–country skiing for over 15 years. She began cross-country skiing in New England in college and has continued through the mountains of Colorado. She’s tested over 20 pairs of skis, including the nine best picked for this guide, through all kinds of conditions for pleasure, training, and racing. She now works year-round in the cross-country ski profession for Crested Butte Nordic and skis almost every day in the winter.

We put these skis through the ringer in Colorado through the Elk and Sawatch Mountains and all over Grand Mesa. Starting on early season snowmobile groomed trails, through a full season of groomed trails and backcountry exploration in all the challenging terrain Crested Butte offers. We also tested in variable spring conditions both on and off the trail. Each ski was tested at temperatures ranging from well below zero to 45°F.

We paid close attention to performance across this range of conditions, including glide, weight, stability, agility, and, of course, fun factors. This gave us confidence in each ski’s ability to tackle flats, uphills, and downhills across various conditions and temperatures, as is only natural through a full season of cross-country skiing. We tested these skis at all hours of the day, on full moon skis with friends, and even jumped into a few local races.

Together, we’ve skied nearly every brand of ski on the market, and these are our favorites for the 2024-2025 winter season for beginner and intermediate skiers. If you’re looking to go further into the mountains, check out our guide to the best backcountry skis and best backcountry bindings.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Cross-Country Skis

Getting into cross-country skiing can feel daunting. There are wildly different disciplines, all kinds of gear, and many different styles of trails. The following tips will help you pick the right gear for your goals and experience.

Choosing Cross-Country Skis: Which Style Is Right for Me?

Nordic skiing breaks down into classic, skate, and touring styles.

Classic and touring skis are similar in that they require a forward-and-back striding motion to move the skier forward. The skis are kept parallel and use traction on the bottom (wax, fish scales, or mohair skins) to grab the snow and reduce backward motion. Classic skis are meant to fit in parallel tracks on a groomed trail. Touring skis are wider and meant for use off groomed trails. Many classic skis can be used off-trail. Some touring skis have metal edges for better grip and stability off-trail and in variable conditions.

Skate skis work with a sideways push-off motion, similar to the look of a speed skater. The skis move outward in a V or skating motion. Skate skis are meant for groomed trails on the flat corduroy section next to, and wider than, the classic tracks. If you’ve downhill skied before, you’ve probably skated up a slight uphill. The motion is similar.

Classic skiing can feel more approachable for someone new to cross-country skiing or someone who has never been on skis before. The motion is more like walking. True classic technique is a lifelong sport and truly beautiful to watch.

If you want to get into classic skiing for more than just a social ski, we recommend taking a lesson or jumping into a clinic to learn some of the basics and avoid bad habits. We recommend the Atomic Pro C3 Skintec or Rossignol Delta Comp R Skin for classic skis that will work for beginners and grow with you as your technique improves. If you want to venture off the groomed trail, we recommend the Fischer Spider 62 Crown for its versatile touring capabilities.

Skate skiing is aerobically challenging, especially in the beginning. It requires more fitness and balance than classic skiing but is still very approachable for a moderately athletic beginning and will feel more natural if you’ve been on downhill skis before. We recommend the Salomon RS8 Skate for beginners.

Many websites lump backcountry skis and cross-country skis together, but they have very little in common. So, we’re not including any backcountry skis (which use different boots and bindings and focus on downhill performance) in this article. However, if you prefer this discipline, check out our guide to the best backcountry skis.

Location

Where you expect to use the skis is very important. If you plan to ski on groomed trails at a Nordic center you will probably need to purchase a pass. Classic skiing in groomed tracks generally requires skis that are 65mm wide or less. The Atomic Pro C3 Skintec and Rossignol Delta Comp R Skin are all great skis for groomed trails.

Groomed Nordic trails are also the place for skate skis. If you’re lucky, crust skiing in the spring will expand the locations where skate skis are capable. The Salomon RS8 is a great choice to hit the trails.

If you plan to ski more socially on dog or walking trails, you can consider wider classic skis or touring skis (though any classic skis will also work). We highly recommend the Rossignol Evo XT Positrack 55 or Fischer Spider 62 Crown for their versatility. Though the Rossignols don’t have metal edges, both skis are shorter and wider and excel on and off the trail.

If you plan to explore off-trail and untracked locations, you might consider a shorter, wider ski with metal edges to aid in mobility, flotation, and confidence in powder and on downhills. We suggest the Fischer Spider 62 Crown for its versatile performance off-trail. The Rossignol BC 80 Positrack is a heavy-duty option, but it requires specialized boots.

Besides ski choice, location is extremely important for safety. Nordic Centers generally groom in avalanche-safe terrain. However, be sure to check a center’s daily trail report and adhere to any warnings and trail closures.

If you choose to adventure in a backcountry environment, consider an avalanche awareness class, check the avalanche report before you head out, know your terrain, carry a beacon and ski with friends, and always tell someone where you’re going.

Traction

Since cross-country skiing includes traveling across uphill, downhill, and flat terrain, the bases employ different forms of traction to keep the skier moving forward.

