Colorado Front Range Cross-Country Ski Club cover photo

What we’re about

This group is for those who enjoy or are interested in cross-country (a.k.a. nordic) skiing, either on groomed trails at a nordic center, or on ski tours in the woods and backcountry. Activities include day trips to both types of environments within driving distance of the greater Denver area, and sometimes beyond.

WELCOME TO THE GREATEST SPORT ON EARTH ! ! !

There are a lot of things that make XC skiing great. People seem to know very little about it, or think it's about shuffling around on a golf course. XC skiing is both hiking and trail running on skis. It is a heck of a lot faster than snowshoeing. It allows you to ski in any direction, not just downhill. If you think it's slow just watch some of the videos below, or our YouTube channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6spDdCmXNCcIh2-qVEjrrQ/

It is a really fun way to travel over winter terrain, including into the backcountry, to enjoy spectacular scenery and the outdoors. Depending on the snow and your skis, you can travel over open country as you wish. Lastly, day passes and equipment rentals at nordic centers are a fraction of the cost of those for downhill skiing, there are no lift lines, no crowds, and ski touring is of course free. (If you are a fan of downhill resort skiing then this will surely look familiar: https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxQ-6bzj0ZQxsS4GzNN-WJt7cC0wFvjgcw.)

Oh and apparently it's pretty good exercise too, though there's no rule saying it has to be like CrossFit every time you go out.

Beginners are welcome -- being part of this group can help you get oriented to the sport, and provide answers to your questions along with tips and encouragement. Note that starting off with a professional lesson (available at nordic centers) can be worth doing for beginners. That said, some feel it is easier to learn the sport when skiing on open terrain rather than in groomed tracks.

Also note that this is not a singles group, and as such people of any "relationship status" are welcome. It also is not an age-specific group, and as such you should be comfortable with (gasp) spending time with other adults who might be older or younger than yourself. Lastly please be aware that the group has a strict "no jerks and no assholes" policy that will be enforced by removing any jerks or assholes from the group.

To be a member your profile must include a first name you use -- i.e. not just "M." or "GoofytheDog85731" -- and a reasonably identifiable photo of yourself. Anyone who "no-shows" to an event more than once may be removed from the group.

If you are looking to buy cross-country skis, then have a look at our "Cross country (a.k.a. nordic) ski buying tutorial" here: https://bit.ly/Nordic_ski_buying_tutorial

Lastly, some inspiration and entertainment:

• Andrew Drummond: Nordic Backcountry
(out-your-back-door cross country skiing)

• French men's biathlon team, descent at Antholz-Anterselva
(mad nordic downhill skills)

• Backcountry Skiing: Alaska
(skate skiing on crust, with the Alaska Pacific University ski team)

• More Alaska backcountry crust skiing
(fyi, includes shirtless APU nordic hunks!)

• First Time Nordic Skiing
(you'd be fortunate to get this scenery your first time out!)

• New Hampshire Backcountry Nordic Skiing
(just a nice day out)

• Vasaloppet 2012 crashes
(a.k.a. not all Scandinavians are expert nordic skiers :)

• 2018 Winter Olympics: “HERE COMES DIGGINS!! HERE COMES DIGGINS!!” (and a slightly longer version, with different camera perspective at the finish)

• Oslo Vinterpark -- XC Skiing
(nordic ski tricks)

• A somewhat hokey video that helped turn me on to the sport: "How to Cross-Country Ski" :)

And more inspiration, from outside the realm of nordic skiing: