Which takes less energy for cross country: skis or snowshoes?

Skis will be easier. How long is this journey? and how much will you be carrying? Probably you'd be best off with a NNN-BC boot (or Salomon XA) and pretty light skis, something around 65-70mm wide. And probably waxless, especially if you are new to the game.

"Skis will be easier."

Agreed.

Snowshoes might be better if you have serious bushwhacking, but if the snow covers most of the rocks and vegetation, wide cross country skis would work well.

If you stick climbing skins to the ski surface, you can ski up a steeper slope than what you can ski down. Also, the climbing skins can be speed brakes for a descent.

–B.G.–

"Skis will be easier. How long is this journey? and how much will you be carrying?"

Thanks, guys! To answer the questions, the journey is only 2.5 miles in to a yurt and 2.5 miles out. I have done it many times before on snowshoes and it typically takes 2-2.5 hours one way. It has taken up to 4 and 5 hours in deeper powder though. If the snow isn't deep, some lava rock can be encountered as well as sage brush.

As most supplies are at the destination, I typically only carry 6-8 pounds….or carry nothing and pull a pulk instead.

I would buy used equipment.

Any additional insight/tips would be appreciated.

Either snowshoes or skis can make problems if they are sized wrong for the person and for the snow conditions. In either case, if you are sinking more than a half-foot or so into the snow, you have insufficient flotation. If you are carrying only 6-8 pounds or less, then you should not need a pulk. The only time that I would use a pulk is if the intended load is heavy, like 25% of body weight.

I find that I can ski only half as fast as I can run, but I can ski twice as far as I can run.

–B.G.–

I cannot stay upright on cross-country skis to save my life. I spend more time flailing in the snow trying to get up again, than I do traveling. And yes, I've tried the fattest cross-country skis available at the rental shops.

I move slower on snowshoes, but since I almost never fall down, I get there much faster, and use much less energy.

Most people move much faster on cross-country skis.

— Rex

I agree that skis are going to be faster and easier and more fun. The only other consideration is the general snow conditions. If you are dealing with a lot of wind blown drifts and ice and breakable crust, shoes are better for those mixed conditions. it is much more enjoyable to ski when the snow is generally of a similar condition.

nm

XC skis are the easiest by far but ONLY if you know how to ski, natch.

A case in point: My buddy and I went winter camping. I had backcountry skis and he had 'shoes. I always broke trail B/C it was far easier than trying to ski in his 'shoe tracks. The next year he asked to borrow my skis and I told him it would be very difficult for him since he had NEVER been on skis before. But he insisted so I lent them. When he brought them back he said, "You were right, I had no idea what to do and it was miserable."

Morale: Take lessons and practice for one season then the next year go out and enjoy. (Did I say TAKE LESSONS?) Without lessons your progress will be slow and you will pick up bad habits that will have to be unlearned. Trust me, I was an XC ski insructor.

The only time that 'shoes are easier than skis is in steep and rocky terrain or in heavy brush.

P.S. If there is much steeper uphill terrain you'll need climbing skins on your skis, which give amazing traction.

I bought a pair of Glitterind skis on sale and am really looking forward to using them this winter. Narrow for bc skis but that's what I wanted as like you I'm more interested in glide and covering ground than carving big turns. I'll pair these with a rottefella bc magnum binding and Rossi x9 bc boot.

I'm hoping that this is a good set up for easier, rolling terrain.

I've used my regular classic nordic skis off trail at times when there's six or eight inches of fresh snow on the ground. They don't float or turn but they're light, nimble and quick in these conditions! and sinking slows you down on the downhills…

Not your situation, but some cross country races include snow shoes as well as skating and diagonal stride skis. On a packed course, the skate skiers win by a large margin.

My experience is that skis are almost always less work. In really tight, brushy, bad snow conditions (think sierra cement and mazanita), skis with skins still are easier, tho neither is much fun. Even if you don't ski, short fat skis with skins are good.

If there are any downhill sections, skis let you use that energy you stored up on the uphill.

Thanks so much to all those who replied. What has been said is what I have suspected. Now, I just need to hit the ski swap!