Foto: zVg Fischer

A good skating ski can quickly cost 500 francs or more - without bindings, of course. How long they last depends on several factors.

There is probably no other European country where cross-country skiers are as well equipped as in Switzerland. Similar to triathlon, many ambitious amateur athletes quickly feel disadvantaged if they don't have the latest model at the start of the Engadin Ski Marathon, for example.

But is this material cult necessary? How long does a good skating ski last, when does it make sense to buy a new one and, above all, how do you know when the old model has had its day?

Many factors decide

Questions that depend on numerous factors. First of all, the design plays an important role. The inner workings of a 250-franc entry-level skating ski differ massively from those of a 700-franc racing model. An expensive ski has a high-quality honeycomb core made of wood or synthetic material or a combination of both. There are also several layers of fiberglass, special wood and/or carbon fibers.

In addition to the design, the athlete's ability and constitution also play a role. A 90-kilo athlete is confronted with completely different forces than a 50-kilo skater. And the skating technique also influences the service life. A beginner who slides over the snow with small skating steps hardly wears out their skis, regardless of whether they are cheap skis or racing models. Powerful and dynamic skiers, on the other hand, push the ski through with every kick, causing the material to fatigue at some point and lose its resilience.

In addition to the loss of resilience, a ski also experiences external wear and tear. Due to the constant pressure during the kick, the base deforms over time, it becomes round and is no longer completely flat, which means that the ski guides less well. For a skier who is always immediately on the edges when setting off, the wear is greater than for a technically experienced skier. The base of a top skier hardly deforms.

2000 kilometers as a guideline

However, you have to differentiate a little further. If you ski a lot on hard snow or icy surfaces - which is relatively common in Switzerland - the skis wear out more quickly than in powder snow conditions, which are common in the Nordic countries.

Racing skis used 20-30 times

In racing, the lifespan is significantly shorter again, with a ski only being used around 20-30 times. However, this does not necessarily mean that it is unusable afterwards. If a ski loses flex in the course of its life cycle, it can still be used as a training ski in good snow conditions.

And how can you tell whether the ski's resilience still meets your requirements or whether a new model is due? Technically good skiers will notice that the guidance and torsion of the skis deteriorate, especially in hard conditions. All others should have their skis assessed by an expert in a specialist store. Experienced salespeople can roughly interpret the pre-tension just by applying pressure. Or they can place the ski in special devices that check the tension and detect weak points.

Carbon for longevity?

The art of ski construction is to achieve smooth running characteristics with simultaneous torsional rigidity, which is not easy, especially not in all snow conditions. What's more, the preferences of users are also quite different. Some prefer good-natured skis, others stiffer and more aggressive models.

Carbon is increasingly being used in ski construction. Often only as fibers built into the inner layers of the ski, but sometimes also completely wrapped around the ski. The stiff carbon is resistant to fatigue and therefore makes a ski more durable. However, the dynamic behavior of a ski is extremely complex and not only dependent on stiffness. This is why there are models that are better in fresh snow and others that excel in hard conditions.

Ski care does not extend service life

The care of a ski has nothing to do with its lifespan. This is because the resilience can neither be improved nor maintained with careful care. Gliding properties, on the other hand, can. Regular waxing maintains the base and improves its gliding properties. However, skaters who wax themselves should be careful not to stay in place too long with the iron, as this can make the base round. Occasional sanding also has a positive effect on the base and the skating behavior, which is why it makes sense to do this from time to time.  

And one last tip: If you manage more than 500 kilometers of snow per season, you are well served with a second pair, so you can use the old skis in soft snow conditions and the new ones in hard snow and in competitions.