including nearly 40 kilometers of groomed and private Ranch Creek valley at the Bear Valley Cross Country & tracked trails and a new Cross-Country base of the Continental Divide, we’re the Nestled in the super scenic High Sierra Center. The teaching center offers premiere Nordic center in Colorado for and surrounded by two wilderness areas, unparalleled group and private lessons, skate or classic Nordic . Take a group Bear Valley Cross Country offers some of tours and clinics from certified instructors lesson from one of our friendly instructors the finest striding and skating anywhere! and cross-country, Telemark and snowshoe or an advanced technique clinic. A wide With impeccable grooming, expansive demo equipment. For reservations and variety of quality equipment is available for meadows, scenic ridge tops, snowshoeing, information call 866/356-9050 or visit purchase or rental, including infant sledding, telemarking, backcountry, alpine www.NorthstarAtTahoe.com. and rigs. skiing and lodging within walking distance, Call 800-933-4339 or visit Bear Valley offers incredible adventures Sorensen’s and Hope Valley Resorts www.devilsthumbranch.com. for everyone. Your resort for all seasons in the 209/753-2834, www.bearvalleyxc.com. . Sorensen’s offers cozy MAINE housekeeping cabins, many with wood Aroostook County Kirkwood Cross Country Center burning stoves, and delicious, homemade Aroostook County in Northern Maine is Above all the rest with a base elevation of cuisine in the Country Café, serving 7 days the home of two Olympic caliber 7,800 feet and 80 km of machine groomed per week. Located on the eastern edge of venues, has hosted World Cup Events, trails, Kirkwood offers unsurpassed beautiful Hope Valley, a perfect spot for and has more than 200 kilometers of scenery and the most exciting terrain in the XC skiing, snowshoeing, fishing, hiking, groomed Nordic trails all free to the west. The day lodge houses the , biking or just plain relaxing. Conveniently public. These meticulously groomed trails a retail and rental shop including standard close to Grover Hot Springs State Park, offer quality skiing throughout the region. track, skate and backcountry as well as east of Kirkwood and 20 minutes South Many trails are lighted offering night snowshoes and pulks. Kirkwood Mountain of . For reservations or more skiing. There are currently 20 community Resort is a full service destination resort. information, 800/423-9949, Nordic trail systems offering an affordable Lodging: 800/967-7500, www.sorensensresort.com. getaway with amazing skiing opportunities. Cross Country: 209/258-7248, To learn more visit www.mainewsc. www.kirkwood.com. org or www.visitAroostook.com or call Recipient of the Sierra Sun’s “Best 888/216-2463. Mammoth Lakes Place to Ski Award” for 2005. 115 km of While Mammoth is renowned for its world- groomed trails. Day lodge with rentals, MINNESOTA class downhill skiing, its cross country clothing, accessories and freshly baked Cascade Lodge skiing is also among the best in the West. goods. Weekends and holidays—baked Located in the midst of Cascade River State Surrounded by the Inyo National Forest’s goods, soups and sandwiches are available Park overlooking Lake Superior. Historic winter trail system, visitors can explore at the Cookhouse, one of our five on-trail main lodge, log cabins with fireplaces, tall Jeffrey Pine forests, meadows and warming huts. Ski school with PSIA certified some with kitchenette and whirlpool bath. fascinating geologic attractions like Inyo instructors to help you with your technique. Distinctive northwoods family restaurant. Craters, Obsidian Dome, and Hot Creek. Night skiing on Wednesdays, 5 – 7 p.m. from Great scenery on 50 km of groomed trails Enjoy magnificent vistas of the High Sierra December 29 – February 23. shared with the state park starting from our mountain range. Forty-five km of groomed For more information call door. Trails groomed with state-of-the-art track at Tamarack Ski Center plus 75,000 530/587-9484 or visit www.tdxc.com. equipment. XC ski and snowshoe rentals acres of surrounding National Forest. available at the front desk. 888/GoMammoth, www.VisitMammoth.com. COLORADO 3719 W. Hwy 61, Lutsen, MN 55612; Devil’s Thumb Ranch 800/322-9543, Northstar-at-Tahoe™ Cross-Country, A 2003 Fischer Nordic Poll of avid cross- www.cascadelodgemn.com. Telemark and Snowshoe Center country enthusiasts rated Devil’s Thumb Northstar-at-Tahoe™ Resort is Lake Ranch #1 for scenery, #4 for grooming, Grand Rapids Tahoe’s premier destination resort offering and #7 overall out of all Nordic resorts in The Grand Rapids area in northeastern a variety of lodging accommodations and North America. With more than 125 km Minnesota offers a wide variety of a complete mountain resort experience of groomed trails nestled in the pristine relatively undiscovered cross country ski

