Cross country ski holidays

Can anyone offer any advice on taking up cross country skiing please?
I appreciate it helps to be fit, but where best to go? When? Equipment hire? Coats? Lessons? Package holidays available? Etc
Any info would be useful , thanks

Hi its a great way to enjoy the alpine climate ski hire is simple you start with classic skis (in the tracks) with a simple toe clip comfy shoes. No need to be that fit as you choose your own pace, but the smallest slope will make you look like Bambi on ice after alpine skis.Lermoos is a great place, and in Austria its free with your geust card, in France the cost is about 7 euro a day. Clothes lightweight and breathable. We have been out in the Jura in France covered 40 miles and bumped into more wildlife than people.
Goff

Have a look at Scandinavia, cross-country skiing is very popular there, Exodus should do packages http://www.exodus.co.uk/activities-experiences/winter-activities/cross-country-skiing, also I think Crystal does.

The Dolomites are beautiful for cross-country too, for example there are loads of trails around Cortina.
You can hire the skis and boots, and cross-country boots are very light and easy to walk in. Goff mentioned about the clothing, you would need some layers on (depends on the weather how many), nothing special, just something comfortable, think about it as going on the quick (or slow depending on your abilities) walk,you will get warm skiing as every single part of your body will be working.

As Goff mentioned above cross-country skiing is such great way of experiencing nature in winter, I always loved it(and so I should, even managed to be a county champion in my youth, of course not in this country :) Unfortunately can't get my husband to join me in "flat skiing". He thinks it's hard work. He is absolutely right, it is hard work when trying to ski cross-country on downhill skis!!!

I would say go for it and you will not regret.

Clothing should be the similar to that which you would run in i.e. no padded trousers and or thick jacket. If I am heading uphill or on the flat would normally got for light gloves, running hat (no icecream head but not like wearing a woolen microwave), few thin layers and maybe a light insulated jacket which I can put in rucksack once warmed up. On bottom either running leggings or thermals and cheap waterproofs to keep out wind. As long as you set a speed which allows you to continue then amazing how little insulation required.

You could hop onto any package holiday, one nice thing is that altitude becomes less on an issue as nearly all alpine towns are caught in a temperature inversion for much of winter. If you just wanted to try for a weekend then Geneva, transfer to Courmayeur. The track to Lavanche is fantastic and has multiple pitstops along the way and very scenic. When avalanche risk is high have done this many times in normal ski touring equipment. Of course every alpine town has access so options are limitless, Germany, Slovakia etc also become really good options.

goff wrote:Hi its a great way to enjoy the alpine climate ski hire is simple you start with classic skis (in the tracks) with a simple toe clip comfy shoes. No need to be that fit as you choose your own pace, but the smallest slope will make you look like Bambi on ice after alpine skis.Lermoos is a great place, and in Austria its free with your geust card, in France the cost is about 7 euro a day. Clothes lightweight and breathable. We have been out in the Jura in France covered 40 miles and bumped into more wildlife than people.
Goff

Hi Goff; I think we may have ski'd together last year in Soll. You mentioned the Jura, and I remember that was "your patch", so I'm guessing it must be you. Hope all's well with you both; good to read your thoughts on cross-country skiing as I'm also thinking of giving it a go, so am grateful to the original poster for opening up the topic.

Best wishes
Bill

Thank you folks - I feel encouraged! :D
I broke my wrist at Christmas skiing. It was the first accident I have had of that nature and after a few comments I have had from people I am wondering if I should leave the slopes to younger, fitter people. I haven't quite got one foot in the grave, being 46 and I don't want to give up skiing altogether as I am coming back to it after a long gap of about 18 years, but this might be the way forward.
I would need a resort that offered both types of skiing as the family probably wouldn't be joining me!
Keep the suggestions coming please!

Hi Bill Soll was a great time,the Juras are about 7 easy hours drive from Calais small farming villages apart from Metabief in the north and Monts Jura and Les Rousses in the south.Endless crosscountry, more of a lakeland setting than alpine. Resorts like Pre Poncet and Les Fourgs are usually snow sure until the end of March due to the area the coldest area france and Suisse.Try
www.espacenordiquejurassien.com/home.htm
for information and webcams
Goff

Brilliant; thanks for info and the tips Goff.