Montana’s Cross-Country Skiing Bounty: www.wintermt.com
This original article supplied by Travel Montana exclusively for use by xcskiworld.com. All photos: Travel Montana.
------
No matter what your cross-country skiing passion, you’ll find a vast range of free-heel options in Montana. Kick and glide through the sugar dusted solitude of our nine National Forests, or within the sanctuary of our two, crown-jewel National Parks, Yellowstone and Glacier. Skate ski to your hearts content on some of the finest corduroy tracks you’ll find anywhere at one of Montana’s superlative Nordic skiing resorts. Witness the grandeur of our picture book landscape, as steam breathing wildlife quietly share their winter environs.
Here in Montana you’ll find 16 touring centers featuring groomed tracks for diagonal stride skiing, as well as tilled and rolled tracks for skate skiing. In fact, Montana is home to some of America's premier cross-country resorts, like Lone Mountain Ranch, near Big Sky, or the Izaak Walton Inn near Glacier National Park. Additionally, Nordic aficionados from around the globe flock to the perfectly groomed track system at the Rendez-Vous Ski Trails, just outside of West Yellowstone. Whether you’re a first time cross-county skier seeking basic instruction, an intermediate looking to refine your skate skills, or perhaps you want to take a guided wilderness and wildlife tour, you’ll find expert instruction and guides are available in and around these resort areas.
Or, you can start your cross-country adventure in one of Montana’s famous National Parks – Glacier and Yellowstone. In Glacier, you may get a sore neck from staring up at the captivating alpine peaks that surround you. In Yellowstone, ski past steam spewing geysers and bubbling hot-pots while exploring the pristine beauty of our nation’s first National Park. Oh, and keep an eye peeled, as you’re sure to spot a vast range of wildlife.
Some folks just like to get out and set their own course through Montana’s winter wonderland. For those you’ll find a plentiful mix of groomed and ungroomed trails. When you add all of the available skiing in our National Forests, National Parks, Wilderness Areas, and other public lands, you’ll realize there are literally millions of acres available to explore. In fact, you could spend many lifetimes sliding around Montana on your skinny skis.
Those with a thirst for more hardcore cross-country skiing will find a powder filled Shangri-La like few other places. Whether to backcountry ski into one of Montana’s many forest service cabins, or to basecamp out of a yurt in search of steep and deep rewards. Again, there are guide services strategically located all over western Montana that will gladly help you put together a one-of-a-kind winter excursion.
Come to Montana this winter for an indelible cross-country skiing experience.
For complete Montana winter travel information visit www.wintermt.com or call Travel Montana at (800) VISIT-MT (847-4868).
-- END --
