Do you love the all-body workout of a cross-country ski journey? There are fantastic destinations around the world that will be ideal for cross-country skiing holidays. Whether you want to try it for the first time or you have clocked up many kilometres, there’s something for everyone. Our ski experts have created a guide for the best cross-country ski resorts.
Beitostølen, Norway
Beitostølen is the ideal place for a cross-country skiing holiday because of its vast amount of tracks available in the area. There is an impressive 320km of tracks which are superbly maintained. Located in the Jotunheimen National Park there are stunning views surrounding the area. The landscape, culture and atmosphere are very different from your typical ski resort in the alps. A great place if you want to try something different.
Courchevel, France
Known for its vast alpine ski terrain and luxury accommodation options, Courchevel is also an ideal cross-country ski resort. It has 120km of tracks to enjoy, which are kept in pristine condition throughout the season. It is a great alternative way of discovering the Three Valleys ski area. Whether you’re on the 17km red track towards Méribel Altiport or taking an easy 5km blue along the Bouc Blanc itinerary, there’s something for everyone.
Davos, Switzerland
Home to the famous Davos Economic forum, this Swiss resort is a great place for cross-country skiing. It has 100km of classic tracks between Davos and Klosters and 75km of skating tracks in the area. The FIS Cross-country World Cup often visits the area and the public can try the “Cologna-Stutz” tracks that are made for the world’s best. The views are truly stunning as you travel around the area, making the journey a great place to admire your surroundings.
Kvitfjell, Norway
Norway is the true home of cross-country skiing and the ski resort of Kvitfjell provides some excellent tracks. You can explore an amazing 600km of tracks in the area. The cross-country terrain is spread out east to west of the main mountain, and also connects to nearby villages Gålå and Skeikampen. Despite freezing temperatures for most of the ski season, you will still work up a sweat on your journey.
La Clusaz, France
One of the most well-known cross-country ski resorts in the Haute Savoie area, La Clusaz has some brilliant terrain to enjoy. You can explore 150km of tracks with breathtaking views during your journey. There are two main areas to visit, Les Confins with 63km of well-maintained tracks and Beauregard which has delightful views of Aravis range of mountains and Mont Blanc. It’s a real pleasure to cross-country ski in La Clusaz.
Maria Alm, Austria
Part of the Hochkönig ski area, Maria Alm is a great place for beginner cross-country skiers with easy terrain. There is 40km of tracks that are evenly distributed for classic and skate styles. There are wonderful views of the mountain ranges on your journey with visits to nearby villages of Mühlbach and the Dienten Saddle. If you’re feeling adventurous there’s a further 150km of terrain to enjoy in the Saalfelden Nordic Park, just 6km away from Maria Alm.
Seefeld, Austria
Seefeld is considered the top place in Austria for a cross-country skiing holiday. It has an impressive 250km of terrain with a mixture of classic and skate routes. The tracks are perfectly maintained and mostly flood-lit for bad visibility or late evening journeys. The FIS Cross-Country World Cup comes to Seefeld each year and showcases the world’s best talent in this sport. It is one of the hardest places to cross-country ski because of its base altitude of 1,200m.
St. Moritz, Switzerland
There is a fantastic network of 185km of cross-country tracks in St. Moritz. The Swiss ski resort is known for its luxury accommodation and fine dining, but there is also great cross-country skiing to enjoy. If you like a challenge there’s the famous 42km trail called the Engadin Ski Marathon, which goes from Maloja to S-chanf. There are also easier routes, so there’s something for everyone to try out, no matter what your ability.
Sun Peaks, Canada
It’s not only Europe that has brilliant Cross-country ski resorts. Sun Peaks in Canada has lovely tracks to explore with 52km to enjoy. This is a great place for beginner cross-country skiers because of the gentle terrain. Whether you’re enjoying the journey near the Holy Cow trail or the pet-friendly route to the McGillivray Lake Outpost, there are beautiful views to admire along the way.
Tremblant, Canada
Tremblant has some of the most kilometres of tracks among all the Canadian cross-country ski resorts. It has 120km worth of trails with a mixture of classic and skating routes to enjoy. The terrain is mostly enjoyed by intermediate and advanced cross-country skiers because of its technical tracks. However, there is a 2km beginner route that is available near the Diable River. Along any route, there are stunning views of forests and mountain ranges.
Mammoth, USA
Mammoth has brilliant cross-country skiing trails to enjoy near the Mammoth Lakes Basin. There’s a strong local community that puts on events and maintains the trails during the season. If you’re a first-time cross-country skier you can book lessons and guided tours at the Tamarack Cross-Country Ski Center, located at Tamarack Lodge. One of the most beautiful places to glide is the US mountains. There are 100km of trails in the area.
To find out more about the best cross-country skiing holidays, call our ski experts on 0207 471 7700.
