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This winter, give cross-country skiing a try
If you think winter snow sports are all about going downhill fast and avoiding the snowboarders, think again. Slip into a pair of cross-country skis this winter and discover the other side of skiing.
The centuries-old Nordic sport is enjoying a modern-day renaissance. The Cross Country Ski Areas Association reports that about 2.5 million cross-country skiers take to the snow each year–attracted to lighter, more manageable equipment, family-friendly programming and luxury apres-ski facilities.
“It’s peaceful, it’s quiet, it’s just a lovely thing to do,” says Dr. Irving Lerner, a St. Paul, Minn., oncologist and 30-year veteran of cross-country skiing. “I like the feeling of gliding on skis, and I enjoy the conditioning.” Perhaps the best thing about cross-country skiing is that it offers something for everyone–solitude for the privacy seekers, an intense athletic workout for the health-conscious and family fun for those looking for a relaxing afternoon outdoors. Conventional wisdom says that if you can walk, you can snowshoe; cross-country skiing is one small step from there. A few lessons are all that most recreational skiers need to be on their way. Here are a few of our favorite places to start–or continue–the journey.
PRIVACY SEEKERS
Spider Lake Lodge, Hayward, Wis.; (715) 462-3793; spiderlakelodge.com
The chirping of birds may be all that you’ll hear on the slopes in the quiet, quaint town of Hayward, Wis. Spider Lake Lodge, founded by interior decorator/furniture designers James Kerkow and Craig Mason as a platform to showcase their talents, feels more home-away-from-home than hotel. The original 1928 log lodge features seven individually decorated rooms, cozy touches like overstuffed chairs and well-stocked reading areas and hearty breakfasts to fuel a day on the trail. The trail of choice is the 51-kilometer Birkebeiner Ski Trail (a kilometer equals about five-eighths of a mile). It hosts the country’s largest cross-country skiing marathon, which this year attracted 7,000 participants and will be held next year from Feb. 22 to 24. Other popular options include Mukwonago, Seeley Hills, Hatchery Park, Telemark and Rock Lake trails.
THE NEXT BIG THING
Moonlight Basin, Big Sky, Mont.; (800) 845-4428; moonlightbasin.com
Globetrotters with a taste for adventure should head to Montana, where the Moonlight Basin Resort, about to begin its fourth season, is the first new destination ski resort to open in the U.S. in more than 20 years. The resort community features three restaurants, a bar ideal for apres-ski relaxation, a full-service spa and a host of amenities ranging from child care to dog sledding tours. Lodging options run the gamut from modest log cabins to lavish penthouse suites. Home base for Nordic skiing is the Lone Mountain Ranch in Big Sky, about 15 minutes from Moonlight Basin. The ranch features 80 kilometers of groomed trails, a Professional Ski Instructors of America ski school, equipment rental and wildlife tours. Beginners should check out the $51 first-timer package, which includes a group lesson, trail fee and equipment rental.
FAMILY STYLE
Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole, Teton Village, Wyo.; (307) 732-5000; fourseasons.com/jacksonhole
Take the extended family out West this winter for a heart-pumping vacation. A stay at the Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole features hot-stone massages for adults, a video game-packed Kids Club and 23 kilometers of groomed Nordic trails for all. Located in Teton Village, about 20 minutes from the town of Jackson, the 151-room Four Seasons is an excellent base camp. An on-site ski concierge coordinates lift tickets, rentals and lessons as well as special outings such as a naturalist-guided skiing tour through Grand Teton National Park. The hotel’s Nordic partner, Jackson Hole’s Saddle-horn Activity Center, boasts freshly groomed trails, expert lessons and programs like a personal ski-training session, designed to optimize calorie- and fat-burning.
LUXURY LOVERS
The Little Nell, Aspen, Colo.; (970) 920-4600; littlenell.com
Anyone more familiar with Michelin guides than Michelin tires will cozy right up to The Little Nell. Intimate, plush and consistently cited by all the travel magazines, this is Aspen’s only five-star, five-diamond property. Each of the 92 rooms features a fireplace and a striking view of downtown Aspen or Aspen Mountain. Ski-in/ski-out access ensures smooth slope entrance and exit. Ski concierges wax skis, heat boots and generally jump at the chance to improve your experience. Recover from a tough day on the slopes with an in-room massage or a cocktail at the hotel’s legendary apres-ski scene. Indulgence is a priority at The Little Nell, so food and wine are taken seriously. Don’t head home before sampling head chef Ryan Hardy’s locally made goat cheese and master sommelier Richard Betts’ Betts & Scholl wines.
–Valerie Nahmad
