USA TODAY 10Best
Best place to cross-country ski? Readers vote Devil's Thumb Ranch
Best Cross-Country Ski Resort (2020)
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.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Cross-Country Ski Resorts are as follows:
Photo courtesy of Tahoe Cross-Country Ski Area
No. 10: Tahoe Cross-Country Ski Area - Tahoe City, California
The Tahoe Cross-Country Ski Area has 65 km of groomed trails – more than 21 options for skiers of all levels, including high-altitude skiing with spectacular lake views. The area offers lessons and rentals to help skiers get started in the sport.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
No. 9: White Grass Ski Touring Center - Davis, West Virginia
Located in West Virginia's snowy Cabin Mountain range, White Grass Ski Touring Center maintains more than 60 kilometers of trails. The center also offers a variety of rentals, guided tours, lessons, a repair shop and a cafe serving wholesome, healthy and natural foods.
Photo courtesy of Nipika Mountain Resort
No. 8: Nipika Mountain Resort - Kootenay National Park, British Columbia
During winter, Nipika Mountain Resort transforms into a cross-country ski playground with 50 kilometers of groomed trails for both classic and skate skiing. Skiers enjoy varied terrain, from open areas with big mountain views to wooded paths along the Kootenay and Cross Rivers. The resort also maintains dedicated fat bike and snowshoe trails.
Photo courtesy of Ahunt / Wikimedia Commons
No. 7: Gatineau Park - Chelsea, Quebec
Gatineau Park comprises 139 square miles of outdoor space – one of the most-visited parks in Canada. Come winter, the park features one of the largest cross-country ski trail networks in North America, with more than 200 kilometers to choose from.
Photo courtesy of Crested Butte Nordic
No. 6: Crested Butte Nordic - Crested Butte, Colorado
Crested Butte Nordic in Colorado’s Slate River Valley grooms 50 kilometers of trails for Nordic skiing, skate skiing and snowshoeing. Skiers can access the trail system right from town. The center also offers rentals, lessons, backcountry tours and fine dining in a trailside yurt.
Photo courtesy of Jackson Ski Touring Foundation
No. 5: Jackson Ski Touring Foundation - Jackson, New Hampshire
The Jackson Ski Touring Foundation operates a Ski Touring Center with some of the East Coast's most popular groomed and backcountry trails. Skiers glide past quintessential New England sights–covered bridges, quaint villages and steepled churches. The system includes 150 kilometers of trails spanning three vier valleys.
No. 4: Waterville Valley Resort - Waterville Valley, New Hampshire
The Adventure Center at New Hampshire’s Waterville Valley Resort grooms some 70 kilometers of trails, all accessible from Town Square or the alpine ski area. Explore the White Mountain National Forest on skate or classic skis, snowshoes or fat bikes (on select trails).
Photo courtesy of Snow Mountain Ranch
No. 3: Snow Mountain Ranch - Granby, Colorado
The Nordic Center at Snow Mountain Ranch offers more than 120 km of cross country skiing terrain in the Colorado Rockies. Easy loops cater to beginners, while longer trails with steeper climbs appeal to experienced skiers. Fat biking and snowshoeing are also available.
Photo courtesy of iStock / TommL
No. 2: Bear Valley Adventure Co. - Bear Valley, California
Bear Valley Adventure Co. offers their guests more than 70 kilometers of groomed paths across 3,000 acres. Skiers can choose between 39 groomed trails for skate and track skiing and stop for a rest at three warming huts. It’s a particularly appealing option for families thanks to its two kids’ trails and a groomed downhill practice area.
Photo courtesy of Devil's Thumb Ranch
No. 1: Devil's Thumb Ranch - Tabernash, Colorado
Nearly 120 km of groomed trails at the base of Colorado's continental divide make Devil's Thumb Ranch a favorite for skate or classic cross-country skiing. Beginners can sign up for private or group lessons, while more advanced skiers can push themselves in advanced technique clinics
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning ski areas!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Amy Patenaude
Amy Patenaude is a freelance writer and outdoor... Read More
Amy Patenaude is a freelance writer and outdoor columnist. She shares her love of cross-country skiing by supporting the New England Nordic Ski Association. She has also traveled coast to coast, chasing ski marathons and finding good snow. Amy began Nordic racing in high school, continues to compete and has been a U.S. Masters Champion. She served on the board of the New England Ski Museum and was a founding director of their Nordic Marathon. In 1998 in the New Hampshire State Senate, Amy sponsored legislation that designated Skiing as the Official State Sport.
Amy Patenaude
Amy Patenaude is a freelance writer and outdoor columnist. She shares her love of cross-country skiing by supporting the New England Nordic Ski Association. She has also traveled coast to coast, chasing ski marathons and finding good snow. Amy began Nordic racing in high school, continues to compete and has been a U.S. Masters Champion. She served on the board of the New England Ski Museum and was a founding director of their Nordic Marathon. In 1998 in the New Hampshire State Senate, Amy sponsored legislation that designated Skiing as the Official State Sport.
JoJo Toeppner
JoJo grew up in Newport Beach, California, where... Read More
JoJo grew up in Newport Beach, California, where she became a lifelong ocean devotee (competitive paddling, flatwater kayak sprints, outrigger canoes…), and returned there recently after 40 years around Lake Tahoe. She worked at Tahoe Nordic Ski Center, “teaching, handing out rentals, and making sandwiches.” From there she went to Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Center, eventually running the area until she was hired away to bring neighbor Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort back after it went into receivership. JoJo was Chairman of Cross Country Ski Area Association for more than a decade and still looks forward to skiing.
JoJo Toeppner
JoJo grew up in Newport Beach, California, where she became a lifelong ocean devotee (competitive paddling, flatwater kayak sprints, outrigger canoes…), and returned there recently after 40 years around Lake Tahoe. She worked at Tahoe Nordic Ski Center, “teaching, handing out rentals, and making sandwiches.” From there she went to Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Center, eventually running the area until she was hired away to bring neighbor Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort back after it went into receivership. JoJo was Chairman of Cross Country Ski Area Association for more than a decade and still looks forward to skiing.
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.
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.
Scott McGee
Scott McGee, based in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, has... Read More
Scott McGee, based in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, has been instructing and guiding since 1987, fulfilling his passion for sharing the mountains. He’s a 16-year veteran of the PSIA National Team, including two terms as Coach. Scotty has been a telemark competitor at the World Cup level as well as ski area manager, educator, trainer and examiner for Alpine, Telemark and Cross Country skiing. He’s led courses and guided corporate groups, colleges, Outward Bound Schools, and more throughout the Rocky Mountains. Scotty has created more than 50 telemark technique photomontage articles and wrote Basic Illustrated Guide to Cross Country Skiing
Scott McGee
Scott McGee, based in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, has been instructing and guiding since 1987, fulfilling his passion for sharing the mountains. He’s a 16-year veteran of the PSIA National Team, including two terms as Coach. Scotty has been a telemark competitor at the World Cup level as well as ski area manager, educator, trainer and examiner for Alpine, Telemark and Cross Country skiing. He’s led courses and guided corporate groups, colleges, Outward Bound Schools, and more throughout the Rocky Mountains. Scotty has created more than 50 telemark technique photomontage articles and wrote Basic Illustrated Guide to Cross Country Skiing