Cross Country Skiing in the Kootenays
British Columbia, Canada

Cross Country Skiing | Nordic Skiing in the Kootenays EH

Cross Country Skiing in the Kootenay region of British Columbia, Canada is everywhere. After the snow has fallen, the temperature has dropped, the backcountry trails on the lower mountain slopes in the Kootenays become cross country ski trails. Some are wilderness trails and others are club trails.

Many communities have established nordic clubs which maintain and groom cross country ski trails throughout the season. Club trails are well signed, well groomed and consistently maintained. Wilderness trails are more self maintained and challenging as they may not be groomed.

The nordic clubs operate differently in each community. Some nordic clubs already have a designated area in the backcountry with pre-established trail networks developed with trail signs and warming huts. Other clubs transform old gravel access roads, wagon roads, spur roads and hiking trails located in the backcountry into cross country ski routes.

Some of the services provided by nordic clubs include equipment rentals, lessons, groomed runs and night skiing. Some of the amenities in the main parking lots of some of the nordic clubs include a main lodge, washrooms and a concession.

The Kootenays enjoys a high concentration of mountain resorts offering downhill skiing, snowboarding and cross country skiing. Many mountain resorts are anchored by colorful villages built up with services like restaurants, pubs, sport shops, general stores, tour companies, coffee shops, day cares, spas, gift stores and accommodations like chalets, hotels, inns, lodges and cottages. Each hill is in close proximity to a community where there are more services.