7 Best Kids Cross Country Skis (+How To Size)

I’m so excited to share all of the fun stuff you can do in the snow — sledding, snowball fights, and cross country skiing. Our kids love to be outside and love to hike so cross country skiing with kids seemed like a great option for us. 

So I did all I could to find out what we would need to get outfitted with the best kids cross country skis (and other necessary gear) to hit the trail. It took a ton of research and some expert advice. 

Let’s go over all the gear, the ins, the outs, the ups, the downs, and the “all arounds” of getting cross country skis for kids.

How To Choose Cross Country Skis for Your Kids

If you don’t know already, Cross Country Skiing is kinda like hiking on skis. Hills are more difficult to conquer but they are a blast to ski down. Cross country skiing is also referred to as Nordic Skiing (or if you want to sound super-cool call it XC Skiing.)  

Your child’s age, fitness level, height, weight, and ability to stand upright are all factors in choosing the right cross country ski for your kids.

Cross country skiing is a great cardio workout and an amazing way to take in the winter landscape. Check out this video to learn more tips on Cross Country Skiing

What is All This Going to Cost Me?

Budget is an important factor when getting kids cross country skiing gear. The initial cost of getting outfitted is at least a couple hundred bucks. After that, getting out and enjoying the trails is either free or cheap, especially for a family activity. 

If your kids are going to be successful and have fun they need the right equipment. Let’s assume your kiddos are all set with cold-weather clothing and dive right into kids cross country ski necessities…. and maybe a few luxuries. 

  • Skis –  (Cost $50-$300+) You may be able to find a set of used cross country skis or participate in a ski swap. Just be mindful of broken bindings, cracked skis, or other defects. 
  • Boots – (Free – $60+) Good news! The bindings or strap systems on some skis fit regular old snow boots or shoes. So you may not even need to buy ski boots. If you select a cross country ski that does require boots, you’re looking at around $70 for a nice warm pair of boots. Just make sure the bindings match (more on this later…) 
  • Ski Poles – ($0 -$35+each) The poles can slow down your kids ability to pick up the proper technique. This buys you a little time for having to make this purchase or you could just buy them one pole so all they will do is go in a circle. LOL!
  • Ski Goggles – ($15 – $50+) Goggles are the cheapest item on my must-have list. Goggles are a necessity because snow is blinding, sunglasses fog up, and the shield of ski goggles has a certain coolness factor that cannot be ignored. Check out this two-pack of goggles for under $15. 

Unless you opted for the soda bottles and cardboard skis, you’re looking at a purchase price between $250-$500 per kid. 

If you are really on a low budget you can try the DIY route. Be prepared to have your child not speak to you for the remainder of the winter season =P.

homemadeskis6

Two types of Cross Country Skis – Skate Skis Vs. Classic Skis

The type of ski you purchase is dependent on the type of style you and your kiddo plan on skiing. The Nordic Ski Lab breaks down the difference between the two skiing styles. Below are some of the key characteristics and differences between the two. 

Classic Cross Country Skiing

  • Stride – Diagonal stride, greater similarity to the normal walking motion
  • Kick – The bottom of the ski has a grip or kick zone for a back and forth kicking motion. 
  • Fitness Level – Requires less effort than skate skiing
  • Balance – Skier gains extra support from ski tracks on groomed trails
  • Skis – longer, kick grip zone (fish scales, skin, waxed area)
  • Poles – Shorter and should measure between the armpit and shoulder (See more about sizing later)

Skate Cross Country Skiing

  • Stride – One skate or V2, a different stride of rolling ski takes greater coordination
  • Kick – No grip zone, side of the ski is used to push the skier forward
  • Fitness Level – Requires more effort
  • Balance – Requires greater balance
  • Skis – shorter and stiffer
  • Poles – Longer and should measure between your chin and your nose. 

Make sure you know what trails are available in your area when choosing a style for your kiddo. The last thing you want is to spend a bunch of money on XC skis for your kids and have nowhere to ski.

Sizing Cross Country Skis

The sizing is different depending on the type of ski you chose. Getting the perfect fit requires different measurements for poles, skis, and boots.

Ski Length – Other than going to a ski shop and getting fitted, I found this the easiest formula available for sizing skis. 

If you are more of a visual learner, I put my graphic design skills to work to help you out. Those snowflakes snowflakes took a lot of time!

how to find right size cross country ski for childs size visual chart

If you choose traditional/classic skis for your child, they should be 10-30 cm taller than your child while skate skis should be between 2-4 cm taller than your child. Most skis are measured in cm so you’ll need his conversion when picking skis for your kids. Remember this is a guideline and you’ll want some room for growth for your kiddo. 

