“I’m new to cross-country skiing. What type of skis should I buy?” Or, “Since I’m new to cross-country skiing, should I just buy a used set of skis?” People have asked me these questions countless times over the years. As a cross-country ski instructor and xc rental shop employee, it’s my duty to know the answers to such questions.
They seem like basic enough questions, right? For better and worse, though, there are countless buying options from which to choose in cross-country skiing.
So in this article, while providing a general overview of cross-country skiing options, I offer a streamlined approach to deciding for yourself what gear would best serve you.
Please note, however, that I make it a point not to offer specific brand or gear recommendations. Cross-country skiing is so personal. It’s directly based on your unique physical attributes and skill level. So trying to shoehorn you into one brand or style of gear because I like it would be doing you a disservice.
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That’s not to say you couldn’t just go out and buy an inexpensive xc ski package at REI and have fun. Just know that dialing in the cross-country gear most appropriate for you will be a process of discovery.
So before rushing out to buy that sale-priced cross-country ski setup, read this article and its companion piece Buying Cross-Country Ski Gear, for Beginners (Part 2).
Spending the next 20 minutes reading both of these articles could potentially save you a lot of money and frustration. How? By simply helping you to clarify your intentions for your cross-country skiing experience.
Once you have a clear picture of what you want to accomplish with cross-country skiing, choosing appropriate gear becomes much easier.
Where do You Plan to Cross-Country Ski?
There’s a tool for every job and a job for every tool. So, understand that there’s no one set of cross-country skis that will accommodate all environments.
Cross-country skis and the gear that goes with the sport is similar to any other outdoor gear. Everything is designed to function optimally so long as it’s used within a recommended framework of conditions.
I understand that you probably don’t want to buy an entire quiver of skis to meet every possible situation. So, if you’re new to cross-country skiing and looking to buy a setup, my best recommendation is …
Consider the type of skiing you will most often do and buy gear to meet that need.
This is the first major decision you’ll have to make when determining what type of skis to buy.
Will you be primarily cross-country skiing at groomed resorts or off the beaten path?
There are three general categories of cross-country skis (listed below):
- Classic (1) and skate skis (2) are most appropriate for the groomed trails of cross-country ski resorts and maintained cross-country ski areas
- Backcountry cross-country skis (3) work best on ungroomed terrain.
Types of Cross-Country Skis
- Classic Cross-Country Skis
- aka traditional or striding skis
- long, skinny skis with bases that feature a small to moderate-sized grip zone to accommodate grip wax or have a “fish scale” pattern
- for use with classic cross-country skiing techniques such as the diagonal stride, double pole, double pole kick, herringbone, and sidestep
- ideal for groomed tracks
- Skate Skis
- long, skinny skis with smooth bases
- for use with skate skiing techniques such as V1, V2, V2 alternate, diagonal skating, marathon skating, and double poling
- ideal for skiing on the wide flat zone of groomed trails (aka “skate lane”)
- can be used off-track for “crust skating” during spring conditions, but this is often accomplished by experienced skate skiers
- Backcountry Cross-Country Skis
- aka off-track or off-trail skis
- shorter, wider classic cross-country skis that feature bases with a longer and more aggressive grip zone (often a fish scale pattern, but some accommodate grip wax or an easily attachable/removable skin-tech grip zone), as well as metal edges
- for use with classic cross-country skiing techniques such as the diagonal stride, double pole, double pole kick, herringbone, sidestep, and Telemark turns
- ideal for use in diverse terrain ranging from meadows and rolling hills to more mountainous locations
There’s obviously overlap with all of these styles of cross-country skiing. For example, you could use traditional classic skis, and even skate skis under the right conditions, in untracked terrain.
Or, you could use backcountry xc skis on groomers, but you probably won’t be able to use them in the standard classic tracks. Off-track and backcountry cross-country skis are often too wide to fit in the (approximately 70mm wide) groomed classic tracks.
If you want to maximize your experience, however, it’s best to use the right ski for the right situation.
So, again, narrow down your focus and acquire cross-country ski gear that will accommodate your primary intended skiing experience.
Should You Buy New or Used Equipment?
This is usually the follow-up question once I’ve discussed with a person the pros and cons of the different types of skis and equipment available.
The decision to buy new or used equipment is the second biggest decision you’ll face when buying cross-country skis.
