Gliding Through a Winter Wonderland- Cross-Country Skiing

By: Katelyn Parker

Cross-country skiing is a great workout and an excellent excuse to get outside. For this issue we explored the winter sports available at Antelope Butte in the Bighorn National Forest. The recreation area has miles of groomed Nordic ski trails that are great for experienced skiers or beginners. The snowpack and the texture of the snow were perfect and gliding the trails was a peaceful and memorable adventure.

The Trails

The Nordic ski trails at Antelope Butte begin at the eastern edge of the parking lot. The trails are groomed and well-marked, making the ski park easy to navigate. The trail begins in an open area but before you know it, you are gliding through the trees, shielded from the wind and all sound seemed to be muffled by the snow and the Bighorn National Forest. The scene was tranquil and only interrupted by the sound of the skis gliding atop the snow and the sound of our own breathing. The trails did not present a difficult challenge, so they are perfect for beginners that are clicking in for the first time. The trail winds through the snow-covered landscape, taking the skier over beautiful creek crossings and up and over subtle hills, adding just the right amount of challenge.

Ski Rentals

If you don’t have your own skis but want to explore the Nordic ski trails at Antelope Butte, there are several rental options available to you. You can rent Nordic skis at the rental shop in the lodge at Antelope Butte or you can choose to rent your ski package at your local outdoor adventure store. If you are coming through Cody and up the west side of the mountain, rentals can be purchased at Sunlight Sports. If you are coming up the east side of the mountain, rentals can be purchased in Sheridan at The Sport Stop.

Tips for Beginners

If you have never cross-country skied but have always thought you might like to try it, you can find some tips and tricks in the proceeding sections of this article to make your first time more enjoyable, softening the learning curve.

The entire purpose of cross-country skiing is to kick and glide, using a fluid motion to create your momentum. Your poles are meant to assist in pushing you forward and helps extend the length of your glide. When you plant your pole, use your core and plant near the outside of the boot that is in the lead. While engaging your core, kick with your back leg and push off with your pole. It helps if you keep your arms bent at 90 degrees and when you are pushing off, try not to extend your arm past your coat pocket so your cadence is in sync, and you remain in control. Repeat these movements, alternating sides and work on keeping your skis on the trail rather than thwapping the ground. Putting all these movements together and getting the timing right will have you gliding in a synchronized motion down the trail. 

Going up or downhill is where things can get a little more difficult while cross-country skiing. To get up a steep incline you can ‘herringbone’ or ‘sidestep’ up the slope. To ‘herringbone’, place your skis in a V-shape and walk up the slope while driving the inside of your skis into the snow. To sidestep, you turn your body perpendicular to the trail and sidestep up the slope, stepping up with your top ski and bringing your bottom ski to meet the top. You repeat this process until you are at the top of the incline. Don’t be afraid to take off your skis and walk if the incline is too great for you. Just remember to walk off to the side of the trail.

Going downhill is when most wrecks occur, but if you follow some of these tips you are more likely to stay on your skis. When you are going downhill, it is important to maintain a speed that allows you to stay in control. To slow yourself down when going downhill simply kick out one or both of your skis, making a V-shape with your skis with the point pointing down the trail. Place pressure on the inside of your skis and adjust the pressure with any turns on the trail. Again, if you aren’t comfortable, there is no shame in taking off your skis and walking down, just be mindful to stay to the side and out of the way of skiers coming down behind you.

Hit the Trails!

If you are an experienced skier or new to the sport, Antelope Butte is great place to hit the trails. Nordic ski parks are dispersed throughout the state, making this an easily accessible winter activity no matter where you live. If you have never experienced the pleasure of gliding through Wyoming’s winter wonderland, now is the perfect time to try and it is a great activity for the whole family.

Be sure to share your cross-country ski adventures with Live WYld. Tag us on social media @LiveWYldMag and use #LiveWYld