Ski season is in full swing and while skiing downhill is not my thing especially in crowded slopes, I did try cross-country skiing and I thought it was allot of fun.
If cross-country skiing is more your way of getting out there and enjoying the winter sport, Chris Frado executive director and president of the Cross Country Ski Areas Association along with Tim Smight from USA TODAY has a list of snowy places.
Sun Mountain Lodge
Winthrop, Wash.
Situated on the eastern slope of the Cascades about 220 miles from Seattle, Sun Mountain Lodge sits atop an extensive cross-country trail system that makes its way down the mountain and across the scenic Methow Valley below. "Methow Valley is one of the largest Nordic centers in North America, with more than 120 miles of interconnected trails," Frado says. "The terrain is varied to suit all skill levels, from beginners to competitive racers." 800-572-0493; sunmountainlodge.com
Great Glen Trails
Gorham, N.H.Nestled amid New Hampshire's picturesque White Mountains, Great Glen Trails was designed expressly for cross-country skiing. Twenty-five miles of groomed trails wend their way through the trees and meadows. "There's a real harmony to skiing the trails here," Frado says. "Your skis almost seem to sing over the snow." Close by is the town of Jackson, "a quintessential New England village, complete with a covered bridge." 603-466-2333; greatglentrails.com
Donnelly, Idaho
"Tamarack is a brand-new resort that caters to both downhill and cross-country skiers," Frado says. "The lodge is truly luxurious, with magnificent views of the surrounding Payette River Mountains. There are more than 15 miles of cross-country trails — all at moderate altitude, which makes for fun skiing." Tamarack also offers guided cross-country ski and snowshoeing excursions. 866-649-6903; tamarackidaho.com
Devil's Thumb Ranch
Tabernash, Colo.Devil's Thumb, 70 miles north of Denver, has a reputation for environmental responsibility as well as outstanding skiing. "They believe in maintaining the integrity and natural beauty of the property, and they really live up to that ideal," Frado says. "More than 60 miles of trails wend through 5,000 acres of meadow and forest, with minimal impact on the land. You can truly immerse yourself in nature here." 800-933-4339; devilsthumbranch.com
White Grass
Davis, W.Va."White Grass is down-home, relaxed and nurturing — all about having fun on skis," Frado says. Tucked into a snowy corner of the Cabin Mountains in West Virginia, White Grass draws cross-country skiing enthusiasts from all over the East. "They have more than 15 miles of groomed trails suitable for family skiing, and offer guided cross-country treks into the higher and more challenging terrain," Frado says. "They also have a wonderful natural-foods cafe." 304-866-4114; whitegrass.com
Soldier Hollow
Midway, UtahLocated just 20 minutes from the trendy downhill ski enclave of Park City, Soldier Hollow served as the cross-country ski venue for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. "Mere mortals can ski the same trails as the world-class athletes — and then head for a Park City cafe to relax and celebrity-watch," Frado says. The resort has more than 20 miles of groomed trails for all skill levels, and offers spectacular views of the surrounding Wasatch Mountains. 435-654-2002; soldierhollow.com
Maplelag
Callaway, Minn.Located in northwest Minnesota, about an hour east of Fargo, N.D., Maplelag is an out-of-the way but very popular cross-country ski destination. Originally a maple syrup farm, the property has been family-owned and operated for two generations. In addition to 40 miles of well-groomed skiing trails, Maplelag offers sledding, ice skating and ice fishing. "The family-style meals are wonderful, and the bottomless jars of homemade cookies in the lodge are also a nice touch," Frado says. 800-654-7711; maplelag.com
Royal Gorge
Soda Springs, Calif.Sprawling across 9,000 acres in the heart of California's Sierra Nevada mountain range, Royal Gorge bills itself as North America's largest cross-country ski resort. A short drive from the Reno/Lake Tahoe area, the resort offers skiers more than 190 miles of groomed track for all skill levels. "The trail system at Royal Gorge is fantastic," Frado says. "There are warming huts and trailside cafes along the way, which make for great rest stops. They also run an excellent ski school for beginners." 800-500-3871; royalgorge.com
Trapp Family Lodge
Stowe, Vt."This is the home of the legendary von Trapp family singers, whose story was told in The Sound of Music," Frado says. "They brought cross-country skiing with them from Austria in 1950 and created what became the first Nordic resort in the U.S." Centered by an Austrian-style main lodge that overlooks the historic town of Stowe, the resort offers 28 miles of groomed track and another 62 miles of challenging backcountry trails. 800-826-7000; trappfamily.com
Camp Sagawau Nordic
Lemont, Ill.City dwellers who don't have the time for a ski trip need not despair, Frado says. Many urban areas allow cross-country skiing in local parks and nature preserves. "One example is the Chicago area, which has seven cross-country ski centers in county forest preserves. Sagawau Nordic in southwest Cook County is one of the best. It's small, with only a few miles of groomed trail, but it's a great place to learn the sport or get a quick skiing fix." 630-257-2045; fpdcc.com
Ski Stowe, VT, for $200/Night at Cozy Hillside Resort
Hit the slopes in Stowe this winter with great-value rates at the Top Notch Resort and Spa set on 120 wooded acres.
"Hotel amenities include the on site restaurant, spa, massages, beauty treatments, fitness center, whirlpool, indoor swimming pool, sauna, aerobics, yoga, beauty salon, outdoor and indoor tennis courts, tennis instruction, ball machine and racquet rentals, children's programs, recreational center, bicycle rentals, cross-country skiing equipment rentals, in-line skate rentals, fly-fishing rentals, hiking trails, and horseback riding. Learn More"
If you don't ski like myself and avoid going to ski resorts, these days ski resorts will cater not only to skiers but to everyone. If your friend likes to ski and you don't, most resorts have first-rate spas, art galleries, shops and restaurants that will keep everyone entertained.
Top 10 Ski Vacations for Non-Skiers.
1. Bad Gastein, Austria
2. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
3. Mont Tremblant, Canada
4. Park City, Utah
5. St. Moritz, Switzerland
6. Sierra Nevada, Spain
7. Stowe, Vermont
8. Sun Valley, Idaho
9. Taos, New Mexico
10. Queenstown, New Zealand
When you visit Utah in the winter you delight yourself in the Greatest adventure Snow on Earth® you have your
choice of 13 ski resorts, you will get to experience some of Utah's
best for free. Enter and win a trip to Utah this winter.
Prize Details:
Round trip airfare for two to Salt Lake City
Three nights accommodations in Salt Lake City or Park City
2 all day lift tickets at any Salt Lake City or Park City resort
2 all day ski or snowboard rentals
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Enter to win today!
If you are a skier and can't wait for snow season to begin, book now to receive the best deals. Many Mountain Resorts have special programs this time of the year enticing skiers to book their vacations early. Forget season tickets which are probably all sold out, those are best to look for in the summer.
If you book now you have a better chance of choosing between which accommodations you want and travel arrangements are more affordable
Here are some ski destinations from msnbc.
Source: msnbc
With the weather starting to get cold, ski lovers are already starting to book early for their ski holidays. This year the demand is high, especially for ski holidays in Italy, ski holidays in Austria
and also skiing in France.
In fact the bestselling ski destinations so far, and the most searched by holidaymakers, can be found at holidayholiday.co.uk/skiholiday and is easily searched to find great holiday ski deals from travel agents who specialize in ski.