If you can get some free gear from your long-lost uncle or grandparents, give it a whirl. However, you’re probably not going to be nearly as happy as having equipment that properly fits your body size and skill level.
All of that said, I often recommend just buying a new setup, particularly if you’re a novice skier and first-time buyer of cross-country ski gear.
In other blogs about cross-country ski gear, I dive deeper into the four main components of a cross-country ski setup. 1) skis, 2) bindings, 3) boots, and 4) poles.
For now, however, just know that:
- the type of skis you choose should support the style of skiing you’ll be doing, and their size and length needs to be appropriate for your body weight (plus a few extra pounds for your clothing and gear).
- the type of bindings you choose should correspond to the size of ski you’ll be using and support the type of skiing you’ll be performing.
- your boots need to fit comfortably and be compatible with your bindings.
- the centimeter length of your classic ski poles should be about 83% of your height, and your skate ski poles should measure from the ground to a point somewhere between your chin and nose.
The reason I don’t advocate buying used gear as a beginner is because it’s difficult to evaluate the equipment without having much knowledge or experience to draw upon.
For example, who knows how much punishment those skis have taken? Who knows how many sets of bindings have been mounted and re-mounted on the skis during their lifespan? Or, is the length of cross-country ski even appropriate for you weight?
In the 2016/2017 season, a customer brought in a pair of used classic cross-country skis for me to evaluate. He inherited them from a friend and said he couldn’t seem to get them to work.
I assumed that either his skis weren’t appropriate for his weight or that his technique was lacking (or both).
By the way, I find that those are the two most common reasons for people not having much success with cross-country skiing in general (regardless of whether or not they’re running new or used gear). Fortunately, both of those factors can be remedied through the use of correct gear and taking some cross-country ski lessons!
The customer handed me his skis. I immediately discovered something amiss after touching the ski bases. The skis were an older “waxless” set that featured a basic-looking scale pattern (for the time). However, one of the skis didn’t have any scale pattern on it at all! A completely smooth base, like you’d find on a skate ski. The thing had to have been a factory defect, but neither he nor the previous owner even realized the anomaly.
Well, maybe his friend actually did know and was pulling his leg. Either way, the guy didn’t pay any money for them but they were ultimately unusable.
You don’t need to buy top-of-the-line skis if you’re new to the sport. In fact, I would discourage you from doing that just like I wouldn’t recommend buying a high-performance sports car for your teenager who just earned their driver’s license.
The risk for catastrophe (to you or the expensive skis) is too high. And high-end cross-country ski gear is relatively costly and requires you to be an exceptional skier in order to reap all of its benefits.
Take comfort that, in general, cross-country ski gear is very affordable compared to other winter sports.
Where Should You Buy Cross-Country Ski Gear?
Whenever possible, buy local. However, I totally understand that locating a shop near you that sells a variety of cross-country ski equipment can be difficult.
Alpenglow Sports in Tahoe City has a good selection, passionate staff, and is a very community-oriented store. And in Minnesota, where I grew up, you’ll find Gear West and Pioneer Midwest. I stop there whenever I go back to visit my parents because they have a huge selection and expert staff. They also have a major online presence. So, if you can’t make a trip to visit them, you can always order from them through their website. Of course, there are also other options such as REI, Backcountry.com, etc.
Many stores, whether they be a physical or online shop, will offer package deals that include all four components of a cross-country ski setup. This is a good way to go if you don’t have anything.
The drawback to ordering online, however, is that you can’t actually try on the boots.
Essentially you can purchase skis, bindings, and poles without having to test them out in any way. They’re based on your height and weight.
However, boots are something that you should actually try on, if at all possible, before buying. So even though I recommend doing this, I understand that it’s easier said than done.
Another note about buying used gear is …
If you buy everything separate, like on Craigslist or at a ski swap, you may wind up with incompatible gear. There have been so many different binding variations over the years that I could never even hope to keep up with all of them. But the bottom line is that most of those old bindings aren’t compatible with anything made in the past decade (or less). At first glance most bindings basically look the same. In fact, even the so-called pros mess it up from time to time (see story below).
So, the great deal you got on those skis may be irrelevant if you can’t find boots to go with the bindings (already mounted on those skis). Yes, you could mount new bindings to those old skis. However, you’re now beginning the descent into a deep and dark rabbit hole.