Skate skis have a smooth base that helps skiers keep momentum going forward with a skating motion. Wax application on skate skis increases glide and can be tailored to specific temperatures and conditions. A recreational skier might not need to apply wax for every outing; however, temperature-specific wax will always improve performance. In the skate division, we tested the Salomon RS8 Skate and the Madshus Active Pro.

Classic skis have three methods of traction to decrease backward glide. Since skiers use a kick motion to push off, they need some resistance to keep forward momentum.

Wax skis are still the gold standard for experts. Wax can be tailored to every temperature and condition, but kick wax needs to be applied every time you head out the door.  We did not test any waxable skis in this guide as it is tailored for the beginning and intermediate skier.

Waxless skis are now popular for skiers who want to spend less time at the wax bench or are just getting into the sport. Some classic skis use fischales for traction, like the Rossignol Evo XT 55 Positrack, Fischer Spider 62 Crown, and Rossignol BC 80 Positrack. The fish scale pattern is effective, grippy, and popular among beginners and hobby skiers.

Other classic skis use mohair skin inserts like the Atomic Pro C3 Skintec, Rossignol Delta Comp R Skin, and Fischer Twin Skin Cruiser EF. Skins are a soft fabric that grabs the snow for traction. Skins are faster than fish scale pattern bases. They are great for intermediate skiers or a patient beginner. They also require minimal maintenance and versatility with easy replacements.

The Rossignol BC 80 Positrack also has tip notches for backcountry skins for increased grip on steep and challenging terrain.

We use the word waxless to describe the fish scale and skin classic skis. This means that the kick zone (the grip zone underneath the boot) does not need condition-specific wax to provide traction. The tip and the tail should still be given a good dose of glide wax to maintain speed and provide hydration to the base of the ski. Additionally, if the fish scale skis start to dry out (take on a white color), they will need the occasional base wax. We recommend an easy liquid wax like Toko Express or Swix F-4. These are very easy to apply with a shoe polish foam applicator. Then, just buff them with a towel.

Find the Right Fit

Fit is critical. Unlike downhill skis, cross-country ski length is based on the skier’s weight instead of height. The ski doesn’t know how tall you are but knows exactly what you weigh. As you step on the ski, the camber or bend of the ski depresses and makes contact with the snow. The correct amount of depression will ensure you have grip and glide for both classic and skate techniques.

Cross-country skis also come in a range of flexes. Skis that are too soft will feel unstable, especially on downhills. Skis that are too stiff will not make contact with the snow and feel slippery. A more advanced skier may look for a stiffer ski for efficiency, while a beginner skier may look for a softer ski for increased grip and forgiveness. A more advanced skier may use snow conditions to choose ski flex.

Fortunately, it’s easy to know which skis to buy. Each ski brand publishes a size chart specific to its quiver of skis, which advises on ski length and flex based on the rider’s weight and ability.

Boots

There are classic, skate, and combi boots on the market. A classic boot has minimal ankle support because skiers move forward and backward. A skate boot has increased ankle support to help the skier with the sideways skating motion. A combi boot is a mix of the two and will work well for skiers who enjoy both disciplines but only want to own one pair of boots. Most classic skate and combi boots on the market are NNN compatible and will work with all NNN bindings – Turnamic, NIS, NNN, and Prolink.

If you are skiing a touring ski with an NNN BC binding, you will need an NNN BC-specific boot. These boots are often more like hiking boots, with a wider and thicker toe bar. They are meant for long days out instead of performance. There are also three-pin backcountry boots on the market that use a telemark binding.

Salomon used to manufacture two models of SNS boots and bindings. This system was different from the current NNN (New Nordic Norm) system. The SNS system is no longer sold, however you may find SNS equipment if you buy used equipment or visit a ski swap.

If you can spend a few extra dollars, midrange boots are a great choice. Their increased features will offer dividends in performance without sacrificing comfort.

Bindings

Many skis come with bindings. Check the manufacturer’s recommendation if a ski does not come with a binding. Most bindings and boots follow the NNN system (New Nordic Norm), but be sure to check for compatibility when purchasing. The Turnamic, Prolink, NNN, and NIS systems are all NNN compatible.

NNN bindings attach to the ski on a pre-mounted plate. The bindings are adjustable for the skier’s ability, preference, and conditions. For a classic ski, moving the binding forward will increase grip, while moving the binding backward will increase glide. For a skate ski, moving the binding forward will increase control and stability, while moving the binding backward will increase speed and float on soft snow.

NNN BC bindings accept a single toe pin, similar to the NNN system, but the bar is wider and thicker. The increased stability allows skiers to ski with confidence off trail and in challenging terrain. However, these bindings require a different boot.

Salomon used to make an SNS binding that required different boots, but they have phased out that model. You may still find the SNS system if you buy used equipment or visit a ski swap.

Poles

When purchasing poles, height is important. For skate skiing, a longer pole is required. The general formula is to choose a pole that is 90% of your height. This is usually just below your lower lip. For classic skiing, the general formula is to choose a pole that is 83% of your height. This is usually about shoulder height.

Shop Your Level

Don’t buy racing or expert-level equipment and hope to grow into it. High-end equipment requires high-end skiing skills. Intermediate gear is often a better choice if you want to grow into the sport. This is good news for the bank account!

FAQ