Body Weight – Bodyweight plays a factor specifically in classic skis.  The center of a classic ski has a “grip zone” that requires the skier to push down and kick off for momentum. 

If your kiddo isn’t heavy enough to push the grip zone down they won’t get the traction they need to kick. Too heavy and they won’t be able to glide. 

7 Top Cross Country Skis for Kids

Learning to cross country ski is challenging.  Trying to learn or relearn yourself while wrangling kiddos is no easy feat. You might as well climb Everest together!  

It’s also the perfect scenario for teaching your children resilience, patience (good luck), and a sense of achievement. 

There aren’t a ton of options out there for junior skis so I gave you some high-end options, some affordable ones, and some fun in the snow alternatives. 

You can expect to pay as low as $50 to over $500 for a pair of skis. Rossignol and Salomon are the big names in the kid’s cross country ski space. Kids skis from either of these brands will be at least a couple hundred bucks. 

Rossignol R-Skin Race IFP Junior XC Skis Kid’s

Anything Rossignol is for the serious cross country skier. These skis are built for bigger kids and for competition. This ski requires boots and periodic care. 

PROS

  • Quality & Performance – If you intend for your child to enjoy XC skiing for a lifetime or maybe even do it competitively, you can’t go wrong with any of the Rossignol XC skis. 

Cons

  • Price – There is no doubt these are high-quality and high-performance skis with a price tag to match. If you go this route, be prepared to purchase bindings, boots, and items for regular maintenance. 

Check out pricing on the Rossignol Junior XC Skis!

Salomon Aero Junior Grip Cross-Country Skis with Prolink Bindings

Salomon Aero Junior Grip Cross-Country Skis with Prolink Bindings
via rei.com

The Salomon Aero Junior cross country skis are intended for kids ages 2-5.  Salomon is one of the top makers of XC skis so you can expect quality and performance. 

PROS

  • Performance – Perhaps you have the Nordic bloodline and your child does too. These skis are an excellent choice to start your kiddo out with a higher-performance ski and learn about competition. 

Cons

  • Limited Use – These are great skis no doubt but your kid could outgrow them in a season.  Since these are Salomon they should last through several kids.

The Salomon Aero Junior skis are available at REI. 

Rossignol Evo XT 55 Junior Ski With Step In Binding

rossingol evo skis for kids
via llbean.com

The EVO XT 55 is another high-quality cross country ski from Rossignol. These skis come in 110 cm (43”), 130 cm (51”), and 150 cm (59”).  While these skis are waxless for reduced maintenance, they do require boots and poles.

PROS

  • Youth Orientated Design – These skis are designed to be shorter and easier to manage.  They also come with a wider base which helps your youngster balance and provides greater control. 

CONS

  • Hard to Find – Cross-country skiing is a pretty specialized market. Finding these for youth is even more specialized. I was able to find these at LL Bean but size and availability was limited. 

Check out what’s left at LL Bean

Nordic Rocks – Kids Beginner Cross Country Skis

beginner cross country skis for kids
via amazon.com

The Nordic Rocks are a budget-friendly way to get out on the trails for kids ages 6-10.  These skis work with any shoes/boots and come with adjustable poles. Everything you need for under $170. 

PROS

  • Value – There’s always that concern you’ll spend a bunch of money on something and never get your money’s worth. This set takes away some of that guilt with its affordable price. 

Cons

  • Performance – These skis aren’t going to win any competitions. They will provide hours of fun for your kiddos over the years. 

Be sure to check out the Nordic Rocks.

Whitewoods Snowman Cross Country Backyard Ski Set, Ages 2-4, No Poles

first skis for toddler
via amazon.com

The kids ski set from Whitewoods is an affordable alternative for the casual winter sports enthusiast.  Your kiddo can still troll around in the snow and you haven’t broken the bank.  

PROS

  • Affordability – These toddler skis come in around $50 and the straps fit over boots and shoes. These are a great option to test the frigid waters of cross country skiing with your toddler. 

CONS

  • Usability – When I think of my toddler in these, I can only see her moving forward with me pulling or pushing her. These are a cheaper option to get your kiddo comfortable in skis and your chance to see if it may be something you enjoy. 

Check out the Whitewoods snowman skis and this slick toddler training harness

Team Magnus Nordic Training Skis

strap in skis to use with tennis shoes for kids
via amazon.com

These aren’t officially XC skis but they do work for training and getting out in the snow to play. I love these Skis for so many reasons! Yes, they look basic but they do so many cool things for a low price. That’s value my friend! 

PROS

  • Fun Factor – These are a great option just to get comfortable in the snow having fun, going down hills, and falling a lot. Since these are on the shorter side, it’s easier to get back up. 
  • Price – At just over $50 these are a pretty sweet deal.  The ski straps accommodate most boots or shoes. The Magnus skis teach kids balance and technique all while having a good time. 

