Good for cross-country skiing?

[Lettherebelight]

We'd love a holiday in the snow but aren't interested in downhill skiing particularly. I'd really like to learn to do some cross-country skiing and would like to be somewhere scenic and friendly not showy. Ideally it would have some walking opportunities too (used to using snow shoes and crampons). And a good nursery for half days for toddler DD. Any ideas??

I head north. Ruka is great in Finland and it’s not as expensive as France - yep, cheaper than the alps.

Levi also Finland, Are Sweden, all likely to be better for cross country.

We LOVED Finland as so much more than just downhill, and I’m a ski addict

Great to know, thanks. I hadn't really considered heading north as I always think of the short days and so associated it with floodlit downhills

Finland. Levi had miles and miles of XC tracks.

The lighting was extensive, it certainly covered some XC, but we went at Xmas. I think it has shorter days but come Feb it’s not too bad.

Ruka and Levi in Finland are great places to do cross country skiing. If you go in December, then yes, the days are short (I went on shortest day, so it was sunrise at 10am, sunset at 2pm) , but by the same token, from mid February onwards the days get long enough to put in plenty of skiing and not needing lit tracks. This website is really useful for working out the day lengths.

www.timeanddate.com/sun/@7117281?month=2&year=2019

Depending on your local airport, you can get to them relatively easily with Inghams for Levi, Crystal for Ruka.

Alternatively, there is Seefeld in Austria, that is a nice place to learn, the cross country ski school is really good and friendly. This year probably isn't a good year to visit as they have the world championships there in February, so I imagine the accommodation is a bit expensive.

That's super helpful, thanks! Realistically I think we are looking at next year now anyway, probably mid-December or mid-January. Which should give me enough time to try and get fit enough to make the most of it

You could do roller-skiing over the summer if you're really keen! It'll help you pick up some of the skills before you go. Though in my experience - classic on rollerski is harder than on snow, skate is easier than on snow.

If you're London based there's a company that does roller-ski lessons in the parks, Snow Sport England do some weekend courses (I've been on the Lancaster one in October, and I think there's a one down South earlier in the year). Some of the UK based cross country ski clubs do rollerski coaching in autumn to help people prepare for winter. I think York does, and Manchester does also (though this is actually done in Preston)

We have been going to Schoppernau in thefBregenzerwald (Austria) for 20 years now! It and the neighbouring village Au are excellent for XC. We've tried other resorts including Seefeld but find Schoppernau suits us better. The scenery is beautiful and the trails are both very varied- along the field, over the river, through the wood, down to Au - and very straightforward ( harder ones if wanted).
There is also good local skiing on the Diedamskopf and up at Warth which is now connected into the Lech network. Not a UK package destination - we travel independently ( on our way home at the moment after biasing down to Bregenz and taking the train to Freiddrichafen 》Gatwick. Or via Zurich or driving. Last week was A special low season week and we were all given a large package of the village cheese to bring home! Can provide more information of anyone is interested.

Bussing not biasing.
Good local DOWNHILL skiing.

Levi would be perfect for you. We've been there 5 times and love it. very child-friendly and lots of non-skiing things to do to.