Best cross-country skis

Four waxless touring sets, scored on their maker’s own pages, with a length finder by weight.

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On this page
  1. Our picks
  2. Spec scores
  3. Rossignol Evo XT 60
  4. Rossignol Evo XT 55
  5. Rossignol Evo XC 55 R-Skin
  6. Rossignol BC 65
  7. Side-by-side
  8. Checked and left out
  9. Length finder
  10. Width
  11. Waxless grip
  12. Bindings and boots
  13. First day out
  14. Warranty fine print
  15. Recall check
  16. How to choose
  17. FAQ
  18. How we pick

Quick answer

Get the Rossignol Evo XT 60: waxless, binding mounted, sized by your weight. First time on skis? The narrower XT 55. Leaving groomed trails? The BC 65 has steel edges but needs NNN BC boots.

Rossignol Evo XT 60 Positrack cross-country skis with Tour Step-In bindings
Top pick: Rossignol Evo XT 60$105.60 at AmazonPrice as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:38 PM EDT
Check it on Amazon

Our picks

Rossignol Evo XT 55 Positrack skis with bindings
Best for first-timers on groomed trails

Evo XT 55

$139.95 at Amazon
Check it on Amazon
Price as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:38 PM EDT
Details
Rossignol Evo XC 55 R-Skin skis in red with bindings
Best for a mohair grip skin you can replace

Evo XC 55 R-Skin

$290.95 at Amazon
Check it on Amazon
Price as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:38 PM EDT · low stock then
Details
Rossignol BC 65 Positrack backcountry skis with BC Auto bindings
Best for ungroomed trails with steel edges

BC 65

$349.95 at Amazon
Check it on Amazon
Price as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:38 PM EDT · low stock then
Details

Every pick is a pair of waxless classic touring skis sold with a step-in binding already mounted. Boots and poles are sold separately. Skate skis and race skis are built differently and aren’t scored here.

How the four sets score

Our spec score uses seven checks from each maker’s ski, binding, size guide and warranty pages, weighted the same for every set. No-wax grip counts most. The method is at the bottom of the page.

Rossignol Evo XT 609.0Rossignol Evo XT 559.0Rossignol Evo XC 55 R-Skin9.0Rossignol BC 657.5010Rossignol Evo XT 609.0Rossignol Evo XT 559.0Rossignol Evo XC 55 R-Skin9.0Rossignol BC 657.5
Life in Good Form spec score out of 10, from Rossignol’s ski, binding, size guide and warranty pages, read Oct 22, 2026. It is not an on-snow test or a customer rating.

The three Evo sets tie at 9.0. Each has a waxless base, a Turnamic step-in binding that adjusts without tools, a binding that takes NNN and Prolink boots, Rossignol’s weight chart and its 2-year US warranty. None has steel edges, which is the one check they miss.

The BC 65 is the one with steel edges, and it scores 7.5. Its BC Auto binding is screwed on, so it doesn’t slide fore and aft without tools, and it takes NNN BC backcountry boots rather than NNN or Prolink touring soles.

Rossignol Evo XT 60: our top pick

Best for beginner to intermediate trail skiing

Rossignol Evo XT 60 Positrack

Rossignol Evo XT 60 Positrack Skis with Tour Step-In Bindings, 175 cm
$105.60
Check it on Amazon
Sold by SkiEssentials · in stock · price as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:38 PM EDT
9.0Spec scoreHow it’s scored
No-wax grip10
Binding mounted10
Tool-free adjust10
Touring boot fit10
Weight chart10
US warranty10
Steel edges0

Pros

  • Waxless Positrack base: no prep before you ski
  • Tour Step-In binding comes mounted
  • Binding slides fore and aft without tools
  • Takes NNN and Prolink boot soles

Cons

  • No steel edges for icy descents
  • This 175 listing is a 2022 model year
  • Boots and poles sold separately
60/50/55 mmPositrack waxlessTour Step-InTurnamic IFP165–195 cm670 g at 175Level: beginner–intermediate2-year warranty

Buy it if

You want one set for groomed trails and easy loops, and you’d rather step in and go than wax.

