The Ultimate Go-Anywhere Cross Country Ski: Fischer Spider 62 Crown Xtralite Review

The Fischer Spider 62 Crown Xtralite Cross-Country Skis with TURNAMIC Bindings ($369) are meant for the trail less traveled. Deep in the Colorado backcountry, I cruised confidently through everything from rolling hills to tight trees.

The following day, I crushed out a few quick laps on the groomed trails out my door in Crested Butte. How could I do both on one ski? Well, the Fischer Spider 62s move seamlessly between off-the-beaten-trail adventures and those that keep you on the classic track. If you ask me, that’s quite a versatile ski.

In short: The Fischer Spider 62 Crown Xtralite cross-country skis can do it all. If I were allowed to own just one pair of cross-country skis, these are the ones I would choose. Though heavier than a traditional classic ski, these classic-style cross-country skis with steel edges prioritize a relatively lightweight design for a touring ski while still delivering added durability, stability, and control. Take them anywhere your heart wants to explore.

Compare the Fischer Spider 62 Crown Xtralite skis to the rest in our Best Cross-Country Skis buyer’s guide.

Fischer Spider 62 Crown Xtralite Cross-Country Skis Review

The Fischer Spider 62 Crown Xtralite skis are extremely versatile, so you can experience endless variety in terrain and snow conditions without breaking the bank or taking up space with a full quiver of skis. These skis bridge the gap between a classic ski and a touring ski, giving you the best of both worlds.

Features for Venturing Out

Fischer uses its exclusive Offtrack Crown fishscale base on these touring skis, which prioritizes grip in variable, off-track, and difficult terrain. In most snow conditions, I felt comfortable climbing inclines up to about 20 degrees without breaking into a duck walk.

Like any fishscale base, I did find that snow clumped underfoot when spring temperatures climbed above 40 degrees F. However, with a few glides, the snow always fell off without too much extra effort.

The Fischer Spider 62 Crown Xtralites have full-length steel edges for increased grip in difficult and off-track terrain. These edges are sharp. Similar to backcountry skiing, be careful when skiing around dogs.

How They Ski

These skis have a more generous sidecut than traditional classic skis with a 62mm tip, 52mm waist, and 60mm tail. On these skis, I enjoy carving turns and even dropping a knee in the backcountry. The shape makes turning downhill fun in powdery conditions.

The 62mm tip still fits most groomed classic tracks, whereas some other touring skis are too wide to be used on groomed trails. Though extra width provides more float in deeper snow, I appreciate the solid performance of this all-arounder.

The Fischer Spider 62 Crown Xtralite skis use a wood core with air chambers. So, even though they’re beefier than a traditional classic ski, they are still lightweight and extremely nimble for a touring ski. I love how agile they are deep in the forest, especially on quick descents.

That said, these will not replace a true backcountry ski for tackling peaks or deep pow turns. While they do bridge the gap between a classic cross-country ski and a touring ski, don’t expect them to carve turns on steeps.

For instance, we were only comfortable climbing slopes under 20 degrees, which is very low-angle in the backcountry skiing world. Anything more than that and we were struggling to duck walk without slipping.

Backcountry skis with skins can climb much steeper vert with much more ease. And, of course, the Fischer Spider 62s don’t descend like downhill skis.

For one, the Fischer Spider 62s are narrower than most backcountry skis and can’t handle steep slopes combined with varied snow conditions the way a backcountry ski can. Plus, the heel-locking bindings and stiffer boots on backcountry skis deliver greater power transfer and downhill performance than is possible with the Fischer Spider 62s.

Boot Compatibility

The TURNAMIC bindings are compatible with NNN, Turnamic, and Prolink boots, which means you can use your standard cross-country ski boots with this combination. I like the mobility and flexibility of my classic boots compared to dedicated Nordic backcountry boots, which are stiffer, so this was a huge positive for me. For some, a wider ski and warmer backcountry boot may be a priority. But for me, these struck an outstanding balance.

Please note: 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, ski with friends, and always tell someone where you’re going.

Conclusion

The Fischer Spider 62 Crown Xtralite Cross-Country Skis with TURNAMIC Bindings can do it all. They’re narrow enough to fit in the track, but stable and durable enough for moderate backcountry exploration. Plus, they’re affordable and come with a binding that works with your regular Nordic boots. If you’re looking for one ski to take you on and off the track, this is the ski for you. These skis are well-priced for a durable touring ski. They include a binding and allow you to use your regular boots.