Winter guide
You don't have to go far to find true winter wilderness, where reality matches the fantasy.
Cross country skiing holidays tips
Why Finland?
Urpo Heikkinen, of our Finland supplier, Upitrek, shares his cross country skiing holidays tips:
“I really recommend cross-country skiing. You go from place to place, spending each night with different people – you feel like you’re having an adventure. The rhythm is flexible and it’s much easier than walking – you can cover great distances while still seeing wildlife and tracks in the snow. On the downhill sections you’ll enjoy the speed. In these remote areas people still have a more traditional way of living – they have gardens where they grow their own vegetables; it’s always Finnish food made with local ingredients, so no pizza or pasta! It all comes from very close by. Skiing from place to place is also an environmentally friendly way to see Finland – it’s much better than travelling by car.”
“I really recommend cross-country skiing. You go from place to place, spending each night with different people – you feel like you’re having an adventure. The rhythm is flexible and it’s much easier than walking – you can cover great distances while still seeing wildlife and tracks in the snow. On the downhill sections you’ll enjoy the speed. In these remote areas people still have a more traditional way of living – they have gardens where they grow their own vegetables; it’s always Finnish food made with local ingredients, so no pizza or pasta! It all comes from very close by. Skiing from place to place is also an environmentally friendly way to see Finland – it’s much better than travelling by car.”
Downhill differences
Tom Wilkinson, cross country skiing expert from our supplier, Exodus:
“Don’t compare it to downhill! It’s smooth, often peaceful, and a wonderful way of experiencing the landscape. Also, if you are a downhiller you often forget your heel is not attached particularly when doing a snowplough. It’s not about going 100 miles an hour. It is however more of a full cardio workout. And pack a drinks bottle/flask. Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean you don’t get thirsty. Also I’m also a mega snacker, so need things to eat to keep me going.”
“Don’t compare it to downhill! It’s smooth, often peaceful, and a wonderful way of experiencing the landscape. Also, if you are a downhiller you often forget your heel is not attached particularly when doing a snowplough. It’s not about going 100 miles an hour. It is however more of a full cardio workout. And pack a drinks bottle/flask. Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean you don’t get thirsty. Also I’m also a mega snacker, so need things to eat to keep me going.”
Tips for Chile travellers
Cross country skiing holidays tips from Cristian Levy, co-founder of our supplier Amity Tours in Chile: “Always hire mountain guide services, the terrains include glaciers with crevasses. The avalanche risk is really, really low. You should bring your own touring skiing gear as here in Chile rental options are very limited. Consider skins for spring snow and icy conditions. Ski crampons won't work well. Most of the southern volcanoes have a small ski resort at the base, with basic drag lifts and double chairlifts. My favorite is reaching Villarrica Volcano crater, look the powerful interior and then ski off piste to the base.”Safety first
Emma Mason from our supplier Mountain Bug and expert in ski touring holidays:“It's very important not to set out into the mountains without the correct equipment and knowledge of the snow conditions. While you might be able to read the avalanche forecast, or pick a route from a guidebook, there is no substitute for the local knowledge and experience of a qualified ski touring guide. In France, your guide would be a UIAGM high mountain guide, or a professional ski instructor, who will choose routes that are suitable for your skiing ability, level of fitness and the weather and snow conditions at the time. Most guides will also provide avalanche security equipment (transceiver, shovel and probe), and make sure that everyone in the group knows how to use the kit, which is absolutely essential.”
Our Cross country skiing Holidays
Venabu cross country skiing holiday in Norway
Independent cross-country skiing in dramatic landscape
From
£1689
8 days
inc UK flights
Cross-country skiing holiday in Finland's eastern wilderness
Guided country skiing holiday through remote eastern Finland
From
€1075
7 days
ex flights
Cross country skiing holiday in the Dolomites, Italy
A famously beautiful range of jagged peaks
From
£1549 to £1999
8 days
inc UK flights
Norway cross country skiing holiday
Cross Country Troll Trail from Rondane to Lillehammer
From
NKr15900
9 days
ex flights
Cross country skiing in Norway
Skiing in Norway's Telemark ski region
From
£1649 to £2049
8 days
inc UK flights
Jotunheimen cross country skiing holiday in Norway
Excellent cross-country ski trails in Jotunheimen National Park
From
NKr13150
8 days
ex flights
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Cross country skiing or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
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Cross country skiing holiday tips
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travellers are often... other travellers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful cross country skiing holiday tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday.
We have selected some of the most useful cross country skiing holiday tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday.
Take gaiters. They’re not on the kit list but you will need them for any off track. Bring your own alcohol. You don't need to bring your own tea or coffee.![]()
– Catherine Harris on a cross country skiing in Norway holiday.
“The most memorable part of the holiday…..getting in one week from being almost unable to stand up on skis to skiing 15km across country on the final day. Get as fit as you can before you go. Take layers of clothes for skiing and lighter clothes to wear indoors - Amanda Ariss on a cross country skiing holiday in Austria.” – Amanda Ariss on a cross country skiing holiday in Austria
“If you can, try to put a group of at least four together and pay a little extra so that you can have a guide just for your party as we did. We asked for a guide who spoke good English as our French is limited and I think this was wise as our guide Richard was excellent. When enjoying the luxury of the chalet be prepared for the huts which can be cold and not especially relaxing (e.g. benches and bunks) but that is part of the experience.” – Steve Jackson-Turner on a Ski touring holiday in the French Pyrenees
“Be prepared for very cold weather, especially mornings. Bring lots of layers and extras for lunch breaks. Also, the most fit you can be in preparation for 5-6 hours skiing per day, the more you will enjoy the entire day each day.” – Lu Sutton, Cross country skiing holiday in Finland
“If you can, try to put a group of at least four together and pay a little extra so that you can have a guide just for your party as we did. We asked for a guide who spoke good English as our French is limited and I think this was wise as our guide Richard was excellent. When enjoying the luxury of the chalet be prepared for the huts which can be cold and not especially relaxing (e.g. benches and bunks) but that is part of the experience.” – Steve Jackson-Turner on a Ski touring holiday in the French Pyrenees
“Be prepared for very cold weather, especially mornings. Bring lots of layers and extras for lunch breaks. Also, the most fit you can be in preparation for 5-6 hours skiing per day, the more you will enjoy the entire day each day.” – Lu Sutton, Cross country skiing holiday in Finland
The fitter you are before you go the more you'll enjoy it. If you've never skied before then don't worry as you won't be the only one.![]()
– Ellen Goldsmith, Cross country skiing in the Dolomites
More about Cross country skiing
The cross country skiing season is sometimes different from that of downhill, because it doesn’t rely on snow cannons and resort openings.
One of the aims of this cross country skiing holiday guide is to show people who love the mountains and wilderness in summer that they can also revel in them in winter.
If you want to find the best places to go cross country skiing, think downhill and then close that box of clichés and think again.
Ski touring holidays differ from cross country in that they are more hard core.
Cross country skiing holidays in Austria are a true celebration of the outdoors and mountain culture.
Cross country skiing holidays in Germany take you to that most magical of landscapes – the Black Forest.
What better way to get acquainted with a Norwegian winter than strapping on some skis and making your way across the frozen countryside – taking it slowly and eschewing faster-paced downhill shenanigans? Read on to find out the ins and outs and the dos and don’ts of cross country skiing holidays in Norway.
This 365 sq km region of mountainous terrain in northeastern Italy offers perfect fodder for winter sports, and all with a pretty spectacular backdrop, too.
Responsible ski holidays are ones that don’t wreck the landscape and also tie in with local communities in a positive way.
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