X-Country Skiing - weekend break?

[NotQuiteCockney]

I live in London. I want to try X-country skiing. Can I do this with a weekend break, this winter?

Scotland, or a Scandi country, or whatever. I don't want to be indoors for it, though.

You can easily but pick somewhere where the resort level is high as these runs tend to suffer first when snowfall is poor. Inntravel might give you some ideas as to where to consider. For a short transfer Seefeld in Austria (45mins by train from Innsbruck) or Engelberg in Switzerland (1 1/4 hr from Zurich) are picturesque and accessible, with other activities available too.

Do I want January? Feb? And do these places have teaching? I did a bit of X-country skiing when I was a kid, but really only a few hours ...

Yes there is usually tuition available via the main skischool - the resort should have a website listing these - and equipment to hire from a local skihire shop. There is usually a nominal fee to use the tracks. As to timing January is normally quieter but colder.

Ramsau am Dachstein www.ramsau.com/ in Austria is also great. It's about a 1 hour drive south of Salzburg or 90mins by train to Schladming then a short taxi journey. It's featured by InnTravel (mentioned by LIZS).
...I also have another suggestion for Italy but DS is craving my attention right now...

Have a look at www.waymarkholidays.com/index.html and www.headwater.com/all/activities/skiing.htmfor more ideas on destinations.

Oooh, more options.

I don't want to use taxis if I can avoid them, I don't enjoy using cars or taxis at all.

I'll go look at these options. Getting kinda excited about this, it'll only be my second weekend away on my own since having kids, last one was Amsterdam, and I spent all my time walking around, so figured I should try something with activities built in ...

Looks like Engelberg is the winner - can get cheap flights to Zurich from my local airport, and I am more tempted by Zurich than Innsbruck.

Woohoo!

We like Engelberg !