But ask cross-country fans how they feel, and they'll say theirs is the adventurous side of skiing. They'll wax poetic about miles of virgin snow shared with only a scattering of humans and woodland creatures. Many offer instruction and guided day trips. Adventure outfitters, too, have added cross-country skiing to their inventory of athletic trips. Trips are led by certified instructors, who offer lessons before runs or along the trail.
Accommodations range from cushy inns to log cabins or condominiums.
Following is a selection of other cross-country ski vacations around North America. The Balsams cross-country resort is a classic grand hotel founded in 1866. The Balsams maintains nearly 80 km of groomed cross-country trails, which have tracks as well as a wide skating lane. On ski and snowshoe tours led by a naturalist, participants study tracks of moose, fox and other winter woodland animals. The lodge sometimes runs guided day trips into the adjacent Siamese Ponds Wilderness Area.