California couple at Bear Valley Adventures
There was an unprecedented surge of interest in cross country (XC) skiing associated with the pandemic as people flocked to outdoor recreation. XC skiing gets you into winter outdoors which is particularly magical when the land is covered with snow. Your immersion in the environment on skis can also help with your wellness as XC skiing is known for delivering physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
If you want to try XC skiing, the most obvious suggestion for a positive introduction is to take a ski lesson. Here are some recommendations to get started from XCSkiResorts.com for the best ways to discover XC skiing across the nation:
Close to metropolitan Boston is Weston Ski Track, a local county-owned golf course that is accessible by public transportation. They’ve got snowmaking to guarantee the snow cover and lights to ski at night. A 75-minute session covers the basics for newcomers to XC skiing such as the motion, turning, and negotiating small hills. A package of rental gear, a lesson, and trail access starts at $44 for kids and $64 for adults. There are well-priced multiple session packages, too.
Further north in New England is Great Glen Trails in Gorham, NH where they encourage people to plan ahead and book on line because there are limits for the number of skiers in a 75-minute group lesson. They practice putting their boots in the ski binding on the carpet inside the lodge. Coaching in the small group lesson goes at a pace that is comfortable for the whole group to learn gliding, stopping, and getting up (just about everyone falls on the snow when they begin skiing). The views of Mt. Washington will astound you from Great Glen Trails.
Mt. Peg at Woodstock Nordic Center
The folks at the famous Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, VT (associated with the Sound of Music movie) like to start many newcomers on a softer ski and help them with basic techniques such as the kick and glide motion on skis, using the poles, and how to stop. These skills help the beginning skier get control on the skis. The soft ski will make it easier for the skier to turn and stop. Woodstock Nordic Center at the Woodstock Inn & Resort in Vermont has a golf course behind the inn that is a flat area with a picturesque creek running through it. Their unique 20-minute “Mini Clinic” is perfect for the first time skier and it includes the trail pass, one hour equipment rental and a lesson for $50. Get their four lesson deal and you’ll certainly be able master XC skiing.
At Lapland Lake Vacation Center in Northville, NY (near Albany) they customize the introduction to XC skiing experience to the skier’s level of ability. There is terrain with a wide modest downhill and a run-out to make skiers feel more comfortable.
In the central part of the USA is the Cross Country Ski Headquarters in Roscommon, MI where on weekend mornings you can take advantage of free lessons for beginners in classic or skate skiing. Their Winter Trails Day is in January when there will be free access to the facility and a lesson with a complimentary hot cocoa and hot dog cookout; and it is only $9 if you need XC ski gear to use.
Maplelag Resort in Callaway, MN is a family-oriented operation that goes out of their way to make sure people are comfortable with these new adventures like XC skiing or snowshoeing and will want to come back for more. Maplelag is a community-based experience and many times patrons who are experienced skiers help provide extra attention to first time skiers. Be aware that a fire destroyed the Maplelag lodge in October 2022 and while the skiing remains open with a retail shop and warming hut, the lodge is not in operation.
Breckenridge Nordic Center lodge
In the Rocky Mountains, the folks at Breckenridge Nordic Center in Colorado will give a 20% discount if you register on the Internet for a group lesson. They specialize in working with people who have never been on snow and share the joy of the XC skiing by helping skiers learn efficiency and control. Josh Dayton who runs the operation has produced a 9-minute video that first timers can access with a QR code to watch in advance of their experience on the snow which covers the touch points about controlling the skis and maintaining balance. All staff at the resort are ambassadors who offer ski tips to anyone. As soon as the skier steps out the door there is a staff person there who helps skiers put the equipment on, review the trail map, talk about body balance, and so on. When people come to Breckenridge Nordic with old equipment, they get offered a free upgrade to see the difference that new gear can make in the skiing enjoyment.
The Lake Tahoe region boasts a number of California ski areas and Tahoe Donner Cross Country has low cost opportunities to help people learn basic ski skills while having a blast on the trails. The member price is discounted for a group lesson package that includes the rental gear, a trail pass, and a 75-minute lesson or tour with an instructor and other beginners.
In the Northwest, Methow Trails is hosting the Free Backyard Ski Day on January 27th when there will be free access to the trails, free rental gear, and free lessons available for beginners at one of the largest trail networks in the US located in eastern Washington. These are just a few examples for people to try XC skiing this winter at XC ski areas across the nation - feel free to click through to any of the ski areas to find more information.