The winter season is just a couple of weeks away and we are so excited that we went straight into reviewing the best cross country skiing resorts in the USA for you. We have listed these resorts in no particular order so dig in to find the best cross country destination for your winter vacation. Don’t forget to come back and share your experience with us.

 

1. White Grass Touring Center

Website: https://whitegrass.com

Best for: All skill levels

Open time: December through March

The White Grass Touring Center is located in the Canaan Valley in West Virginia and was in 2003 named the W. VA Environmental Council’s Green Entrepreneur because of how sustainable the place was running. If you are an active cross country skier looking for an all year round skiing place, this is the place to be. They have daily updates on the best times to go skiing so keep a constant tab on their site.

White Grass is so far the oldest Cross country skiing destinations in the States. Skiers have been coming here since 1979 even though it first opened up in 1959 but as an Alpine ski area. The 31 miles groomed trails range from 3,200 to 4,400 feet in elevation. Of course, they do charge to use their trail but at a small fee of $20 for adults and $5 for kids. If you are interested in taking up skiing lessons, they charge $15 for a one -hour session. They also have mini-lessons which they charge $6. There is a ski retail shop at the site that sells new and used the gear. You can also do an upgrade trade at a reasonable amount. If you prefer to rent than to buy you can get rental gears at a cost of $20.

 

2. Trapp Family Lodge

Website: http://trappfamily.com

Best for: All skill levels

Open time: Throughout the year

Trapp prides itself on being the very first cross country skiing center in the States. It was made even more popular by the movie, “The sound of music”. The groomed and machined tracks trails are 32 miles long and connect to another 62 miles in the Stowe area. The trails are groomed for both the classic and skate skiing and both beginners and experienced skiers are welcomed to try it out. The fees are reasonably priced. Per day they charge $25 for adults, $15 for kids aged 12-18; $10 for children between 6-11 years and $20 for seniors aged 65 and plus.

You can rent cross country skiing gear at the ski rentals for as little as $30 for an entire package or opt to buy from their retail store. There are also coaching lessons available for $25 for a one-hour session. If you prefer private coaching it’s also available at $70 for a one-hour session. If you want to take a break for some heating up, then head over to the Slayton Cabin. Here you will cozy up in a fireplace as you sip some homemade soup, sandwiches and homemade cookies.

 

3. Devil’s Thumb Ranch

Website: https://devilsthumbranch.com

Best for: All skill levels

Open time: Throughout the year

The Devil’s Thumb Ranch is a 68 miles groomed trail located in Tabernash, Colorado. Just 20 minutes from Winter Park. It is quickly gaining popularity as one of the most visited cross country ski resorts in the States. The resort is open to the public, but you will need to have a trail pass to be allowed to ski. Per day (both weekends and holidays) they charge $18 for adults, $8 for children aged 12 and below and seniors older than 65; For kids aged 6 and below they are allowed to ski for free.

Private lessons are available for those who want to learn or perfect their skills at a fair rate of $50. Otherwise, you can also take up group lessons at a rate of $35 for a one-hour session. For total newbies who want to rent the gear and take up lessons, there is a learn-to-ski package of $60. If you do not own a skiing kit, you can always rent one from the resort at reasonably priced fees.

 

4. Sun Valley

Website: https://sunvalley.com

Best for: All skill levels

Open time: Year-round with four distinctly beautiful seasons

The Sun Valley is located in Sun Valley, Central Idaho. It’s known to be a luxurious cross country resort with well-maintained trails to accommodate skiers of all ages and skill abilities. Although any skier is allowed to ski, the biggest chunk of the skiable terrain is best for intermediate and advanced skiers. You can choose to ski at either side of the Sun Valley Road ( Bald Mountain and the Dollar Mountain) and you will still not miss out on the vintage landscaping. Surprisingly, this a very sunny place for the most part of the year. You will love skiing as you bask under the gentle penetrating sun rays and the heat and warmth.

To be allowed to ski, you will be required to produce a trail pass. They are rather strict on this so you want to really have a trail pass with you. The trail fees for adults are $25, $20 for both kids and seniors aged 65 and above. Rental equipment are charged $27 per day for adults and $15 for kids and seniors per day. There are different trails for different levels of skiers; beginners to advanced. For a start, you can take the Trail Creek Loop (blue square). It’s a challenging terrain but very enjoyable. You will love it.

 

5. Pinelands Farms Center

Website: https://pinelandfarms.org

Best for: All skill levels

Open time: Throughout the year

The Pinelands farm center is both an educational and a recreational resort. Other than cross country skiing, it includes facilities such as a creamery, equestrian center, dairy and poultry farms, all of which the kids can learn so much from. You and your kids can take up private skiing lessons from the certified instructors as a small fee. They charge a $30 per person for private lessons, $25 for a semi-private lesson and $20 if you wish to learn as a group. You will, however, need to book an appointment for the lessons.

The trial pass charges are $9 for half-day which is counted after 1 PM and $13 for a full day. You can rent cross country ski equipment from their shop at $16 for an adult’s package and $12 for kids for a full day. Half-day packages are available too at $12 for adults and $10 for kids. Take the Campus Loop trail which is about 3.2 miles for a more challenging yet fun experience. It is designed for advanced skiers and racers. For a beginner and intermediate skier, take the River Loop trail which is about 3.6 miles. The River Loop has several scenic features as you get to pass through the famous Royal River. Here you will go through the two hand-crafted bridges made of hemlocks harvested at the farm.

