Living a Happy, Healthy Retirement

Guide to Cross-Country Skiing Resorts (& Snowshoeing)

Mike

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).

Guide to Cross-Country Skiing Resorts

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.:

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.

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.

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

NEW HAMPSHIRE CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING

VERMONT CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING

MAINE CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING

CONNECTICUT CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING


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:

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.

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

Minnesota

Upper Michigan

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.

Other Resources from Optimal Retirement Living

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