The selection of cross-country skis is huge. Find out which category best suits your ability and how the current models for the new season differ.
Winter is just around the corner, and with it the question of the optimal equipment for the trail. Anyone trying to find their way through the jungle of different ski models can quickly lose track. However, the current product tests from xc-ski.de show that the ski industry is working at an extremely high level. Whether you are chasing personal bests, want to glide leisurely through the snowy landscape, or are taking your first steps as a beginner – there is a suitable category for every type of skier.
If you have excellent technique, plenty of strength, and high fitness, you should choose models from the Race Skate or Race Classic category. According to xc-ski.de, these skis are uncompromisingly designed for maximum speed. They use state-of-the-art materials such as carbon and high-end plastics to keep the weight extremely low and enable fatigue-free skiing.
In the test for the 2026/2027 season, the top brands in this segment performed outstandingly. In the race skating models, Atomic, Fischer, Kästle, Rossignol, and Salomon secured the top rating of five stars, while Madshus was just behind. The price range here is between 778 euros (Kästle) and 870 euros (Fischer). The level is also extremely high for classic race models: the close results earned Atomic, Fischer, Rossignol, and Salomon the full five stars.
Skin skis, which combine the know-how of climbing aids with sporty performance, are playing an increasingly important role. In the Race Classic Skin category, manufacturers rely on adjustable bindings to optimally adapt the kick zone. In the test, Rossignol and Salomon in particular shone with five stars. If you prefer things a little more relaxed but are still sporty on marathons or tours, you will find the right balance in the performance category. These skis are often closely related to the race models – sometimes they are previous years' models – but are cheaper and forgive the odd skiing error at a more leisurely pace.
For anyone who wants to ski without performance pressure or learn the sport from scratch, the Sport, Active, and Nordic Cruising categories are ideal. According to the testers from xc-ski.de, there are no longer any pure wax skis in the sport sector – easy-care skin skis dominate here, offering a reliable grip in every situation. These models are designed in such a way that corrections are easily possible after putting the ski down, without the ski catching an edge immediately.
For absolute beginners who prefer to glide leisurely, Active Classic Skin skis or Nordic Cruisers are available. While Nordic Cruisers are built shorter and designed for pure ski touring without pronounced dynamics, Active models already offer technologies from higher classes. They optimally support learning the correct technique and grow with your own skills.
Your takeaway: Choose your cross-country ski to match your technique and ambitions to avoid frustration on the trail.
This article was generated automatically with AI from the sources listed above and has not been editorially reviewed.