 

6. Cross Country Ski Headquarters

Website: http://cross-country-ski.com

Best for: All skill levels

Open time: Around the year

The Cross Country Ski Headquarters is located right in the heart of Michigan. It has been in operation since 1974 and is considered one of the best cross country skiing center in the Midwest as well as the whole of the U.S. This 12 miles neatly groomed ski trail caters to skiers of all levels and abilities. It is designed for both classic skiing and skate skiing.

There is an extensive ski retail shop at the site that sells and rents ski gear. The rental equipment prices include a day trial pass. Without the rental charges, a trail pass goes for $8 per adult and $5 per kid aged 16 and below. There are four certified cross country ski instructors each offering both the classic and the skate skiing lessons. They are very friendly and patient, especially with beginners. The charges depend on the number of people in a group. For a one-hour private session, they charge $40 for one person, if you are two it’s $50, 3 people its $60 and for 4-8 people they charge $17.50 per person.

If you want to try out skiing but are not certain you will love the sport, you can join their free beginner group lessons every Saturday at 4 PM. Then decide whether to proceed to advanced lessons with a private instructor.

 

7. Nipika Mountain Resort

Website: https://nipika.com

Best for: Beginners

Open time: Not available

The Nipika Mountain Resort, located in British Columbia, is a 1500 acre wildland with 50 miles of groomed trails. The trail is perfect for both classic skiing and skate skiing. What makes Nipika resort different from most of the cross country resorts is that it is 100 % self-sufficient in terms of energy. It generates its electricity using green technology and powers all of its cabins and every other activity in the resort. You will find cross country ski equipment for rent at their rental store for as low as $19 per day. If you have your little ones with you, you can rent their child pulks. You can also take lessons on classic or skate skiing from their certified instructors at $30 and if you have kids aged 13 and below who are interested they can get trained at $23. Their private lessons cost $60 for adults and $45 for kids aged 13 and below. If you are a beginner or an intermediate, try out the trails long the Cross River. They are fit for these skill levels. As for advanced skiers, the Natural Bridge Trail will give a good challenge to their skills.

 

8. Soldier Hollow Cross-Country Skiing Resort

Website: https://skiutah.com

Best for: All skill levels

Open time: Daily from mid-December until mid-March

Soldier Hollow Cross-country Skiing resort is full of history. It was the host of the 2002 Winter Olympics for biathlon and Nordic events. The resort is located in Utah and is home to so many local and international nordic events every year. It has about 20 miles dedicated just for classic and skates skiing. The trails accommodate skiers of all levels and abilities from a first-time skier to professional skiers. The trails are groomed for a maximum fun experience for beginners. The trail pass rates are very affordable. Adults and kids aged 13 and above are charged $30 while those aged 12 and under are charged $5. Seniors (65+) are welcomed too and are charged $5.

 

9. Breckenridge Nordic Ski Center

Website: http://breckenridgenordic.com

Best for: All skill levels

Open time: Mid-November till March

The Breckenridge Nordic Ski Center has 19 miles of beautifully groomed trails for both classic and skates skiers of all abilities and levels. If you are a lover of nature and wish to bond with mother nature as you ski, welcome to this ski center located right outside the Victorian town of Breckenridge. There is a rental equipment shop where you can rent a cross country ski package for a mere $17 for adults and $12 for both kids and seniors of 65+. You can tag your young ones along with as there pulk sleds available for renting as well. If you wish to buy instead, take advantage of their try before you buy offer.

If you intend to take skiing lessons, you would rather take up their starter package which includes a ski lesson, trail pass, and equipment all at $47 per person and $36 for kids and seniors. For every additional person, you will pay $36 if an adult and $25 if a kid or senior. To get to the Breckenridge Nordic Center hassle-free, catch the free ski and Ride from either town or the Alpine ski resort.

 

10. Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center

Website: https://greatglentrails.com

Best for: All skill levels

Open time: From the end of November till March

The Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center is located at the foot of Mount Washington in New Hampshire. The center boasts of a 28-mile trail dedicated just for cross country skiing. Great Glen offers both group and private ski lessons for those looking to learn and those looking to better their skiing. The lessons are conducted by certified instructors under the leadership of the former Olympian and U.S. Ski Team member, Sue Wemyss. Sue has been coaching skiers in the Glen Ski school for more than 20 years. The private lessons are charged according to the ski level and are offered every Wednesday except holidays that fall on a Wednesday throughout the skiing season. For a complete beginner, they charge $19 per session.

As for their trail pass ticket, they have such a crazy offer where you end up saving up to 40%. And what’s even more amazing is that the trail pass gives you access to a full day at the trail, equipment from their rental and a snow coach tour.

 

Conclusion

There are so many cross country ski resorts in the United States, it will have to take a very long article to list them all so we have only listed the very best of the resorts. They are all located in different parts of the country. Even though most are open for the public it is important that you make a phone call and inquire what the best season is for cross country skiing, their current rates and if possible make your booking well in advance. These resorts get to capacity really fast. Early planning will give you peace of mind and prepare you for a fun-filled skiing experience. Don’t forget to make safety a priority.