Cross-Country Skiing Holidays

Cross-country skiing (Langlauf in German, Ski de Fond in French) is easily mastered and is the most popular winter sport after downhill skiing – in fact cross-country skiing is a way of life for many people in the Alps and Scandinavia.

The majority of cross-country takes place on prepared and signed trails called ‘Loipe’, and these are graded from blue to black, easy to difficult, the harder trails having more ascent and descent. But overall, most of the cross-country skiing takes places on relatively flat terrain, therefore takes place in valley bottoms, or high mountain plateaux. Many alpine regions that offer cross-country skiing have a cheap bus service linking the hotels to the different trails, and we make use of these where possible, where as in Scandinavia, it is normal to ski from the hotel door.

Cross-country skiing grades

It is essential to choose the right grade of trip for your level of cross-country skiing experience or ability. Please read our grading system carefully, and see the notes for each trip on the dates and prices page.

Grade 1 Beginners. Recommended for beginners or those who feel the need to improve basic cross-country skiing techniques. We teach you the essentials and explore gently undulating terrain. All or most cross-country skiing is on prepared tracks (loipe). More experienced cross country skiers are welcome, but please be aware that the pace will be set for the cross-country skiing beginners. Towards the end of the holiday you might ski 10 - 15km or more a day, at a gentle pace.

Grade 2 Intermediates and confident beginners. These holidays are in areas with a mix of flat and hillier terrain. They are for people who have enjoyed a Grade1 cross-country skiing holiday, grasped the snowplough and now want to improve their technique. We ski a little more quickly and over more challenging ground than on a grade 1 trip. Acceptable for newcomers to cross-country skiing, but you should be very fit and have experience of other sports that develop balance - ice-skating, roller-skating or downhill skiing. Most of the cross-country skiing will be on tracks but there may be some off-track skiing, too.

Grade 2+ Intermediates (unsuitable for beginners). On these cross-country skiing holidays there is not enough flat terrain for us to accept beginners. Suitable for clients who have done a couple of weeks cross country skiing with us, have developed their snowplough and can cope fairly confidently with undulating tracks.

Grade 3 Advanced. Choose this level of cross-country skiing if you can tackle ‘ups and downs’ competently, manage a controlled snowplough descent, and if you want to ski at a lively pace. You should also be able to get up swiftly and easily by yourself after a fall. The mix of track and off-track cross country skiing varies, but is described in the individual holiday description.

Grade 3/4 Advanced. Some days at Grade 3, some days at Grade 4. Almost entirely off-track skiing. Climbing skins will be needed on some days.

Grade 4 Strenuous. Be prepared for long, steep ascents and descents, and for off-track cross-country skiing over variable snow. You need good fitness, stamina and sound, controlled skiing technique. Climbing skins will be needed on some days.

Rollerskiing - ideal preparation for cross-country skiing

If you'd like to experience the sensation of cross-country skiing before you go, why not try a session or two on rollerskis. We recommend http://www.rollerski.co.uk who run sessions in London and the South East.