Skip it if

You plan to break trail in deep snow or ski icy descents. The BC 65 has steel edges.

The Rossignol Evo XT 60 scores 9.0, tied with the other two Evo sets. It gets full marks on six of the seven checks: waxless grip, a mounted binding, tool-free adjustment, touring boot fit, a weight chart and a published US warranty. It misses only steel edges.

Rossignol rates the XT 60 for beginner to intermediate skiers. It’s 60 mm at the tip, 50 at the waist and 55 at the tail, a step wider than the XT 55. Rossignol calls the shape user-friendly and says the shorter length helps you turn and stay in control.

The base is Positrack, Rossignol’s waxless pattern. Rossignol describes it as a positive thermoformed kick surface that gives a good blend of grip and glide in all snow conditions, with no prep required. That means no kick wax to pick for the day’s temperature.

The Tour Step-In binding comes in the set. Rossignol says it’s built on the Turnamic system, takes all NNN and Prolink boot soles, and slides fore and aft without tools, so you can move it for the day’s snow. It has 7 positioning steps on the IFP plate.

Size it by weight. Rossignol’s chart puts 40 to 60 kg on the 165, 50 to 70 on the 175, 60 to 80 on the 185 and 80 or more on the 195. The length finder below turns that into pounds and links the right listing.

The Amazon listing at 175 cm is a 2022 model year; the 165 and 195 listings are 2023. Rossignol’s size chart covers every year of the XT 60. The listing gives a weight of 670 g at 175 cm, which we didn’t score since Rossignol’s own page doesn’t print it.

Rossignol’s warranty is 2 years from delivery for the original buyer, when bought from Rossignol or an authorized US reseller. The price line on this card shows who sells it right now. Keep the invoice, since Rossignol needs it to name the seller and the delivery date.

Rossignol Evo XT 55: the first-timer’s set

Best for first-timers on groomed trails

Rossignol Evo XT 55 Positrack

Rossignol Evo XT 55 Positrack Cross-Country Skis with Tour Step-In Bindings, 175 cm
$139.95
Check it on Amazon
Sold by SkiEssentials · in stock · price as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:38 PM EDT
9.0Spec scoreHow it’s scored
No-wax grip10
Binding mounted10
Tool-free adjust10
Touring boot fit10
Weight chart10
US warranty10
Steel edges0

Pros

  • Rossignol’s level 1 ski, made for beginners
  • Waxless Positrack base, no prep needed
  • Tour Step-In binding comes mounted
  • Takes NNN and Prolink boot soles

Cons

  • No steel edges
  • Narrower than the XT 60, so less float off-trail
  • Listing years vary by length
55/48/52 mmPositrack waxlessTour Step-InTurnamic IFP165–195 cm700 g per ski (listing)Level 12-year warranty

Buy it if

It’s your first season, you’ll ski groomed and tracked trails, and you want the most forgiving set Rossignol rates.

Skip it if

You’ve skied before and want a bit more width for loose snow. The XT 60 is one step wider.

The Evo XT 55 scores 9.0, the same as the XT 60. The checks are identical: waxless grip, a mounted Tour Step-In binding, tool-free adjustment, NNN and Prolink boot fit, Rossignol’s weight chart and its 2-year warranty. Like the XT 60, it has no steel edges.

Rossignol puts the XT 55 at performance level 1, the entry point of its touring line, and says it offers beginner skiers a user-friendly, waxless design. Rossignol credits the shorter length and wide dimensions with adding stability and making it easier to turn.

It’s 55 mm at the tip, 48 at the waist and 52 at the tail. That’s 2 mm narrower than the XT 60 at the waist. Rossignol suggests beginners start on groomed, tracked trails, and this is the ski it rates for that first step.

