Cross country skiing -- tough on you, easy on your wallet
Woosh - zoom - crash - all familiar sounds on ski slopes. But for several of us, the crash sound is one that keeps us from strapping on a pair of skis.
Luckily, cross country skiing on flat terrain involves very little crashing and is one a tough winter sport that surprisingly requires a lot of endurance (a 130-pound woman can burn 495 calories in an hour). It's rapidly becoming the winter alternative to running, according to the Discovery Center in Chicago.
It does feel awkward to trudge through snow on skis with poles, but you'll soon get the rhythm of walking/gliding and enjoy stretching for your legs and arms.
Cross country skiing isn't as expensive as downhill, mostly because you don't need to pay high lift fees or fly to Colorado. There are several scenic and challenging trails in suburban park districts. You can also rent skis for $25-$50 for a weekend.
Whoever said that winter means a time to hibernate indoors hasn't tried some wind in your face real winter fun.
Where to learn
Camp Sagawau: For a great bargain close to home, Camp Sagawau in Lemont offers equipment rental for $10 and lessons for $10 (or $18 for both). The trails are open 9:30 a.m. to sunset every day. You have to make reservations for lessons no later than Monday for the weekend. Call (630) 257-2045 or go to www.fpdcc.com/tier3.php?content_id=5&file=abt_5e for more information. If you don't want a lesson or to rent equipment, you can get a free trail pass and head out on your own. A light 2.5-mile loop through open prairies for beginners and a 3-mile trail through the trees with steep hills for more advanced skiers (plus there's drinking water, free parking and bathrooms).
Discovery Center: If you're not ready to dive into the sport solo, the Discovery Center in Chicago is offering cross country skiing in trips on Jan. 3 and 30 to the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, Wis. The daytrips (from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.) cost $65, which includes bus transportation, ski passes and a lesson (rental cost is an extra $10). Check out discoverycenter.cc or call (773) 348-8120 for more information.
Where to ski
Cook County Forest Preserve District: All areas are open from 8 a.m. to sunset. Visit www.fpdcc.com to find the various trails available. Deer Grove Forest Preserve, along Quentin Road, has an 8.3-mile multiuse trail winding through woods.
DuPage County Forest Preserve District: The Herrick Lake Forest Preserve offers 7 miles of manicured trails with markers to help you find your way. The ground is mainly flat accompanied with some rolling terrain. Check out www.dupageforest.com for more information.
Lake County Forest Preserve: More than 100 miles of trails offer ease for beginners and challenges for more advanced skiers. For more information check out www.lcfpd.org.
McHenry County Conservation District: More than 40 miles of trails of various levels, plus a warming center. Use the cool interactive map at mccdistrict.org/web/re-cross-country-ski.htm to find the trail for you.
Where to get gear
Alpine Accessories: 9219 South State Route 31, Lake in the Hills, (847) 854-4754
Scandinavian Ski and Snowboard Shop: 1621 Waukegan Road, Glenview, (847) 729-0550