Is there a right and left nordic ski?

If the ski specifically says right or left than it is. But it would only be because it's curved for when you turn on the trail. If its not labeled then assume that it it interchangeable.

Take a look at the waxless pattern (sometimes called "fish-scales," in reference to Trak's original waxless base) that occupies the middle third or so of the base of the skis. Trak produced some skis - I'm guessing at the time frame here - in perhaps the middle to late 1980's, that had linear grooves running alongside part of the waxless pattern, on either the left or right side. This was about the time that skating (the V-skate) was really starting to take off as a separate technique.

Since a "normal" waxless base kind of sucks for skating, I think Trak was trying to produce a waxless ski that could occasionally be used for this "new" technique. If the linear grooves were kept to the inside of each ski, they wouldn't hinder glide during the push-off phase of each skating stride (note: if you aren't familiar with the V-skate technique, go to YouTube and watch some World Cup Nordic ski racing, and you'll see what is is, and all this will make sense).

For all practical purposes, your folks' skis could be used on either foot, as long as they have a more modern binding system (as opposed to the old 75mm 3-pin system, which definitely had a "right" and "left" binding). And yes, you are right about your Fischers, they do not have a right or left. Trak was, as far as I know, the only company to attempt this design. It was a great idea, I think.

Hope this helps!

Ahhh! Yes! I have seen them marked Left and right myself! Is there a difference? I am not sure. With my skis there is a difference. I mark my own skis L and R. Why? For performance! I sharpen, or tune, my skis quite a lot, mostly for skiing on ice and for racing.

You use your inside edge most of the time for turning and carving. If you are doing it on soft snow or groomed it doesn't a sharp edge doesn't matter that much. If you are skiing on ice you need a very sharp edge to cut into the ice. Therefore, when I am skiing soft snow I wear my left ski on my right foot and right ski on my left foot. This way I am maintaining a sharp edge on the outside of the ski that I am not using at the time.

When I get to ice or racing I put my Left ski on my left foot so I have that sharp edge to cut into the hard stuff.

When serious racing I use strictly racing skis that are so sharp I would not want to fall on them. So far, I have only cut up my race clothes a bit and no skin.

Hope this helps.

nope not at all the designs just go togeather if you do but it doesn't matter