Tired of crowded slopes and perfectly groomed runs? Ready for something different than traditional alpine skiing? If you picture yourself in high terrain, making the first tracks in pristine powder-filled bowls or gliding along deep forest trails on the lookout for wildlife, you might be ready to leave the ski lifts behind and embark on a Nordic skiing adventure.
Nordic skiing isn't limited to leisurely cross-country excursions. Telemarking, alpine touring, and backcountry skiing are adrenaline-dumping, heart-pounding sports that can be done in the vast, wide-open wilderness, without a crowd in sight.
So whether you're looking to scream down unmarked descents or kick-and-glide through a winter wonderland, we've created this guide to help you understand each different type of Nordic skiing and find the gear you need to get off the resort slopes and get into the wild.
There are several categories in the Nordic ski family, each with a unique set of challenges to master. The one thing they all have in common is free-heel bindings, or those that attach boot to ski at the toe only.
Cross-country skiing, otherwise known as Nordic touring, is done on prepared trails, groomed tracks, and moderate terrain. Equipment for this type of skiing is designed for either the classic kick-and-glide technique, with skis running parallel to one another, or for the skating style, with the skis angled in a herringbone pattern for powerful pushes (the same motion used for in-line skating).
Backcountry touring is for skiers who would rather create their own path than follow in the tracks of others. Backcountry skiing uses the same kick-and-glide motion as cross-country skiing, but on unmarked trails and varying terrain.
Telemarking is focused around the graceful drop-knee telemark turn that allows skiers greater control of their movements on downhill runs. Telemarking can be done on ungroomed powder in the backcountry or groomed runs at the resort.
Alpine touring is your sport if you yearn for monstrous mountains, striking vertical relief and steep, unmarked descents. Alpine touring (AT), or randonée, requires bindings that allow a mix of backcountry, free-heeled climbing and fixed-heel alpine descents. AT skis let you hit the steep and deep without having to learn the telemark turn to safely get down the mountain.
Skis are rated according to the type of conditions in which they will be used. The following list of skis begins with the lightest models, designed for use on snow with groomed tracks. The list ends with alpine touring/AT skis that are capable of handling extremely steep terrain.
Classic track skis are designed primarily for fast, efficient performance on smooth snow, preferably the machine-set, groomed tracks found at Nordic skiing centers. These skis are some of the stiffest in a given company’s line. Track skis have the narrowest shape of all Nordic skis. This makes them very fast in groomed tracks, and skiers ranging from novices to experts can immediately appreciate the benefits of these skis. If you plan to ski primarily at a Nordic center, classic track skis are undoubtedly the most fun to use. Nearly all skis in this class have waxable bases.
Skate skis look very similar to classic track skis. Skate skis are sized shorter and typically have snubbed tips. Because they are used like ice skates, they have stiff single cambers and lots of resistance to twisting, pushing forces. Select a skate-ski package based on your ability level and how frequently you skate: beginner, intermediate or expert.
Light touring skis are ideal for anyone interested in heading out through a city park, golf course or the fields behind their house – in other words, places without machine-groomed snow. Light touring skis have more width underfoot for more stability on descents and over uneven terrain. They have wider ski tips that keep the ski floating on top of powder rather than plunging beneath it. Light touring skis are sized in slightly shorter lengths for more maneuverability. They perform well at Nordic ski areas (just not as well as classic track or skate skis), and the narrower models can also make dedicated in-track skis for skiers who are willing to sacrifice some speed and glide.
Backcountry skis (also called rugged touring skis) are specifically designed for maximum performance in rugged backcountry terrain where conditions are ungroomed and unpredictable. Skis in the backcountry category are significantly wider and heavier than the previous group. Backcountry skis almost always have metal edges to bite into hard snow.
Generally, backcountry touring skis are too wide to fit into machine-set tracks. Some backcountry skis are sized in longer lengths to provide more glide for point-to-point touring. Other models are shorter and come with more sidecut to emphasize easy maneuvering and downhill turning. Shorter skis with lots of sidecut can handle full-fledged backcountry ski trails with aggressive downhill grades, narrow turns and double fall-lines. Kick and glide performance is much slower than that of classic track skis or light touring skis because of the wider dimensions and extra weight of backcountry models. Like mountain bikes, backcountry or rugged touring skis can go just about anywhere, but they perform best on rough terrain.
Telemark skis are used for downhill skiing and/or backcountry touring. They are generally heavier than backcountry touring skis, but lighter than alpine touring/AT skis. Telemark skis require a specific turning technique that must be learned. It involves pushing one foot forward and lifting the heel of the other foot. You may have seen Telemark skiers making these graceful, drop-knee turns at a ski resort.
Alpine touring skis (also called AT skis) are usually modified lightweight downhill skis with an alpine touring binding. Like backcountry touring skis and Telemark skis, alpine touring skis are designed for ungroomed snow, where you must break your own track through unmarked terrain. The main advantage of alpine touring skis and bindings is that you can tour the backcountry and ski steep downhill slopes, but do not have to learn how to make specialized Telemark turns. With AT skis, advanced alpine skiers who want to experience the backcountry can use their already-honed alpine skiing techniques. Conventional, downhill “parallel turns” work well with AT skis and bindings. Alpine touring bindings release the heel to allow the striding, gliding motion associated with ski touring through flat sections or climbing with skins.
For climbing up steep slopes, skins, also known as climbing skins (synthetic, carpet-like strips running the length of the skis) can be attached to the base of the ski. Skins give skis the traction necessary for skiing/climbing uphill. When it’s time to start skiing downhill, the skins are removed.
