Whether or not you name it Nordic snowboarding or cross-country snowboarding, we’re about to see a complete lot of it throughout the February Olympic video games. And when you’re eager to attempt your personal fingers and legs on the sport, America’s slate of beautiful nationwide parks supply among the most excellent place(s) during which to take action.
With well-maintained path methods that remodel into winter wonderlands finest tackled on skis, a cross-country snowboarding journey is a good motive to hire an RV and make your strategy to among the most lovely preserved landscapes in America. And, in fact, we’ve bought all the small print it’s essential to do it proper, together with our hand-picked record of the very best nationwide parks within the U.S. for cross-country snowboarding and Nordic trails.
What Makes a Nice Nationwide Park for Nordic Snowboarding
Whereas a lot of America’s nationwide parks supply unimaginable cross-country snowboarding alternatives (alongside different winter sports activities and leisure actions), we’ve hand-selected a couple of of our favorites beneath for his or her distinctive landscapes, excessive snowfall, and different options. Some standout causes the nationwide parks beneath are nice decisions for Nordic snowboarding:
- Groomed and ungroomed path methods
- Diverse terrain for rookies by means of superior skiers
- Dependable snow every season — and entry to the park throughout winter
- Proximity to RV-friendly campgrounds and winter lodging
And, in fact, whenever you hire an RV on RVshare, you’ll have the ability to deliver all of your gear together with you with none headache, or annoying look forward to cumbersome checked baggage upon arrival.
Greatest Nationwide Parks for Cross-Nation Snowboarding and Nordic Trails
Let’s dive into our favourite nationwide parks for cross-country and Nordic snowboarding.
Yosemite Nationwide Park (California)
Even when you’ve seen it within the summertime, Yosemite Nationwide Park is properly value a return go to as soon as its one-of-a-kind options are buried beneath a recent blanket of snow. Come see how the park is reworked — and luxuriate in miles of groomed trails which can be completely excellent for cross-country snowboarding. You’ll discover alternatives for each class type and skate-skiing right here, too.
Greatest Months for Nordic Snowboarding:
- December by means of March deliver essentially the most dependable snowfall (and also you’ll take pleasure in fewer crowds, too)
Why It Is Perfect for Cross-Nation Snowboarding:
- Discover an in depth community of groomed trails in Yosemite Valley and Badger Move space
- Profit from the proper mixture of scenic, comparatively light valley terrain mixed with higher-elevation challenges — there’s actually one thing right here for each skier
- Lastly, as talked about above, uncover alternatives for each basic and skate snowboarding
RV Tenting Choices:
- A number of Yosemite campgrounds are open all yr and likewise enable RVs, however closures can occur, so all the time examine the official NPS web site
- You’ll additionally discover RV parks and year-round campgrounds in close by cities comparable to Groveland and Mariposa
Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park (Colorado)
Whereas guests flock to Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park in the summertime for blooming Alpine meadows, shimmering blue lakes, and mountaineering alternatives that simply can’t be discovered wherever else, the wintertime brings a complete new vibe to this land of extremes. Above the treeline, high-altitude trails provide the alternative to coach such as you imply it, whether or not on skis or in any other case, and on the different excessive, backcountry-style routes supply sweeping views punctuated with cozy forested areas.
Greatest Months for Nordic Snowboarding:
- November by means of April will likely be chilly sufficient to assist recent powder, although all the time examine snowfall studies forward of time
Why It Is Perfect for Cross-Nation Snowboarding:
- With dozens of peaks over 12,000 toes — and 20 reaching as excessive as 13,000 — this park is the go-to for high-altitude trails supreme for endurance coaching
- You’ll additionally discover backcountry-style routes with wide-open alpine views that are extra accessible for rookies
- Final however not least, criss-cross your manner amongst snow-packed roads used as ski routes in winter, whose large margins are additionally beginner-friendly
RV Tenting Choices:
- RMNP’s Moraine Campground is open and reservable throughout the winter season, with electrical hookups, freshwater fill and dump stations (although no ice or firework are on the market throughout this time)
- Once more, you can even take a look at personal RV parks and winter-friendly campgrounds in Estes Park and surrounding communities
Grand Teton Nationwide Park (Wyoming)
We are able to forgive the French-Canadian fur trappers who gave Grand Teton Nationwide Park its title — in spite of everything, they’d been touring for a very long time. All it’s essential to know in your personal travels is that this can be a park that mixes long-distance Nordic trails with unbeatable views together with smaller-than-average annual customer numbers, and people numbers get even smaller whenever you go to throughout the winter. Translation: Peace, quiet, and loads of wide-open trails to sink into.
