Introduction – Guide to Cross-Country Skiing Resorts
This Guide to Cross-Country Skiing Resorts (& Snowshoeing) is of course not complete. If you were to do a search for local areas to enjoy these winter pastimes, you could easily come up with your own list. However, like with downhill skiing, this guide gives you ideas for destination locations which could allow you to take a true winter dream vacation (OK, other than heading to sunny, warm Caribbean beaches).
Top Destination Nordic Skiing Resorts
Cross-Country Skiing: The 16 Top Resorts in the U.S.
For snow lovers who enjoy traversing longer trails outdoors rather than flying down steep mountains or trying to navigate glades, cross-country skiing is a favorite pastime. While alpine or downhill skiing may be a more popular sport among the masses, cross-country skiing is a great way to get out and exercise in fresh air come wintertime. In this sport, skiers shuffle and glide (classic cross-country skiing) or shift their weight from side to side diagonally (skate skiing) to move forward along groomed trails. These trails are often wide and flat but can include some hills. You can use your poles to engage your core and help propel you faster on the terrain as well. Not only is it excellent exercise, but cross-country skiing also allows you to take in your surroundings and admire nature’s beautiful forests, mountains and valleys.
Cross-country ski seasons across America typically begin in November or December and last through March or April, with select resorts able to stay open later when there are favorable snow and weather conditions. Keep in mind, trail availability and access greatly depend on snow accumulation and temperatures, so you’ll want to check each ski area’s website or call ahead before traveling. At many resorts, you can book private or group lessons and rent gear like boots, bindings, poles, skis and more. (Prices for lessons and rentals vary greatly by resort, but expect to pay around $50 to $150 for a private lesson, and about $15 to $50 to rent all the equipment you’ll need to ski for a day.) Some trails are free for skiers to access, while others generally charge between $20 and $50 for a day pass, with discounts often available for kids, students and seniors. To help you determine the best option for a winter getaway, U.S. News researched and found the top cross-country skiing spots across America. (Note: Some amenities may be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. New policies may be in place, including capacity restrictions and mask requirements. Check with the official resort website, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of State and local tourism boards before traveling.)
Best Cross-Country Skiing in the U.S.:
- Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa
- Methow Trails
- Trapp Family Lodge
- Bretton Woods Nordic Center
- Aspen Snowmass Nordic Trail System
- Maplelag Resort
- White Grass Ski Touring Center
- Carter’s XC Ski Center
- Mount Bachelor
- Sun Valley Nordic & Snowshoe Center
- Bear Valley Adventure Company
- Snow Mountain Ranch
- Jackson Ski Touring Foundation
- Cascade Cross Country Ski Center
- Lone Mountain Ranch
- Kincaid Park
In addition to the list above, this website provides a short summary of all the areas listed.
7 Cross Country Skiing + Snowshoeing Adventures in Northern California
When the snow begins to fall, the promise of downhill skiing and snowboarding draws us into the mountains. But winter sporting doesn’t end on the slopes.
Why not experience winter a little differently with a snowshoeing or cross-country skiing adventure. At these Northern California destinations, you’ll find all the snow-capped beauty and heart-pumping
activity of the sports’ sexier cousins, without the hefty price tag and obnoxious crowds. All you have to do is rent the gear; the Sierras will do the rest.
- Royal Gorge: The Largest XC Ski + Snowshoe Area in the U.S.
- Yosemite National Park: Badger Pass Ski Area Nordic Center
- Mount Shasta Nordic Center
- Northstar California Cross Country, Telemark + Snowshoe Center
- XC Skiing + Snowshoeing Around Tahoe
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park: Snowshoe to Pear Lake
- Mammoth Lakes: Tamarack Cross Country Ski Center
This website provides a short summary of all the areas listed.
Make More Tracks; Best Top Nordic Centers in the Midwest
Generally speaking, the Midwestern states make up an overlooked bit of the country—literally, the fly-over states. And sadly, this wild misjudgment often extends to the world of outdoor activities. It’s easy
to think of the old woods of the East and the vast mountains of the West as focal points for things like Nordic skiing; in truth, the Midwest is chock-full of world-class country ski terrain and culture. Between the region’s breathtaking plains and dense rolling woods, working fields and forgotten valleys, it offers ample opportunity for amazing winter exploration. Below are some of our favorite Nordic centers in the
Midwest, all of which combine a warm plains-state hospitality with unique and visit-worthy trails into your next ski destination.
- ABR Trails – Western Michigan
- Giants Ridge – Minnesota
- Maplelag Resort – Minnesota
- SoleBakken Resort – North Shore of Lake Superior
- Golden Eagle Resort – Minnesota
Best Cross-Country Skiing in New England
Cross-country skiing has long been a go-to winter pastime for New Englanders. It’s the perfect way to get outdoors, into the wilderness, and explore trails covered with snow. It’s also great exercise and can
be easier than running on pavement or tackling rugged snowshoe trails.
Most Nordic Centers offer cross-country ski trails for all skill levels, from flat beginner’s loops to steep ascents and speedy downhills for the more advanced skier. They may be less celebrated than some of the
big alpine resorts, but the multitude of cross-country skiing trails and centers scattered throughout New England is growing larger and more diverse with every passing year and each new technology advancement.
Here are some of Yankee’s favorite places to cross-country ski in New England.