The Positrack base is the same as the XT 60’s. Rossignol describes it as a positive thermoformed kick surface, a raised pattern under your foot, and says no prep is required, so you can carry the skis from the car to the trail.

The Tour Step-In binding takes all NNN and Prolink boot soles, per Rossignol. It’s a step-in system made for quick entry, and you slide it fore or aft without tools. Rossignol notes it fits only the Turnamic IFP plate already on the ski.

Amazon’s listing for the 175 is a 2023 model year and gives 700 g per ski. The 165 listing has no year in the title. Rossignol’s weight chart is the same for every Evo XT, so the length finder works for any year you pick.

The warranty is Rossignol’s 2 years from delivery, for the first owner, when sold by Rossignol or an authorized US reseller. Gifts and second-hand skis aren’t covered. Check the seller in the price line and keep the invoice with its delivery date.

Evo XC 55 R-Skin: mohair grip

Best for a mohair grip skin you can replace

Rossignol Evo XC 55 R-Skin

Rossignol Evo XC 55 R-Skin Cross-Country Ski Pack with Control Step-In Bindings, 175 cm
$290.95
Check it on Amazon
Sold by OMCGEAR · low stock · price as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:38 PM EDT
9.0Spec scoreHow it’s scored
No-wax grip10
Binding mounted10
Tool-free adjust10
Touring boot fit10
Weight chart10
US warranty10
Steel edges0

Pros

  • Replaceable mohair grip insert
  • Rossignol rates the skin for 100 to 150 days
  • Control Step-In: step in with no lever
  • Takes NNN and Prolink boot soles

Cons

  • No steel edges
  • No 185 cm listing on Amazon today
  • This listing says 1-year warranty; Rossignol says 2
55/48/52 mmR-Skin mohairControl Step-InTurnamic IFP165, 175, 195 cmLevel 1–2Red, 175 cm listing2-year warranty

Buy it if

You want grip that feels the same from cold powder to wet spring snow, and you like a part you can swap when it wears.

Skip it if

You need a 185 cm ski. Amazon had no 185 listing for this set today; the XT 55 has one.

The Evo XC 55 R-Skin scores 9.0, tied with the two Positrack sets. It passes the same six checks and misses steel edges. What sets it apart is the grip zone: a strip of mohair instead of a molded pattern.

Rossignol calls R-Skin a replaceable mohair insert that gives an easy, consistent kick and maximum glide with no prep work. It also says the skin is good for 100 to 150 days on snow. When it wears out, you replace the insert instead of the skis.

The ski has the same shape as the XT 55: 55 mm at the tip, 48 at the waist and 52 at the tail. Rossignol rates it at level 1 to 2 and says it offers beginners a user-friendly, waxless design with wide dimensions for stability.

It comes with the Control Step-In binding rather than the Tour. Rossignol says it takes all NNN and Prolink boot soles, adjusts fore and aft without tools, and has an Easy In design, so you step in without engaging a lever. Like the Tour, it fits only the IFP plate.

Size it on the same weight chart as the XT skis. Amazon had 165, 175 and 195 cm listings in stock today, but no 185. If the chart puts you on a 185, the length finder says so and points you to a set that has one.

The 175 listing is the red version and says Collection 2024. Its seller text lists a 1-year warranty. Rossignol’s own policy is 2 years from delivery when bought from an authorized US reseller, so confirm the seller and ask which one applies.

Pick it over the XT 55 if consistent grip matters more to you than having nothing to replace. If you’d rather never think about the base, the Positrack sets have no insert at all.

