Can You Use Cross Country Skis for Downhill Skiing?

Cross nation snowboarding and downhill snowboarding are two fairly completely different variations of the game, and also you want particular skis and different gear to do each. Meaning you possibly can NOT use cross nation skis for downhill snowboarding. 

I’m a lifelong skier who will get on the snow as a lot as doable each winter. I’ve had tons of, perhaps even hundreds, of days on the mountain, and have expertise with each cross nation and alpine snowboarding types. 

On this publish, I’ll clarify why you possibly can’t use cross nation skis for downhill snowboarding. You may actually strive, however you’re not going to get far, and you’re more likely to harm your self or different skiers on the mountain. 

Maintain studying to search out out extra.

Cross Nation vs. Alpine Ski Design

Cross nation skis are designed to deal with flatter terrain and mean you can traverse throughout the snow simply. These skis are light-weight, straightforward to maneuver, and don’t have edges or bindings to present you downhill management. 

Alpine skis have the precise reverse function and are absolutely supposed for use at excessive speeds downhill. They don’t provide the means to simply traverse flat terrain (except you get a particular setup) and have the facility to maintain you in management. 

Why You Can’t Use Cross Nation Skis for Downhill Snowboarding

If in case you have ever been cross nation snowboarding earlier than, I’m positive you’ve seen that the paths should not all the time fully flat. Generally you should have slight uphill or downhill sections, which suggests you’ll take cross nation skis downhill. 

However there’s a massive distinction between utilizing the skis for very brief downhill sections and making an attempt to take them to the ski resort and deal with a giant, future. It’s almost inconceivable to remain in management at very excessive speeds downhill on cross nation skis. 

It is because the skis don’t have edges, and you utilize smooth boots and minimal bindings. That is all good for cruising alongside flat terrain, however edge management and the facility switch created by bindings are important for snowboarding downhill.

Cross nation ski bindings solely preserve your toe hooked up to the ski. This helps you progress throughout snow when it’s flat or uphill however severely limits downhill efficiency.  

It’s very harmful to attempt to use cross nation skis for downhill snowboarding. I’ll be trustworthy and say that I’ve tried to go down some longer slopes with cross nation skis, however I all the time fell laborious, and I’m fortunate that I didn’t get critically harm alongside the way in which.   

FAQs

Listed here are some fast solutions to some frequent questions regarding cross nation skis and downhill snowboarding. 

Can you utilize XC ski poles for downhill? 

You may actually use XC ski poles for downhill snowboarding in case you are in a pinch. A pole is a pole on the finish of the day. Should you can, you’ll wish to get cross nation poles which might be sized appropriately in your top, which is perhaps tough to do. 

What’s the distinction between cross nation skis and alpine skis? 

Cross nation skis are designed that will help you get throughout the snow by stepping and sliding, they usually aren’t constructed for critical downhill functions. Alpine skis have edges and are extra stiff and broad to allow you to successfully ski downhill. 

How do you go downhill on cross nation skis? 

It’s doable to go downhill on cross nation skis. You simply should be cautious when doing so. Take your time and attempt to preserve your stability, so that you don’t slip or lose management if you find yourself taking place a slope. However all the time follow cross nation trails and never the ski resort. 

Closing Ideas

Cross nation skis should be used on flatter terrain, and you may’t use them for normal downhill snowboarding. The subsequent time you go cross nation snowboarding, simply attempt to take the skis on a small part of downhill terrain, and also you’ll see why you shouldn’t use them for this function. 

Although you possibly can’t actually use them to go downhill, cross nation snowboarding continues to be an awesome model of the game that I extremely suggest to anybody who’s !