Vail 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.

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.