Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Cross Country Skiing But Were Afraid to Ask

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Cross Country Skiing But Were Afraid to Ask

Alder Creek Adventure Center, Alder Creek Cafe, Association News, Blog Featured, Cross Country Ski Area, Featured, Trails

By Will Apotheker

Lake Tahoe is the ultimate natural playground, offering endless opportunities for fun and adventure all year long. Come winter, while the bears head off to hibernation, the mountain peaks come alive with the thrill and excitement of skiing, snowboarding and more! If you’re looking for something new to try this season, cross country skiing is the ideal winter sport. It has a moderate learning curve to get started, a wide range of health benefits and is a great way to get outside and enjoy the fresh mountain air and natural beauty of the Sierra Nevada. Discover your next winter passion with this beginner’s guide to the wonderful world of cross country skiing.

What is the Difference Between Cross County and Downhill Skiing?

Cross country styles of skiing, including classic and skate skiing, allows skiers to travel over great distances across flatter terrain, with less extreme pitches on uphills and downhills and without the use of chairlifts. For most individuals, both classic and skate skiing use skis that are lighter, longer and narrower than alpine or downhill skis. Comfortable boots, longer poles, and lightweight, flexible bindings that clip in at the toes only – allowing the heels to move freely – are also appealing features of cross country ski equipment. These differences in equipment are necessary for the mechanics of cross country skiing, which allow skiers to “stride” in classic skiing or glide in skate skiing with maximum efficiency. This striding or gliding motion propels skiers forward, as opposed to gravity and the pitch of the downhill slope. The longer length of the poles allow skiers to push off the snow to gain momentum and maintain balance, while poles in downhill skiing are used primarily for stabilization in turning. Even the grips and straps are different, ensuring the poles don’t slip out of your hands while you are pushing off the snow.

Cross country skier clipping into binding at TDXC

How Do I Get Started?

Tahoe Donner’s Cross Country Ski Center (TDXC) is a world-renowned XC facility located just a few miles from Highway 80 in Truckee. Open daily from 8:30AM-5PM, TDXC offers over 60 miles of expertly groomed trails, stunning views of the Sierra Nevada, a fully-equipped rental shop, retail store, cafe-style dining, a cozy indoor fireplace and outdoor patio with fire pits and meadow views. All trails at TDXC are accessible only from the Alder Creek Adventure Center with a season pass or day pass. All season passes, day passes, equipment rentals, and lessons can be purchased ahead of time on Tahoe Donner’s online store, ShopTD (shop.tahoedonner.com). Online reservations ensure the availability of your preferred ski days during peak weekend and holiday periods and save time and energy once you arrive.

Should I Take a Lesson?

Even if you are experienced in other winter sports like alpine skiing or ice skating, anyone new to cross country skiing can benefit from a lesson, as there is often an adjustment period or moderate learning curve to the different equipment, mechanics and movements. “Although cross country skiing can look effortless, there are nuances to that perfect glide,” says Ski School Director Andrea Brideau-Miller. “An hour spent with a professional instructor at TDXC can help you develop the fundamental skills for a lifetime of fun.” Brideau-Miller has over 20 years of experience teaching XC skiing and leads a team of talented Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) certified instructors. Check out the full roster of instructors online at tahoedonner.com/xc. TDXC’s ski school offers group and private lessons for adults and children as young as 5, from beginners just starting out to experienced skiers looking to refine their technique. Reserve your lesson ahead of time online on ShopTD.

Cross country ski lesson at TDXC

What Terrain is Right for Me?

Cross country skiing is typically done on terrain with gradual inclines and declines or undulating hills, while alpine skiing takes place on downhill slopes with steeper pitches. However, the ideal terrain for classic or skate skiing ultimately depends on a skier’s skills, fitness levels and objectives.

Cross Country Skier at TDXC

State-of-the-Art
Grooming Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Center is home to some of the finest terrain in the Sierra Nevada. Trails are groomed daily for classic and skate skiing with specialized grooming machines. “Our grooming equipment operators are cross country skiers too. We all strive to make the conditions as good as possible for everyone,” says one of the lead groomers, Per Hurtig. “We take pride in our work, love the beauty of the area and the challenge of grooming the snow each night to make it ‘just right’ for every level of skier.”

Groomer at TDXC

Color-Coded Difficulty Rating on Trails
Similar to Alpine skiing, trails are color-coded with green circles for beginner terrain, blue squares for intermediate terrain and black diamonds for expert terrain. Four warming huts are also stationed throughout the trial system, offering a place to rest and catch your breath. Trail highlights include:

Lions Leap 1.6km | 1 mile loop starting and ending at Moondance Hut Newer skiers and veterans alike will enjoy this gradual ski up to the scenic Carpenter Valley overlook, followed by a fun return to Moondance Hut through the forest.