ADVERTISEMENT102 | CCS DEC 08 trails. The area’s 22 sets of ski trails offer forest trails winding through cedar is just six miles away. Cozy, comfortable challenge and variety for all skill levels. swamps and aspen ridges. Frequent log cabins, renowned cuisine and an old Standouts in this winter wonderland wildlife encounters. Large A-frames, fashioned sleigh ride dinner are all a part include the famed Suomi Hills that wind honeymoon suites, many with fireplace, of the vacation package. through the Chippewa National Forest hot tub, sauna. Breakfasts, packed lunches, P.O. Box 160069, Big Sky, MT 59716 and the Sugar Hills trails that traverse the gourmet dinners, pizza & beverages. Dog 800/514-4644, [email protected], newly designated Forest Legacy Lands. sledding, ski, snowshoe & snowmobile www.lmranch.com. Ski trail information and updated grooming rentals, gift shops, ice fishing, sledding & reports are available online all season long nearby sleigh rides. Yellowstone Expeditions at www.visitgrandrapids.com. Gunflint Lodge–800/328-3325 , This is the way Yellowstone Park in winter www.gunflint.com. was meant to be experienced. Join our ski Gunflint Ski Trail System: Heston’s Lodge– 800/338-7230, and snowshoe guides for an unforgettable Boundary Country Trekking— www.hestons.com. adventure. Package tours from our Yurt Banadad Ski Trail Gunflint Pines Resort–800/533-5814 , Camp in the heart of Yellowstone include Ski the Gunflint’s Banadad Trail—the www.gunflintpines.com. a variety of terrain for all abilities, wildlife, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness’ mud pots and perfect snow. Enjoy the Yurt (BWCA) longest tracked trail and part Lutsen Resort Camp with private sleeping huts, delicious of the 180km Gunflint Nordic Ski Trail Experience the beauty and wonder of Lake meals and sauna and camp shower. System. Exclusive silent sport lodging Superior in the winter. Nearly 200 km XC P.O. Box 8654, along Banadad at Poplar Creek Guesthouse ski trails nearby. Lakeside lodging includes West Yellowstone, MT 59758 B&B, Ski-in Cabins and Wilderness historic lodge rooms, log cabins, and 406/646-9333 or 800/728-9333, Yurts. Snowshoeing and skijoring trails. town homes/condos. In-room fireplaces [email protected], Adventure trips including lodge to lodge & whirlpools available. pool/ www.YellowstoneExpeditions.com. and yurt skiing, dogsledding and other whirlpool, lakeside dining, pub, downhill year round adventures. skiing nearby also. XC ski instruction as NEW HAMPSHIRE 800/322-8327, well as guided XC ski tours and snowshoe Waterville Valley Nordic Center www.boundarycountry.com/portal.html. tours. Two new winter adventure packages Ski over 70km of trails of pristine back utilizing xc skiing and snowshoeing include country wilderness in the scenic splendor of Central Gunflint Ski Trail System: a “Winter Photography Weekend” and a the White Mountain National Forest. Wide Bearskin Lodge—Golden Eagle Lodge “Women’s Winter Adventure weekend. trails, expertly groomed by Pisten Bully for Nationally renowned skiing on 77km of 800/258-8736, www.lutsenresort.com. both classic and skate. WVNC is located snowcat-groomed trails with a dependable in an alpine village with shops, restaurants, average snowfall of 120 inches. Maplelag Resort lodging and entertainment. PSIA coaching, Groomed for traditional and skate skiing Voted the #1 XC in North childcare, fully-stocked retail shop, rentals, accommodating all levels of difficulties. America 2002/2003 readers poll. repairs and child sleds. Ten minute shuttle Night skiing, snowshoe trails, sauna, heated Maplelag Resort offers 65km of custom ride from Waterville Valley Ski Area, with waxing room, ski lessons, ski & snowshoe groomed trail for all types of skiers. 