How much are you willing to spend on new bindings and the cost to mount them? And, can you even find someone locally who can mount them (if you ordered them online, for example)? What if the used skis are so old that you can no longer safely drill new binding holes (or reuse the old holes) in them?
Trust me on this.
Another story from the 2016/2017 season … a customer came in to have his classic cross-country skis waxed. He recently purchased the skis “used.”
Right after buying those skis he went to a cross-country ski shop near Lake Tahoe and bought a pair of combination boots (used for both classic and skate skiing) and some new bindings for his skis. The shop also mounted these for him.
His intention was to eventually buy a set of skate skis, too. He would then have one pair of boots that he could use for both sets of skis. Brilliant! I fully support this idea. However, the bindings he was sold weren’t compatible with the boots he bought. Talk about a raw deal!
He specifically bought the boots and the bindings at the same time in order to get a compatible system. Yet, the shop still screwed it up and he wasn’t knowledgeable enough to realize the mistake.
Another important note about this story is that the used skis that he purchased were old and massive in size. They were super long and excessively wide for use on groomed trails. Most likely the skis were designed to be used with a 3-pin binding system rather than a more contemporary light-duty NNN or SNS binding.
The newly mounted bindings were dwarfed by the skis. And it was obvious to me that the bindings would most likely break if placed under extreme pressure, such as during a harsh fall.
Please note that standard NNN and SNS bindings don’t come in different sizes. For cross-country skiing on groomed terrain (classic and skate), these lighter-duty bindings are all that you need, though.
Realistically, the gentleman should’ve mounted an NNN BC (backcountry) binding, which features a longer and stronger bar, on those big skis. The BC version could withstand the amount of force he’d place on the skis (while making more aggressive turns, for example).
But NNN BC is not compatible with any other boot/binding system (such as NNN). And it’s too big of a binding to put on a traditional classic or skate ski. So, the idea of having one set of boots to accommodate both styles of skiing is out the window (if he had gone with that more appropriately-sized NNN BC binding on the big skis).
Instead, he should’ve just bought a set of new classic track skis (designed for groomed terrain) with a standard binding such as NNN and a set of combi-boots. Then, down the road, he could’ve simply bought a set of skate skis with an NNN compatible binding.
This was his intention, of course. But because he bought that set of huge (and used) cross-country skis, he was stuck in a bind.
Long story, short… unless you know what’s what, just find a package deal that includes all cross-country ski components and supports your intended use.
Well, maybe one more quick horror story just because they can be so outrageous!
During the 2023/24 winter, a woman asked me about waxing her new (used from Ebay) cross-country skis. She brought them into the rental shop, and I took a look at them. But I struggled to figure out what I was even looking at. That’s because the person who owned them prior to her had completely sanded off the entire ski base. I mean, I was staring at the wooden core of the ski! It was completely nuts, and I have no idea why anyone would do that because it made them completely unusable. I felt bad for the woman because she had no idea, and I think it was hard for her to even comprehend what I was describing to her. Needless to say, I didn’t wax the skis!
Buy Sooner Rather Than Later
I just need to point out one last thing before I finish this first part of Buying Cross-Country Ski Gear.
Don’t wait for cross-country ski gear to go on sale or for an end-of-season sale to purchase.
The cross-country ski manufacturing industry is the same as the rest of the outdoor recreation industry. Store (retailers/resellers) orders are submitted months in advance, and manufacturers only make enough gear to fill those orders plus some additional surplus to cover re-orders.
But once the gear is gone for the season, it’s gone. Period.
Don’t be surprised if the package deals or gear you were eyeballing in October is gone by Christmas (sometimes by Thanksgiving!).
Keep in mind that if retailers had their way, they’d gladly sell out of nearly all their winter product by January 1st. The further they get into winter (past New Year’s Day) the less likely they’re going to unload that winter inventory. And, trust me, retailers don’t want to store leftover winter gear all spring, summer, and fall. And then have to sell that “old” product the following year.
I’m not saying to make a hasty purchase. Just know that if you wait too long (i.e. until December) you may not have much of a selection from which to choose.
That said, there’s nothing wrong with last year’s gear (assuming it’s still in a retailer’s inventory!). But the likelihood of finding great gear from last season is low. Mostly, the remaining product is a hodgepodge of unwanted stuff or oddball sizes.
