XC MARKS THE SPOT
Plenty of local outlets for Nordic skiing
New England skiers are a sturdy bunch. We face down chilly temps, storms, howling winds and sometimes all of the above. We know how to dress. We know when to head in for a warmup. But we also know a great secret: Sometimes on the stormy, extra cold or windy days, Nordic skiing is our best friend. Nordic — or cross-country skiing — takes you off the mountain and often into the trees, where you are more protected from the elements. And since it demands you work harder, you often stay warmer longer.
The thing is, many alpine skiers just never get around to learning Nordic. You could call them stubborn, since most good ski resorts now have Nordic on site or close by. You could call them traditionalists, since their love lies with skiing downhill. They might also just be victims of history. While Nordic skiing dates back at least 8,000 years in Europe, we here in the United States are, comparatively speaking, pretty new to it. But it seems Nordic finally is getting hot here. The good news with that is learning it now can be easy, affordable and worry-free.
Take Waterville Valley, N.H., for instance. Nordic skiing has long been cherished there, with an expansive Adventure Center welcoming skiers for decades. You arrive at Waterville’s adorable town square and check into the center, where you can sip cocoa and other warm drinks around a crackling fire before, during or after your day of skiing more than 70 kilometers of meticulously groomed trails.
Waterville offers a host of lessons and clinics for all levels, and Saturday the resort kicks it up a notch with an elaborate menu of special offers designed to get you not just thinking about Nordic but learning it. Or, if you already are a skier, you can increase your skill level.
On Saturday, Waterville will host an all-day women’s Nordic clinic. Running from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the clinic will feature instruction based on ability (all levels are welcome), a group lunch for bonding and talking about the sport, and a late-afternoon yoga session to help stretch those newly used muscles. The all-day program, which includes rentals (even some hot new gear to demo), your ski pass, the programs and some special goodies is just $95.
The ladies aren’t the only ones getting special treatment that day. The resort also will hold a Nordic gear demo for all, with plenty of equipment from Salomon, Atomic and Swix to try.
It gets better. Perhaps America’s greatest Olympic Nordic skier of recent years, Kris Freeman, will be on hand to host an advanced skate clinic from 10-11:30 a.m. A four-time Olympian, who calls Waterville his home mountain with great pride, Freeman gives personal attention and great tips to any Nordic skiers who are intermediate or higher.
Freeman travels the world competing, but he says his time spent sharing the sport with amateurs at Waterville are the days he savors most.
“Cross-country skiing is an amazing sport, and Waterville Valley is an equally amazing location,” he said. “They both deserve more exposure. By teaching others to ski, I hope that I can increase their enjoyment of the sport and encourage them to recruit their friends to give it a try as well.”
There are other great choices for Nordic fun as well, almost more than one can count.
Jackson Ski Touring Center, tucked into the heart of tiny Jackson, N.H., has long been recognized worldwide as a top Nordic destination. With 150 kilometers of trails and 40 years of experience, Jackson Ski Touring offers lessons, programs and a wealth of trails. You can ski over a bridge, to a “cocoa café” and right up to restaurants and shops in the Jackson area. You can learn more at www. jacksonxc.org.
In Vermont, the Woodstock Inn in Woodstock is home to a great Nordic program as well. With an extensive network of winter trails that wind through and past Mount Tom and Mount Peg, you’ll find trails for every level and excellent lessons and equipment rental as well. You can learn more at www. woodstockinn.com.
Bretton Woods in New Hampshire has a robust program and incredible trails and offers lessons, special tours and programs for all ages. You can learn more at www.brettonwoods.com.
And those are only a few. Throughout northern New England, Nordic is on the rise. As a way to keep moving outdoors in the winter, and a great option for the stormier days (although just as lovely on a sunny day), it’s time to get out and learn. What could be better than another winter sport?