For many hikers, nature walkers, and other outdoor enthusiasts, cross country skiing offers an ideal winter activity. They are not alone. Cross country ski fans are growing at a surprising rate.
Before the 1960's, few people found cross country skiing an interesting and worthwhile pursuit. Today an estimated four million North Americans enjoy the sport. Cross country ski numbers in Canada alone jumped eleven percent from the 2005/2006 season to the 2006/2007 season.
While mis-information has labeled cross-country skiing strenuous and difficult, this is far from the truth. In reality, cross country skiing provides an ideal physical workout for young and old alike. It offers a safe full-body workout which can be enjoyed to varying degrees. For the high octane fitness fan, skate skiing offers an aggressive workout. For the casual winter stroller, classic skiing provides an easy way to enjoy the sites and sounds of a pristine high mountain meadow.
The Northern Rocky Mountains offer abundant snow, bountiful dry powder, and diverse terrain. In addition, the tri-state area is home to Yellowstone National Park, America's oldest national park, as well as one of her most multifaceted and beautiful.
Cross country skiers have the option of enjoying a resort, participating in an ‘expedition', or just experiencing the local trails. For those who prefer sticking close to town, West Yellowstone, Montana; Island Park, Idaho; and Red Lodge, Montana, all offer groomed cross country ski trails and lodging options.
To Yellowstone's northeast, Red Lodge's Nordic Center offers over 15 km of groom trails. These trails, designed to take advantage of the natural terrain and beautiful views, are an inexpensive way to introduce the family to cross country skiing. Red Lodge offers numerous lodging options.
Harriman State Park, on the outskirts of Island Park, offers several miles of groomed trails with various loops providing easy to challenging ski terrain. Island Park, a small resort town just across the border from Yellowstone's west gate, can provide you with a good meal and a comfortable bed after a delightful day in the snow.
West Yellowstone prides itself in offering the west's best winter get-away. Located at Yellowstone's west entrance, West Yellowstone provides rooms and snow in abundance. Their Rendevous Ski Trails are an official training site for the Biathlon and US Nordic Ski Teams. With over 30 km of premium trails offering sixteen different trail and loop options, cross country skiers of all ages and abilities will find something to their liking.
For the cross country skier seeking a more personal winter ski experience, one of the area's many resorts or treks are an ideal option.
To cross country skiers wishing to spend their time in the Park, Yellowstone Expeditions offers 4, 5, and 6 day trips into the heart of Yellowstone. Based out of a ‘Yurt Camp', this package include your guide, meals, lodging, and snow-van transportation both to the camp as well as to trailheads within the Park.
However, for the cross-country skier seeking a ‘real' Yellowstone winter experience, it does not get much better than this.
Big Sky, Montana, is famous for its down hill skiing. In fact, this area has been inundated with fancy private homes and large resorts which share the valley floor and creep up the mountainside. Lesser known are the 85 km of groomed cross country ski trails which were voted #1 in North America in a Cross Country Skier Magazine reader's poll.
Operated and maintained by Lone Mountain Ranch, this trail system winds across the valley floor past frozen streams and snow covered forest as well as bustling highways and fancy condominiums. For the more adventurous, Lone Mountain offers back country ski and snowshoe tours.
However, for the cross country skier who wants to be pampered, wants the option to alpine ski, enjoys spectacularly groomed trails, and does not mind a few crowds, Lone Mountain is about as good as it gets!
For most, Jackson, Wyoming, needs no introduction. Gateway to the majestic Grand Teton National Park and just down the road from Yellowstone's south entrance, Jackson is said to be the place where the billionaires have now pushed out the millionaires.
Not far from Jackson, Wyoming, you will find Brooks Lake Lodge and Guest Ranch. Offering snow conditions which rival any other ski area in the country, Brooks Lake combines superb scenery with spectacular powder snow.
Nonetheless, spectacular scenery, lush accommodations, and a more private setting combine to make Brooks Lodge quite an attractive option.
North of Yellowstone a small resort caters to the budget crowd. Wade Lake Resort offers 35 km of groomed trails covering diverse terrain as well as unlimited back country ski opportunities.
However, for a budget adventure destination far from the pressing crowds, Wade Lake is a great option.
About twenty-five miles from Yellowstone's west entrance lies a large, undeveloped valley. At the Centennial Valley's heart is a 45,000 acre wildlife refuge which provides a winter haven to 150 moose. Tucked up against the refuge's northeast corner is Elk Lake Resort offers a unique winter back country adventure destination.
A small resort, Elk Lake caters to intimate parties and focuses on attention to detail. Their winter package includes lodging and three meals daily off their popular menu. Elk Lake's Cross country ski guests enjoy solitude and wildlife sightings comparable to Yellowstone Park visitors. Like Yellowstone, Elk Lake does not provide groomed trails. However, they do have a small groomer to soften the bumps and smooth your path.
However, for a real ‘back-to-nature' experience combined with comfortable lodging options and great meals, Elk Lake offers the best of both worlds.
Cross country skiers looking for great powder, incredible scenery, and western hospitality would do well to check out the tri-state Northern Rocky Mountains. This area offers cross country ski options to fit any budget.
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