Few activities can compare to cross-country skiing for the opportunity to experience a quieter, more serene side of winter (with a killer cardio workout to boot). While many alpine ski areas also offer Nordic trails, some of the best cross-country skiing is found at dedicated resorts.
We asked our readers to vote for their favorite North American nordic resorts, and the results are in!
The top 10 winners in the category Best Cross-Country Ski Resort are as follows:
- White Grass Ski Touring Center - Davis, W.V.
- Tahoe Donner Cross Country Center - Truckee, Calif.
- Devil's Thumb Ranch - Tabernash, Colo.
- Mont-Sainte-Anne Cross-Country Ski Center - Beaupré, Quebec
- Latigo Ranch - Kremmling, Colo.
- Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre - Vernon, British Columbia
- Lone Mountain Ranch - Gallatin Gateway, Mt.
- Silver Star Mountain Resort - Vernon, British Columbia
- Jackson Ski Touring Center - Jackson, N.H.
- Methow Trails - Winthrop, Wash.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to picked the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts Peter Ashley, Reese Brown (Cross Country Ski Areas Association), John Morton, Liz Stephen and Jonathan Wiesel (Nordic Group International) were chosen based on their knowledge and experience of the North American nordic ski scene.
Congratulations to all these wining resorts!
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The Experts
Peter Ashley
Born and raised in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Peter... Read More
Born and raised in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Peter Ashley has been involved in cross-country skiing most of his life. He raced as a junior skier and for the University of Colorado. Done with competing, he coached for the Jackson Hole Ski Club, subsequently spending nine years working as a U.S Ski Team coach. He worked retail in California and as the Nordic National Sales/Marketing manager for Fischer Skis in New Hampshire. Peter recently retired and moved to Bozeman, Montana, where he lives with his wife Rhonda and two cats, enjoying the skiing, fishing and hiking.
Peter Ashley
Born and raised in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Peter Ashley has been involved in cross-country skiing most of his life. He raced as a junior skier and for the University of Colorado. Done with competing, he coached for the Jackson Hole Ski Club, subsequently spending nine years working as a U.S Ski Team coach. He worked retail in California and as the Nordic National Sales/Marketing manager for Fischer Skis in New Hampshire. Peter recently retired and moved to Bozeman, Montana, where he lives with his wife Rhonda and two cats, enjoying the skiing, fishing and hiking.
Reese Brown
Reese Brown is Executive Director of U.S./Canadian... Read More
Reese Brown is Executive Director of U.S./Canadian trade group Cross Country Ski Areas Association, and Nordic Director for Snowsports Industry America. He has worked in the snowsports industry since 1981 as a coach, event manager, promotional marketer and in project-based strategic development. Considered an industry expert and insider, Brown operates internationally to support and promote the sport of cross country skiing, growing public awareness and participation. Specific initiatives include managing the consumer program Winter Trails, an introduction to snowsports through cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Reese Brown
Reese Brown is Executive Director of U.S./Canadian trade group Cross Country Ski Areas Association, and Nordic Director for Snowsports Industry America. He has worked in the snowsports industry since 1981 as a coach, event manager, promotional marketer and in project-based strategic development. Considered an industry expert and insider, Brown operates internationally to support and promote the sport of cross country skiing, growing public awareness and participation. Specific initiatives include managing the consumer program Winter Trails, an introduction to snowsports through cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
John Morton
John Morton has participated in nine Winter... Read More
John Morton has participated in nine Winter Olympic Games as an athlete, coach, Biathlon Team Leader, Chief of Course or spectator. He has written two books and numerous articles on Nordic skiing. After 11 years as Head Coach of Men’s Skiing at Dartmouth College, he founded Morton Trails (www.mortontrails.com), and over the past twenty-five years has designed more than 220 recreational trails and competition venues across the country. He currently has projects underway in the U.S. and northern China. He lives with his wife Kay, at the end of a dirt road in Thetford, Vermont, surrounded by trails.
John Morton
John Morton has participated in nine Winter Olympic Games as an athlete, coach, Biathlon Team Leader, Chief of Course or spectator. He has written two books and numerous articles on Nordic skiing. After 11 years as Head Coach of Men’s Skiing at Dartmouth College, he founded Morton Trails (www.mortontrails.com), and over the past twenty-five years has designed more than 220 recreational trails and competition venues across the country. He currently has projects underway in the U.S. and northern China. He lives with his wife Kay, at the end of a dirt road in Thetford, Vermont, surrounded by trails.
Liz Stephen
Liz Stephen is known throughout the cross-country... Read More
Liz Stephen is known throughout the cross-country racing community as one of the best climbers in the world. Stephen began her career at Burke Mountain Academy, and has grown from an alpine racing convert to the historic best U.S. finisher at the 2015 Tour de Ski. The two-time Olympian and four-time World Championship team member is based out of Park City, Utah. Stephen likes to read, adventure with friends and jump in cold lakes or rivers whenever she can find one. She mountain bikes both for fun and training.
Liz Stephen
Liz Stephen is known throughout the cross-country racing community as one of the best climbers in the world. Stephen began her career at Burke Mountain Academy, and has grown from an alpine racing convert to the historic best U.S. finisher at the 2015 Tour de Ski. The two-time Olympian and four-time World Championship team member is based out of Park City, Utah. Stephen likes to read, adventure with friends and jump in cold lakes or rivers whenever she can find one. She mountain bikes both for fun and training.
Jonathan Wiesel
Jonathan Wiesel splits his time between writing... Read More
Jonathan Wiesel splits his time between writing about cross-country skiing/snowshoeing and designing Nordic ski areas. He’s been a ski instructor and guide, ski patrolman, international trips planner and leader, and resort owner, and he’s written on cross-country skiing and snowshoeing for dozens of publications on three continents. Jonathan has also consulted on more than 200 Nordic projects across North America, from communities to four-season resorts, ranches to real estate. His latest strategy is working with U.S./Canadian Snowbelt golf courses to develop winter recreation. Originally a New Englander, he lives in Bozeman, Montana.
Jonathan Wiesel
Jonathan Wiesel splits his time between writing about cross-country skiing/snowshoeing and designing Nordic ski areas. He’s been a ski instructor and guide, ski patrolman, international trips planner and leader, and resort owner, and he’s written on cross-country skiing and snowshoeing for dozens of publications on three continents. Jonathan has also consulted on more than 200 Nordic projects across North America, from communities to four-season resorts, ranches to real estate. His latest strategy is working with U.S./Canadian Snowbelt golf courses to develop winter recreation. Originally a New Englander, he lives in Bozeman, Montana.