When you think of skiing, going to a mountaintop and racing downhill through fresh powder probably comes to mind. But there’s another style that deserves a second look. It’s called cross-country, or Nordic, skiing — and it’s actually the original and oldest form of the sport. It began in (you guessed it) Norway, where it developed out of necessity; it was a way to travel over snow-covered land for hunting, wood gathering, and social purposes. Today, it’s an Olympic sport, with events for men and women included in the Winter Games.
Although downhill skiing gets most of the glory and hype these days, more and more people are turning to Nordic skiing. It’s no different at Suncadia, where miles of wilderness present the perfect opportunity for beginners and experienced skiers and snow shoers to get out and explore the terrain.
Currently, the community has miles of cross-country trails; some that go around the golf courses, others that provide spectacular views over the Cle Elum River, especially on snow-covered days. It’s not the challenge of the terrain that skiers can look forward to, it’s also the chance to catch a glimpse of deer and elk wandering around the trails. As the community expands and adds more members to the family, we are also earmarking new trails for our members to explore—the newest one is set to open soon in Nelson Preserve.
If you’d like to enjoy a winter detour in the incredible landscape of Suncadia, be sure to check out our Nordic Skiing and snowshoeing trails—download an easy-to-use map of our trails here and plan out your day in the snow!