2021 Alpina Control 60

For in-track skiing and classic strides, the Alpina Control 60 cross-country skis are a fantastic choice. Best-suited for beginner and intermediate skiers who are looking to get out there and have some classic fun, the Control 60 will be there for you every stride of the way. Nordic skiing is such a great way to get out in the winter and get some exercise and go on an adventure. If you’re the type of skier who will stay mainly in the groomed track and that’s about it, these skis are a solid choice.

Alpina’s ultra-lite wood core consists of laminated strips of wood that have air channels milled out of them in order to increase responsiveness as well as decrease weight. By making the core of the ski snappier and more precise, they’re able to harness more energy out of the wood by using less of it. Pre-mounted with NNN touring bindings, this setup is good to go, and you’ll love each and every stride that you put into it, getting you further from the start and allowing you to get the necessary recreation, exercise, and adventure that Nordic skiing is so good at doing. For the grip, the mult-grip embossed base is a pretty simple and effective way to make a ski grip tight to the snow, and the fish scale pattern is tried and true from years of experience. You’ll never (really) need to wax these skis, as you’ll get a good amount of grip and an efficient glide from the non-gripped portion of the skis. For skiers looking for control and confidence, this is a great way to go about it.

With sidecut measurements of 60/50/55, the Control 60 is on the straighter side for touring, but not race-straight. This gives beginner and intermediate skiers at least a fighting chance of making the necessary turns out there on the cross-country trails, as it’s not always as flat and straight as it seems in the catalogs sometimes. You do have to deal with hills and corners, so it’s nice to have that little bit of a sidecut to help out with those curves to the terrain. These skis, too, are narrower than some other touring skis, so you’re actually going to get a good amount of glide and efficiency for in-track skiing, with less overall surface area to slow you down. This gives the Control 60 a unique feel in the category, allowing it to be a sneaky ski in the Nordic world. They’re fast and quick, and still easy to use.

When you get to the Nordic center and put your skis on and head out for the day, the last thing on your mind should be your gear. That question should have been handled long ago, and for most skiers who are looking to begin, advance, and progress in the Nordic world, a ski like the Alpina Control 60 will maximize their time out there on the trails, and that’s all we can ask and hope for.