Our number one pick for cross-country skis
Fresh Air Experience
When skiers ask us where to buy skis or get them serviced, this is where we send them. Our Communiski partner has been selling cross-country skis in Ottawa since 1969.
Why we send skiers to Fresh Air
Cross-country gear can feel intimidating when you’re starting out. A shop that gets the fit right makes every day on snow better.
Skis fitted to you
Fresh Air considers your weight first, then your height and ability, and often uses a camber machine to test how a ski responds under load.
Technicians in the shop
Experienced ski technicians work on site. There's no appointment needed, and service runs first come, first served.
First skis to race skis
Touring, performance, skate and junior gear under one roof, right up to race skis hand-picked at the factory.
Shop for skis and gear
Visit the store for a fitting, or browse Fresh Air’s online shop by what you need.
Classic touring skis
Grip skis for getting started and exploring the trails.
Skin skis
Reliable grip without the wax kit, at their best on groomed trails.
Classic performance skis
A step up for faster, more technical classic skiing.
Skate skis
Skis for skate skiing on groomed trails.
Junior skis
Skis for younger skiers, with junior boots, bindings and poles too.
Race gear
Race skis, carbon poles and performance boots for competitive skiers.
Wax & care
Glide wax, grip wax, klister, skin care and cleaning products.
Ski apparel
Base layers, mid layers, jackets and pants built for moving in the cold.
Race room skis
Racing or chasing faster friends? Fresh Air travels to Altenmarkt, Austria to pick Salomon and Atomic skis, selecting yours from many pairs at the factory. Pre-orders open for a limited window each year.
About race room skisSki service, no appointment needed
Bring your skis to the shop on Wellington for waxing, bindings and poles. Work is done on site by Fresh Air’s own technicians, first come, first served.
- Bought your bindings elsewhere? They can still mount them
- Turnaround is usually 24 to 48 hours, and may vary by season
- Other repairs are charged at $70 an hour
| Service | Price | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Hot wax, Swix PS | $23.95 | 48 hours |
| Hot wax, Swix HS | $32.95 | 48 hours |
| Pine tar | $39.95 | 48 hours |
| Binding installation | $14.95 | 24 hours |
| Binding installation (bought elsewhere) | $19.95 | 48 hours |
| Binding transfer or remount | $24.95 | 48 hours |
| Pole cutting to length, per pair | $19.95 | 24 hours |
Rates from Fresh Air’s website, checked November 2026. Confirm with the shop before you go.
Rent before you buy
Try classic or skate skiing with a rental package of skis, bindings, poles and boots, in adult sizes. Rentals are first come, first served with no reservations. Last season, classic was $40 a day and skate was $50. Check with Fresh Air for this season’s opening and rates.
Winter rentalsNew to the sport?
Fresh Air’s getting-started guides explain the gear before you spend anything.
Visit Fresh Air Experience
- 1291 Wellington St W, Ottawa, ON K1Y 3A8
- 613-729-3002
- [email protected]
- Check current store hours
Fresh Air Experience is a partner of Common Empire’s Communiski program. “Number one pick” is our own recommendation.