Biathlon is popular, watching them on TV, we would like to ski like them, in skater or skating steps! For a first time in cross-country skiing, it will be necessary start with the basics, find balance and the right glide… and forget skating for the moment because it's more physical. And yes, cross-country skiing is actually 2 very different practices : alternative skiing and skating.
To start cross-country skiing, you must begin with the alternative skiing. Also called classic skiing, it is slower than skating. Alternative skiing is similar to sliding, practiced in the rails (traces left by the snow groomer). Skis are different from skating, they have scales or skin to grip the snow and prevent backward movement...
It must be admitted that when you start skiing, you like to start easy, on the flat! Just so you don't end up on your backside right from the start... This is one of the reasons why... Gardot site, the ideal place to start cross-country skiing.
The beginner's trail is made for that. A 1 km accessible loop, with no elevation changes, it's ideal for beginners.
Located right next to the chalet, the play area is the ideal playground for youngsters. Tireless children dart back and forth under the hoops and between the cones. There's no better way to learn balance and sliding while having fun.
• You can rent skis on site, at Culture Vélo chalet
• You can eat on site by bringing your picnic. There are tables outside, very pleasant with beautiful sunshine, and tables inside in the picnic room.
• You can eat on site, with a selection of delicious hot, homemade sweet and savory dishes and hot drinks.
• You can swap skis for a sled, if you still have some energy left… there is a designated and marked sled run.
• New: snowtubing (buoy), €7 per person
• You can collect your fees on site (per day: €5 for those under 25 and €7 for adults, reduced rate on Wednesdays, €5 for everyone)
• You can take ski lessons with Nordic ProgressionThe monitors are based at the Gardot site.
All that's left is to strap on your skis! Find a list of cross-country ski equipment rental companies here. When renting, don't hesitate to tell the rental company that you're a beginner; they'll also have some great advice to give you.
Got your skis, are you ready? The next step is to buy your ski pass. This is essential to enjoy the marked, maintained, and groomed slopes. The grooming is done at night by technicians who do everything they can to ensure the slopes are beautiful and passable by early morning.
Buying your ski pass is one of the best practices when using Nordic ski areas. There are others to follow, such as not walking on the ski slopes, staying on your designated trail, not skiing outside of opening hours, and so on.
With 150 km of trails, there are plenty of opportunities for cross-country skiing. In addition to the Gardot site, ideal for beginners, there are other places worth a visit:
• The Combe Saint-Pierre, with a green run, that of “Bois des Rachottes” which is suitable for beginners, and a blue run, “liaison la Montée”, which you can do back and forth to practice.
• Les Combes, near Morteau, the green loop is suitable for beginners.
• The Signs, at Les Gras, ideal for those who like the wild, unspoiled side... and a little lost????. The little extra, a slope that stays snowy longer than others.... To discover!
For beginners who have already put on skis and want to practice :
• La Bosse, on the heights of Russey, the loops are accessible, without major difficulty.
• The Climb, on the heights of Damprichard.
→ An interactive map is available to find the ideal cross-country ski trail.
The cross-country ski trails of the Pays Horloger are listed on several maps.
One concerns the Val de sector Morteau with the slopes of Gardot, Combes, Meix Musy…
Another, the Maîche sector with the Combe Saint-Pierre and the Montée
And one last one, the Russey sector, with the Bosse slopes.
Do you know how you can spot a tourist on the cross-country ski trails? By their downhill ski gear that ends up tied around their waist...
It's true that we don't always have what we need on hand, clothing-wise, but expect the temperature to rise... after a few climbs, you'll be very hot!
Dress warmly but not too warmly, choose waterproof clothing rather than clothing that is too warm.
Are you stuck in the fog and would like to know if the sun is shining up there on the slopes?! Take a quick look at the webcams to see what the snow and sunshine are like!
With all this you are ready for skiing, so last practical tip, the snow report!
Updated every morning, it lets you know which slopes are open, whether they've been groomed, the snow depth, and more. It's full of useful information to help you decide where to go. There's a report for each sector.
