AdventureFall Ranch Stays Luxury Ranch Resort Colorado

During the winter, the ranch turns into a Nordic skiing paradise. With nearly five miles of groomed trails to explore—and endless access to beautiful backcountry in the National Forest—there are opportunities for everyone from beginners to seasoned skiers to put their ski skills to the test.

First used as a means of transportation across the landscape, cross-country skiing has grown in popularity among winter outdoor recreationalists. Unlike downhill skiing at a ski resort, Nordic skiing, or cross-country skiing, uses human power to access and move across terrain rather than a mechanical lift and gravity to get you where you want to go. In most instances, cross-country skiing translates to “free heel,” meaning the binding allows free movement of your heel, rather than being locked into a standard downhill ski binding.

There are three different types of Nordic skiing offered at the ranch: skate skiing, classic skiing, and backcountry skiing.

Here are the differences among them:

Backcountry skiing 

This style of skiing is the most common found here at VVR, as it is the most beginner/entry-level friendly. The skis are wider and more stable underfoot, allowing for a more comfortable learning experience, as well as giving you the option either to ski the groomed trail or to get off trail and into the powder-covered forest. These skis are known for allowing us to adventure over the river and through the woods, to the VVR lodge for hot chocolate. They have directional fish scales under your foot that allow you to move forward uphill without sliding backward. Whether you’re looking to stay close to home and hone your skills on the groomed trail or get off property and see the beauty of North Routt, back country skiing is your ticket to winter adventure at VVR!

Classic skiing

This is a style of cross-country skiing where your skis remain parallel as you kick and glide forward and back (sometimes called a diagonal stride). The skis used in Classic skiing are skinnier and longer than backcountry skis. The skinnier, longer ski allows for more glide, propelling you forward at a higher rate of speed. This style can be done on a groomed trail; however, it is most commonly done in “Classic Tracks,” which are incisions in the snow that keeps your skis parallel. Classic skiing is most widely associated with the Olympic Biathlon, where the athlete skis a Classic Track to a shooting platform. They are scored on time and accuracy of shot. Classic skiing can be tricky to learn proper form, but anyone can pick it up with success if they have a willingness to giggle at themselves.

Skate skiing 

Skate skiing is a style of cross-county skiing that uses slightly shorter, smooth-bottom skis. To propel yourself forward, you kick your skis out to the side, similarly to how you would while ice skating. To move efficiently, you need a groomed surface, also known as corduroy because of the design left in the snow by the groomer, or snowcat. These small ridges and valleys in the snow aide the skier to move forward when pushing off the edge of the ski, causing a freeze/thaw effect and giving the skier the ability to skate forward. Skate skiing utilizes the edges of the ski to move rather than the base used in Classic and Backcountry. Skate skiing is the hardest of the three styles to learn, as well as the most physically demanding. Don’t let that deter you, though. Once you get the hang of it, the flow of it will draw you back!

For more information about Nordic skiing in Colorado, visit the Colorado Cross Country Ski Association. And be sure to check out our “Winter at a Glance” page to peruse all the other fun activities we offer in the winter.