MASSACHUSETTS CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING
- 15 Minutes to Boston: Weston Ski Track
- Skiing With Dogs: Notchview
- Three State Vista: Stump Sprouts Cross Country Ski Center
NEW HAMPSHIRE CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING
- Best-Kept Secret in the White Mountains: Bear Notch Ski Touring Center
- Skiing in a Winter Wonderland: Jackson XC
- Ski with an Olympian: Waterville Valley Resort Adventure Center
VERMONT CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING
- First in the Country: Trapp Family Lodge Cross-Country Ski Center
- Adventure Experts: Craftsbury Outdoor Center
- Heart of Green Mountain National Forest: Blueberry Hill Inn Outdoor Center
- Full-Moon Treks: Woodstock Inn Tubbs Snowshoes & Nordic Adventure Center
MAINE CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING
- Reliable Snowfall: Rangeley Lakes Trails Center
- Family-Owned Fun: Five Fields Farm
- Minutes to Portland: Smiling Hill Farm
CONNECTICUT CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING
- Southern Skiing: Winding Trails Cross Country Ski Center
Additional Resources from New England Magazine
US National Parks
9 American National Parks for Snowshoeing Adventures
As temperatures drop across America and the days grow ever shorter, nature’s most challenging season draws out winter sports enthusiasts, who relish the opportunity to once again hit the slopes, trails and lakes.
When the first snowflakes tumble from the sky, it’s those people who start packing their skis, snowboards, snowshoes and/or fishing gear. If you’re one of them, I think you might find this blog post particularly useful.
Especially if you’re into winter hiking, you’ll want to pay the following USA national parks for snowshoeing a visit this time of year:
- Denali National Park, Alaska
- Zion National Park, Utah
- Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
- Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
- Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
- Yosemite National Park, California
- Acadia National Park, Maine
- Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho
- Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Glacier National Park – Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
Glacier’s winter recreation opportunities are diverse, with trails and routes available for all skill levels. Weather conditions, as well as minimal park operations and services, can present challenges for many visitors. There are not many services available adjacent to the park, let alone within the park boundary.
Ski and snowshoe rentals can be found at various private businesses in surrounding communities, but there are no rental opportunities in the park. If you are interested in a guided tour, see a list of operators on our Guided Winter Activities page.
While recreating, make sure to adhere to winter-adapted Leave No Trace principles.
This site provides more details on winter activities as well as Avalanche Safety.
Snowshoeing Destinations
10 Amazing Places to Snowshoe in North America
Your favorite hiking trails may be under snow until spring, but snowshoeing is an affordable, accessible way to keep winter fun. The solitude of snowshoeing is also a bonus: there are no crowds, heavy machinery, or endless lift lines. The following destinations are some of the best places to snowshoe in North America, from groomed Nordic tracks and valley floors, to lakeshore forest glades and rugged ascents.
- Ashcroft, Colorado: Ghost town turned dining destination
- Mt. Hood, Oregon: Lush alpine landscape and cozy lodging
- Methow Valley, Washington: An epic trail system in the North Cascades
- Yosemite National Park, California: No crowds and iconic rock faces
- Canoe Country, BWCA, Minnesota: Native American culture, backcountry camping and the Aurora Borealis
- East Burke, Vermont: Cozy lodging, artisan cheese and an extensive backcountry trail system
- Denali National Park, Alaska: Northern Lights, groomed trails and dog-sledding
- Yellowstone National Park, Montana: trippy geologic features and wildlife viewing
- Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Michigan: Blissful solitude and a remote, 100-mile hut-to-hut trail
- Bryce Canyon, Utah: Full moon snowshoes and hoodoos
This website provides a nice summary of each destination as well as hints on other activities.
The 26 Best Snowshoeing Trails in the U.S.
This article from Outside Magazine provides a summary of 26 snowshoeing trails across the U.S. The list is broken down into three categories, Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. As you become a more proficient showshoer, I could see this becoming a holy grail of winter travels.
This season transforms our favorite outdoor spaces into wild winter wonderlands, and snowshoeing offers one of the most heart-pumping and affordable tickets to the show. Even better, learning to snowshoe is a cinch. Here are the best trails in the U.S., selected based on their sights and scenery and grouped by their level of expertise. Don’t miss our list of best snowshoes to gear up for winter trail fun, too.
Snowshoeing High in The Midwest: Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan
I like looking down from high places. To do so is exhilarating, provides lovely views, and makes me feel like I am on top of the world….as long as it’s not too high. But no worries about snowshoeing too high in the Midwest. Most elevations in this area are not anywhere as high as places in the east and west.
I will introduce you to a half dozen select locations in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Here, you can get up high on snowshoes….but not too high.
Wisconsin
- Timm’s Hill
- Brady’s Bluff
Minnesota
- Great River Bluffs State Park
- Split Rock Lighthouse
Upper Michigan
- Fayette Historic State Park
- Trap Hills
Snowshoeing in the Eastern U.S.: Four Spots to Visit
Snowshoeing opportunities in the Eastern U.S. are no less abundant just because the mountains are shorter or the canyons are not as deep as in the American West. Our vistas and wilderness may not have the same epic quality as the Continental Divide, but they can relax the mind and soul. The mountains softly roll on into blue oblivion, cradling leafy gorges decorated with gorgeous white waterfalls.
Add snow and ice to the landscape, and the eastern mountains need not take a backseat to anything in the West. Here are four ways to snowshoe your way into this winter kingdom.
- Stratton Mountain, Vermont
- West Rim Trail, Pennsylvania
- Eagle Lake, Acadia National Park, Maine
- Ashokan High Point, New York