Top locations for holidays learning to cross country ski

Tuesday, 10 January 2012 5:04 PM

The choice of winter activity holidays is not limited to a week spent in a packed Alpine resort and if you are willing to try something new, you will have the opportunity to enjoy snowy landscapes, mountainous terrain and tranquil forests in peace.

Book a break cross country skiing in Europe and you will find your time abroad is very different to the average winter getaway. The sport is popular with people who love walking and you will understand exactly why when you follow trails out into some of the continent's icy wildernesses.

One of the reasons XC skiing holidays are so enjoyable is that the pastime is easy to pick up. The gliding stride technique feels natural and a few hours of tuition should be all you need to set off with your friends or family and explore the area around your accommodation.

The trails usually have tramlines cut through the snow to make tackling them more straightforward and ensure there is no chance of getting lost. As the skill is so simple, you are unlikely to fall and even if you do, the speed you are trekking at means the risk of injury is much lower than when downhill skiing.

There are plenty of places in Europe to go for this type of holiday, but one of the best choices is cross country skiing in Norway, as the sport is hugely popular in Scandinavia and you will find all the facilities you need there.

Sjusjøen, which is located around 20 km from 1994 Winter Olympics host city Lillehammer, is a particularly good option for novices. The ski school has English-speaking instructors and the local area has 300 km of trails that run through beautiful and peaceful countryside.

After a day spent exploring the area on skis or trying dog sledding, ice fishing or snowshoeing, you can relax back at a traditional timber-built hotel, where the owners serve fantastic local cuisine in a restaurant that looks out over a frozen lake.

Alternatively, you could try cross country skiing in Italy, which has some of the most spectacular terrain in the Alps. Book a break in Kastelruth and you will be located in the shadow of the mountains and close to 1,300 km of ski routes.

The best paths are up on the Seiseralm Plateau, where you will be treated to magnificent views as you trek between the mountainside cafes that cater for winter sports enthusiasts of all kinds. If you want some variety during your holiday, you will also have the opportunity to try downhill skiing, tobogganing, ice skating and relaxing while sightseeing from a horse-drawn sleigh.

You will discover the hospitality in this part of South Tyrol is superb and the traditional hotels combine international standard facilities with a family welcome. After a day in the mountains, you can look forward to being pampered in the spa, before eating a fine meal and relaxing in front of an open fire with a glass or two of the local wine.

There are many other destinations across Europe where you can learn all about XC skiing in stunning surroundings. Before deciding where to go, make sure you take a look at what is on offer in the Kander Valley in Switzerland's Bernese Oberland and the tranquil Austrian resort of Pertisau, which both have great facilities for novices.

Ski holidays – Hemsedal, Norway

It’s getting a lot colder now, which means the ski season is almost here. Each week activityaway.co.uk has been giving you the low down on different ski resorts around the world so that you’re well informed when those flakes finally arrive. This week we’re focusing on one of the best ski resorts in Norway – Hemsedal.

Top 5 ski holiday destinations in 2012

There's nothing quite like a holiday spent carving up the snow amidst stunning surroundings. If you're planning a ski break in 2012, you may well be eager to test your skills on some of the world's best slopes. For a little inspiration when it comes to where to go, read on to discover the top five resorts.