| Skis |
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There are a wide variety of cross-country skis. They are very narrow
(45-50mm) and generally have no edges. They are taken 20-30cm longer than
your height. Test this by standing next to the ski and reaching up: the
tip should come to your wrist. Racing skis are narrower than recreational
skis and are taken slightly shorter. True aficionados also distinguish
between classical and freestyle (skating) skis.
Cross-country skis are very cambered (arched), so much so that when
you are gliding, the camber pocket under your foot should stand clear
of the snow. Test this in the shop with a piece of paper: with your weight
on both feet on a hard floor you should be able to slide the paper under
the skis; if you stand on one foot, the paper should be held firm.
Part of the base of the ski is either covered in scales, or can be treated
with a sticky wax to prevent sliding backwards. Scaled bases tend to be
more stable, but they do not slide so well downhill. Beginners' skis and
most rental skis are scaled; for long promenades on variable snow, this
is the more convenient option.
The treatment of a waxed ski can be very complicated. Only the centre
of the ski is treated and there are different waxes - hard, soft or klister
- for different temperatures and types of snow. If you use the wrong wax,
you end up with a lump of congealed snow frozen to the base of the ski,
or no grip at all. When the skier is climbing, snow crystals penetrate
the wax and make it sticky. On the descent, the friction of the ski on
the snow melts the crystals, and a layer of water is created between ski
and snow, helping the ski to slide.
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| Poles |
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These should be light but strong and come up to the armpit. Racers should
take poles 5cm longer, skaters 15cm longer.
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| Clothes |
Racers and very serious cross-country skiers wear 'lycra' stretch
suits.
The traditional garb for recreational skiers, however, is wind pants, windjacet, thick woollen socks,
over thermals.
Gloves are important, but should be much thinner than
Alpine ones, with reinforced palms to protect against the rubbing of the
poles.
Sunglasses and hat are also necessary.
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| Bindings, Shoes and Boots |
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The bindings are very light and hold only the tip of the toe, leaving
the rest of the foot free. If you are skiing on prepared tracks, a shoe
resembling a running shoe should be used. It must bend forward and back,
while retaining its lateral (twisting) rigidity. For skating, a slightly
higher boot exists, while for deeper snow you should use a boot.
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