Whether skin skis, double poling skis, or traditional classic skis, what should I choose for Vasaloppet and other long-distance races? The expert has clear advice.

Skin skis, double poling skis, or traditional classic skis? The right ski for Vasaloppet and other long-distance events depends on the type of skier you are, and each type has its advantages. But which type of ski should you choose?

Vasaloppet expert Erik Wickström talked to Langrenn.com about how to choose the right ski for Vasaloppet, the different types of skis, and which skis suit which type of skiers.

Erik Wickström has written several books on cross-country skiing and training, equipment, gives lectures, and runs the podcast “Lagom Kondition” aimed at beginners and enthusiasts. He now also offers training guidance for athletes at all levels (except elite skiers) through his company Wickström Coaching.

Read Also: Training for the Vasaloppet: Who says there are no shortcuts?

How to Choose the Right Skis

Skin skis, double poling skis, or traditional classic skis? The right ski for Vasaloppet depends on the type of skier you are, and Wickström notes that all types have their advantages.

Here he discusses all three types of skis used in long-distance skiing races.

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Skin Skis

Wickström started using skin skis as early as 2011 and believes it’s entirely possible to ski very fast on today’s generation.

“A lot has happened in the 10-15 years that have passed. They glide essentially as well as other competition skis, and they often provide sure grip. I think that skin skis are actually the best option for maybe 80-90 percent of those who will ski Vasaloppet,” he says.

Wickström finished 11th in the elite class on skin skis in the Holmenkollen Ski Marathon 2019. As far as Langrenn.com knows, he is the only one who has seeded to the elite group in Vasaloppet on skin skis.

Wickström also points out that skin skis have some limitations.

“When I skied the Holmenkollen Ski Marathon on skin skis, I saw that I had just as good glide as everyone else downhill. But skin skis are not quite as fast when you change tracks and when you go up on your toes to plant a new pole. That’s where double poling skis are superior, as that’s exactly what they’re developed for,” he says.

Also see: The Big Ski Test 2023 – Skin Skis

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Double Poling Skis

Double poling skis are the fastest growing segment within cross-country skis. There are good reasons for this, believes Wickström.

Firstly, both the tracks and the skis have improved, but people also train differently.

“There are many more enthusiasts who ski a lot on roller skis all summer and autumn, and then it’s mostly double poling. Many have also started to train on double poling machines. It’s completely different now than just a couple of decades ago,” says Wickström.

Jørgen Aukland was the first to win Vasaloppet on bare skis in 2013 and Laila Kveli in 2014. Then they skied on traditional classic skis. But soon after, ski manufacturers began to work specifically to develop classic skis for double poling. Today, all the major manufacturers offer pure double poling skis, or so-called Double-Pole skis, in their range.

Also see: How to choose the right skis for double-poling?

The advantage of double poling skis is that they are developed specifically to be fast for just double poling.

“They are quite similar in construction to regular waxable classic skis, but they have a harder final camber: That is, they feel quite soft, but it’s hard to press in the very last bit. It gives a wonderful sense of speed,” says Wickström, and continues:

“I think you notice the biggest difference between traditional classic skis and pure double poling skis when you double pole with high intensity, and most of all in uphill sections. Then the double poling skis feel quicker than traditional classic skis. That feeling is amplified by the fact that double poling skis are often shorter. It gives a unique sense of speed.”

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Wickström points out that double poling skis should not be confused with skate skis, even though both are developed for use without grip wax.

“Skate skis might work for some in certain contexts, but they are constructed completely differently than double poling skis, and most people will find that skate skis are too stiff. They can work fine in the beginning, but over the course of the race, they tend to become heavy to ski on,” explains Wickström, who has previously skied long races on skate skis.

It’s also not certain that you need to buy new double poling skis even if you have decided to double pole.

“Depending on the camber, a traditional classic ski can also work as a double poling ski. So if you’re an enthusiast curious about trying out double poling, I would recommend experimenting with the skis you have. If you find they work OK for double poling, then you don’t need to buy double poling skis,” he says.

Also see: The Big Ski Test 2023 – Double Poling Skis

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Traditional Classic Skis

Even though more and more people double pole the Vasaloppet and other long races, or choose skin skis if they want grip, Wickström is clear that traditional waxable classic skis still have a place.

“They are still a bit faster than skin skis. So those who ski World Cup and traditional cross-country at the elite level need regular classic skis. But for a small group of those who ski the Vasaloppet and long races, they are also the best choice: For those who are focused on times and like to ski diagonal stride or don’t want to double pole the whole way, then it’s traditional classic skis that apply,” says Wickström.

A significant disadvantage of traditional classic skis is waxing. This is especially true when conditions vary between the start and finish.

“In Vasaloppet, it can often be minus ten degrees at the start and several degrees above zero when you finish. Then it’s challenging to hit with waxing that will work for the entire race. At the very least, you need to have a good handle on waxing or access to a good waxing team,” says Wickström.

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In summary: Which type of ski suits which type of skiers?

“Most people should choose skin skis. But don’t forget to choose a binding that you can move without having to take off your skis. Move the binding forward from the zero point for better grip and backward for better glide. I think this will be right for the main part of those who will ski the Vasaloppet. They glide entirely on par with double poling skis and traditional skis, and you don’t have to worry about grip waxing. Those who are focused on times and think they will ski faster by double poling the entire Vasaloppet, and they have it as a goal to manage to double pole the entire Vasaloppet, they should choose double poling skis,” says Wickström to Langrenn.com, and adds:

“And then there’s a very small portion of skiers who should choose traditional classic skis. These are the ones who think time is important but who don’t want or can’t double pole the entire Vasaloppet.”