Cross country skiing is one of the best activities that a family can go on vacation to participate in. For many, the benefits of cross country skiing are obvious: fresh air, breathtaking scenery and all the exercise that you can handle are there for the taking on a cross country ski vacation. Also, the activity does not have the danger element that is present in downhill skiing, which many people appreciate. It also makes it an activity more suitable for all members of the family. When downhill skiing, the family often has to split up so that everyone can ski a route at their own skill level. When downhill skiing though, there are many more trails that can accommodate everyone in a group.
Cross country skiing is a popular activity throughout the world. Even regions that don’t have the infrastructure for downhill ski resorts can have some great cross country routes. Here are a few suggestions for the best of the best cross country skiing has to offer.
The Austrian Alps: If you want to experience cross country skiing at its absolute best, you need to head to the Tirol district in Austria. This region is littered with picturesque villages connected by miles of beautiful groomed cross country ski routes. Skiing from village to village allows you to see the best the Alps has to offer. Many of the villages also have great downhill skiing resorts if you’re looking for a change of pace. There are loads of great pre-determined routes available for people to tour that will take you through the best the region has to offer.
Norway: Norway is where skiing was born, so it should come as no surprise that the Norwegian snow is one of the best places in the world to cross country ski. The Hallingdal region has great terrain for people who have already learned the basics, and for those who really want a challenge, the northern reaches of Norway offer some of the most challenging routes in the world. This is a great place to experience nature in its purest form. There are few places left in Europe as untouched as northern Norway. Tours are available from DNT, which is a company that maintains the cross country skiing infrastructure across the country. Their tours are highly recommended, because an English speaking guide that knows the terrain of this difficult landscape can be invaluable.
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This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008 at 4:37 am and is filed under Europe, Fun. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
