Ski Jasper Alberta News

Great Places to Cross-Country Ski

British Columbia’s diverse terrain is a Mecca for cross-country buffs. The diagonal slide across just-fallen snow offers scenic splendors and a great work out. Cross-country, or Nordic skiing, can be a gentle glide or strenuous race on set tracks, a tour into untouched backcountry or a thrilling down hill. Here’s a selection, a few of the many places, where you are guaranteed a great time on your skis.

Vancouver Island

Imagine skiing among towering old growth timbers and along the shores of three lakes. Mount Washington Alpine Resort’s Lake Trail is one of the Vancouver Island resort’s 55 kilometers (34 miles) of Nordic tracks. You may wish to take advantage of the cross-country ski lessons offered by the resort. The pleasures of the outdoors are matched by Raven Lodge, a post and beam Nordic centre with a restaurant, deli, retail shop plus a rental and demo facility.

Whistler Mountain

Just five minutes from Whistler Village, Lost Lake lures Nordic buffs with 30 kilometers (19 miles) of easy trails beside this pretty lake. You glide by Nicklaus North Golf Course, the Fairmont Chateau Whistler and along wooded trails. It’s a tranquil escape from the bustle of the downhill crowd. The Lost Lake Warming Hut provides trail passes, rentals, lessons and maps. A variety of adventure companies can introduce you to backcountry excursions like the Callaghan Valley Trail that epitomizes pristine wilderness.

Vancouver Coast and Mountains

For a close-to-city cross-country experience, Vancouverites head up Cypress or Mount Seymour. Cypress Mountain’s Hollyburn Ridge is impressive. With more than 19 kilometers (12 miles) of groomed tracks – seven kilometers (4.5 miles) are lit for a magical night glide – plus lessons, rentals and multi-day clinics, there is something for everybody. The old and still charming Hollyburn Lodge offers a great drop-in spot.

Lower mainland cross-country skiers know to head east to Manning Park for excellent snow conditions. Easily reached along Highway 3 (Crowsnest Highway), this 68,000-hectare (168,000 acre) wilderness park offers more than 100 kilometers (62.5 miles) of un-groomed trails suitable for every level of Nordic skier. Those with the yen and the experience to explore the backcountry can set out for an excursion to Cambie Creek. Day skiers can do circuits on Strawberry Flats and rest in the warming hut. Quaint and charming, Manning Park Lodge is ideal for a family stay.

Thompson Okanagan

All four of the well-loved ski resorts in this region boast cross-country possibilities. Silver Star Resort has 35 kilometers (22 miles) of groomed and set tracks and is renowned for its grooming. There’s four kilometers (2.5 miles) of lit track for a night work-out, as well as lessons and equipment rentals at this resort. Located just south of Silver Star Village, the Sovereign Lakes Nordic Area welcomes skiers with a day lodge, warming huts and 40 kilometers (25 miles) of marked trails as well as track set for both classic and skating techniques. This is an idyllic region and is well maintained by a non-profit group of local enthusiasts.

In addition to the resort offerings in the Thompson Okanagan, the region’s wilderness and dry powder snow entice Nordic skiers to some out-of-the-way gems. Logan Lake has 36 kilometers (22.5 miles) of groomed trails and Wells Gray Provincial Park – one of BC’s largest and most spectacular wilderness areas – boasts 80 kilometers (50 miles) of groomed trails. You can set out from Helmcken Falls Lodge for a day where the only sound you hear will be the sliding of your skis. Sightings of moose or other wildlife will be an added bonus. Experienced skiers may opt for a multi-day, hut-to-hut excursion on the high alpine meadows.

Cariboo Chilcotin Coast

What's your first hint that the Cariboo is welcoming to cross country skiers? Most likely it’s the world’s largest pair of cross-country skis in front of the Visitor Info Centre at 100 Mile House. Add the more than 200 kilometers (125 miles) of groomed and track-set trails that lead out from three trail heads nearby and you’ll be in cross-country heaven.

At nearby 108 Mile Ranch there are 140 kilometers (87 miles) of groomed trails and The Hills Health & Guest Ranch also offers guests a trail network encompassing 200 kilometers (125 miles), equally divided for beginners, intermediates and advanced skiers. Cross-country skaters can have an invigorating stride on 40 kilometers (25 miles) of skating set trails. Near Williams Lake the Bull Mountain Trails are well visited and in the historic gold rush communities of Wells and Barkerville, this winter sport is revered. You can set out across a meadow, watching for tracks of coyotes, rabbits and muskrats, or glide through thick forests following the 23-kilometer (14-mile) route up Mount Agnes.

Backcountry touring can be experienced with Chilcotin Holidays, Tyax Resort and Whitegold Adventures, as well as at some of the guest ranches.

Kootenay Rockies British Columbia’s Rocky Mountains successfully combine jaw-dropping scenery with cross-country skiing. Most of the ski resorts welcome Nordic skiers. For example, Panorama Mountain Ski Resort features the Beckie Scott Nordic Centre. Named after our most recent Olympic gold medalist, the centre includes a well-equipped day lodge plus 20.5 kilometers (13 miles) of groomed tracks for classic and skating enthusiasts – as well as 6.6 kilometers (4 miles) of trails for classic enthusiasts. Particularly magical are the full moon ski parties sponsored by Panorama.

There are well-known, top tracks at Rossland (Black Jack), Fernie (Elk Valley) and Nelson (Clearwater Creek). At Fairmont, Nakusp and Ainsworth you can end your day on skis with a soothing soak in their hot springs.

For a memorable cross-country experience, stay at Nipika Mountain Resort. Consider a refurbished 1905 log lodge and charming cabins, plus the amazing backdrop of seemingly, endless mountains loaded with dry snow. Among its 54 kilometers (33.5 miles) of groomed trails is an alluring mix – beginners and intermediates stride out to the shoreline of Cross River while the more experienced can explore the north side of the Cross. This is a full service resort that caters to cross-country skiers and the amenities are as impressive as the landscape.

Northern BC

Think north, think snow applies as cross-country aficionados have vast choices in Northern BC. Right in Prince George, Forests for the World, a city park, has 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) of trails where Nordic skiers can glide. Nearby Otway and Tabor Mountain both have set tracks; the latter offers 40 kilometers (25 miles) of trails.

Following the Yellowhead Highway 16 from Prince George to Smithers, there is access to many excellent Nordic havens. Buckley Valley Nordic Centre near Smithers boasts well marked trails, a day lodge, waxing huts, and a lit night course. Tyee, Kathlyn and Seymour Lakes in this region also offer great gliding options. There are 30 kilometers (18.5 miles) of groomed trails at Waterlily Lake near Vanderhoof and the region around Burns Lake hums with stride and glide action with one of the province’s most active ski clubs --the Ominica Ski Club -- grooming their trails since 1927.

North of Prince George near Mackenzie, the Mackenzie Nordiques X-Country Ski Club maintains more than 30 kilometers (18.5 miles) of tracks – several are convenient loops.