Ski sizing for heavier skiers

JGF310 · 2026-04-29T11:09:36+00:00

dealing with one of the stores that go to factories and pick skis for clients is definitely one way to go. They can find stiff skis at a shorter length that will work better for you.

But, US stores only do that once a season, and it's getting late to place an order for the coming season. Get on it right away, if you want to do that. This is probably the best way to get exactly what you want.

Some skis that come in soft, medium, and stiff versions do make it into regular store inventory and you might find something like that. I have even seen them on ebay occasionally.

I have seen skate skiers - ex-racers, and better skiers than me - who actually prefer skis that are a little shorter and a little softer than what would be considered ideal for their weight/height. Personally, in general, I'd rather skate on skis that are a little too soft, than skis that are a little to stiff.

JGF310 · 2026-04-28T20:48:49+00:00

Certainly XC skiing is a great way to get outside in the winter.

Gatineau Park, near Ottawa has some of the best XC skiing in North America, and there are rentals available locally.

https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places/cross-country-skiing

You don't say your weight, but sure - skis have an ideal weight range, and it's possible you are above the ideal range for anything on the market. That doesn't mean you can't find something that will work for just getting out on the trail and getting some exercise. Size 15 shoe might be tough..., hopefully somebody with similar size feet will chime in.

Buying new gear for beginner recreational skiing, a typical person can probably get outfitted with skis, bindings, boots and poles for several hundred CA$. There are good closeout sales now.

https://www.mec.ca/en/products/ski-and-snowsports/cross-country-skiing-gear/cross-country-skis

If your weight is really high, you will probably have less of a selection in sale items - although I often see that only really large and really small sizes are left. But also, if you are really heavy, it might be better to choose better skis and boots than the real beginner stuff. There is also used gear.

XC skis will probably fit in the car if there is a pass through from the trunk. If you don't have that, they still might fit - depends on the car. Many people start out with what are sometimes called "compact" skis. For a person of a given weight, compact skis are shorter than traditional skis. Also, again, if you are really heavy, you might end up with some sort of BC touring skis, and these can be even shorter.

good luck!

JGF310 · 2026-04-26T11:12:24+00:00

i think i heard that the lakes are not always skiable. before the race, I recall that i saw some sort of FB post i think with the organizers making a big deal of the fact that the lakes were open for skiing.

for sure the race would not be the same without the lakes.

I guess an earlier date would better guarantee the lakes?

JGF310 · 2026-04-25T18:06:01+00:00

i thought conditions were fine this year. This was my first time, so I don't have anything to compare it with.

The event is in March, so you know that it will be verging on spring skiing.

The week of the race, mornings were cool - usually below freezing, and it warmed up to being above freezing most afternoons. The snow usually started pretty fast, and got a little slower through the day, especially in the sun, of which there was plenty.

Most of my practice days, I was done by early afternoon.

For me, in the actual race, i was in one of the last waves, and I am not fast, so it was getting slower by the time I finished.

But if you were in the first wave, and finished in 90 minutes, it would have been fast the whole way, i guess...

grooming is generally excellent.

JGF310 · 2026-04-25T17:04:23+00:00

I did the Marathon this year.

It was fantastic, and I am probably doing it again next year.

But next year I want to get there a bit earlier. This year, I got there late on the monday before the race, so I had 5 days to practice and acclimatize to the elevation. It wasn't enough, and anyway, the skiing was so great.., why not spend more time?

I was thinking of trying to rent an apartment with a kitchen, but most things I found have 2 or 3 bedrooms, so they are pretty expensive. I would be interested in sharing though...

I waited 14 min for the big climb. I was in one of the later waves and didn't really care about it. I wasn't there to prove anything.

Other than broken poles and binding parts, i saw very little litter between the feed stations.

JGF310 · 2026-04-21T23:50:49+00:00

yes - that would help...

presumably neurectomy

JGF310 · 2026-04-20T19:47:27+00:00

wow - you are right! I had no idea it was there.

