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The 6 Best Ski Resorts for Nordic Skiing in the U.S.

Originally posted on Powder | By Izzy Lidsky | Last updated Mar 1, 2025 8:07 AM ET

Whether you're catering to a group with both alpine and Nordic skiers or just want to try a new activity while on a ski trip, lots of ski resorts have affiliated and nearby Nordic ski centers.

Many of these centers offer rentals and lessons and sometimes have package deals if you're also alpine skiing their affiliated alpine resort. Here are a few to check out that have easy logistics if part of your group is downhill skiing for the day or if you're staying close to the mountain.

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1. Steamboat Ski Touring Center, CO

Steamboat Springs is famous for producing Olympic Nordic skiers in the skate ski and jumping disciplines. Just down Mt. Werner Road from Steamboat Resort is the Steamboat Ski Touring Center, which has 15km of groomed trails and 10km of snowshoe trails through Steamboat's aspen groves and meadows.

Head down nearby Fish Creek for a tour of some of the Yampa Valley's most beautiful scenery. The Ski Touring Center has lessons that include rentals offered daily as well as multi-day trail access tickets. Bonus: Go check out the Nordic jumps at Howelson Hill and try to picture yourself launching off one on XC skis.

2. Sundance Nordic Center, UT

Separate from but close to Sundance Resort's main alpine mountain is the Sundance Nordic Center. Although not a massive network, the Nordic Center's 15km of trails boast incredible views of Mt. Timpanogos and lots of world-class Utah powder. The center has a fleet of Rossignol demo skis and Tubbs snowshoes for rent. Lessons and specialty programs like full-moon tours are also available to enjoy the beautiful meadows and aspen groves in the area.

3. Mount Bachelor Nordic Center, OR

Located just on the other side of the parking lot from Mt. Bachelor's main mountain is the Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center. The Central Oregon Nordic Center is known for its long season, which often runs from November to April, due to an average snowfall of 462 inches.

Unlike other Nordic centers in the Rockies, the Bachelor Nordic Center has a max elevation of 6,400ft, so visitors might not have to do as much acclimating to altitude while recreating. The center has 56km of Nordic trails and 10km of snowshoe trails that are groomed nightly and lay below scenic views of Bachelor, North Sister, and Broken Top. While you're there, keep your eyes out for the U.S. Nordic Ski Team training on Bachelor's world-class trails!

4. Sun Valley Nordic, ID

Sun Valley Resort's Nordic center features 40km of groomed trails that start at the center's massive clubhouse. The clubhouse offers lessons, rentals, food and drinks so you can be set up for whatever cross-country adventures you have planned. From the clubhouse entrance, trails spread across a golf course and across the road onto a second golf course for more advanced terrain. Sun Valley's Nordic center also has 7km of dedicated snowshoe trails and 16km of fat biking on the Nordic trails.

5. Tamarack Cross Country Center, CA

Down the road from Mammoth Mountain on the shores of Twin Lakes is the Tamarack Cross Country Center. The center has more than 30km of groomed cross-country trails nestled in the Mammoth Lakes Basin. The center has ski and snowshoe rentals, lessons, and guided tours available.

Tamarack also has on-site lodging in charming log cabins and a restaurant. The center is at 9,000 feet, which means it has a pretty long season from November to April, but take your time acclimating if you're not used to the elevation.

6. Bolton Valley Backcountry and Nordic Center, VT

Bolton Valley's Backcountry and Nordic Center is in the heart of the mountain's main village. A "gateway" to the resort's cross-country and backcountry terrain, the center offers rentals and lessons for not just Nordic equipment and snowshoes but alpine touring and splitboarding as well. Bolton Valley has more than 100km of trails, 10km of which are groomed. The center's backcountry access also backs right up to Mount Mansfield State Forest for miles of backcountry terrain to explore.

This article first appeared on Powder and was syndicated with permission.

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