Nordic Center
Vail Nordic Center is located in East Vail at the Vail Golf course. Along with views of the Gore Range, there are 27 km of groomed trails for skate and classic Vail cross country skiing and more trails for snowshoeing. The daily trail fee is $5 and discounted multi day passes are available. At this full service nordic center, there is a restaurant, retail shop, equipment rentals, lessons, and guided tours are even available. Open mid-November through the end of March, depending on snow conditions. Please call for special events and information, 970-476-8366
Another Nordic Center is located at Vail's Golden Peak. The Vail Cross-Country Ski School's instructors specialize in cross-country skiing, telemark skiing, snowshoeing and skate skiing. Full day and private instruction is available. At the top of Beaver Creek’s Strawberry Park chairlift is McCoy Park. Beginners can be introduced to the sport on groomed terrain with a lesson at the Beaver Creek Nordic Sports Center. Cross-country skiers enjoy 32 kilometers of groomed trails with spectacular views. Experience the peace and quiet of the backcountry and get some great exercise. www.beavercreek.com or call 970-754-5313.
LESSONS AND TOURS
Group and private lessons and tours are available at the Vail and Beaver Creek Nordic Centers. Full and half day programs are available. Telemark clinics are also regularly scheduled throughout the winter. The Vail Nordic Center in East Vail also offers classic and skate ski lessons as well as waxing clinics and women-only programs. Please call to arrange a lesson.
Equipment Rental
Rental equipment is available at the Beaver Creek Nordic Center, located near the base of the Strawberry Park chairlift and the Beaver Creek Medical Center. Vail Nordic Center also rents a full array of skis, boots and snowshoes.
A Note on Gear
There are various types of skis, each designed for a different style of skiing. In addition, cross-country skis have either waxable or waxless bases. Check out the details below to find out what's right for you.
Types of Nordic Skis
Track skis are designed for use at "Nordic Centers" where tracks are set in the snow. They are light, flexible, skinny, have no metal edges, and are usually waxless although waxable versions (racing skis) can be found. These skis are used in classic diagonal racing and for light touring.
Skating skis are designed for the skating technique, similar to on-snow ice skating or on-line skating. These skis only use glide wax, not grip wax, and are never waxless. The skating technique allows racers to go must faster under most conditions. Skis are shorter and stiffer than track models with rounder tips.
Waxless cross country skis have a "scaled" bottom so that they can slide forward and resist backward motion. These skis are a good choice for first-timers as they allow for concentration on one’s technique. They are not as good for going up steep hills or for unpacked powder snow.
Waxable skis require waxing. With proper wax, waxable skis are faster than waxless on flat ground, and can be used to climb steep hills much more easily.
Waxing
Two approaches prevail for waxing: some use a glide wax on the tips and tails, and a kick wax under the foot; others use a colder kick wax, which functions as a glide wax on the tips and tails, and a kick wax in under the foot.
Many suggest beginning with a "two -- or three -- wax system". These use two hard (solid) waxes and one klister (liquid) wax. The hard waxes are for new snow -- one for cold/dry snow and one for warmer/wet snow. The klister is for old snow or snow that has thawed and refrozen.
The next step up is with a hard wax system using a color-coded progression of waxes that correspond to the snow temperature such as the one offered by Swix (the most common brand in the US).