Imagine gliding across the snow through Ponderosa pines next to a sparkling lake, swishing beside a river filled with wintering swans or chatting with your family as you kick and glide on groomed trails breathing in the fresh winter air. These are the winter experiences you can have cross-country skiing with kids in Idaho.
Figuring out how to start cross-country skiing (or Nordic skiing) as a beginner might pose some initial logistical challenges, but once you understand the gear, where to go and a few basic maneuvers, your skis can take you almost anywhere there is snow.
To get started cross-country skiing with your family, I recommend taking a lesson. I skied for years without lessons and struggled. I loved being outside in the snow, but it was hard to make my skis go where I wanted them to. And don’t even talk to me about hills. After one lesson, I had the form to ski efficiently. It made cross-country skiing even more fun.
Cross-Country Gear
The Skis
One thing I discovered after becoming a cross-country ski instructor is that people coming from downhill skiing often had more trouble getting used to Nordic equipment than people who had never skied before. But don’t let that stop you; just know the skis are lighter, move around more, and don’t turn as easily as alpine skis.
Cross-country skis are longer than alpine skis, though not as long as they used to be. You fit your skis based on your weight and the width of the skis. You can find a size chart online, but if you are renting, which you absolutely should the first time you try it out, ask the rental shop staff to help size the skis for you.
McCall’s Activity Barn has great flat trails to explore. Photo credit: Melynda Harrison.
The Boots
Cross-country ski boots are downright comfortable. They feel like insulated hiking boots or shoes. Wear them with wool or synthetic socks for warmth (no cotton!). Unlike alpine boots, they do not clip down in the binding in the back—that’s why it’s sometimes called “free-heel skiing.”
The Poles
The poles used for cross-country skiing should come to somewhere between your armpit and the top of your shoulder.
What To Wear
You will likely stay pretty warm while skiing, then cool down as soon as you stop for a hot chocolate break, so layers are key. Wear a base layer (long underwear) made from synthetic fabric or wool. Over that, a mid-weight layer and atop that, a waterproof soft shell jacket and pants. You can absolutely wear your downhill gear, but you might find it a little toasty.
Finish the ensemble with a lightweight hat and gloves. Gaiters can be nice for keeping snow out of your boots, but you don’t really need them on a well-groomed track. Don’t forget sunglasses and sunscreen.
How To Ski
I still recommend a lesson to get you started, however if you’d like to try it on your own, rent some skis and head out to somewhere flat. Make sure you learn how to put on and take off the skis before leaving the rental shop.
You’ll hear that cross-country skiing is just like walking, but I don’t think that’s true. If you are doing it right, it’s more like gliding. Starting on groomed trails somewhere flat—save the hills for later—clip into your skis and shuffle along. For beginner cross-country skiers, I recommend not using your poles at first and perfecting your balance.
Once you’ve shuffled, try to get a little glide going. Put almost all your weight over the ball of your forward foot as you kick off with the other foot. Then do the same thing on the other side. Kick and glide, kick and glide. Look forward, not at your feet to keep an upright posture. Keep moving your weight forward, not side to side.
Since you are starting at a groomed area, get your skis into the carved tracks. As long as you stay in the tracks, you won’t wind up in the woods or a river. The tracks will keep your skis inline so all you have to worry about is moving forward.
Where To Cross-Country Ski With Kids
East Fork Mink Creek Nordic Center | Pocatello
There are about 20 kilometers of groomed classic and skate cross-country ski trails, snowshoe trails, a sledding hill, a warming yurt, plus ski and snowshoe rentals and lessons to take advantage of here. Beginners may want to start with the flat trails along the creek.
You can find equipment rentals and ski lessons by reservation, as well as a lesson series here.
McCall Activity Barn and Ponderosa State Park | McCall
If you want to ski at McCall’s Activity Barn, Ponderosa State Park or Bear Basin Nordic Center, make McCall your basecamp. For lessons, check out the Bear Basin Nordic School.
The McCall Activity Barn’s flatter trails and small hills make for a perfect family-friendly cross-country skiing spot. Not only is it a fun place to learn or practice, but you can also go snow tubing afterwards.
Ponderosa State Park has 22 kilometers of trails full of beautiful meadows and scenic wooded trails alongside Payette Lake. Most of the trails are flat and well-suited for cross-country beginners. There are several shops in McCall that rent Nordic gear.
Harriman State Park
Harriman State Park in Island Park is a great place for a family cross-country skiing adventure. Whether it’s a day trip or you’re spending the night in one of the yurts or the Ranch House, you’ll find more than 24 miles of trails to explore. Ski along the flats and watch the trumpeter swans on the river.
Rent your gear at Idaho Mountain Trading in Idaho Falls or the BYU–Idaho Outdoor Resource Center in Rexburg. Freeheel and Wheel in West Yellowstone is a great option, too.
Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve
A ski through Craters of the Moon isn’t for first-timers, but once you and your family have a few ski tours under your belts and are comfortable on hills, it’s an experience you won’t forget. To keep it easy, ski out the mostly flat trail to Devil’s Orchard (3.6 miles out and back). If you want to take on the big hill, ski the full lollipop loop in 6 miles.
If moving over snow through cinder cones and lava bombs sounds interesting, but you aren’t ready to ski, rent snowshoes at the Visitor Center and adventure on foot.
Ski rentals are available at Elephant’s Perch Mountain Specialists in Ketchum or Idaho Mountain Trading in Idaho Falls.
Feature image credited to Melynda Harrison.
Melynda Harrison writes about travel and outdoor family adventure at TravelingMel.com, YellowstoneTrips.com, and many local and regional publications. When she’s not behind a laptop, you can find her cross-country skiing, hiking or floating a river.
Updated on December 02, 2024
Published on December 1, 2020
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