While all Nordic skis have a sidecut (the visible width difference between the ski tip, waist and tail), the cut depth varies. Cross-country skis have a minimal sidecut because they aren't used to carve tight turns, while backcountry skis have a moderate sidecut between 10-20 mm to facilitate turning in varying snow conditions. Tele and AT skis have pronounced sidecuts with broader tips and tails to facilitate carving without getting caught in the snow.
Cross-country and backcountry skis have a pronounced arch (camber) that holds the skis away from the surface of the snow and rely on a skier's weight to flatten their profile for traction. This high camber acts like a spring, producing forward momentum for the classic kick-and-glide movement. Like alpine skis, tele and AT skis have very little arch for more contact and better control on descents.
Cross-country skis are rigid for efficient gliding while backcountry skis have more flex for control while turning. Both tele and AT skis have more flex than other Nordic skis to help you navigate deep powder.
Like alpine skis, Nordic skis usually have metal edges that bite into icy or steep snow to make maneuvering on a slope easier. One exception would be high-end Nordic race skis, which forgo metal edges for less weight.
For most all-around cross-country skis, there are two bindings that are typically used: New Nordic Norm (NNN) and Salomon Nordic System (SNS). These binding systems are perfect for gliding in groomed tracks because they're narrow and lightweight.
New Nordic Norm (NNN) Systems use a metal rod mounted into the toe of the ski boot, which then clips into a matching ski binding. NNN bindings feature two ridges on the surface of the ski that fit into matching grooves in the sole of compatible boots.
Salomon Nordic System (SNS) uses a boot and binding connection like the NNN system, but instead of having two binding ridges with matching sole grooves, SNS features one binding ridge and a single sole groove.
Because backcountry skiing is inherently risky, you want to invest in bindings that are durable, secure, and easy to repair in the field. Most backcountry bindings use traditional three-pin, 75 mm-wide extensions. Three holes on the front of the ski boot sole match a set of corresponding metal pins in the binding. The sole extension fits over the pins and a bale is shut down over the extension to hold it in place.
Both NNN and SNS bindings come in beefier versions for the backcountry referred to as NNN-BC and SNS-BC, respectively. These bindings, with a thicker toe bale, are meant to provide a stronger attachment point and transfer more power for backcountry applications.
Tele bindings are heavier and larger than other Nordic ski bindings to keep the boots and skis securely connected while withstanding the stress of continuous carving. Cable and plate bindings are popular for tele skiing, which feature toe-in entry, quick-clip heel cables and release plates that reduce the risk of injuries. Tele bindings sometimes have heel elevators that help relieve the strain on your calves.
Essentially, the bindings are what separate AT skiing from the rest of the pack. In fact, some Nordic skiers do not consider AT part of the Nordic skiing class at all.
There are two major differences between AT bindings and other Nordic ski bindings. First, while AT bindings feature a free-heeled mode for climbing, they also offer a locked-down mode for downhill skiing. Secondly, AT bindings have a pivot point in front of the toe for climbing while other Nordic bindings pivot closer to the ball of the foot and require a skier to crouch into a telemark-style turn for downhill performance.
Additionally, AT bindings:
As with every other ski boot, comfort is your first priority when buying a Nordic ski boot. Your ski boots should hold your feet in place and - most importantly - should match your bindings!
As a general rule, leather boots are more flexible and warmer for touring while composite boots offer more control, support and moisture protection. Composite/leather combination boots offer the rigidity of a composite and the flex and warmth of leather.
Telemark and backcountry boots must support your ankles while turning and descending. Look for robust, aggressively constructed boots that also provide enough flexibility for forward motion. Tele boots may have "power straps" for more control.
AT boots are stiffer and wider than other Nordic ski boots and offer more control when skiing tricky terrain and carrying a pack. AT boots resemble alpine ski boots, but with a lug sole made for walking in snow. Many feature power straps that increase stiffness for better downhill control.
If you're skiing on groomed or cross-country trails, you will need poles that reach from the ground to slightly above your armpits and have adjustable straps that allow for a full range of motion. For all off-trail Nordic skiing, look for telescoping poles with medium to large baskets for use in deep snow.
| Skis | Bindings | Bindings | Boots | Poles |
| Cross-Country | Stiff, narrow with minimum sidecut; waxless and waxable varieties; high chamber | New Nordic Norm or Salomon Nordic System (NNN or SNS) | Flexible leather boots are comfortable, but composite boots provide support; composite-leather combo boots combine the best of both worlds | Must reach from the ground to above your armpits with adjustable straps for full movement; smaller baskets |
| Backcountry | Shorter and wider than cross-country skis; moderate sidecut, springy camber, and flex for touring; metal edges; waxless and waxable varieties | Traditional three-pin, 75 mm-wide extension; durable and easily repaired in the field (BC NNN or SNS) | Must support your ankles but provide enough flexibility for forward motion | Telescoping poles with medium to large baskets |
| Telemark | Wide, stable, and come in a variety of sizes for ease of maneuvering in varying snow conditions; pronounced sidecut, little arch, and soft flex; metal edges | Heavier and larger than other Nordic bindings; cable and plate bindings that generally do not release upon falling | Must support your ankles but provide enough flexibility for forward motion; lug sole; may have power straps | Telescoping poles with medium to large baskets |
| Alpine Touring | Wide with little arch and soft flex; need climbing "skins" for ascending; torsional rigidity to hold an edge without skidding; metal edges | Free-heeled mode for striding and locked-down mode for descents; heel plate locks/unlocks easily | Stiff, wide, composite boot with lug sole for walking; may have "power straps" for increased control | Telescoping poles with medium to large baskets |
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