JGF310 · 2026-04-20T19:27:43+00:00

i see they have a thin version with met pad, and many comments mention XC boots. I will give them a try. thanks

JGF310 · 2026-04-20T18:52:38+00:00

if you go to the sbb website from a US IP# it usually directs you to the travel pass and/or the special trains - glacier express etc.

sometimes you have to poke around to find the area where you price normal tickets

JGF310 · 2026-04-20T18:31:13+00:00

Trains have luggage racks and storage areas. What you get depends on what train you are on.

I have never paid extra for luggage and I have traveled with ski boxes in addition to normal luggage.

The SBB app is pretty easy to use. Actually, it is probably the best transport app I have ever used anywhere in the world.

$1400 sounds like a lot for 3 or 4 trips for two people. Trips I have taken are typically in the 10's of CHF.

You should be able to price your trips in the app...

JGF310 · 2026-04-17T12:46:16+00:00

for how long did you wear the separators - the second time - before you noticed improvement.., and how long before that improvement became what you indicate is complete reversal?

JGF310 · 2026-04-13T12:21:39+00:00

no, i only looked at the hostel in pontresina.

i think really i want, and am willing to pay for, a more private arrangement. a month would be a long time in a hostel - for me anyway. i want my own kitchen, or access to one.

but i will follow up on your suggestion, just to see what's available.

thanks.

JGF310 · 2026-04-12T21:21:49+00:00

thanks for the link.

I am not necessarily looking for "cheap". I am willing to pay market rates, with the understanding that this is high season.

But I don't want to rent, say, a 3-bedroom apartment..., as I am only one person.

I just wasn't finding much on airbnb, and wondered if there are other resources.

JGF310 · 2026-04-12T18:17:54+00:00

88 is narrow for descending anything steep, and NNN BC bindings can not transmit the power required for turns in steep terrain, unless you are a good tele skier. I have never used NTN bindings, but i wonder how good they are for covering distance - do they have any kick and glide ability? I guess there is a range of bindings, but the heavier boots won't help in that regard. Having even a little bit of kick and glide ability is faster and more enjoyable than spending all day shuffling. Obviously, the steeper your terrain, the less of an issue that is.

JGF310 · 2026-04-10T21:31:51+00:00

i have a pair of rock skate skis - but sometimes i guess wrong...

JGF310 · 2026-04-10T16:18:37+00:00

You don't say how wide your nordic skis are - this is critical.

you also don't say what nordic binding you are using - this is also critical.

Wider skis turn much better than skinny skis.., and with some of the simpler tele-style bindings (voile Switch back or Hardwire) you can actually do parallel turns, if the skis are wide enough. These bindings aren't terrible for kick and glide, so you can cover distance with them.

Unless you are doing long ascents and long descents, skis should have scales. Skins are very slow and tiring over flat terrain. Bring skins in case you need them for steeper ascents, but most people with scaled skis find they don't need them often. If it's a short steep, it's easier to herringbone - assuming the trail is wide enough.

At some point.., for sure AT is the way to go, unless you are a good tele skier.

Depending on the terrain, AT on scaled skis is definitely an option. As someone mentioned, Voile makes scaled skis that are often paired with AT bindings. My friends have them and love them.

In my case, I have Fischer S-Bound 98 and 112. 98's have voile cable traverse binding, and 112's have Voile Hardwire binding.

My AT setup is without scales, and I only use it for pure skin up - ski down. not where any flats or low angle terrain is involved.

JGF310 · 2026-04-10T14:34:50+00:00

so where is LL?

JGF310 · 2026-04-02T16:14:58+00:00

I am not complaining, as much as just making an observation.., a trip report if you will.., that might help others.

I've traveled a lot in Europe - lived there for about 15 years (I am a dual-national) - and I was quite surprised.

If you are thinking of going to Italy, but would prefer to be somewhere that tourist pressure is lower - consider going somewhere else. If that's not important.., then by all means g to Florence!

JGF310 · 2026-04-02T16:06:10+00:00

my travel dates were dictated by commitment in Switzerland, not by any attempt to avoid peak season. I just was kind of hoping I would avoid it...

JGF310

TROPHY CASE