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 a panel of Nordic ski experts to nominate their 20 favorite resorts, and for the past four weeks, our readers have been voting for their favorites.
The top 10 winners in the Best Cross-Country Ski Resort category are as follows:
- Devil's Thumb Ranch - Tabernash, Colo.
- Cross Country Ski Headquarters - Roscommon, Mich.
- Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Center - Truckee, Calif.
- Garnet Hill Lodge - North River, N.Y.
- White Grass Ski Touring Center - Davis, W.V.
- Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center - Northville, N.Y.
- Maplelag Resort - Callaway, Minn.
- Sovereign Lake & Silver Star Mountain Resort - Vernon, B.C.
- Latigo Ranch - Kremmling, Colo.
- Jackson Ski Touring Foundation - Jackson, N.H.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts Jennie Bender, Reese Brown (Cross Country Ski Areas Association), Roger Lohr (XCSkiResorts.com), Cami Thompson Graves and Jonathan Wiesel (Nordic Group International) were chosen for their knowledge of the ski and snowboarding industry.
Congratulations to all these winning resorts.
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The Experts
Jennie Bender
Since graduating from the University of Vermont, Read More
Since graduating from the University of Vermont, Jennie Bender has traveled the world as a professional cross country skier for most of her adult life. She raced for Team CXC, based out of Minnesota, for three years, and Bridger Ski Foundation, in Bozeman, Montana, for five. After winning four U.S National Sprint Championship titles and competing in eighteen World Cups, Jennie decided to test the waters of Biathlon (cross country skiing and shooting), which she raced internationally in 2018. Living in Bozeman, she is an entrepreneur, and loves to adventure in the mountains.
Jennie Bender
Since graduating from the University of Vermont, Jennie Bender has traveled the world as a professional cross country skier for most of her adult life. She raced for Team CXC, based out of Minnesota, for three years, and Bridger Ski Foundation, in Bozeman, Montana, for five. After winning four U.S National Sprint Championship titles and competing in eighteen World Cups, Jennie decided to test the waters of Biathlon (cross country skiing and shooting), which she raced internationally in 2018. Living in Bozeman, she is an entrepreneur, and loves to adventure in the mountains.
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, former Nordic Director for non-profit Snowsports Industries America, and a noted photographer for U.S. Ski & Snowboard, the national governing body for Olympic skiing and snowboarding. He has worked in the snowsports industry since 1981 as a coach, events manager, promotional marketer, in project-based strategic development and media resource. Considered an industry expert and insider, Reese operates internationally to support and promote the sport of cross country skiing, growing public awareness and participation. He lives in Woodstock, Vermont.
Reese Brown
Reese Brown is Executive Director of U.S./Canadian trade group Cross Country Ski Areas Association, former Nordic Director for non-profit Snowsports Industries America, and a noted photographer for U.S. Ski & Snowboard, the national governing body for Olympic skiing and snowboarding. He has worked in the snowsports industry since 1981 as a coach, events manager, promotional marketer, in project-based strategic development and media resource. Considered an industry expert and insider, Reese operates internationally to support and promote the sport of cross country skiing, growing public awareness and participation. He lives in Woodstock, Vermont.
Roger Lohr
Based in Lebanon, New Hampshire, Roger Lohr has... Read More
Based in Lebanon, New Hampshire, Roger Lohr has been in the Nordic ski business for more than 40 years. He’s been a retail manager; for many years ran national cross country ski and snowshoe programs for trade association Snowsports Industries America; and is one of the most prolific winter-sports writers in North America. In the process, he’s Nordic skied at over 145 areas in 26 different states and Canadian provinces. He’s also owner/editor of XCSkiResorts.com and an editor for SnoCountry.com, SeniorsSkiing.com and Green Energy Times.
Roger Lohr
Based in Lebanon, New Hampshire, Roger Lohr has been in the Nordic ski business for more than 40 years. He’s been a retail manager; for many years ran national cross country ski and snowshoe programs for trade association Snowsports Industries America; and is one of the most prolific winter-sports writers in North America. In the process, he’s Nordic skied at over 145 areas in 26 different states and Canadian provinces. He’s also owner/editor of XCSkiResorts.com and an editor for SnoCountry.com, SeniorsSkiing.com and Green Energy Times.
Cami Thompson Graves
Cami Thompson Graves, entering her 30th season at... Read More
Cami Thompson Graves, entering her 30th season at the helm of the Dartmouth College (Hanover, New Hampshire) women’s Nordic team, was recently named the United States Collegiate Ski Coaches Association Nordic Coach of the Year. No fewer than ten of her skiers have competed in the Winter Olympics in either cross country or biathlon. Following racing in high school and college, she had a stint as an athlete with the U.S. Women’s Cross Country Ski Team, competing in World Cups and FIS World Championships. She has coached squads ranging from Junior National Championships to U.S. Ski Team trips and camps.
Cami Thompson Graves
Cami Thompson Graves, entering her 30th season at the helm of the Dartmouth College (Hanover, New Hampshire) women’s Nordic team, was recently named the United States Collegiate Ski Coaches Association Nordic Coach of the Year. No fewer than ten of her skiers have competed in the Winter Olympics in either cross country or biathlon. Following racing in high school and college, she had a stint as an athlete with the U.S. Women’s Cross Country Ski Team, competing in World Cups and FIS World Championships. She has coached squads ranging from Junior National Championships to U.S. Ski Team trips and camps.
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.