But you don’t need every size or style. You just need what works for you. So you may get lucky!
Cross-Country Downhill #ad maybe slightly dated (published c. 1987), but it provides some wonderful philosophy about cross-country skiing off the beaten path.
There’s also a lot of technical information regarding learning the Telemark turn on lighter cross-country touring gear. Highly recommended for those of you looking to cross-country ski in the backcountry.
Keep in mind, however, that this book is written with a more advanced mountain adventurer in mind. Follow the Amazon link and you should be able to find a used copy.I’m not sure of the current price that these books are selling, but when I bought my copy years ago they were very affordable.
Cross-Country Skiing Explained Articles and Videos
Please note that I wrote and produced the Cross-Country Skiing Explained series of articles and videos with the beginner and intermediate cross-country skier in mind. This is the demographic for whom I most often serve(d) while working in the outdoor recreation industry at Lake Tahoe. I basically treat these articles and videos as extensions of the conversations that I have (had) with those customers.
That said, expert skiers probably could take away something of value from these resources. Just know that I don’t address race-oriented philosophy, technique, or gear selection.
Considerations for buying cross-country ski gear (new and beginner xc skiers)
- Intention, Types of XC Skis, and Whether to Buy New or Used (Part 1)
- How Much Gear to Acquire, Evaluate Your Commitment, Value of Taking XC Ski Lessons (Part 2)
- Can One Set of Classic Cross-Country Skis Work for Groomed and Off-Track XC Skiing? (Part 3)
- Can I Use One Set of XC Ski Boots for All of My Cross-Country Skiing Needs? (Part 4)
- Overview of Off-Track and Backcountry Cross-Country Ski Gear
- Invest in Technique More than Gear
Classic Cross-Country Ski Components
- Introduction to Classic Cross-Country Skis (Part 1)
- Geometry of Classic Cross-Country Skis (Part 2)
- The Grip Zone of Classic Cross-Country Skis (Part 3)
- Types of Bindings for Classic Cross-Country Skiing (Part 4)
- Ski Boots for Classic Cross-Country Skiing (Part 5)
- Classic Cross-Country Ski Poles (Part 6)
- FAQs about Classic Cross-Country Skiing
Waxing Your “Waxless” Cross-Country Skis (for beginner and intermediate xc skiers)
- Introduction to Waxing Your Waxless XC Skis
- Step-by-Step Waxing Tutorial
- FAQs About Waxing Your Waxless XC Skis
Cross-Country Skiing Techniques, Demonstrations, and Related Concepts
- Outdoor VLOG (emphasis on the cross-country skiing experience)
- Cross-Country Skiing in Challenging Conditions
- Considerations for Winter Adventure in Lake Tahoe’s Backcountry
- Using the Side-Step and Herringbone Techniques in the Backcountry
- 10 Tips for Spring Cross-Country Skiing in the Backcountry
- 5 Reasons to Love Spring Cross-Country Skiing
- Considerations for Cross-Country Skiing During the Fall and Early Winter
- Discussing the Goal of Becoming a Better Cross-Country Skier and Embracing Backcountry and Groomed Terrain in Pursuit of that Goal
- The Cross-Country Skiing Experience: Immersing Yourself in Winter
Hi Jared,
I live in SLT and would like to learn to cross country ski. It looks like the closest spot with lessons would be either Kirkwood or Tahoe City; do you recommend one over the other for learning? Looks like Tahoe Donner has a pretty robust program but it’s quite the drive from here.
I’d also like a local shop recommendation if you have one; and advice on equipment. I live in Gardner Mtn and so I would like to mainly ski where I already snowshoe: in the burn area near the high school, over to Fallen Leaf, or from the Sno Park at Taylor Creek. From reading your (Awesome) articles it seems like NNN BC bindings and boots would be the thing and I know the ski will be dependent on my weight so I guess my main question is what width ski to start out with for this terrain but all advice is welcome.
Hey Kim!
Sounds like you live pretty close. I’m off of North Upper Truckee near Washoe Meadows State Park 🙂
Anyway, NNN BC is a great platform for what you’re looking to do. I have a handful of off-track/backcountry xc skis with NNN BC boots/bindings and they work great for most flat and rolling terrain. Maybe not as effective in the steepest stuff, but for the most part I use them all season long. All of that said, maybe check out some of my YouTube videos, as well. This one (https://youtu.be/slVsNllbwqY ) is me describing the various backcountry xc skis that I use. In the video, I do talk about the different widths of xc skis I use off-trail. In a nutshell, though, you would probably have good success with a set of backcountry xc skis that’s between 75-90mm wide. Probably out of all of my backcountry xc skis, I run my Fischer Excursion 88mm the most, at least during normal winters where the snow has a chance to set between storms.