Greatest Months for Nordic Snowboarding:
- December by means of March is the time to reach for powder and tranquility
Why It Is Perfect for Cross-Nation Snowboarding:
- Take your time alongside long-distance Nordic trails by means of valley flooring and open meadows
- Really feel your energy on terrain much like Olympic-style Nordic programs
- Take pleasure in completely distinctive mountain surroundings all through ski routes, actually like nowhere else on earth
RV Tenting Choices:
- Though a lot of the campgrounds inside Grand Teton Nationwide Park shut throughout the winter season, yow will discover close by campgrounds within the surrounding cities (like Jackson) and pure areas
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Yellowstone Nationwide Park (Wyoming, Montana, Idaho)
Not each nationwide park bears the excellence of inhabiting three totally different states — nor of being the very first designated nationwide park not solely in our nation’s roster, however on the planet. However Yellowstone Nationwide Park isn’t each nationwide park. It’s the biggest intact volcanic panorama of its type, and within the winter, it’s much more dynamic and otherworldly than throughout the heat season. Think about cross-country snowboarding by means of an alien panorama stuffed with geothermal options like brightly-colored swimming pools and geysers capturing up by means of snow. Yeah, it’s definitely worth the journey.
Greatest Months for Nordic Snowboarding:
- This park has a barely shorter cross-country snowboarding season, so purpose to reach between December and February
Why It Is Perfect for Cross-Nation Snowboarding:
- It’s a really distinctive alternative to ski groomed trails that navigate by means of geothermal basins and forests
- This specific juxtaposition of snow-covered timber and geothermal options can’t be discovered wherever else on the planet
- Benefit from the Easter Egg really feel of attending to see ski-in-only areas closed to autos in winter
RV Tenting Choices:
Acadia Nationwide Park (Maine)
We couldn’t let the west-coasters have all of the enjoyable! When you dwell in New York or New England — or just need to see (and ski) one of the crucial dynamic elements of our nation — Acadia Nationwide Park shouldn’t be missed. Whereas this one is usually a bit tougher to entry within the winter with no on-site campground choices, the close by city of Bar Harbor is each cute and comfy, and there are personal RV campgrounds within the surrounding areas. Did we point out the park incorporates a well-trodden community of historic carriage trails that magically convert with snowfall into the proper Nordic snowboarding course?
Greatest Months for Nordic Snowboarding:
- January by means of March supply dependable snow, however with the salt-spray air, it might probably get severely chilly — so pack accordingly
Why It Is Perfect for Cross-Nation Snowboarding:
- The well-known carriage roads you might have been carried down behind a horse in the summertime time are transformed by the snow into scenic Nordic ski routes
- Is there something extra romantic than coastal winter surroundings with rolling terrain and pink granite peaks? We predict not
- With its comparatively decrease altitudes and proximity to inhabitants facilities, this one is well-suited for leisure and intermediate skiers
RV Tenting Choices:
Mount Rainier Nationwide Park (Washington)
When you’ve by no means visited Mount Rainier Nationwide Park, you’re severely lacking out. Essentially the most closely glaciated peak within the decrease 48, this imposing and spectacular volcano is a completely totally different beast within the winter and the summer time. Each are value seeing — and the wintertime particularly for cross-country skiers. With its large elevation and exquisite surrounding forest areas, this nationwide park gives deep snowpack and an extended winter season, supplying you with loads of time and house to really feel out the game. The views, in fact, are unmatched, and you may select between critical endurance coaching and extra relaxed exploration. The choices are infinite, however all worthwhile.
