A playground for all

Nordic skiing is the quintessential outdoor activity, offering people of all ages, whether complete beginners or experienced skiers, a means of exploring the winter countryside. What is more, cross-country skiing is fabulous for your health and well-being, as while you are enjoying the fresh mountain air, you will also be improving your cardio-vascular fitness and flexibility. For children it has the added benefit of developing dexterity and coordination. 
 
Savoie Mont Blanc has Nordic ski trails and off-piste itineraries for all levels of ability. Newcomers to the sport will enjoy the numerous introductory or themed trails across immaculate plateau, whereas experienced skiers may be tempted by more challenging routes over hillier terrain. As in downhill skiing, instructors are available to help you improve your technique.

Some of Savoie Mont Blanc's Nordic ski areas are members of the Haute-Savoie Nordic or Savoie Nordic organisations.

The different skiing techniques

Classic style:
Involves sliding one foot forwards, and then the other, swinging the arms backwards and forwards in the same rhythm. Groomed ski trails incorporate tracks to guide your skis.
 
Skating style:
Using the flat part of the trail, skiers glide forward on one ski, and then the other, moving the skis like an ice skater. This easy-to-learn technique, which first appeared in the 1980s, has revolutionised cross-country skiing. The movement is also similar to that used by inline roller skaters.
[+] more info (in French only)

New sports, new trends

Some ideas

Laser biathlon at Les Saisies
Run a biathlon race with Raphaël Poiré, one of the world's top biathletes and an ambassador for the resort. The resort's 140 km of groomed trails, lying between 1600 m and 1700 m, offer a superb setting for this rapidly growing sport. Ski up to the shooting range, aim your rifle and pull the trigger - no noise, no pollution and no danger. If your target lights up, you have hit the bull's eye!
[+] more info about Les Saisies
 
The Health and Fitness trail at Praz de Lys/Sommand
Designed by specialists, this novel Nordic-skiing fitness circuit allows you to test and improve your fitness. It will allow you to maximise your training efficiency by working within scientifically determined limits for work rate and heart rate. Loan of heart-rate monitors from the Tourist Office. [+] more info about Praz-de-Lys/Sommand (in French only)

Nocturnal cross-country skiing at the heart of Savoie Grand Revard
Nordic skiing under the stars is a truly magical experience that can be shared with family and friends. The Hibou (Owl) trail allows you to explore the beautiful Savoie Grand Revard plateau in the Bauges Mountains, either with headtorches or by the light of the moon.
[+] more info about Savoie Grand Revard

Jibskating at les Contamines-Montjoie
Discover this new sport at the foot of the Dôme de Miage. Jibskating involves using short skating skis to perform jumps and figures in the Nordic Park "freeride" area.
[+] more info about Les Contamines-Montjoie

For kids

Nordic skiing is fun to learn, even for the very young. The ideal age to start is four; however, some ski schools also run fun "playschool" type classes for kids as young as two and a half. The equipment is light and the sport helps children develop their innate senses of balance and coordination. Some ski schools have snow gardens with specific areas for Nordic skiing.

Some Nordic snow gardens:
Agy, La Clusaz/Les Confins, Le Grand Bornand, Les Glières, Plaine Joux les Brasses in Haute-Savoie.

A number of resorts in Savoie offer, on request, age-specific lessons with ESF instructors: Sollières-Sardières, Le Désert d'Entremont, Champagny-en-Vanoise, Peisey-Vallandry, Savoie Grand Revard.

On Sunday mornings, Les Saisies runs free cross-country skiing lessons for kids, with instructors from the ESF and ESI.

Special offers in Haute-Savoie

Nordic Pass 74: access to 30 Nordic resorts in Haute-Savoie with numerous benefits.

Pass'Family: allows the entire family to discover Nordic skiing in Haute-Savoie under advantageous terms.

Some events

The Festi'Nordic

A fun and spectacular event to be enjoyed with family or friends. Introduction to cross-country skiing and biathon, jibskating (Nordic freestyle) demonstrations and numerous Nordic-oriented events and activities await you at Savoie Mont Blanc's Nordic resorts (open to all and free).
[+ more info]

29th Bessans International Marathon

10th January 2010.
The season's leading Nordic ski race attracts 1200 participants from all over the world. Distances include 2.5 km, 5 km, 10 km, 21 km and 42 km for freestyle and 25 km for classic. [+ more info]

List of Nordic resorts