Cross-country skiing — also known as Nordic skiing — offers families a completely different mountain experience from downhill skiing, and many of the best alpine resorts now feature extensive Nordic trail networks alongside their lift-served terrain. Where downhill skiing is about speed, adrenaline, and gravity, cross-country skiing rewards patience, rhythm, and connection with the winter landscape. For families, Nordic skiing provides a wonderful way to explore the mountain together at a shared pace, gliding through snow-draped forests, along frozen creek beds, and across open meadows with views that rival anything visible from a chairlift. The sport comes in two styles: classic (skiing in groomed parallel tracks) and skate skiing (a faster, more athletic technique on groomed corduroy). For families and beginners, classic style is the natural starting point — it is intuitive, gentle on the body, and accessible to children as young as four or five on short, flat loops. Many resorts offer dedicated Nordic centers with rental equipment, professional instruction, and trail systems rated by difficulty, much like downhill runs. Cross-country skiing is also remarkably affordable compared to lift-served skiing, with trail passes often costing a fraction of a downhill lift ticket. Some resorts even offer free Nordic trails to season pass holders, making it an easy add-on to any ski vacation.
Cross-Country Skiing by Region
South Tyrol, Italy (7)
Seiser Alm / Alpe di Siusi
South Tyrol, Italy · 1,520 acres
9.2
Family Score
Alta Badia
South Tyrol, Italy · 3,100 acres
8.3
Family Score
Gitschberg Jochtal
South Tyrol, Italy · 1,235 acres
8.3
Family Score
Carezza
South Tyrol, Italy · 988 acres
8.0
Family Score
Kronplatz (Plan de Corones)
South Tyrol, Italy · 2,960 acres
7.8
Family Score
3 Zinnen Dolomites
South Tyrol, Italy · 2,471 acres
7.8
Family Score
Val Gardena
South Tyrol, Italy · 3,920 acres
7.7
Family Score
British Columbia, Canada (6)
Sun Peaks Resort
British Columbia, Canada · 4,270 acres
8.8
Family Score
Silver Star Mountain Resort
British Columbia, Canada · 3,282 acres
8.7
Family Score
Mount Washington Alpine Resort
British Columbia, Canada · 1,700 acres
7.7
Family Score
Cypress Mountain
British Columbia, Canada · 600 acres
7.0
Family Score
Revelstoke Mountain Resort
British Columbia, Canada · 3,121 acres
6.7
Family Score
Fernie Alpine Resort
British Columbia, Canada · 2,504 acres
6.7
Family Score
Graubünden, Switzerland (6)
Arosa Lenzerheide
Graubünden, Switzerland · 5,400 acres
8.3
Family Score
Savognin
Graubünden, Switzerland · 380 acres
8.3
Family Score
Scuol
Graubünden, Switzerland · 520 acres
7.8
Family Score
St. Moritz
Graubünden, Switzerland · 2,100 acres
7.5
Family Score
Davos Klosters
Graubünden, Switzerland · 7,700 acres
7.3
Family Score
Disentis
Graubünden, Switzerland · 680 acres
7.2
Family Score
Lapland, Finland (5)
Bavaria, Germany (5)
Balderschwang
Bavaria, Germany · 180 acres
8.3
Family Score
Spitzingsee-Tegernsee
Bavaria, Germany · 250 acres
7.3
Family Score
Fellhorn-Kanzelwand
Bavaria, Germany · 580 acres
7.2
Family Score
Lenggries-Brauneck
Bavaria, Germany · 290 acres
7.0
Family Score
Sudelfeld
Bavaria, Germany · 310 acres
7.0
Family Score
Dalarna, Sweden (4)
Tyrol, Austria (4)
Victoria, Australia (4)
Lombardy, Italy (4)
Vermont, USA (4)
Valais, Switzerland (3)
Vorarlberg, Austria (3)
Trentino, Italy (3)
Innlandet, Norway (3)
Viken, Norway (3)
New Hampshire, USA (3)
Utah, USA (3)
Idaho, USA (3)
Oregon, USA (3)
Quebec, Canada (3)
New York, USA (3)
Bern, Switzerland (2)
Vestland, Norway (2)
Colorado, USA (2)
Haute-Savoie, France (2)
Pyrénées-Orientales, France (2)
Michigan, USA (2)
Styria, Austria (2)
Aosta Valley, Italy (2)
Wyoming, USA (2)
Puy-de-Dôme, France (2)
Liberec, Czech Republic (2)
Maine, USA (2)
Alberta, Canada (2)
Minnesota, USA (2)
California, USA (2)
Washington, USA (2)
Nordland, Norway (2)
Banská Bystrica, Slovakia (1)
Oulu, Finland (1)
Veneto, Italy (1)
Ontario, Canada (1)
Savoie, France (1)
Carinthia, Austria (1)
Värmland, Sweden (1)
Jämtland, Sweden (1)
Hautes-Alpes, France (1)
Härjedalen, Sweden (1)
Prešov, Slovakia (1)
Jura, France (1)
Central Finland, Finland (1)
North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany (1)
Uri, Switzerland (1)
West Virginia, USA (1)
Black Forest, Germany (1)
Savonia, Finland (1)
Hradec Králové, Czech Republic (1)
Brașov, Romania (1)
Samtskhe-Javakheti, Georgia (1)
Hesse, Germany (1)
Aragon, Spain (1)
Piedmont, Italy (1)
Hokkaido, Japan (1)
Trøndelag, Norway (1)
Silesia, Poland (1)
New South Wales, Australia (1)
Arizona, USA (1)
Wisconsin, USA (1)
Norrbotten, Sweden (1)
Alaska, USA (1)
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age can children start cross-country skiing?
Children can start cross-country skiing as young as 3-4 on very short, flat trails with appropriately sized equipment. By age 5-6, most children can manage 1-2 kilometer loops. Youth cross-country ski sets (skis, boots, and poles) are available for rent at most Nordic centers.
Is cross-country skiing good exercise?
Cross-country skiing is one of the most complete full-body workouts available, engaging legs, arms, and core simultaneously. It burns more calories per hour than almost any other sport. For families, this means parents get an excellent workout while kids enjoy the adventure of gliding through the woods.
What is the difference between classic and skate skiing?
Classic cross-country skiing uses a straight-ahead striding motion in parallel groomed tracks and is best for beginners and families. Skate skiing uses a side-to-side skating motion on flat groomed trails and requires more athleticism and balance. Most resort Nordic centers groom for both styles.