10 great places to peacefully glide cross-country

— -- With ski season in full swing, a growing number of winter-sports enthusiasts are forgoing crowded downhill ski resorts in favor of a more serene alternative — cross-country skiing. Chris Frado, executive director and president of the Cross Country Ski Areas Association (xcski.org), shares her list of favorite wintry places with Tim Smight for USA TODAY.

Sun Mountain Lodge Winthrop, Wash.

Situated on the eastern slope of the Cascades about 220 miles from Seattle, Sun Mountain Lodge sits atop an extensive cross-country trail system that makes its way down the mountain and across the scenic Methow Valley below. "Methow Valley is one of the largest Nordic centers in North America, with more than 120 miles of interconnected trails," Frado says. "The terrain is varied to suit all skill levels, from beginners to competitive racers." 800-572-0493; sunmountainlodge.com

Great Glen Trails Gorham, N.H.

Nestled amid New Hampshire's picturesque White Mountains, Great Glen Trails was designed expressly for cross-country skiing. Twenty-five miles of groomed trails wend their way through the trees and meadows. "There's a real harmony to skiing the trails here," Frado says. "Your skis almost seem to sing over the snow." Close by is the town of Jackson, "a quintessential New England village, complete with a covered bridge." 603-466-2333; greatglentrails.com

Tamarack Resort Donnelly, Idaho

"Tamarack is a brand-new resort that caters to both downhill and cross-country skiers," Frado says. "The lodge is truly luxurious, with magnificent views of the surrounding Payette River Mountains. There are more than 15 miles of cross-country trails — all at moderate altitude, which makes for fun skiing." Tamarack also offers guided cross-country ski and snowshoeing excursions. 866-649-6903; tamarackidaho.com

Devil's Thumb Ranch Tabernash, Colo.

Devil's Thumb, 70 miles north of Denver, has a reputation for environmental responsibility as well as outstanding skiing. "They believe in maintaining the integrity and natural beauty of the property, and they really live up to that ideal," Frado says. "More than 60 miles of trails wend through 5,000 acres of meadow and forest, with minimal impact on the land. You can truly immerse yourself in nature here." 800-933-4339; devilsthumbranch.com

White Grass Davis, W.Va.

"White Grass is down-home, relaxed and nurturing — all about having fun on skis," Frado says. Tucked into a snowy corner of the Cabin Mountains in West Virginia, White Grass draws cross-country skiing enthusiasts from all over the East. "They have more than 15 miles of groomed trails suitable for family skiing, and offer guided cross-country treks into the higher and more challenging terrain," Frado says. "They also have a wonderful natural-foods cafe." 304-866-4114; whitegrass.com

Soldier Hollow Midway, Utah

Located just 20 minutes from the trendy downhill ski enclave of Park City, Soldier Hollow served as the cross-country ski venue for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. "Mere mortals can ski the same trails as the world-class athletes — and then head for a Park City cafe to relax and celebrity-watch," Frado says. The resort has more than 20 miles of groomed trails for all skill levels, and offers spectacular views of the surrounding Wasatch Mountains. 435-654-2002; soldierhollow.com

Maplelag Callaway, Minn.

Located in northwest Minnesota, about an hour east of Fargo, N.D., Maplelag is an out-of-the way but very popular cross-country ski destination. Originally a maple syrup farm, the property has been family-owned and operated for two generations. In addition to 40 miles of well-groomed skiing trails, Maplelag offers sledding, ice skating and ice fishing. "The family-style meals are wonderful, and the bottomless jars of homemade cookies in the lodge are also a nice touch," Frado says. 800-654-7711; maplelag.com

Royal Gorge Soda Springs, Calif.

Sprawling across 9,000 acres in the heart of California's Sierra Nevada mountain range, Royal Gorge bills itself as North America's largest cross-country ski resort. A short drive from the Reno/Lake Tahoe area, the resort offers skiers more than 190 miles of groomed track for all skill levels. "The trail system at Royal Gorge is fantastic," Frado says. "There are warming huts and trailside cafes along the way, which make for great rest stops. They also run an excellent ski school for beginners." 800-500-3871; royalgorge.com

Trapp Family Lodge Stowe, Vt.

"This is the home of the legendary von Trapp family singers, whose story was told in The Sound of Music," Frado says. "They brought cross-country skiing with them from Austria in 1950 and created what became the first Nordic resort in the U.S." Centered by an Austrian-style main lodge that overlooks the historic town of Stowe, the resort offers 28 miles of groomed track and another 62 miles of challenging backcountry trails. 800-826-7000; trappfamily.com

Camp Sagawau Nordic Lemont, Ill.

City dwellers who don't have the time for a ski trip need not despair, Frado says. Many urban areas allow cross-country skiing in local parks and nature preserves. "One example is the Chicago area, which has seven cross-country ski centers in county forest preserves. Sagawau Nordic in southwest Cook County is one of the best. It's small, with only a few miles of groomed trail, but it's a great place to learn the sport or get a quick skiing fix." 630-257-2045; fpdcc.com