Have you ever tried cross-country skiing? I went for the first time this winter, and it sure was different than what I expected! Normally, I’m a downhill skier; I love the thrill and excitement of swooshing down a mountain, turning and pivoting and racing the wind on snow. I always looked at Nordic skiers and thought: “What’s so fun about dragging yourself on a flat trail?” With no downhill rush, I thought cross-country skiing would be boring. Boy, was I wrong!
Cross-country skiing provides its own set of challenges, and it is both fun and exhilarating. First, you have to get the hang of the lunging type of motion involved in propelling yourself forward on skis. And you have to balance this with the motion of picking up your heels, since only your toes are strapped into the skis. Then you have to keep up the momentum as you traverse level trails (well, as a beginner, I stuck to the flat ones!).
Strength and stamina are needed to keep up your Nordic groove, and once you get it, it’s a very enjoyable blend of cardio, snow, and beautiful scenery. I really enjoyed the pace of cross-country skiing; how I was able to take deep breaths of winter air and take in the surrounding landscapes of forest and farms.
Vermont truly provides a winter playground! It’s time for you to go out and play in the snow. Here is a list of some Vermont Chamber of Commerce members who feature cross-country skiing in Vermont:
SOUTHERN VERMONT
Grafton Ponds Outdoor Center
783 Townshend Road, Grafton, VT 05146
802-843-2400, www.graftonponds.com
Hildene Nordic Center
1005 Hildene Road, Manchester, VT 05254
802-362-1788, www.hildene.org
Stratton Mountain Sun Bowl Adventure Center
5 Village Lodge Road, Stratton Mountain, VT 05155
1-800-STRATTON, www.stratton.com
CENTRAL VERMONT
Bolton Valley Nordic Center
4302 Bolton Valley Access Road, Bolton, VT 05477
802-434-3444, www.boltonvalley.com
Morse Farm Ski Touring Center
1168 County Road, Montpelier, VT 05602
802-223-0090, www.skimorsefarm.com
Mountain Top Inn & Resort Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Center
195 Mountain Top Road, Chittenden, VT 05737
802-483-6089, www.mountaintopinn.com
Okemo Valley Nordic Center
77 Okemo Ridge Road, Ludlow, VT 05149
802-228-1396, www.okemo.com
Rikert Ski Touring Center at Middlebury College
12 miles east of Middlebury on Route 125, Middlebury, VT 05753
802-443-2744, www.middlebury.edu
Three Stallion Inn
665 Stock Farm Road, Randolph, VT 05060
800-424-5575, www.threestallioninn.com
Woodstock Inn & Resort Nordic Center
14 The Green, Woodstock, VT 05091
802-457-6674, www.woodstockinn.com
NORTHERN VERMONT
Catamount Outdoor Family Center
592 Governor Chittenden Road, Williston, VT 05459
802-879-6001, www.catamountoutdoor.com
Craftsbury Outdoor Center
535 Lost Nation Road, Craftsbury Common, VT 05827
802-586-7767, www.craftsbury.com
Highland Lodge Ski Touring Center
1608 Craftsbury Road, Greensboro, VT 05841
802-533-2647, www.highlandlodge.com
Jay Peak Resort Nordic Center
4850 VT Rte. 242, Jay, VT 05859
802-988-2611, www.jaypeakresort.com
Sleepy Hollow Inn, Ski & Bike Center
1805 Sherman Hollow Road, Huntington, VT 05462
1-866-254-1524, www.skisleepyhollow.com
Smugglers’ Notch Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Adventure Center
4323 VT Rte. 108 South, Smugglers’ Notch, VT 05464
802-644-8851, www.smuggs.com
Stowe Mountain Resort Cross Country Ski Center
5781 Mountain Road, Stowe, VT 05672
802-253-3000, www.stowe.com
Trapp Family Lodge Nordic Center
700 Trapp Hill Road, Stowe, VT 05672
1-800-826-7000, www.trappfamily.com
Happy Trails! The Author Cross-Country Skiing with Her Son at Morse Farm, VT
