Cross Country Skiing
Cross-country skiing is an ideal winter sport. It offers a sense
of freedom in the great outdoors, with little fuss to get you
going. Cross country skiing originated in Scandinavia 4,000 to
4,500 years ago. The sport has come a long way from being the
sole method of transportation for snow and ice-bound northerners.
Cross country skiing is actually the great-grandparent of all ski
sports since both alpine skiing and snowboarding were only recently
derived from this free-heeled ancestor.
Technically, you can cross-country ski anywhere, even in your own
backyard if there's enough snow on the ground. The true thrill of
the sport, however, is not simply the means by which you travel, but
rather the locale, the scenery and for some it's the challenge.
American Ski Exchange & Rntls
The American Ski Exchange is your family's full service ski shop, offering Vail's best service, equipment, price, and location (Just steps from the Vi
(970) 476-1477
Mountain Quest Sports
We offer a full range of outdoor equipment. So if you like to ski, kayak, camp, climb, hike or do anything outside you will find everything you need .
(970) 926-3867
Ski & Snowboard Club Vail
Founded in 1962 to provide training and competition programs for aspiring young ski racers, SSCV is the Vail Valley's first and oldest non-profit. Tod
(970) 477-1082
Trail Wise Guides
Trailwise Guides provides guided hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, birdwatching and wildlife viewing tours in Vail, Colorado
(970) 827-5363
Vail Ski Tech
We are conveniently located on the Lionshead Mall just steps away from the Eagle Bahn Gondola. For the last 17 years we have been Vail's leader in qua
(970) 476-2021
Venture Sports
Nestled between Vail & Beaver Creek Ski areas, in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Venture Sports offers year-round rentals and service for winter an
Colorado's mountainous terrain and high alpine flats are ideal for
cross country skiing. Beaver Creek and Vail resorts offer Nordic
centers for their winter guests to enjoy, along with a Nordic Center
located at the Vail Golf Course. Instruction and rentals are
available, and tours are given at the golf course Nordic center,
including ecological discovery tours, backcountry tours, moonlight
tours and winter photography classes.
The most popular style of cross-country skiing is referred to as
classic. The classic technique, which is also the most popular
and easily learned, is simply a walking motion with enough oomph to be
gliding, while your skis are parallel. This form of cross country
skiing can be done on powder, un-groomed snow and groomed trails.
There are two other forms of cross-country skiing. Skate skiing
and telemark skiing evolved from classic cross country skiing.
Skating is a more athletic technique, because the skier pushes the skis
to each side as in a skating motion. Skating is generally done on
a surface groomed for this technique at a professional Nordic center or
when snow conditions are just right in the national forest.
Telemarking is a technique developed so skiers in free-heel binding
systems can go downhill skiing on lift-served slopes and in the
backcountry. The initiate turns by the drop of one knee, using
equipment that is sturdier and heavier than the skis used for classic
and skate skiing.
In Vail and Beaver Creek, all three of these styles of cross-country
skiing can be enjoyed. For those who are just beginning the
sport, the Nordic centers are a great place to start where rental
equipment and instruction are available and the trails are
professionally groomed. The national forests offer more diversity
in terrain and conditions, with some trails maintained.
41FOther pages you might find helpful:
Winter Trails
Learn the ins and outs of cross country skiing and snowshoeing through the backcountry.
