Cross Coutry Ski recommendations?
 

Planning on doing some cross-country skiiing this winter.
Been a alpine down-hill skier for 30yrs+, thought I'd give XC a try.

Actually have been XC a few times in last couple years, and enjoy it!
That said, I'd appreciate some recommendations on XC skis, boots, etc.
Length-brands-cost
I understand skis are purchased based upon your height & weight, I think?

I plan to purchase used equiment at first, until I'm sure I like the sport enough....

Will be buying for myself and wife, novice XC skiers.

Thanks,
BD

Sometimes people think they want Cross Country skis when they might really want "Back Country" or "Touring" skis. If you will be skiing on groomed and maintained XC trails then you want regular XC equipment.

Back Country skis are what you would use if you we going off of established trails or skiing across Lake Winni or through a pasture blazing your own trail. Back Country skis are wider than XC for more stability and look more like downhill skis. Very often they are used with a "Berwin" style binding hat allows you to strap them on regular snow boots. I have used these skis to cross Lake Winni and ski to the North and South poles.

If you are planning on going the XC route (as opposed to backcountry) I really suggest renting for a while. Figure out what you like, what you don't like. Do you want traditional nordic XC skis (your skies stay parallel to each other and move forward in a straight line) or do you want skate skies (this is what you see in the Olympics - its a blast but also a brutal workout). Gunstock has some good rentals but you should try making the trip up to Waterville. They have a world class facility and some seriously nice skis in their rental program.

Finally - although you really need groomed trails for skate skies you can definitely use nordic skis to cross the lake. I've done it a decent bit.

Good luck! Once I changed to nordic I've never gone back to the cost and crowds of downhill!