Rossignol BC 65: steel edges for off-trail

Best for ungroomed trails with steel edges

Rossignol BC 65 Positrack

Rossignol BC 65 Positrack Cross-Country Skis with BC Auto Bindings, 175 cm
$349.95
Check it on Amazon
Sold by SkiEssentials · low stock · price as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:38 PM EDT
7.5Spec scoreHow it’s scored
No-wax grip10
Binding mounted10
Tool-free adjust0
Touring boot fit0
Weight chart10
US warranty10
Steel edges10

Pros

  • Full-length steel edges for downhill control
  • Widest pick at 65 mm tip and 55 mm waist
  • Waxless Positrack base
  • BC Auto step-in binding mounted

Cons

  • Needs NNN BC boots, not NNN or Prolink
  • Binding is screwed on; no tool-free slide
  • Rossignol rates it level 2–3, not for day one
65/55/60 mmPositrack waxlessBC AutoNNN BC norm165–195 cmSteel edgesLevel 2–32-year warranty

Buy it if

You ski rolling backcountry trails, ungroomed snow or hills you’ll want to control on the way down.

Skip it if

You’ll stay on groomed tracks, or you already own NNN or Prolink boots. An Evo set fits those.

The BC 65 scores 7.5. It gets full marks for waxless grip, a mounted binding, a weight chart, a US warranty and steel edges. It scores zero on two checks: its BC Auto binding is screwed to the ski, so it doesn’t slide without tools, and it takes NNN BC boots rather than NNN or Prolink.

Rossignol says it moves from groomed tracks to off-trail exploring and back, thanks to a lightweight wood core with air channels and full-length metal edges. The steel edges, it says, add edge grip and control for downhill skiing. No other pick here has them.

It’s the widest pick: 65 mm at the tip, 55 at the waist and 60 at the tail on Rossignol’s page. Amazon’s listing gives 65/53/60, so the waist figure differs by 2 mm; we use Rossignol’s. Rossignol rates it at performance level 2 to 3.

The BC Auto binding is a step-in with a hands-free entry and a wide platform for steering, per Rossignol. Its norm is NBC, Rossignol’s label for NNN BC, a separate boot system for backcountry boots. Touring boots with NNN or Prolink soles won’t clip into it.

The base is the same Positrack pattern as the Evo XT skis, with no prep required. Rossignol uses the same weight chart for the BC 65 as for the Evo line, so a 70 kg skier lands on the 175 or the 185.

Every length is a 2023 model year on Amazon. Rossignol’s warranty is 2 years from delivery for the first owner when bought from Rossignol or an authorized US reseller; it excludes damage from rocks and stumps, which matters off-trail.

Pick it if you’ll ski where there’s no groomed track. Plan on NNN BC boots if you don’t own them, since none of the touring boots that fit the Evo sets will clip in.

Side-by-side

Every spec comes from Rossignol’s ski and binding pages. Tap a header to sort. Scroll sideways on a phone.

PickPhotoScoreGripWaistBindingBoot soleSteel edgesLengthsBuy
Rossignol Evo XT 60
Level: beginner–intermediate
Rossignol Evo XT 609.0Positrack50 mmTour Step-InNNN, ProlinkNo165–195 cmCheck it on Amazon
Rossignol Evo XT 55
Level 1
Rossignol Evo XT 559.0Positrack48 mmTour Step-InNNN, ProlinkNo165–195 cmCheck it on Amazon
Rossignol Evo XC 55 R-Skin
Level 1–2
Rossignol Evo XC 55 R-Skin9.0Mohair skin48 mmControl Step-InNNN, ProlinkNo165, 175, 195 cmCheck it on Amazon
Rossignol BC 65
Level 2–3
Rossignol BC 657.5Positrack55 mmBC AutoNNN BCYes165–195 cmCheck it on Amazon

All four: waxless, a step-in binding mounted at the factory, Rossignol’s weight-based size chart, and Rossignol’s 2-year limited warranty when bought from an authorized US reseller.

Ski sets we checked and left out

Fischer is the other big name in touring skis. Two of its waxless sets with mounted bindings were new on Amazon and got the same seven checks. Both scored under 7.0.

