1 - The classic 550 cross country ski with skins, the best compromise to progress!
If you are a regular cross-country skier and have mastered the technical basics.
To you, cross country skiing is not only a form of escapism, it is also an opportunity to exercise in a natural environment.
The ski 550 is ideal for intermediate skiers, it is the best compromise to progress.
A balance between slide, light weight, rigidity, grip and freedom, with the binding that adjusts without tools!
2 - A special camber for a personalised ski!
Cross-country skis have a camber to make the ski springy & resist the downward force of the skier's weight.
To provide grip in classic cross-country skiing, the ski must bend under the weight of the skier said that the grip zone is in contact with the snow.
However, in order to glide, the grip zone must no longer be in contact with the snow.
It is important to choose the correct ski camber according to one's weight & level of ability to obtain the right combination of grip & glide performance.
3 - Choosing the right SIZE
The size of cross country skis is chosen according to your level and weight
SOFT CAMBER
- 50 to 60 Kg = 188 cm
MEDIUM CAMBER
- 60 to 70 Kg = 188 cm
- 65 to 75 Kg = 195 cm
- 75 to 90 Kg = 202 cm
HARD CAMBER
- 90 to 110 Kg = 202 cm
- 100 to 130 Kg = 207 cm
If you are between 2 sizes:
- For more comfort, choose the lower size to ensure the ski is more manoeuvrable.
- For more intense use = choose the larger size
4 - SKIN grip, simple!
The grip of a cross-country ski corresponds to the area located in the centre of the base (underside of the ski).
This provides the "grip" needed to avoid slipping in uphill sections while delivering smooth glide performance on flat or descending terrain.
There are 3 systems: fish scales, grip wax or skins.
The ski 550 is equipped with 100% mohair skins
The skins enable identical grip to scaled soles and the advantage is that they do not make any noise and do not require waxing
Changing your skins
If your ski touring skins are worn, change them...
We recommend you contact the workshop to order and get them changed
Ski size 181/188 CM => code reference pair of Skins = 4229194
Ski size 195/202/207 CM => code reference pair of Skins = 4229195
5 - XCELERATOR bindings, the technology that will increase your speed!
All of our skis are sold with bindings from the Norwegian brand Rottefella that are compatible with the NNN, Prolink and Turnamic standards.
The 550 skis with skins are equipped with Rottefella XCELERATOR PRO bindings that enable an optimal position between the ski and the boots, to optimise push.
You can easily move the binding without tools to adapt it to your needs: slide the binding towards the front to enhance grip and backwards to optimise glide.
6 - A sintered base, for a superior glide performance
The base is the part of the ski in contact with the snow. It is made of polyethylene (HDPE), which can be extruded or sintered during the manufacturing process.
The base of the ski 550 is in sintered PEhd, made from a plastic powder with high molecular weight, heated, compressed and cut into slabs.
This process produces a more dense base and delivers superior glide performance and durability.
7 - Waxing, the secret to durability
When buying skis, we recommend that you prepare the base well to achieve an optimum glide. Several consecutive waxings are best to "nourish" the base properly.
To maintain the performance of your skis, don't forget to wax them regularly!
To wax your skis, check out our tutorials on our Inovik YouTube channel or book an appointment in your Decathlon workshop.
GLOSSARY = Construction of a ski
Our skis are made using a "sandwich" structure: by layering different materials in the core of the ski and across its entire width.
The final product is assembled with a press.
CORE = the centre of the ski: wooden (solid or with channels) or composite (honeycomb or Nomex®)
BASE = Part in contact with snow: it is made of sintered or extruded high density polyethylene (HDPE).
GRIP = grip area under the ski
SIDECUTS = width of a ski at the nose, waist and tail