Greatest Months for Nordic Snowboarding:
- The December by means of April season means you’ve gotten 4 lengthy months — a complete quarter of the yr — to make your strategy to the park for this goal
Why It Is Perfect for Cross-Nation Snowboarding:
- This majestic mountain combines deep snowpack with a pleasant, lengthy winter season to present you loads of alternatives and adaptability
- The park’s open terrain is supreme for each endurance and elevation coaching
- Alongside the way in which, you gained’t miss unforgettable views of glaciers and alpine landscapes
RV Tenting Choices:
Planning an RV Journey for Nordic Snowboarding in Nationwide Parks
When you’ve bought your skis, boots, and gaiters, you’ll additionally need to work out the proper rental RV automobile to your journey. When you’re renting on RVshare, right here’s tips on how to ensure you’re arrange the appropriate manner with the proper cozy residence base after you busy days of snowboarding.
- Contemplate a smaller rig. Sure, Class A motorcoaches and fifth-wheel trailers are luxurious, however in snowy circumstances and on windy mountain roads, a Class B campervan might be simpler to navigate
- Ensure it’s winter-ready. The RV proprietor you hire from will have the ability to provide you with extra particulars, however chances are high you’re going to desire a furnace — and safety like snow tires and chains, too
- Examine the climate and roads forward of time. Even when the park is formally open, the way in which in is perhaps beneath snow. Most states supply up-to-date info throughout the winter when you seek for the state title in addition to “street situation cameras”
- Keep avalanche-safe. Mom Nature is gorgeous, however she’s additionally nothing to mess with! Most of the parks we’ve listed above see many avalanches throughout the winter time, particularly Mount Rainier. At all times be sure you maintain your wits about you and hearken to Park Rangers
Why Renting an RV from RVshare Is the Greatest Solution to Expertise Nordic Snowboarding Journeys
Why do we expect an RV is the easiest way to journey? Nicely, as a result of all of us right here on the workforce have completed it, and it speaks for itself. In case you want only a bit extra convincing, although, contemplate this: RVshare gives RV leases of all shapes, varieties, and sizes close to each main nationwide park gateway and past. Renting a rig gives you versatile journey choices for altering snow and climate circumstances, and also you’ll have the consolation and comfort of tucking into the identical heat mattress every night time between your ski classes (and by no means having to unpack or repack your suitcase to modify accommodations). Plus, RV journey makes it straightforward to hold heavy or cumbersome tools, i.e. your cross-country skis — and also you don’t have to fret about upkeep or long-term possession prices. It’s actually a super strategy to get round, whether or not you’re contemplating a single-park journey or a complete multi-park Nordic circuit!
Talking of which…
Pattern Nordic Ski Highway Journey Concepts
Listed here are some fast pattern itineraries for a Nordic ski street journey you’ll always remember — and that incorporate different great nationwide parks as properly!
- Western Parks Nordic Snowboarding Loop: Begin out at Lassen Volcanic, then navigate north to Crater Lake and finally Mount Rainier for various terrain and snow high quality
- Rocky Mountain Excessive-Altitude Endurance Route: After Rocky Mountain NP, hit each Grand Teton and Yellowstone, emphasizing lengthy climbs and thin-air coaching
- Sierra Nevada Snow Classics Tour: Begin at Yosemite (we mentioned basic, in spite of everything), then head south to Sequoia & Kings Canyon for dramatic surroundings and groomed Nordic routes
- Higher Midwest Nordic Heritage Journey: The midwest will get powder, too! Begin out at Isle Royale earlier than heading to Pictured Rocks (the place you may ski alongside the lakeshore), and end at Voyageurs for quiet forests and frozen lakes
Indubitably, our nationwide parks present among the finest Nordic snowboarding terrain within the U.S. — and most vacationers have them on their bucket lists anyway. Even ones you’ve already visited within the summertime completely remodel within the winter, making them properly value one other look.
Cross-country snowboarding like an Olympian (or like a newbie!) are completely accessible to on a regular basis vacationers, particularly whenever you journey within the consolation and comfort of an RVshare rental automobile. These cozy, loved- and lived-in rigs make winter Nordic adventurers simpler and extra comfy, so you may concentrate on conserving the trouble the place it belongs: on the path!
