Hey everyone, I have been using the same Nordic style wax-less skis, a used pair I bought for $20., since took up the sport ten years ago. Now they are worn out and wet snow sticks to the bottoms of them. Is any way to quick fix the sticky snow problem? I am willing to buy a new set or another used set but haven't a clue what to look for. Is there a particular material/brand name that is fairy inexpensive and of good quality? thanks, Tom

Ski construction has gotten so good that I really can't recommend any one brand over another. Probably the most important thing is to ski on skis that fit you- if you are too heavy for the ski you are using it will cause snow to stick under foot. Most ski shops (not just a sporting goods store that happens to also sell skis) has equipment to fit you exactly. If buying skis somewhere else, you can use the "paper test" to help find the right size. You'll need someone to help you, but take a piece of typing paper and place under the kick area of your skis (right under your feet). When your weight is equally distributed over both skis, the peice of paper should be able to pass freely under your skis without problems. If you load the ski, by putting all of your wieght on just one ski, the paper should be unable to be pulled through.
As for your old skis, I would try spraying the bottoms with some kind of de-icer (like what you would buy for spraying into frozen car locks). Might work and you can get a few more seasons out of them.
Good luck and let us know what you end up doing and how it works.

quote tom m: "Hey everyone, I have been using the same Nordic style wax-less skis, a used pair I bought for $20., since took up the sport ten years ago. Now they are worn out and wet snow sticks to the bottoms of them. Is any way to quick fix the sticky snow problem? I am willing to buy a new set or another used set but haven't a clue what to look for. Is there a particular material/brand name that is fairy inexpensive and of good quality? thanks, Tom"

Treat yourself to a new set of properly fitted skis.

It looks like your older pair only cost you 2 bucks a season, not bad.

Go somewhere staffed with skiers, so you get expert, experienced advice. Also, think about what kind of skiing you like to do best and will do most often-- back country touring, groomed track skiing, bushwhacking in the bw...