10 Relaxing Cross Country Destinations

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Winter is upon us and before the snow begins falling, now is a good time to start organizing some winter vacation plans. For you cross-country skiers out there, here is a list of ten excellent get-away locations for friends and family to go explore.

Sun Mountain Lodge Winthrop, Washington

About 220 miles from Seattle on the eastern slope of the Cascades, Sun Mountain Lodge provides a bevy of cross-country routes down the mountains of the scenic Methow Valley. Considered to be one of the largest Nordic centers in North America, Methow Valley has more than 120 miles of interconnected trail systems. It doesn’t matter if you’re just beginning or if you’re a seasoned vet, Sun Mountain Lodge has what you are looking for.

Great Glen Trails
Gorham, New Hampshire

Stowed away in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Great Glen Trails was designed specifically for cross-country skiing. With 25 miles of groomed routes, skiers can mush through their harmonious trees and meadows. Just down the road is the prototypical New England town of Jackson where vacationers can relax after a long day of trekking.

Tamarack Resort
Donnelly, Idaho

Tamarack fits the needs of cross country and downhill skiers alike. The lodge offers jaw-dropping views of the Payette River Mountains. Tamarack Resort also offers guided cross country and snowshoeing tours across their 15 miles of trails. Located at a moderate altitude, Tamarack is a great location for light cross-country ventures.

Devil’s Thumb Ranch
Tabernash, Colorado

About 70 miles north of Denver, Devil’s Thumb is well known for their skiing and environmental responsibility. By maintaining the natural beauty of their outdoor environment, they provide a quintessential get-away experience. With 60 miles of trails through 5,000 acres of meadows and forests, it is an excellent place to really be mesmerized by nature.

White Grass
Davis, W. Virginia

Secluded in a quiet corner of the Cabin Mountains, White Grass is a hearty favorite of the eastern seaboard cross-country vacationer. Their 15 miles of groomed trails are great for families who might also be looking for guided tours. White Grass is also home to an excellent natural-foods café.

Soldier Hollow
Midway, Utah

Just 20 miles from the popular downhill resort of Park City, Soldier Hollow is a nice quiet getaway from the hustle and bustle of one of Utah’s most popular ski and snowboard destinations. Soldier Hollow served as the cross-country venue for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. The resort has around 20 miles of groomed trailhead for all skill levels, and excellent views of the Wasatch Mountains.

Maplelag
Callaway, Minnesota

Up in the northwestern corner of Minnesota, Maplelag is just an hour east of Fargo, North Dakota. Though some may consider it to be out of the way, Maplelag is an exceptionally popular cross-country venue for those looking to escape into the serenity of nature. Once a maple syrup farm, the property has been family owned for two generations and developed into a world-class cross-country area. It sports 40 miles of groomed trails, offers sledding, ice skating, and ice fishing for those who want to mix it up.

Royal Gorge
Soda Springs, California

Talk about a view, Royal Gorge spreads across 9,000 acres right in the center of California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range. Just a short drive from the Reno/Lake Tahoe area, Royal Gorge bills its resort as the largest cross-country ski area in North America. With 190 miles of groomed runs for varying skill levels, Royal Gorge also stations warming huts and cafes along the trails for a great pit stop during your trek.

Trapp Family Lodge
Stowe, Vermont

Ever heard of The Sound of Music? Well this is home to the same Trapp family whose story was told in the musical. They brought their cross-country knowledge with them from Austria in 1950, and created the first Nordic lodge in America. The historic Austrian-style main lodge overlooks the town of Stowe from the mountainside. The resort offers 26 miles of groomed trails with an additional 62 miles of more challenging backcountry.

Camp Sagawau Nordic
Lemont, Illinois

Not everyone has the luxury of taking and extended vacation to get some cross-country skiing in. For city goers in the Chicago area, not to worry. Camp Sagawau Nordic is located in the southwest Cook County and is one of the best nature preserves in the area. It’s small and only offers a few miles of groomed trails, but it is a great place to get a quick cross-country ski session in.