British Columbia’s diverse terrain is a Mecca for cross-country buffs. The diagonal slide across just-fallen snow offers scenic splendours and a great work out. Cross-country -- or Nordic skiing -- can be a gentle glide or strenuous race on set tracks, a tour into untouched backcountry or a thrilling down hill. Here’s a selection -- a few of the many places -- where you are guaranteed a great time on your skis.
Vancouver Island
Imagine skiing among towering old growth timbers and along the shores of three lakes. Mount Washington Alpine Resort’s Lake Trail is one of the Vancouver Island resort’s 55 kilometres (34 miles) of Nordic tracks. You may wish to take advantage of the cross-country ski lessons offered by the resort. The pleasures of the outdoors are matched by Raven Lodge, a post and beam Nordic centre with a restaurant, deli, retail shop plus a rental and demo facility.
Whistler Mountain
Just five minutes from Whistler Village, Lost Lake lures Nordic buffs with 30 kilometres (19 miles) of easy trails beside this pretty lake. You glide by Nicklaus North Golf Course, the Fairmont Chateau Whistler and along wooded trails. It’s a tranquil escape from the bustle of the downhill crowd. The Lost Lake Warming Hut provides trail passes, rentals, lessons and maps. A variety of adventure companies can introduce you to backcountry excursions like the Callaghan Valley Trail that epitomizes pristine wilderness.
Vancouver Coast and Mountains
For a close-to-city cross-country experience, Vancouverites head up Cypress or Mount Seymour. Cypress Mountain’s Hollyburn Ridge is impressive. With more than 19 kilometres (12 miles) of groomed tracks seven kilometres (4.5 miles) are lit for a magical night glide plus lessons, rentals and multi-day clinics, there is something for everybody. The old and still charming Hollyburn Lodge offers a great drop-in spot.
Lower mainland cross-country skiers know to head east to Manning Park for excellent snow conditions. Easily reached along Highway 3 (Crowsnest Highway), this 68,000-hectare (168,000 acre) wilderness park offers more than 100 kilometres (62.5 miles) of ungroomed trails suitable for every level of Nordic skier. Those with the yen and the experience to explore the backcountry can set out for an excursion to Cambie Creek. Day skiers can do circuits on Strawberry Flats and rest in the warming hut. Quaint and charming, Manning Park Lodge is ideal for a family stay.
Thompson Okanagan
All four of the well-loved ski resorts in this region boast cross-country possibilities. Silver Star Resort has 35 kilometres (22 miles) of groomed and set tracks and is renowned for its grooming. There’s four kilometres (2.5 miles) of lit track for a night work-out, as well as lessons and equipment rentals at this resort. Located just south of Silver Star Village, the Sovereign Lakes Nordic Area welcomes skiers with a day lodge, warming huts and 40 kilometres (25 miles) of marked trails as well as track set for both classic and skating techniques. This is an idyllic region and is well maintained by a non-profit group of local enthusiasts.
In addition to the resort offerings in the Thompson Okanagan, the region’s wilderness and dry powder snow entice Nordic skiers to some out-of-the-way gems. Logan Lake has 36 kilometres (22.5 miles) of groomed trails and Wells Gray Provincial Park one of BC’s largest and most spectacular wilderness areas boasts 80 kilometres (50 miles) of groomed trails. You can set out from Helmcken Falls Lodge for a day where the only sound you hear will be the sliding of your skis. Sightings of moose or other wildlife will be an added bonus. Experienced skiers may opt for a multi-day, hut-to-hut excursion on the high alpine meadows.
Cariboo Chilcotin Coast
What’s your first hint that the Cariboo is welcoming to cross country skiers? Most likely it’s the world’s largest pair of cross-country skis in front of the Visitor Info Centre at 100 Mile House. Add the more than 200 kilometres (125 miles) of groomed and track-set trails that lead out from three trail heads nearby and you’ll be in cross-country heaven.
At nearby 108 Mile Ranch there are 140 kilometres (87 miles) of groomed trails and The Hills Health & Guest Ranch also offers guests a trail network encompassing 200 kilometres (125 miles), equally divided for beginners, intermediates and advanced skiers. Cross-country skaters can have an invigorating stride on 40 kilometres (25 miles) of skating set trails. Near Williams Lake the Bull Mountain Trails are well visited and in the historic gold rush communities of Wells and Barkerville, this winter sport is revered. You can set out across a meadow, watching for tracks of coyotes, rabbits and muskrats, or glide through thick forests following the 23-kilometre (14-mile) route up Mount Agnes.
Backcountry touring can be experienced with Chilcotin Holidays, Tyax Resort and Whitegold Adventures, as well as at some of the guest ranches.
Kootenay Rockies
British Columbia’s Rocky Mountains successfully combine jaw-dropping scenery with cross-country skiing. Most of the ski resorts welcome Nordic skiers. For example, Panorama Mountain Ski Resort features the Beckie Scott Nordic Centre. Named after our most recent Olympic gold medalist, the centre includes a well-equipped day lodge plus 20.5 km (13 miles) of groomed tracks for classic and skating enthusiasts as well as 6.6 km (4 miles) of trails for classic enthusiasts. Particularly magical are the full moon ski parties sponsored by Panorama.
There are well-known, top tracks at Rossland (Black Jack), Fernie (Elk Valley) and Nelson (Clearwater Creek). At Fairmont, Nakusp and Ainsworth you can end your day on skis with a soothing soak in their hot springs.
For a memorable cross-country experience, stay at Nipika Mountain Resort. Consider a refurbished 1905 log lodge and charming cabins, plus the amazing backdrop of seemingly, endless mountains loaded with dry snow. Among its 54 kilometres (33.5 miles) of groomed trails is an alluring mix beginners and intermediates stride out to the shoreline of Cross River while the more experienced can explore the north side of the Cross. This is a full service resort that caters to cross-country skiers and the amenities are as impressive as the landscape.
Northern BC
Think north, think snow applies as cross-country aficionados have vast choices in Northern BC. Right in Prince George, Forests for the World -- a city park -- has 25 kilometres (15.5 miles) of trails where Nordic skiers can glide. Nearby Otway and Tabor Mountain both have set tracks the latter offers 40 kilometres (25 miles) of trails.
Following the Yellowhead Highway 16 from Prince George to Smithers, there is access to many excellent Nordic havens. Buckley Valley Nordic Centre near Smithers boasts well marked trails, a day lodge, waxing huts, and a lit night course. Tyee, Kathlyn and Seymour Lakes in this region also offer great gliding options. There are 30 kilometres (18.5 miles) of groomed trails at Waterlily Lake near Vanderhoof and the region around Burns Lake hums with stride and glide action with one of the province’s most active ski clubs --the Ominica Ski Club -- grooming their trails since 1927.
North of Prince George near Mackenzie, the Mackenzie Nordiques X-Country Ski Club maintain more than 30 kilometres (18.5 miles) of tracks several are convenient loops.
Discovering British Columbia’s fantastic skiing is as easy as calling toll-free 1-800-HELLO BC (North America) or HELLO BC (435-5622) in Greater Vancouver. This reservation and information service puts you in touch with a team of professional travel experts who can provide free help and advice in planning or booking every stage of your getaway, from travel ideas and tips to booking your accommodations, tours, and transportation. You can also order your free copy of the BC Escapes Getaways Guide. And be sure to check out the Tourism British Columbia web site at www.HelloBC.com.