Cross Country Skiing

[Jolt]

This is the thing that gives me pause. We have a few groomed skate trails, but probably 80% of what we have around here are set up for classic. And there are parks without trails (and beaches) that are groomed for anything, but people go and ski, so there are tracks to follow. I already know I like classic. Spending the money on skate ski setup seems like it could be a $$$ risk. There are classics that are designed more for performance/racing, which seems like it would be a good compromise and probably more suitable to how I'd likely use skis. Plus I don't see my kid (or DH) wanting to skate ski at all...and I'd likely be going out with him most of the time.

So now the question is...wax or no-wax? I had no-wax as a teen and liked them just fine.

I've never tried skate skiing, but enjoy classic and have started to get halfway decent at it with all the snow we have had the past couple of winters. I agree about skate skiing being too limiting in terms of trails...even regular XC skis are limited compared to snowshoes as far as what trails can be used (I snowshoe also). As far as wax/no wax, I have no-wax and think that, especially given the variable conditions we have here in New England, that is the simplest way to go.

[Crankin]

+1 on the no-wax. I am no purist about that, and as Jolt noted, here in NE, the weather/conditions can change in a millisecond. And, +1 on the metal edged skis. So much easier to climb with.
When I was out west in February, the trip leader suggested we rent classic skis that were more performance oriented than my Fischer Spyders that are good both in the tracks (which I prefer for the flats) or a little bit in more rugged terrain. The skis were skinnier and did glide faster, but for the terrain in New England, what I have is perfect. I wouldn't mind getting a pair of true back country skis to do more skiing in conservation land that isn't groomed.