Sundance 1.6km | 1.0 mile climb from Moondance Hut to Sundance Hut This stunner takes you from Moondance Hut, up 300 feet of elevation on Sundance, to the Sundance Hut. As you climb, be sure to catch glimpses of the beautiful Euer Valley below – and make sure you’re comfortable coming back down the hill before you get too far!

I’m OK Euer OK 5.8km | 3.6 mile descent This one-of-a-kind experts-only trail descends 1,200 feet from Hawk’s Peak to Euer Valley. This trail combines steep downhills and tight turns for an exhilarating run.

NOTE: All skiers are advised to adhere to trails suited to their abilities. Though the terrain is less extreme than in Alpine skiing, both skate and classic skiing come with an inherent risk of injury.

Snowmaking + Nordic Pulse Grooming Reports

TDXC is one of the first XC resorts in the area to implement snowmaking capabilities, allowing for a more consistent, extended ski season or an earlier opening date. Daily grooming reports and downloadable trail maps are available online. Skiers can also download the Nordic Pulse app for additional grooming reports, topographical information and more!

What’s the Best Way to Continue Developing My Skills?

In addition to private and group lessons, TDXC offers clinics, programs and four-week sessions for beginner to advanced skiers in classic and skate skiing. These include:

  • Masters Training Group: Friday mornings
  • NEW Intermediate Skating: Saturday mornings starting Jan. 4
  • Discover Cross Country Skiing (beginners and improvers): Sunday mornings starting Jan. 5
  • Learn to Skate: Monday mornings starting Jan. 6
  • Sisters In Skating (beginners and improvers): Tuesday mornings starting Jan. 7
  • Sisters in Skating (intermediate): Wednesday mornings starting Jan. 8

Cross Country Skier at TDXC

Throughout the year, discover fun and engaging pop-up clinics to learn how to wax your skis with TDXC’s in-house wax guru, Roger Cheney or experience the thrilling sport of biathlon with Olympian Gyongyver Ridenour. Visit the website for details on programs, clinics and more.

Cross Country Biathlon Clinic

Where is the Best Place to Purchase Gear?

TDXC’s retail store stocks the best selection of quality apparel and accessories in the region, with brands like Swix, Craft and Toko. Stop by for a new cross country jacket, pants, gloves or eyewear! Friendly and knowledgeable staff can help you find the perfect fit for you or your friends and family.

I’m Hooked, Now What?

Once you start cross country skiing, you may not want to stop! Maximize your fun with season-long options for passes and rentals.

Season Passes
Enjoy a whole season of skiing with a one-time purchase. Season passes also come with various perks such as early bird skiing (on non-storm days), discounts in our cafe and retail shop and free ski days at partner resorts.

Season-Long Locker Rentals
We still have a few lockers available for you to store your gear at the Cross Country Ski Center all season long. Lockers are available for passholders only.
Individual: Member $199 | Public $224
Family-sized: Members $269 | Public $299

Season-Long Equipment Rentals
Season passholders can pay in advance for season-long equipment rentals. This program gives you the flexibility to enjoy high-quality classic or skate skis or snowshoes. High-performance demo equipment is also available. Our knowledgeable staff can assist you in selecting the right equipment and help you return it when you’re done for the day. To purchase a season pass or reserve your season-long equipment rentals or storage locker, visit ShopTD.

What is Parking Like?

Parking lots often fill up at both Tahoe Donner ski areas on weekends and holidays. TDXC highly encourages carpooling whenever possible or utilizing Tahoe Donner’s complimentary shuttle from the overflow parking lot at The Lodge Restaurant & Pub (just seven minutes away) to TDXC. This shuttle service is provided on an as-needed basis. Alternatively, TART Connect, Truckee’s micro-transit system, provides free, door-to-door shuttle service throughout the Truckee and Tahoe Donner area and can accommodate ski equipment. Click here for the most up-to-date information on shuttle availability and schedule.

What’s Good at Alder Creek Cafe + Trailside Bar

Alder Creek Cafe offers an assortment of coffee and espresso drinks and grab-and-go breakfast items in the mornings, hot soups, cool smoothies and fresh salads for lunch and dinner specials and entertainment on certain nights of the week. The Trailside Bar serves a hand-picked selection of local draft beer and premium wine to enjoy by the fireplace inside or by the firepits outside. Visit the website for hours of operation, weekly specials and more.