Ski setScoreWhat held it backWhat it does well
Fischer Spider 62 set6.0No weight chart, boot sole list or US warranty term on the Fischer pages we readSteel edges, Offtrack Crown grip, tool-free Control Step-In
Fischer Adventure 62 set5.0Same gaps as the Spider, and no steel edgesWaxless Crown base, light Air Channel core

Fischer calls the Spider 62 Crown Xtralite its most popular steel-edge ski, and it’s a real rival to the BC 65. Its sidecut is 62/52/60 mm, it comes in 168, 178, 188 and 198 cm, and the mounted set uses Fischer’s Control Step-In on an IFP plate, which Fischer says adjusts without tools.

What we couldn’t find was the paperwork. Fischer’s touring length guide works from height, not a weight chart for these skis. Its binding page doesn’t list which boot soles fit, and its service FAQs give no warranty term. Each Spider length also had only 1 or 2 left on Amazon today.

What length cross-country skis do I need?

Rossignol sizes these skis by your weight, not your height. Enter your weight and height to see the length its chart gives you, with the listing for that length of each pick.

Ski length finder

Uses Rossignol’s weight chart for the Evo XT, Evo XC R-Skin and BC 65 skis.

Rossignol’s chart fits 150 lb (68 kg) to 175 or 185 cm. At 175 cm tall, go with the 175 cm (M).

When two lengths fit, the finder picks the one closer to your height. Amazon listings are the in-stock length of each pick on Oct 22, 2026.
Body weight, lb165 cm (S)40–60 kg175 cm (M)50–70 kg185 cm (L)60–80 kg195 cm (XL)80+ kg80100120140160180200220Body weight, lb165 cm (S)40–60 kg175 cm (M)50–70 kg185 cm (L)60–80 kg195 cm (XL)80+ kg80100120140160180200220
Rossignol’s size chart for the Evo XT, Evo XC R-Skin and BC 65 skis, read Oct 22, 2026, converted to pounds by us (1 kg = 2.2046 lb). The 195 has no upper limit; the lighter bar runs off the scale.
Ski lengthRossignol sizeRossignol weightIn pounds
165 cmS40–60 kg88–132 lb
175 cmM50–70 kg110–154 lb
185 cmL60–80 kg132–176 lb
195 cmXL80 kg and up176 lb and up

The ranges overlap on purpose, so most adults fit two lengths. When that happens, the finder picks the one closer to your height. That follows Fischer’s touring length guide, which says a Nordic cruising ski is about your body height, and 5 cm longer if you’re heavy or 5 cm shorter if you’re light.

Store charts in Google’s top results mostly go by height alone. Some Amazon seller listings also print their own pound chart, with a 205 cm size Rossignol doesn’t list for these skis. Go by Rossignol’s chart above; it’s the one the maker publishes for these models.

How wide should touring skis be?

Width changes what a ski is for. Rossignol’s narrowest skis here are its beginner trail skis, and its widest is the one it makes for off-trail. Here are the waist widths from each maker’s page.

Rossignol Evo XT 5548 mmRossignol Evo XC 55 R-Skin48 mmRossignol Evo XT 6050 mmFischer Spider 62 set52 mmRossignol BC 6555 mmRossignol Evo XT 5548 mmRossignol Evo XC 55 R-Skin48 mmRossignol Evo XT 6050 mmFischer Spider 62 set52 mmRossignol BC 6555 mm
Waist width under the foot, from Rossignol’s and Fischer’s product pages, read Oct 22, 2026. The gray bar is a left-out ski.
SkiTip / waist / tailWhere Rossignol aims it
Rossignol Evo XT 5555 / 48 / 52 mmBeginner skiers on winter trails
Rossignol Evo XC 55 R-Skin55 / 48 / 52 mmBeginners who want an always-ready kick
Rossignol Evo XT 6060 / 50 / 55 mmBeginner to intermediate trail skiing
Rossignol BC 6565 / 55 / 60 mmGroomed tracks to off-trail and back

The gap between the narrowest and widest pick is 7 mm at the waist. That sounds small, but it’s about 15% more width under your foot. Rossignol pairs the BC 65’s extra width with steel edges, and credits the XT 55’s wide dimensions, for a trail ski, with adding stability.

