With all the hype surrounding the introduction of the new Alpine skis, it’s easy to overlook the new cross country gear. Certainly the switch from traditional skis to shaped models has overshadowed every other development in skiing. But the same technology that made the changes in Alpine skis possible has been integrated into cross country equipment with impressive results.

The skis we see most on TV are racing models and outwardly, they have changed little. Race skis are still long and skinny, but inside they have the same modern materials as their Alpine cousins. This makes them lighter and stronger with greater stability. There are models for classic striding and skating both with improved edge control. If you’re among those high level skiers who consider every outing a race against the clock, the new race skis are the best ever.

For the skier whose idea of fun is gliding along the trail at a moderate pace enjoying the quiet winter scene, the changes are more visible. At first glance, the new models are shorter and wider. When skis were made of wood, cross country skis had to be more narrow than Alpine to reduce weight. With materials such as plastic, fiberglass, Kevlar and graphite, skis can be wider and still be lightweight. This also allows skis to be shorter, maintaining the same stability and flotation on soft snow.

Rather than reach for the tips of a 210 cm model, skiers can step on the Alpina Ski Sizer. The needle will stop on a color. Match that color to the corresponding chart on the ski and pick your size. It’s that simple. The Ski Sizer works for Alpina and partner Madshus. A good example is the Madshus Nordic Exercise series. These skis run as long as 193 cm but the color code will put most skiers on 183 cm or shorter. A waist size of 47-48 mm is about 10 percent wider than race models and more stable for recreational cruising.

Alpina’s touring series has models ranging from 48 to 53 mm at the waist for even greater stability. Some come with Non-wax Multi Grip or Waxable bases to allow skiers to keep it simple or get involved with the science of waxing.

Fischer continues to improve and expand their Nordic Cruising series introduced a few years ago. These skis have a double-side cut resulting in greater width under the foot for more stability, especially in downhill turns.

The Voyager measures 57 mm under the foot, making it a strong performer in tracks or in soft snow. This series has models for entry level through experienced skiers. The world’s largest ski manufacturer also has a full line of race models, a sport series, and the S-Bound and Adventure for back country skiing.

Karhu, long a leader in cross country ski equipment, has an expansive line including Racing, Touring, Widetrak, Snowblaze, XCD, and Telemark. The race models have traditional race ski shapes with the Volcan using double sidecut dimensions of 42-40-44-40-42 mm, while the Equinox is a wider 52-52-52.

Contrast these with the Widetrak series 55 mm waists. The XCD’s are for telemarkers with metal edges and 62-68 mm waists. The Telemark/AT series is for back-country powder with waist sizes up to 90 mm. If we look at the range of models from Karhu alone, we can see that cross country has progressed far beyond traditional “skinny skis.”

Rossignol, a name known more for Alpine has always had cross country skis and their lines are as extensive as any. The lines are Race, Active and Adventure. Like the rest, they vary in width and length according to use. The same can be said of Atomic and other ski companies. Even Volkl is in on cross country with a pair of touring models featuring the Skin Clip. This device is a ski/skin system that allows climbing skins to be quickly attached to the skis for back country skiing.

Rapid developments in cross country skis, along with today’s grooming, have made this sport easier than ever to master, but there is a lot more. In recent seasons, Alpine manufacturers have made much of the interface between skis, boots and bindings. That interface is even more important in cross country.

To have a free heel for striding that also makes a ski easy to control while skiing downhill is a real challenge, but the progress is impressive.

It started three decades back with the Salomon SNS system, which matched a ridge on the ski with a groove under the boot. Rottefella’s New Nordic Norm (NNN) uses the same principle with a double ridge and groove. Both systems continue to improve and the boots are growing more comfortable as they become more specialized.

Just as Alpine boots are using more specialized fitting techniques, cross country boots have similar features, all integrated to provide a more positive contact with the ski. Salomon, Fischer, Alpina, Rossignol and Karhu all have a variety of boots designed for specific uses. There are models for classic striding, stiffer versions for skating and combis that utilize a removable cuff to change from skate to classic. Telemark boots are heavier versions of a flexible boot, and stiffer models are used with bindings that allow the heel to rise for hiking, but lock down for the Alpine ride down.

Adding these things together we find that cross country skiing has indeed kept pace with the progress in Alpine equipment and we haven’t even mentioned poles and wax. The new poles are composites, strong and light, with ergonomic grips for ease of use. Waxes have improved as well with color coding to make them easier to understand. If you haven’t tried skinny skis for awhile, check out some demos at a cross country center. You’ll be in for a pleasant experience, and you might just get hooked.

Dave Irons is a freelance writer who lives in Westbrook.