What is the width of a cross-country ski track?

70mm wide
Each track measures 70mm wide, enough to accommodate most cross-country skis (except backcountry skis, which are wider). In addition to keeping your skis straight, the tracks guide you around turns.

How far apart should cross-country ski tracks be?

17-30 cm. apart
The two tracks should be set 17-30 cm. apart, measured from the middle of each track. The depth of the track should be 2-5 cm, even in hard or frozen snow.” FIS Rule 315.3.

How are cross-country skis measured?

To calculate the length of your classic cross-country skis you should add 15 to 20cm to your height. Your weight and skiing ability should also be taken into account.

What is a groomed run?

Runs are groomed to ensure the snow is kept in the best condition, stopping the formation of ice and moguls. If snow cannons are used on the run to make artificial snow it is the snow groomer that needs to spread this snow away from the canon and across the piste.

Why are cross-country skis so narrow?

Sidecut on Telemark skis promotes turning in forest and rugged terrain. Width and short length aid turning in loose and deep snow. Longer, narrower and more rigid skis with sharp edges are suited for snow that has been compacted by wind or freeze-thaw.

Why are cross-country skis so thin?

By moving from a flat ski to one with an arc in the middle, the skier’s weight was distributed evenly across the surface, allowing for a lighter and more maneuverable ski with better shock absorption. In the late 1800s, the process of laminating thin layers of wood led to even stronger and lighter skis.

Can you cross country ski on ungroomed trails?

Touring skis can be used on groomed or ungroomed trails. They are also known as “backcountry” skis because of how rugged they can be. Generally, these skis are longer, light in weight, and a little bit thicker in width to provide more stability to skiers who decide to take on ungroomed trails.

Should you wax cross-country skis?

At the beginning of each season you should do a wax job. It’s best to do this just before the snow season so the wax is fresh when you start skiing. If you do them too far in advance the wax gets “old”. Your bases may start to turn greyish which shows the wax is not fresh.

Why do cross-country skis not slide backwards?

Classic cross country skiing uses skinny skis and soft ski boots that are attached to the ski by the toe with a free heel and poles. The skis have scales on the underside which grip the snow to prevent backwards slide and they are waxed for forwards slide!

Why are cross-country skis narrow?

What is the width of a cross country ski track?

Course widths vary among 3, 6, 9 and 12 m, depending on the event. Until well into the 20th century and the advent of mechanized trail grooming, cross-country tracks were always made by the first skiers to pass through undisturbed, fresh snow and leave a parallel set of ski tracks behind them.

What is the track setter made of?

The track setter is made from a heavy piece of 1/4 in plate steel (24 in by 20 in) with 2 skis on the undersurface to set the ski track. It hinges up and down off the back of the groomer frame and can be raised and lowered with a heavy duty 12V linear actuator.

How to laying cross country ski tracks?

Another trick to the trade of Laying cross country ski tracks is knowing when to lay the tracks. Right after storms can often be key. Beating the skiers to the trail can be key. If the snow gets an icy layer on top it can be very hard to set tracks. You might have to wait for the snow to warm up and then laying tracks becomes easier.

What is a track setter on a snowblower?

It hinges up and down off the back of the groomer frame and can be raised and lowered with a heavy duty 12V linear actuator. The track setter is raised when grooming the downhills or early in the season before there is not enough snow to set a track.