All four use what Rossignol calls its short size concept. It says the shorter length adds maneuverability, control and ease of use, which counts most on your first few outings.

Waxless grip: pattern, skin or crown

Classic skis need grip under your foot to push off, and glide everywhere else. Waxless skis build that grip into the base, so there’s no kick wax to match to the day’s snow.

Grip typeWhat it isWhat the maker saysWho uses it
PositrackA raised pattern molded into the baseBest blend of kick and glide in all snow conditions; no prep requiredEvo XT 60, Evo XT 55, BC 65
R-SkinA strip of mohair set into the baseEasy, consistent kick and maximum glide; good for 100–150 days on snow; replaceableEvo XC 55 R-Skin
Offtrack CrownFischer’s all-terrain crown patternExcellent off-track climbing abilityFischer Spider 62 (left out)
Kick waxWax you rub on under the footNot on this page; every pick is waxlessRacing and classic waxable skis

Both of Rossignol’s waxless bases claim all-conditions grip with no prep. The difference is what wears. A pattern is part of the base, so there’s nothing to replace. A skin is a separate insert that Rossignol rates for 100 to 150 days and lets you swap.

Waxless skis also answer a question many new skiers search: how to wax cross-country skis at home. For the grip zone on these four sets, Rossignol’s answer is that you don’t need to.

Which boots fit which binding

Ski boots and bindings come in systems, and a boot only clips into its own system. Check this before you buy boots, since none of these sets includes them.

BindingOn which pickBoot soles it takesHow it adjusts
Tour Step-In (Turnamic)Evo XT 60, Evo XT 55All NNN and ProlinkFore and aft, no tools, 7 steps
Control Step-In (Turnamic)Evo XC 55 R-SkinAll NNN and ProlinkFore and aft, no tools
BC AutoBC 65NNN BC onlyScrewed in place
Fischer Control Step-In IFPFischer sets (left out)Not listed on Fischer’s pageTool-free, per Fischer

NNN and Prolink are the two common touring boot soles, and Rossignol’s Turnamic bindings take both. That’s why the boot fit check carries 10% of our score: two boot systems fit, not one. Rossignol notes these bindings fit only its IFP plate, which is already on the skis.

NNN BC is a separate system for backcountry boots, and the BC Auto takes only that. Rossignol says it’s a screw-mount binding that fits any flat-mount ski, with a 59 mm platform in its specs for stability when you break trail.

Your first day on cross-country skis

Rossignol’s beginner’s guide gives a short plan for a first outing. Here it is in order.

  1. 1
    Pick classic

    Easier than skating to learn.

  2. 2
    Find a Nordic area

    Groomed, tracked, graded trails.

  3. 3
    Dress in layers

    Base, warm, windproof.

  4. 4
    Start on the flat

    One or two hours is enough.

  5. 5
    Snowplow to slow

    Herringbone to climb.

Rossignol says classic skiing is the most intuitive style: you move along set tracks in a gliding walk. Skate skiing looks like ice skating, takes more balance and needs skate skis, which is a different kind of ski from the four here.

Dress in three layers instead of a heavy winter jacket, Rossignol says, since you warm up fast. Bring water and a light snack even in the cold. Most Nordic ski areas grade their trails like a downhill resort, and many offer lessons.

What Rossignol’s warranty covers

The 2-year warranty helps only if your purchase qualifies. Here’s what Rossignol’s US policy asks for.

