Guided Cross-Country Ski Holidays
Tracks and Trails cross-country ski holidays are designed to take guests from beginner to expert both on and off-track. Whatever the grade, our cross-country ski holidays all have one thing in common: stunning, snow-filled locations. Whether you are gliding the cross-country ski trails for the first time or are a seasoned adventurer in search of an off-track journey through a mountainous winter landscape, there is a Tracks and Trails holiday for you.
Cross-Country Ski Holidays
We’re often asked the difference between alpine and cross-country skiing. The key difference is that cross-country skiing is entirely human powered. It’s a style that gives you a unique way of moving through winter landscapes. When travelling on cross-country skis there are no lifts or infrastructure - only groomed trails and your own rhythm and effort taking you across snow-covered valleys and lakes, up mountain trails and through wintery forests.
We offer Nordic Ski Holidays in the sport’s three styles led by first class instructors.
Classic cross-country skiing: a traditional technique, on groomed, pre-cut tracks. The skis we use are long and lightweight. Only the toe of your lightweight boot is attached to the ski allowing you to glide across the snow using a walking or running motion.
Skate skiing: a dynamic ski style echoing the motion of ice skating but on snow! It’s perfect for building core strength, balance and rhythm.
Off-track Nordic skiing: where we journey on skis into the wilderness far from groomed trails.
BASI Cross-Country Ski School
We are proud to have introduced hundreds of guests to the joys of cross-country skiing. Some had never skied before in any shape or form; others were downhill skiers who have embraced cross-country skiing. Many have progressed from centre-based holidays to multi-day ski journeys.
Excellence in teaching is at the core of all our cross-country ski holidays. Tracks and Trails founders hold the highest level of cross-country ski qualification awarded by the International Ski Instructors Association. We are also the only adventure travel company to be BASI Cross-Country Ski School certified. Our trips are led and guided by fully qualified professional cross-country ski instructors ensuring the highest standards of teaching, safety and fun.
Cross-country skiing Europe
Enjoy first class ski tuition in small groups with excellent qualified instructors.
Try a new a new activity and learn to cross-country ski in stunning mountain surroundings.
Choose from a wide range of stunning winter destinations across Europe and Scandinavia.
Soak up the atmosphere of characterful hotels and traditional mountain cabins.
Join us for centre-based holidays or long-distance journeys through the mountains
What is the difference between cross-country, Nordic and off-track skiing?
There are lots of terms to describe cross-country skiing. The sport originated in Scandinavia as a means of winter travel and is often called Nordic skiing. In France, you’ll hear it described as Ski de Fond, the Italians will talk about Sci di Fondo, the Germans call it Langlauf and to the Norwegians, it’s Langrenn. Those terms incorporate all three techniques: classic cross-country, skate and off-track skiing. The difference is in the equipment.
Is cross-country skiing suitable for beginners?
Absolutely. You don’t need to have any previous experience to join a beginner’s holiday. Our focus for these is quality tuition in wonderful mountain locations with beautifully groomed tracks. Giving our guests the skills they need to enjoy travelling across the snow is at the heart of our teaching approach. Understanding body position, glide motion, how to direct the skis and, most importantly, how to stop safely are the fundamentals. With the basics in place a whole world of cross-country ski adventures becomes yours to explore.
Our cross-country ski holidays have all been designed to offer progression from beginner to expert. This flow chart shows how we build experience for classic cross-country skiing and there is a similar progression chart for our Nordic off-track skiing holidays.
Do I need downhill skiing experience to learn cross-country skiing?
No. Previous experience of downhill skiing may help with confidence on the snow, but the equipment and technique are completely different. Our skilled instructors are accustomed to helping downhill skiers make the transition and introducing beginners to snow for the first time. We recommend that everyone starts with one of our beginner ski holidays in Cogne in Italy.
How fit do I need to be for a cross-country skiing holiday?
It’s an active sport that requires a reasonable level of fitness. If you walk, hike or run regularly then this is normally enough. Cross-country skiing requires effort and by adding the correct technique from the very beginning, you can learn to move with maximum efficiency.
All our holidays are graded to give an overview of the level of fitness and experience needed for you to get the best from your trip.
Are cross-country ski lessons worth it?
There are different techniques required for classic, skate and off-track skiing. They all demand that you can start, stop and steer your skis to ensure maximum safety and enjoyment. The best way to achieve that is with professional instruction. Investing a little time and money at the beginning of your cross-country ski career is the key to unlocking a lifetime of happy adventures. We handpick our fully qualified instructors for their teaching skills, their personalities, and ability to make learning fun.
