Scandinavia with its cross-country skiing activities everywhere makes for a great destination for winter travelers and outdoor enthusiasts. In fact, Scandinavia started the cross-country craze in Sweden and Norway. Did you know that the oldest ski ever found was in a Swedish bog? It was 3,000 years old. Modern skiing began here in Scandinavia as a means of transport. Only later it became a sport.
Especially the Scandinavian countries Sweden and Norway have long been striving to establish a proper share of the sport that they invented. In Iceland, skiing had always been popular and on the other hand, Denmark does not get enough snow for this Nordic sport.
As a winter destination today, Scandinavia offers visitors reliable conditions, with mainly intermediate downhill plus cross-country skiing. English is widely spoken (also see Scandinavia language help) and good ski instructors are everywhere. In Scandinavia, you can go cross-country skiing in all regions except Denmark. You don't even have to go to one of the ski resorts (e.g. Norway's Top Ski Resorts) like alpine skiers do!
What exactly is cross-country skiing?
As opposed to alpine skiing, the ski is very long and thin, and the toe of the skier's footwear is attached to the ski while the heel remains free. Cross-country skiing (also known as XC skiing) is a winter sport very popular in many countries with large snowfields (primarily the Scandinavian countries in Northern Europe and Canada). Cross-country skiing is part of the Nordic skiing sport family.
Related article: Winter Sports & Ski Resorts in Norway