QuestionRossignol’s US policy
How long?2 years from the date of delivery
Who is covered?The original purchaser only
Bought where?rossignol.com, a Rossignol-owned store or an authorized reseller in the USA
What proof?A receipt or invoice that names the seller and the delivery date
What’s covered?Defects in workmanship or materials
What isn’t?Impact, misuse, normal wear, damage from rocks or stumps; used or gifted skis

Amazon listings for these sets come from ski shops, and buy boxes change hands. Before you check out, look at the seller in each card’s price line and ask whether it’s an authorized Rossignol reseller in the USA. If it isn’t, the 2-year warranty may not apply.

Keep the invoice and the delivery date. Rossignol needs both for a claim. It also doesn’t cover skis received as gifts, so if you’re buying a set for someone else, the warranty may not pass to them.

Recall check

We searched the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall database on Oct 22, 2026.

SearchWhat it foundAffects our picks?
RossignolCross-country ski boots (2009)No
Fischer skiJunior ski boots (2024)No
Ski bindingSki touring bindings from Amer Sports (2023)No
Cross country skiNo ski or Turnamic binding recallsNo

None of the recalls is for a ski or a binding on this page. The 2009 Rossignol recall covered cross-country boots, so if you’re buying older boots second-hand to go with a new set, check the model against the CPSC notice first.

CPSC covers consumer products sold in the US. We search it again each time we update this page, and a recalled pick comes off the page the same day.

How to choose cross-country skis

Decide in this order

  1. 1
    Where you’ll ski

    Groomed track or off-trail.

  2. 2
    Your boots

    NNN, Prolink or NNN BC.

  3. 3
    Your weight

    Sets the ski length.

  4. 4
    Grip type

    Pattern or mohair skin.

  5. 5
    The seller

    Authorized for the warranty.

Match the set to the skier

You areLook forOur pick
New, on groomed trailsLevel 1 width, waxless, step-inRossignol Evo XT 55
A beginner who’ll keep goingA bit more width, same bindingRossignol Evo XT 60
Skiing in changing snowMohair grip you can replaceRossignol Evo XC 55 R-Skin
Heading off-trail or downhillSteel edges, wider shapeRossignol BC 65
Already own NNN or Prolink bootsA Turnamic bindingAny Evo set
Already own NNN BC bootsA BC bindingRossignol BC 65

Most first-time buyers should start with an Evo set, since its binding takes both NNN and Prolink soles, so more boots fit it. The BC 65 is the right call only if you know you’ll ski ungroomed snow, because it commits you to NNN BC boots.

Then size by weight with the finder above. If you’re between two lengths, Rossignol says shorter skis turn more easily, and Fischer adds 5 cm for heavier skiers so their weight spreads over more ski.

Questions people ask

What are the best cross-country skis?

On our spec score, the Rossignol Evo XT 60 set at 9.0: waxless, with a Turnamic step-in binding mounted, a weight chart and a 2-year warranty.

What is the best cross-country ski brand?

Rossignol and Fischer are the two biggest names in touring skis. Rossignol publishes the sizing, boot fit and warranty details our score checks, so all four picks are Rossignol.

What length cross-country skis do I need?

Rossignol sizes these skis by weight: 165 cm for 40–60 kg, 175 for 50–70, 185 for 60–80 and 195 for 80 kg and up.

How do I size cross-country skis by height?

Fischer’s touring guide says a Nordic cruising ski is about your body height, plus 5 cm if you’re heavy or minus 5 if you’re light. Rossignol sizes these skis by weight.

What is the difference between cross-country skis and regular skis?

Rossignol says Nordic skis are longer and narrower than alpine skis and are used on flat or rolling terrain without lifts.

Are waxless cross-country skis good for beginners?

Yes. Rossignol makes its level 1 Evo XT 55 waxless and says the Positrack base needs no prep.

Do waxless skis need wax?

Not in the grip zone. Rossignol says Positrack and R-Skin bases give kick and glide with no prep required.

What is the difference between Positrack and R-Skin?