46,000 , and tubing. rentals, ice skating rink and lit trail for night sq. ft. lodge features folk art from around Summer biking and hiking. Bring a copy of skiing can all be enjoyed while staying in the world. Serving all-you-can-eat, made this ad and receive a 2-for-1 trail deal. modern lakeside cabins with fireplace, from scratch family style meals and four 603/236-8311, some deluxe with whirlpools. Early and bottomless cookie jars. Ice skating rink, [email protected], off-season specials. Skiing right from your sledding hill, Nordic Terrain Park, saunas, www.waterville.com. cabin door. steam room and state’s largest spa make Bearskin Lodge– 800/338-4170. Maplelag a must-see Nordic destination. VERMONT www.bearskin.com. 800/654-7711, www.maplelag.com. The Mountain Top Inn & Resort Golden Eagle Lodge– 800/346-2203, Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Center www.golden-eagle.com. MONTANA With a setting of “breathtaking natural Lone Mountain Ranch beauty” the Mountain Top Inn boasts 80km Upper Gunflint Ski Trail System: Experience western hospitality at this of Nordic ski trails with 40km groomed, Gunflint Lodge—Heston’s Lodge— award winning guest ranch in the heart of and 350 acres of pristine backcountry Gunflint Pines Resort Yellowstone Country. Over 80 km groomed for skiing or snowshoeing. Varied terrain Ski deep snow of the Laurentian Highlands trails, snowshoe trails and naturalist for all skill and age levels. Elevation up November to April in NE Minnesota. 10+ guided ski tours into Yellowstone Park. to 2,100 ft. on limited trails feet annual snowfall, 80+ km groomed For downhill skiers, Big Sky Ski Resort ensures great conditions. Private or group continued on next page

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lessons, ski shop, rentals, café fare. Seasonal packages. Luxurious accommodations and great cuisine. Host site IBEX for the New England Women’s Cross Country Ski Day on February 3, 2008. Only 11 miles from Killington. With these designs from Ibex, wool undergarments have come 800/445-2100, a long way from your grandfather’s red one-piece button flap www.mountaintopinn.com/ccskiprogram.html. union suit.

Trapp Family Lodge Home to the country’s first and finest cross country ski Balance Sport Bra center and the family who inspired “The Sound of Music.” Made from soft 17.5 micron Over 100 km of trails wind through 2,700 acres with wool, nylon and spandex, magnificent mountain views. the Balance Sports Bra 700 Trapp Hill Road, Stowe, VT 05672, has seamless, body 800/826-7000, www.trappfamily.com. mapping stitching that hugs your body WASHINGTON to provide comfort Sun Mountain Lodge and support. Best for A, Spectacular mountaintop resort on 3,000 acres. Ski from B and C cups in medium your door on the famous Methow Valley trail system to low-impact activities. Machine washable. SRP $49. with 200 km of groomed magic. PSIA fully certified ski school. Full service ski shop with complete rentals. Balance Sport Top DiRoNA Award winning restaurant. Wine Spectator Made from the same material as the sports Award winning wine cellar. AAA Four Diamond bra, the Balance Sport Top can be worn Award winning guest rooms. Full-service spa. Two all day in all seasons, either alone or as hot tubs, ice skating and sleigh rides. 800/572-0493, a first layer. Seamless, body-mapping www.sunmountainlodge.com. stitching provides close fitting comfort. WISCONSIN Machine washable. SRP $49. Minocqua Winter Park Balance Brief Dare we say, “The best?” You bet! With 6,500 acres The Balance Brief puts a little luxury and 75 kilometers of expertly-groomed trails for all skill into your most basic garment. Machine levels, every day is a great day at Minocqua Winter Park. Because of amenities like a heated chalet that serves washable. SRP $22.50. hot food, great kids programs, top level instruction and All three pieces come in Burnt Red, Warm Green and Black and coaching and a full service ski shop Minocqua Winter are available at www.ibexwear.com. Park is the best cross country skiing in the Midwest. Visit us at www.minocquawinterpark.org or 715/538-7364. NIKWAX WOOL WASH Telemark Resort & Convention Center World-class cross country ski trails (classic, skate and Nikwax Wool Wash is specially formulated combination skiing), comfortable lodging and terrific for safely cleaning and maintaining the dining in Wisconsin’s magnificent Northwoods. Man-made natural qualities of wool (strength, resiliency, snow possibilities for early skiing. Direct access to the American Birkebeiner® race trail. Ski rentals and lessons insulation and natural odor resistance) available. Cross country skiing for all abilities plus miles while enhancing the fabric’s natural wicking of marked snowshoe trails, ice skating, snowboarding and properties. Nikwax Wool Wash is non-toxic, tubing. 129 lodge rooms, 64 condos & suites, restaurant, detergent-free and gentle; and is suitable for bar & grill, indoor pool, whirlpool and saunas. Cable, all wool and Merino wool base-layer garments Wisconsin — Great Packages! Toll Free 877/798-4718, and socks. SRP from $5. www.nikwax.com. www. telemarkresort.com.

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