Best Cross-Country Skiing

The Very Best Places to Try Cross-Country Skiing

Jackson Ski Touring - Jackson, New Hampshire
Jackson Ski Touring is a great cross-country ski location. The ski area is near to the town of Jackson, which has played a significant role in the sport of cross-country skiing. The ski area has a large touring center for skiers to rest, rent, and eat. There are trails ranging from beginning to advanced experience levels. This location also has lots of backcountry skiing and even wilderness trips into the White Mountain National Forest.


Craftbury Outdoor Center - Connecticut
This location is known for its great snow, which arrives earlier and lasts longer than other places in the area. This good ski weather is due to its topography. The trails have a nice mix of challenge and pleasant terrain. You will be able to travel on forested trails and trails through meadows. The Craftbury Outdoor Center also offers is trailside lodging, so you can camp overnight along the trail.


Gunflint Trail - Minnesota
Gunflint Trail is a grouping of four different trail associations. Together these associations maintain over 60 miles of trails. These trails span from Grand Marais to the Sawtooth Mountains. You will also find numerous lodges along the 60 miles of trail. This area has so many trails that you could ski for days and never cross your tracks.


Devil's Thumb Ranch Resort - Colorado
This ski area provides a unique experience for cross-country skiers, since it is located at an elevation of 8,500 feet. You will feel a little short of breath, but in exchange for more difficult conditions you get amazing scenery. Many of the trails here are open, so you get a lot of sun, although you will come across some wooded trails. Located deep in the Rocky Mountains, this resort is known for its deep powder and sunny skies.


Sun Mountain Lodge - Winthrop, Washington
Sun Mountain Lodge is on Sun Mountain, which is conveniently located above the Methow Valley. The Methow Valley is known for some of the best cross-country skiing in the US. It is also one of the largest Nordic centers in the US. Here you will find over 120 miles of trails. There are trails for beginners and professional racers; everyone will enjoy the trails they find within Sun Mountain and the Methow Valley.


Soldier Hollow - Midway, Utah
Soldier Hollow was the location for the cross-country events for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. Here you will find world-class cross-country skiing. The trails are well groomed and you may even see some famous cross-country skiers. Park City, the famous downhill ski area, is nearby if you are looking for a change in pace. Park City is a popular destination for skiers throughout the world.


Royal Gorge - Soda Springs, California
Royal Gorge is located right in the Sierra Nevadas. This ski area encompasses over 9,000 acres, making it the largest Nordic ski area in the US. There are over 190 miles of trails for cross-country skiers of all experience levels. The center has a great cross-country school for beginners. You will also find some very nice amenities, including trailside warming huts and cafes.


Trapp Family Lodge - Stowe, Vermont
Stowe is a fabulous skiing destination. The Trapp Family Lodge was the first Nordic ski resort in the United States. It has an Austrian style lodge, highlighting the European origins of cross-country skiing. There are over 28 miles of groomed trails. For those seeking a more challenging adventure there are also 62 miles of backcountry trails.


Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort - Oregon
Mt. Bachelor has one of the longest cross-country seasons, from November to April. This ski resort combines great cross-country skiing and fabulous downhill skiing. Groups with varying interests will enjoy Mt. Bachelor since it provides many different skiing options. One of the cross-country trails, Oli's Alley, has a 600-foot elevation change over 12 kilometers.

Sun Valley - Idaho
Sun Valley, located within the Rocky Mountains, boasts of some of the Northwest's best skiing. There is a fantastic Nordic Center with heated outdoor pools and ice-skating. For cross-country skiers there are about 25 miles of groomed trails. There are also a large variety of cross-country options including classical, ski touring, and skate skiing. For beginners there is also a large ski school.