Comparison table (cross -country ski criteria)
| Model | GNSS | Cards | XC power | Autonomy −10 ° C (East.) | Weight | Price | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin Forerunner 970 | Multi-band | Yes | Yes (with belt) | ~ 20–24 h dual + card | <60 g | 700–900 € | Competition / Load Plans |
| Garmin Forerunner 965 | Multi-band | Yes | Yes (with belt) | ~ 22–26 h dual + card | ~ 53 g | 550–750 € | Perf & Lightness |
| SUUNTO Vertical (Titanium Solar) | Dual-band | Yes (free) | Non -native | ~ 28–36 h dual + card | ~ 74 g | 600–900 € | Long cold outings |
| SUUNTO RACE 2 | Dual-band | Yes | Non -native | ~ 24–30 H Dual + Map | ~ 65–75 g | 500–700 € | Training + XL screen |
| Polar Grit X2 Pro | Dual-band | Yes | No | ~ 20–26 h dual + card | ~ 79 g | 700–1000 € | Clear load / recovery |
| Garmin fēnix 7 pro | Multi-band | Yes | Yes (with belt) | ~ 24–30 H Dual + Map | 67–89 g | 700–1000 € | Carto + LED |
| Garmin Epix Pro | Multi-band | Yes | Yes (with belt) | ~ 18–24 h dual + card | 70–86 g | 800–1200 € | Premium display |
| Coros Vertix 2S | Dual-band | Yes | No | ~ 30–38 h dual + card | 70–87 g | 700–900 € | Ultra-autonomy |
| Polar Vantage V3 | Dual-band | Yes (Komoot) | No | ~ 20–26 h dual + card | ~ 57 g | 500–650 € | Perf + Health |
Settings 2 minutes – Cold special
- AOD Coupé, short backlight, low vibration, dark card theme.
- GNSS : All Systems + Multi-band in the forest/Technical course; All Systems Auto on track open to recover 10–20 % autonomy.
- Screens : 1) Power (if garmin) + FC; 2) Average look + slope %; 3) Zoom card 80–120 m; 4) Météo/baro if strong wind.
- Cardio : ECG belt under the first layer. Optics … You know history.
- Pre-jerk : launches the activity 3–5 min before departure, lets the GNSS stabilize.
For a global framing “mountain ski” before purchase, consult our essential advice to choose its ski watch and avoid conventional errors.
Budget & where to buy
Entrance/Middle (300–500 €): Bi-Fréquency multisport without the whole arsenal Carto. Heart -of -range (500–800 €): Forerunner 965, Vantage V3, Suunto Race 2. High -end (800–1 200+ €): Fēnix/Epix Pro, Grit X2 Pro, SUUNTO Vertical, Vertix 2S. In the mountain shop or sport store: bracelet/real weight test. Online: frequent promotions, quick choice of sizes.
Are you targeting a Garmin model but you hesitate on the carto and the lamp? Take a look at our comparison of Garmin watches dedicated to skiing to lock your choice without wasting time.
Maintenance & longevity
- Rinse with fresh water (salt, sweating), dry before recharging.
- Avoid 0 %/100 % prolonged; Store 40–60 % if long pause.
- Maj Firmware before the season (cards, sensors, bugfix).
- Clean the optics with a soft cloth (frequent forgetfulness).
- Take the watch below The round in the cold, tight but comfortable bracelet.
Do you want to dissect the Suunto profiles and offline cards for the Nordic tracks? Go through the detailed guide Suunto for Nordic skiing and parameter once.
FAQ – Questions that we are asked all the time
Cross -country ski watch or alpine skiing: is it different?
Yes. In the background you favor GNSS, reliable cardio and lightness; In alpine you insist on carto/climbpro, altimeter/baro, and LED lamp (dark departures).
Is the cardio belt really essential?
In winter: almost yes. Cold hands deceive the optics. The ECG belt under the first layer locks the data.
Amoled or Mip for snow?
Mip = readable and sober. AMOLED = Comfort + Settings to be monitored (AOD OFF, Brightness). The two walk, but not the same.
What cards for Nordic tracks?
Suunto: free offline. Garmin: Complete topo and mountain tools. Polar: effective komoot guidance.
GNSS adjustment in dense forest?
All Systems + Multi-band. In open terrain, returns to all auto system. You recover autonomy without losing track.
What screen size with gloves?
1.3–1.5 ″. And a weight under 70–80 g if you often split. Your forearms will say thank you.
Conclusion-Minute checklist
Priority: GNSS Multibande, ECG belt in winter, Carto Off-line if you go away, autonomy dimensioned at your sessions. Club skier : Forerunner 970/965. Long cold outings : Vertical suunto. Charge/Recovery readability : Polar Grit X2 Pro. Autonomy XXL : COROS Vertix 2S. Afterwards, it’s fine adjustment. Frankly, you know what to do.
Before buying, see our essential tips for choosing your ski watch to avoid the false good idea … and go skiing with the light spirit.
