Sun Mountain Lodge
Winthrop, Wash.
Situated on the eastern slope of the Cascades
about 220 miles from Seattle, Sun Mountain Lodge sits atop an extensive
cross-country trail system that makes its way down the mountain and
across the scenic Methow Valley below. "Methow Valley is one of the
largest Nordic centers in North America, with more than 120 miles of
interconnected trails," Frado says. "The terrain is varied to suit all
skill levels, from beginners to competitive racers." 800-572-0493; sunmountainlodge.com
Great Glen Trails
Gorham, N.H.
Nestled amid New Hampshire's picturesque White
Mountains, Great Glen Trails was designed expressly for cross-country
skiing. Twenty-five miles of groomed trails wend their way through the
trees and meadows. "There's a real harmony to skiing the trails here,"
Frado says. "Your skis almost seem to sing over the snow." Close by is
the town of Jackson, "a quintessential New England village, complete
with a covered bridge." 603-466-2333; greatglentrails.com
Donnelly, Idaho
"Tamarack is a brand-new resort that caters to
both downhill and cross-country skiers," Frado says. "The lodge is
truly luxurious, with magnificent views of the surrounding Payette
River Mountains. There are more than 15 miles of cross-country trails —
all at moderate altitude, which makes for fun skiing." Tamarack also
offers guided cross-country ski and snowshoeing excursions. 866-649-6903; tamarackidaho.com
Devil's Thumb Ranch
Tabernash, Colo.
Devil's Thumb, 70 miles north of Denver, has a
reputation for environmental responsibility as well as outstanding
skiing. "They believe in maintaining the integrity and natural beauty
of the property, and they really live up to that ideal," Frado says.
"More than 60 miles of trails wend through 5,000 acres of meadow and
forest, with minimal impact on the land. You can truly immerse yourself
in nature here." 800-933-4339; devilsthumbranch.com
White Grass
Davis, W.Va.
"White Grass is down-home, relaxed and nurturing
— all about having fun on skis," Frado says. Tucked into a snowy corner
of the Cabin Mountains in West Virginia, White Grass draws
cross-country skiing enthusiasts from all over the East. "They have
more than 15 miles of groomed trails suitable for family skiing, and
offer guided cross-country treks into the higher and more challenging
terrain," Frado says. "They also have a wonderful natural-foods cafe." 304-866-4114; whitegrass.com
Soldier Hollow
Midway, Utah
Located just 20 minutes from the trendy downhill
ski enclave of Park City, Soldier Hollow served as the cross-country
ski venue for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. "Mere mortals can ski the
same trails as the world-class athletes — and then head for a Park City
cafe to relax and celebrity-watch," Frado says. The resort has more
than 20 miles of groomed trails for all skill levels, and offers
spectacular views of the surrounding Wasatch Mountains. 435-654-2002; soldierhollow.com
Maplelag
Callaway, Minn.
Located in northwest Minnesota, about an hour
east of Fargo, N.D., Maplelag is an out-of-the way but very popular
cross-country ski destination. Originally a maple syrup farm, the
property has been family-owned and operated for two generations. In
addition to 40 miles of well-groomed skiing trails, Maplelag offers
sledding, ice skating and ice fishing. "The family-style meals are
wonderful, and the bottomless jars of homemade cookies in the lodge are
also a nice touch," Frado says. 800-654-7711; maplelag.com
Royal Gorge
Soda Springs, Calif.
Sprawling across 9,000 acres in the heart of
California's Sierra Nevada mountain range, Royal Gorge bills itself as
North America's largest cross-country ski resort. A short drive from
the Reno/Lake Tahoe area, the resort offers skiers more than 190 miles
of groomed track for all skill levels. "The trail system at Royal Gorge
is fantastic," Frado says. "There are warming huts and trailside cafes
along the way, which make for great rest stops. They also run an
excellent ski school for beginners." 800-500-3871; royalgorge.com
Trapp Family Lodge
Stowe, Vt.
"This is the home of the legendary von Trapp family singers, whose story was told in The Sound of Music,"
Frado says. "They brought cross-country skiing with them from Austria
in 1950 and created what became the first Nordic resort in the U.S."
Centered by an Austrian-style main lodge that overlooks the historic
town of Stowe, the resort offers 28 miles of groomed track and another
62 miles of challenging backcountry trails. 800-826-7000; trappfamily.com
Camp Sagawau Nordic
Lemont, Ill.
City dwellers who don't have the time for a ski
trip need not despair, Frado says. Many urban areas allow cross-country
skiing in local parks and nature preserves. "One example is the Chicago
area, which has seven cross-country ski centers in county forest
preserves. Sagawau Nordic in southwest Cook County is one of the best.
It's small, with only a few miles of groomed trail, but it's a great
place to learn the sport or get a quick skiing fix." 630-257-2045; fpdcc.com
