A Different Way To Ski
Skiing Fun Doesn’t Always Mean Going Downhill!

So you say you’ve had enough of long lift lines, getting up at 6 am for rental equipment, taking lessons and not getting any better, and paying outrageous amounts of money on lift tickets that just seem to get more expensive year after year? But you still come to the High Country to get away from it all and spend a little R+R with the family, right? Well get back to the roots of skiing, jump on some skinny boards and experience the High Country the way it was meant to be, on cross country skis!

Cross country skiing (also known as Nordic) is the High Country’s equivalent to hiking. In fact, when Mother Nature cooperates many of the hiking trails that you have used when visiting the High Country in the summer can be used as cross country skiing trails in the winter. What’s the relation? If you can hike then you can cross country ski.

The snowfall in the High Country has fluctuated greatly in the last several years and unfortunately there is no snowmaking on any of the area’s cross country trails. Be sure to look out your window first before contemplating a backwoods excursion. The Farmer’s Almanac is predicting a fairly heavy winter, so if there is snow on the ground you’re in luck, but what’s next? Choosing terrain that is right for you.

We are blessed in the High Country to have the largest mountains east of the Rockies. For the cross country enthusiast this can be the greatest luck in the world or it can be sweat-pounding despair. It’s wonderful if you are in excellent physical shape and have had at least some prior cross country experience. There is nothing more exciting than being able to tackle any terrain in front of you and let nature be your guide. However, if you are less than adventurous and have children that will be accompanying you check the trail guide on this page for suitable trails that the whole family can enjoy. The mountains of North Carolina are guaranteed to have a little something for everybody!

If you’ve never had cross country experience it’s not a problem. Cross country is more closely associated with walking than with the downhill skiing you are familiar with at any of the High Country’s four resorts. In short, if you can put one foot in front of the other then you can cross country ski.

There are a couple shops in the High Country that will satisfy your cross country skiing needs. The High Country Ski Shop in Pineola carries skis, poles, boots and bindings, as well as an assortment of other related hard and soft goods. There is also a rental shop if you don’t have your own equipment or aren’t interested in purchasing. The High Country Ski Shop also offers lessons so your first cross country experience is a safe and happy one.

In Boone the place to check out for cross country equipment is 1st Tracks on Highway 105. 1st Tracks carries an assortment of ski and boots from Fischer and Karhu, as well as a huge selection of winter apparel and accessories.

So if you’ve had enough of standing in line, dealing with big crowds, paying too much for lift tickets, or maybe you just want something different to do while visiting the High Country this winter, give cross country skiing a try. There’s a lot of beautiful country out there this time of year. Take advantage of it.