Ahh… the joys of cross country skiing: Swishing across a glistening countryside blanketed in new fallen snow. Cool, crisp morning air, deep blue skies and a soothing silence broken only by your own breath and your well-honed skis carving fresh tracks across a powdered landscape. Kick, glide, kick, glide, tuck.
What can be better than this? And what could be better than an exhilarating day Nordic skiing across a beautiful and inspiring Northwest countryside?
For starts, how about a pampered and relaxing evening at a quaint trailside lodge afterward? A cozy chair in front of a fireplace? A comfy bed cloaked with a down comforter? Perhaps a delicious and replenishing meal, too?
Yep, the only thing that can possibly make a day of cross country skiing any better is to end it at a warm and inviting lodge. So grab your boards and head for the hills. Check out some of these Northwest destinations for good skiing — and good lounging afterwards.
Methow Valley
North central Washington
 There’s no shortage of quaint and quality lodges in Washington’s Methow Valley. No shortage of good ski terrain either with over 120 miles of groomed and connected trails, thanks to the Methow Valley Sports Trail Association (www.mvsta.com). In fact, the trails that snake and slice through the valley towns of Mazama, Winthrop, and Twisp make up the second largest Nordic ski trail network in the country.
Tucked in a grove of ponderosa pines at the east end of the broad glacially carved valley is the Freestone Inn (www.freestoneinn.com). Consisting of a main lodge, several smaller lodges as well as a handful of private cabins, Freestone encompasses a 120-acre ranch complete with its own pond. Ski right from your door. Relax in one of the outdoor spas afterward. Enjoy elegant dining then retire to your room and let a crackling fire lull you to sleep.
If you prefer something a little more rustic, yet warm and cozy just the same, consider the Mazama Country Inn (www.mazamacountryinn.com) located right in the hamlet of Mazama. Here too, you can ski right from the lodge door. Glide beside the Methow River or schuss beneath the impressive rock face known as the Goat Wall. The Inn is renown among both locals and travelers for its excellent meals. Reasonable rates, meal package plans and private cabins are also available.
The Methow’s finest accommodations can be found at the elegant Sun Mountain Lodge (www.sunmountainlodge.com). Sitting on an open knoll high above the valley, this AAA-rated four diamond resort offers breathtaking views along with its fine dining, graceful lodging and of course, excellent skiing. Stay in the main lodge or a private cabin along the shores of Patterson Lake. Abutting the Okanogan National Forest, miles of ridge running, tree traversing and wide-open, terrain-splicing trails radiate from the resort. And if all the sun and winter air take a toll on you, treat yourself to a night at the spa.
Leavenworth
Central Washington
Washington’s homegrown Bavarian city, Leavenworth makes an excellent choice for skiers requiring a little night life, shopping and “city life” after spending a day on the trails. Thanks to the Leavenworth Winter Sports Club (www.skileavenworth.com) over 25 kilometers of groomed ski trails skirt the town, including five kilometers lit for night skiing.
Abutting the Icicle River Trails is the Sleeping Lady Resort (www.sleepinglady.com), an environmentally sensitive cozy lodge. The Sleeping Lady offers package deals that include delicious meals. A supporter of cultural and environmental causes, the 67-acre resort is a popular retreat for like-minded groups and individuals.
One of the nicer lodging options right in the heart of Leavenworth is the Enzian Inn (www.enzianinn.com). Start your day with their hearty and teeming-with-choices breakfast buffet. Then grab your skis and walk a short distance to the waterfront trails in the city park along the Wenatchee River. Don’t have your own skis? The Enzian will provide you with some!
Bend
Central Oregon
 Blessed with ample sunshine and snowfall due to its location where the Cascades meet the high desert, Bend is a boarder’s paradise. Home to Mount Bachelor, one of the finest downhill ski resorts in the Northwest, Nordic skiers will find the area much to their liking as well. The Mount Bachelor Ski Resort (www.mtbachelor.com) maintains over 50 kilometers of groomed trails directly across from the downhill slopes, and due to its high elevation, boasts one of the longest Nordic seasons in North America, typically from mid-November to mid-April.
There are no shortages of fine places to rest your head in this fast growing central Oregon city. The Seventh Mountain Resort (www.Seventhmountain.com) is an area favorite. Units include spacious dens complete with fireplaces. You’ll have to drive to the trails, however.
Just south of Bend is the Sunriver Resort (www.sunriver-resort.com), voted one of the Top 50 Ski Resorts in North America by Conde Naste Traveler. Aside from its wide array of comfortable lodging choices and kid-friendly facilities, Sunriver also has miles of cross-country ski trails right on its property.
Still more lodges
Now, if your idea of skiing and kicking back at the end of the day doesn’t include busy resorts and lots of people, consider these two Northwest alternatives: Anthony Lakes of Eastern Oregon and Rossland in South Central British Columbia just over the border from Northport in northeastern Washington.
Anthony Lakes near Baker City boasts some of the driest snow in the Northwest! And at 7,000 feet, its base elevation is one of the highest. Enjoy over 30 kilometers of groomed trails in the incredibly scenic Elkhorn Mountain Range. Lodging in the region tends to be comfortable but not fancy. The private and snuggly Orville Chandler Ranch (www.orvillechandlerranch.com) and the historic and eclectic Geiser Grand Hotel (www.geisergrand.com) are two good choices.
The old mining-town-turned-four-season-outdoor-recreation-haven Rossland, British Columbia, offers excellent skiing and plenty of good lodging opportunities. Dry snow and a high base also help to make the skiing in Rossland top notch. And did we mention ample sunshine? Rossland’s Red Mountain Resort (www.redresort.com) was rated by Forbes Traveler as one of its top 10 resorts. Right in town, the Blackjack Cross Country Ski Club (www.skiblackjack.ca) maintains over 35 kilometers of trail. And just outside of town over 40 kilometers of maintained ski trails can be found at the Nancy Greene Provincial Park. Thanks to the Castlegar Nordic Ski Club (www.castlegarnordic.ca), use of these trails is free!
Looking for luxurious lodging right in Rossland? A hot tub to soak aching muscles after a day on the trails? Consider a night or two — heck, a whole week, in Carolyn’s Corner, The Lofts, Copper Chalet, Red Robs, or the White Wolf Cabins (http://www.skisnowboard.com/redresort/lodging.html).
This Nordic ski season promises to be one of the best in years. So grab those boards. Your only concern this year should be on just which one of these excellent Northwest Nordic ski destinations you’ll want to spend the most time at!
Craig Romano is the Trails Editor for Outdoors NW and the author of several trails books for The Mountaineers Books.
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