The Utah Nordic Alliance invites residents to play outside this winter

Cross-country skiers understand the beauty of moving through a wintry landscape. The steady rhythm and peaceful pace offer a chance to enjoy the Wasatch Mountains in an entirely new way. As winter arrives and people become homebound, cross-country skiing is an accessible, family-friendly sport that gets everyone outside and moving. 

Jennifer Zurick, race director for The Utah Nordic Alliance’s Wasatch Citizens Series, said the sport turns parks and golf courses into a winter playground, where the world seems softer and quieter.

“Cross-country skiing isn’t only about speed or medals; it’s about joy,” Zurick said. “It’s movement, community and that beautiful moment when the only sound you hear is your skis sliding through snow.”

For people looking for a different (and less expensive) alternative to alpine skiing, cross-country adventures are a rewarding replacement for crowded resorts, high-cost lift tickets and hours of waiting in traffic or lift lines. 

Zurick said it’s easy to glide into winter by joining the world of cross-country skiing, but she suggests beginners take the time for some basic lessons before hitting the tracks.

“Getting instruction is a great way to go, because you’ll learn the techniques to help you move efficiently and safely,” she said. “TUNA offers lessons for everybody from the age of 3 and up.”

Two locations make it easy to access cross-country skiing. Mountain Dell Golf Course provides approximately 6 miles of groomed Nordic ski tracks that range from gentle to challenging. TUNA offers a Mountain Dell season pass starting at $150, often cheaper than a one-day ski pass at local resorts. The course is open daily and kids under 18 ski free. 

“You don’t have to drive hours or spend a fortune to have a world-class ski experience. It’s right here, 15 minutes from Millcreek.”

The second location is Millcreek Canyon, with its frequently groomed tracks, gorgeous scenery and the option to bring a pet along for the adventure. 

The canyon’s trail system has a 1,000-foot climb and runs for more than three miles, offering skate and classic skiing. TUNA’s website at utahnordic.org provides maps, grooming reports and weather conditions for several cross-country locations throughout the state. 

“Millcreek Canyon offers a completely different experience,” Zurick said. “It’s more wild, a place for quiet tours, dog walks and that sense of discovery that comes with skiing under big trees and open sky.”

For the more competitive skier, TUNA holds a Wasatch Citizens race series at places like Soldier Hollow and Mountain Dell to challenge skiers of all levels, from kids to elite athletes. As Utah’s oldest and largest Nordic race series, it includes potluck dinners, local sponsors and a friendly, competitive atmosphere.

TUNA also trains junior and comp teams, and holds masters events to build social circles and enjoy easy competition. Information about races, lessons and events can be found at the organization’s website. 

“We see families who start in our youth programs, and before long, parents are skiing too,” Zurick said. “Cross-country feeds the soul in a way that I haven’t encountered in many other sports. There’s this sense of self-sufficiency in being able to move through a winter landscape.”