Equipment

Cross country skis are long and thin to distribute the weight of the skier and allow them to move quickly. Typical ski dimensions are length 2 m (6-7 ft), width 5-6 cm (2 in) and thickness 1 cm (½ in).

Like downhill skiers, XC skiers carry two poles, usually made of aluminium or fibreglass. More expensive poles are made of graphite or some other light material. Poles have a spike at the end to provide a fixed pivot when the pole penetrates through to a hard surface, and a plastic ring (or 'basket'). This ring provides maximum impetus from thick snow and ensures the pole only goes to its designed embedding depth, optimising the angle of arm force.

The skier's footwear is attached to the ski with a binding. There are many different types of bindings and boots, more or less standard (some even proprietary) and so it is important to choose corresponding pieces of equipment.

Equipment, (in particular skis and poles) differ depending on the desired skiing technique. Free (or skating) style poles are usually longer than those used for the Classical technique. Typically, skating style poles should reach either the skiers chin or up as long as the eye brows depeding of skier preference. In contrast, classical ski poles are usually of such length that they reach the skier's armpit.