Beyond talent, technical expertise, a superhuman VO2 max, and the ability to burrow into the deep abyss of their own personal pain caves, the world’s most elite skate skiers win because they have access to prototypes of the world’s fastest, lightest, and most aerodynamic skis—and a team dedicated to waxing them.
Most of us will likely never have a personal ski technician, but brands are making it easier to access the sport, namely by engineering skate skis that are more forgiving, more adaptable to a wider variety of snow conditions, and a whole lot more fun to ski, especially for those who may not have mastered Olympic-level skating technique (yet).
Skate skiing will never be easy—it takes endurance and time to learn skills needed to enjoy the sport. But people are catching on that it’s worth a try. Snowsports Industries America’s 2023-2024 Participation Study showed that of the 5.5 million cross-country skiers in the U.S., 1.9 million of them were new to the sport. (These numbers do not differentiate between classic and skate skiing.) Forty-six percent were under the age of 25—a percentage that has steadily grown over the past few years. If you’re tempted to try cross-country skiing, the time is now.
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