Positrack is a molded pattern in the base. R-Skin is a replaceable mohair insert that Rossignol rates for 100 to 150 days on snow.

Do cross-country skis come with bindings?

These four sets do: each comes with a step-in binding already mounted. Boots and poles are sold separately.

What boots fit Rossignol Turnamic bindings?

Rossignol says its Tour Step-In and Control Step-In take all NNN and Prolink boot soles.

What are backcountry cross-country skis?

Wider skis with steel edges for ungroomed snow. The Rossignol BC 65 is one, and it needs NNN BC boots.

How much do cross-country skis cost?

Prices change. Each card shows today’s Amazon price with the time it was read. Boots and poles cost extra.

Classic or skate skiing for beginners?

Classic. Rossignol says it’s easier to learn and needs less balance than skating.

Is cross-country skiing a good workout?

Rossignol says it works the legs, arms and core while staying gentle on the joints. Start with one or two hours.

How we pick, and how the score works

Why trust us

Isaac Daniels owns and edits Life in Good Form. For this page we read Rossignol’s ski, binding, size guide, beginner’s guide and US warranty pages, Fischer’s ski, binding, length guide and FAQ pages, and the CPSC recall database. Every one is listed in the sources.

We didn’t ski these sets for this page. The score comes from what each maker publishes.

How we pick

  • Only waxless touring ski sets with a mounted step-in binding, from established makers, sold new on Amazon.
  • Specs read from the maker, not from other review sites.
  • Each listing checked as new and in stock the day we updated, and matched to the maker’s model and binding.
  • Every pick checked against CPSC recalls.
  • Every pick scores 7.0 or more on our spec score below.

How the spec score is calculated

Every set we checked gets the same seven checks, from the maker’s ski, binding, size guide and warranty pages. Each check scores 10 if the maker states it and 0 if it doesn’t, and the overall score is the weighted average. It isn’t an on-snow test, a durability rating or a customer rating.

CheckWeightHow it’s scored
No-wax grip20%10 if the maker says the base grips with no kick wax, else 0
Binding mounted15%10 if the set comes with its binding mounted, else 0
Tool-free adjust15%10 if the maker says the binding moves fore and aft without tools, else 0
Touring boot fit10%10 if the maker says the binding takes NNN and Prolink soles, else 0
Weight chart15%10 if the maker publishes a weight-based length chart for the ski, else 0
US warranty15%10 if the maker publishes a US warranty term for the ski, else 0
Steel edges10%10 for full-length steel edges, else 0

Sources

  • Rossignol, Evo XT 60 Positrack, Evo XT 55 Positrack, Evo XC 55 R-Skin and BC 65 Positrack product pages (rossignol.com), read Oct 22, 2026: dimensions, grip, performance level, construction, included binding.
  • Rossignol, Tour Step-In and BC Auto binding pages (rossignol.com), read Oct 22, 2026: boot soles, adjustment, norm, platform, mounting.
  • Rossignol size guide, Nordic touring skis (rossignol.com), read Oct 22, 2026: length by weight.
  • Rossignol limited warranty policy, USA (rossignol.com), read Oct 22, 2026.
  • Rossignol, “Nordic Skiing: A Beginner’s Guide to Cross-Country Skiing” (rossignol.com, Aug 26, 2026).
  • Fischer Sports, Spider 62 Crown Xtralite mtd, Adventure 62 Crown Xtralite mtd and Control Step-In IFP pages, ski length blog and service FAQs (fischersports.com), read Oct 22, 2026, for the left-out sets.
  • U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall database (saferproducts.gov), searched Oct 22, 2026 for Rossignol, Fischer, cross-country skis and ski bindings.
  • Amazon listing text for each pick and left-out set (sellers’ text), read Oct 22, 2026: model year, length, listing weight, warranty line and stock.
  • Amazon product data through Amazon’s Creators API (prices, sellers, stock, photos), refreshed daily; each price shows the time it was read.

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