Best Places to Cross Country Ski in the World
The best places to cross country ski in the world range from the mountains of Europe to the peaks of North America. With decades of experience in crafting cross country ski itineraries and as an official tour operator for the Worldloppet, we’ve collected a list of some of our favorite trails near and far.
Gathered from our team of experts, Olympians, and local trip leaders, with decades of experience in creating Nordic ski vacations, here are some of the best places in the world to cross country ski.
Nordic ski in Norway
Travel to the cradle of Nordic skiing–Oslo, Norway. The Holmenkollen Ski Arena is home to the legendary Holmenkollen 50 km World Cup marathon and annual World Cup Biathlon races. Beyond the area sits Nordmarka, an expansive network of groomed trails that weave through pine forests and frozen lakes.
Visit the epic location of the 1994 Winter Olympics. Lillehammer and Sjusjøen have some of Norway’s best-groomed trails. The network connects villages, mountains, and forests. Perhaps ski right from your front door! And remember to pack your swimsuit for the sauna.
Best for: access to world-class races and events, city and mountain lovers alike, vibrant ski culture.
Discover Lumi’s Norway & Birken Trip. This is our most popular cross country ski tour.
Enjoy Winter in the Dolomites
Looking for great snow and plenty of sunshine? Cross country skiing in the Dolomites is for you. Head to one of the best cross country ski destinations in Europe—where the Norwegians go for their ski holidays—the Seiser Alm. Ski the rolling trails of Europe’s largest high-alpine meadow framed by the jagged peaks of the Dolomites.
Best for: sweeping views of jagged grey peaks, winter sun, tasty apple strudel
Travel with Lumi on a sight-skiing excursion in the Italian Alps or on our Dolomitenlauf & Marcialonga Worldloppet trip
Adventure IN the Austrian Alps
Head to Tyrol to experience Austria’s cross country ski scene. The Winter Olympics have been hosted twice in Seefeld, where the aprés ski culture is just as compelling as the world-class trail network! Aside from skiing, experience sledding on a traditional Austrian toboggan, known locally as a Rodel. Leutasch and Innsbruck are other wonderful destinations for wintery alpine scenery and provide a diversity of difficulty in trail options.
Best for: quaint cities with cobbled streets, post-ski saunas and yodeling in the hills
Travel to Europe with Lumi on a cross country ski vacation in the Austrian Alps or on our Dolomitenlauf & Marcialonga Worldloppet trip
Cross country ski in Slovenia
Below the craggy spires of the Julian Alps, near Italy and Austria, lies a vast network of cross country ski trails in Slovenia. This oft-looked locale should be at the top of your list for its unique ski tunnel, savory cuisine and cozy mountain huts. Off the Nordic ski trails, there’s fun to be had on sleds, alpine skiing and relaxing in a rowboat on Lake Bled.
Best for: vibrant European small ski town nestled by a stunning alpine lake, frosty aprés beers
Discover Lumi’s sight-skiing Nordic ski trip in Slovenia
Nordic ski in New Zealand
Getting eager for ski season? Venture south in September before Northern hemisphere’s winter season kicks in to dust off your cross country skis or hop off your roller skis to get back on the snow. See where the US Ski Team heads to train in the off-season at Snow Farm in Wanaka.
Best for: cross country skiing in Northern hemisphere summers, nature lovers
Head to New Zealand’s Merino Muster Worldloppet with Lumi
Snowy days in Canada
When we think of world-class cross country skiing, Canada jumps to the top of mind. From Kananaskis to Canmore, to Banff and Lake Louise, and to SilverStar and Sovereign Lake, in Canada there is some of the best Nordic skiing in the world. Offering beginner to expert trails, this stunning landscape of snow-covered pines is the ideal winter getaway.
Best for: jaw-dropping mountain views, diversity of outdoors activities, self-guided adventures
Explore the Canadian Rockies via ski on your own pace with Lumi in Kananaskis, Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise or SilverStar and Sovereign Lake
Whether you’re planning your own ski adventure or joining one of Lumi’s guided Nordic ski tours, you’ll have a blast in any of these iconic cross country ski destinations.
Lumi’s guided Nordic ski tours make the travel part easy — so you can focus on skiing and forget the logistics. We also offer self-guided options, if you prefer to ski with your own crew.
Take a look at our full collection of guided cross country ski tours around the world here.