Cons

  • Not a True XC Ski – These are fun for playing around on hills and trails but don’t expect to cover miles like you would in traditional cross country skis. 

Check out the Magnus Skis on Amazon

Alpina Energy Junior Cross Country Touring Skis 

The Alpina Energy skis come in four different sizes ranging from 3 feet up to 4.5 feet. They come with classic NNN bindings which are compatible with most boots. 

PROS

  • Middle Ground – The Alpina skis are the Goldilocks of the kids ross country skis I reviewed. Not too expensive and not too cheap. They’re a good quality recreational ski for the money. 

CONS

  • Recreational Ski – These skis are designed for recreational purposes. Think of them as a beach cruiser of cross country skis. 

Check out the Alpina Junior skis here!

Honorable Mention – Geospace Fold-up, Snowboard Kick Scooter

via amazon.com

This kick scooter is a cool alternative to cross country skis. There just aren’t a ton of options out there and if you’re learning yourself, this scooter may be a great option for your kiddo to come along. It’s like buying a scooter for your kid that hasn’t quite learned how to ride a bike yet. 

PROS

  • Value – This kick scooter is recommended for ages 6+ and has a weight limit of 220lbs.  That’s quite a range of people that can use the scooter.
  • Functionality – This board folds up, has an LED light, and can be used year-round in the right conditions. It can even be used on grass and snow (when the conditions are right!)

CONS

  • The Light – The light is more of a gimmick than a true light source for improving visibility. 

Be sure to check the other Geospace kick scooter colors available and The 19 Best Snow Toys for kids if you’re looing for even more snow fun!

5 Tips for Cross Country Skiing With Kids

Try Before you Buy!

REI offers an Introduction to Cross Country Skiing class for ages 13 and older. They even provide all the equipment (skis, boots, and poles) needed to get going. Many of the Nordic Ski areas hold instructional classes. Why not learn a few tips and tricks from the experts to save you down the road? 

A couple things to note on the REI Classes. 

  • The class runs about $129 for REI Members and $149 for non-members. You may also need to buy a mountain pass.  
  • The classes are only available in certain areas (Northwest).
  • The class lasts about 5 hours. 

If REI doesn’t work for you, try searching for local Nordic clubs. 

  • Many of the clubs have group classes for kids where volunteers/instructors take kids out on the trail. 
  • Ski swaps are available for purchasing lower priced gear.
  • These classes for kids tend to gear towards older kids 

Get your Inner Mr. Miyagi going!

I don’t know if Mr. Miyagi skied. He may very well have as the snowiest city in the world is located in Aomori Japan not too far from his hometown of Okinawa. 

Anyway…your kids are going to fall when they cross country ski. They might even fall so many times they won’t want to get back up. 

This is your shot! Not just a shot to teach them balance and resilience like Miyagi taught Daniel. Not just your shot to quote a Batman movie. But a shot to teach your kids about getting back up when we fall.

Make Sure They KNOW Snow is FUN!

Don’t go out your first day or even your first few times and expect to traverse 10s of miles. If cross country skiing were easy, you’d see people commuting to and from on their skis. I’m not seeing that. 

Your goal should be to have a good time and get better each time. I’ve learned to use the “set low expectations” practice during our nightly bedtime routine of trying to get the kids to sleep.  😂

If your kid isn’t used to snow in the first place, make sure to make the initial experience guaranteed fun by starting with a more casual winter outing, such as an outdoor based winter scavenger hunt.

winter activity hunt

Dress in Layers

Cross country skiing is a legitimate workout. It’s easy to get too hot while mushing along. And sweat in the cold can lead to some uncomfortable and dangerous scenarios. 

Check out some tips for what to wear while XC skiing.

Be Patient and Learn the Techniques

Learning to stride, ascend, and descend hills safely, and learning to get back up is all part of the learning curve of cross country skiing. Acquiring these skills takes practice, training, and some knowledge.  

Check out part 2 of cross country skiing for beginners. 

Ready To Start Cross Country Skiing With Your Kids?

Cross Country skiing with kids should be fun both for you and your kids.  It will take work to get there but it will be worth it. I love when we can do stuff together as a family.

You know you’ve succeeded XC skiing with kids if you can keep them comfortable in the snow, everyone is laughing and smiling, and you aren’t all sitting around a bonfire of skis.

Looking for more ways to have some fun in the snow with the family? Check out these articles on Crazy Outdoor Mama!

Easy Snow Popsicles Dessert that Everyone Will LOVE!

9 Tips for an AMAZING Snowy Winter Vacation (and how to actually stay warm to enjoy it!)

The 19 Best Snow Toys for Kids (+Free Printable Snowy Day Scavenger Hunt!)

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