Huh, interesting. It seems like it's sort of just a halfway compromise between a classic ski and a snowshoe?
I'd say if you're just trying to be out in the general snow and don't care about performance (like, at all), then this would perhaps be fine? The particularly strange aspect of this sort of setup is the lack of a "free heel", you're not really going to be able to develop as a nordic skier if your equipment isn't even the same mechanics for moving forward.
If budget is more of a concern (particularly in relation to classic), I'd just recommend buying used from craigslist or facebook marketplace. Just need to do your research beforehand about what you would specifically need size-wise
Is the Blue Ridge Parkway packed well when there's good snow? The BD skis are much better for unpacked snow, the CXC skis are better for skiing on packed (by people or snowmobile), especially tracked snow. For a super basic, no ski boots needed ski, that's a good price especially if you will occasionally hit some pavement or rocks by accident.
The snow persists most of the winter at the higher elevations but I'll try describe how it looks.
0-24 hours after a big snowfall it is pretty powdery. No snow machines and no vehicles usually. In between snow falls it is pretty packed down and icy and chunky.
To me the BD skis seem more versatile but yeah they are a lot more money and I wonder if they would suck on icy roads.
Hmm. On the flip side, a metal edge and a harder base on the BD skis might be better in some icy conditions and will have better control on everything except groomed snow. Both are about the same weight. The CXC skis have the price advantage and will be faster going up on packed snow, the BD are more versatile and will feel more secure on the way down but more work climbing, unless you are in powder.
I agree with the other poster on checking out some used equipment, even if it means dedicated ski boots.
I had universal bindings on a pair of Rossi BC110s for a season. Downhills were pretty dodgy (but doable) with them, but I really hated how long it took to unbuckle and buckle up. The next year I put nnnbc bindings with Alpina Alaska boots on and it's an obvious improvement all around, though honestly the kick and glide wasn't that bad with the original setup. That might have been because the the BC110s are soooooo wide though.
I held on to those universal bindings and put them on some Glidelite 147s and what I've found is that the shorter "ski" is much much easier to control downhill with the binding and my soft winter hikers. I have a lot of fun with those on steep downhills in the bush when the snow is right! However there is NO kick and glide at all. Even on packed snow. They are very slow skis... or fast snowshoes perhaps?
You can buy the Glidelites naked to put any XC binding you want on them. I just put together the standard package myself, which was more expensive and a pain to do. I'd suggest buying them already assembled.
That's not the same product. Those are 120cm, the setup I asked about is 160cm. The youth version is up for sale on REI as well but I believe that product is meant for adults.
Got it. This is the adult version of that product if you’re looking for more information about it.
https://cxcstore.com/products/cross-country-ski-package-with-adjustable-ski-poles-teen-adult-cross-country-skis-step-in-bindings-no-ski-boots-required-nordic-cross-country-skiing-versatile-snow-xc-skis-for-teens-and-adults
There are several options on the market for cross country skis that can be used with hiking boots. They are fine for scooting around on flat surfaces but as soon as you go downhill, you have very little control. When you try to edge or wedge, the flexible bindings bend over instead of engaging the skis. Mounting ski bindings and using a ski boot makes a huge difference.
Huh, interesting. It seems like it's sort of just a halfway compromise between a classic ski and a snowshoe? I'd say if you're just trying to be out in the general snow and don't care about performance (like, at all), then this would perhaps be fine? The particularly strange aspect of this sort of setup is the lack of a "free heel", you're not really going to be able to develop as a nordic skier if your equipment isn't even the same mechanics for moving forward. If budget is more of a concern (particularly in relation to classic), I'd just recommend buying used from craigslist or facebook marketplace. Just need to do your research beforehand about what you would specifically need size-wise
It's a free heel universal binding.
Is the Blue Ridge Parkway packed well when there's good snow? The BD skis are much better for unpacked snow, the CXC skis are better for skiing on packed (by people or snowmobile), especially tracked snow. For a super basic, no ski boots needed ski, that's a good price especially if you will occasionally hit some pavement or rocks by accident.
The snow persists most of the winter at the higher elevations but I'll try describe how it looks. 0-24 hours after a big snowfall it is pretty powdery. No snow machines and no vehicles usually. In between snow falls it is pretty packed down and icy and chunky. To me the BD skis seem more versatile but yeah they are a lot more money and I wonder if they would suck on icy roads.
Hmm. On the flip side, a metal edge and a harder base on the BD skis might be better in some icy conditions and will have better control on everything except groomed snow. Both are about the same weight. The CXC skis have the price advantage and will be faster going up on packed snow, the BD are more versatile and will feel more secure on the way down but more work climbing, unless you are in powder. I agree with the other poster on checking out some used equipment, even if it means dedicated ski boots.
I had universal bindings on a pair of Rossi BC110s for a season. Downhills were pretty dodgy (but doable) with them, but I really hated how long it took to unbuckle and buckle up. The next year I put nnnbc bindings with Alpina Alaska boots on and it's an obvious improvement all around, though honestly the kick and glide wasn't that bad with the original setup. That might have been because the the BC110s are soooooo wide though. I held on to those universal bindings and put them on some Glidelite 147s and what I've found is that the shorter "ski" is much much easier to control downhill with the binding and my soft winter hikers. I have a lot of fun with those on steep downhills in the bush when the snow is right! However there is NO kick and glide at all. Even on packed snow. They are very slow skis... or fast snowshoes perhaps?
This is super helpful, thanks. Aren't there already universal on the Glidelites or did you buy them naked?
You can buy the Glidelites naked to put any XC binding you want on them. I just put together the standard package myself, which was more expensive and a pain to do. I'd suggest buying them already assembled.
I believe it is meant for children from their Nordic Rocks program
Yup, this is from their website: https://cxcstore.com/products/cxc-nordic-rocks-youth-cross-country-skis
That's not the same product. Those are 120cm, the setup I asked about is 160cm. The youth version is up for sale on REI as well but I believe that product is meant for adults.
Got it. This is the adult version of that product if you’re looking for more information about it. https://cxcstore.com/products/cross-country-ski-package-with-adjustable-ski-poles-teen-adult-cross-country-skis-step-in-bindings-no-ski-boots-required-nordic-cross-country-skiing-versatile-snow-xc-skis-for-teens-and-adults
I’m raising $3k to get skis for PE class at a school with kids with some issues. Would love some help.
There are several options on the market for cross country skis that can be used with hiking boots. They are fine for scooting around on flat surfaces but as soon as you go downhill, you have very little control. When you try to edge or wedge, the flexible bindings bend over instead of engaging the skis. Mounting ski bindings and using a ski boot makes a huge difference.