As far as lessons go, I worked at Tahoe Donner Cross Country for the past 10 years teaching and in rentals. But I decided against going back up there this winter due to the long commute (I would stay with friends over the weekend when I worked), and because I’ll be working full-time at Kirkwood XC this season (much closer to home). Long story short, I’ll be at Kirkwood if you ever want to take any lessons from me 🙂 I’m also planning on running some weekly clinics this season, too. So there would be one in January, February, and March. I haven’t come up with a schedule yet or the specific clinics I’ll be running, but most likely I’ll be doing beginner and intermediate oriented clinics, as well as classic and skate ski clinics. I would also like to try to offer an off-trail/backcountry one, too. So there should be some options for you if you’re really interested in learning.
And, over time, I would recommend taking lessons from other people, as well as xc skiing at other local resorts such as Tahoe City and Tahoe Donner. There’s lots of great xc skiing all around the lake.
Okay, that’s enough for now 🙂 Check out my YouTube channel in addition to reading through more of the xc ski-related articles here. I have tons of stuff to get you motivated for the winter! And you’ll probably recognize a lot of the locations at which I xc ski 🙂
Thanks for reaching out. Let me know whatever questions you may have!
I’ll watch the video, thank you for the link. I have watched some of the videos and I definitely recognize some of your locations 🙂 I’ll start off with a lesson at Kirkwood and go from there. Maybe I’ll see you there.
Awesome! Thanks so much for watching/reading. I appreciate the support 🙂
We’re anticipating a “soft” opening at Kirkwood XC on December 6th, meaning we’ll probably have limited terrain available. But it’s looking like my weekly schedule will be Fri, Sat, Sun, and Monday. I’m hoping that we’ll start our monthly (4 classes per month) clinics in January, after we make it through the holidays and (hopefully) have consistent snow everywhere.
Keep in touch!
Jared
Deciding on cross-country ski gear can indeed be overwhelming, but your article provides a practical approach to simplify the process. I appreciate your emphasis on choosing gear based on individual preferences and intentions for skiing. By the way, have you explored Flylow Gear? They offer quality equipment, and I stumbled upon some great discounts at EMUCoupon. Your advice on considering whether one will be skiing at groomed resorts or off the beaten path is invaluable. What’s your favorite cross-country skiing experience, and how did the right gear enhance it?
Hey Hannah,
Thanks for taking a look at my site and offering nice feedback. I appreciate it 🙂 Buying cross-country ski gear can definitely be daunting for a person just getting into the sport, so it’s import to have a relatively clear goal for what you want out of the winter experience. Those goals will evolve over time, but having a starting point should make for a more refined gear selection process.
Anyway, thanks again for visiting Tahoe Trail Guide 🙂 Let me know if you have any specific questions about xc ski gear.
Enjoyed your video on buying cross country skis. I am considering trying to start, I am a avid runner and would like this option for exercise when the weather permits. I dont live near any areas that are groomed for cross country only down hill skiing so my interest lie solely on back country, powder snow. Usually depths around 5 inches. So my question should I go with the widest or next to. Please advise what you think and can you recommend one in general that is a pretty good ski?
Hey Bobby,
Thanks so much for the kind words and question 🙂
I’ve been finding that the general consensus for people who want an all-around off-track/backcountry cross-country ski is to stick with something between 75-90mm wide (tip width). Too wide of an xc ski, like my Fischer S-Bound 112s are not super versatile when it comes to firm snow conditions. Watch one of my recent xc ski vlogs where I briefly discuss this (http://youtu.be/5YxucKoklzE). And, too narrow of a ski, like my Fischer Spider 62s just don’t do much in snow depths of a few inches or more (as I mentioned in the video that you’re referring to).
The Fischer Traverse 78mm and Excursion 88mm backcountry cross-country skis are good options for what you’re looking to do. And, of course, other major cross-country ski manufacturers (Rossignol, Salomon, Madshus, for example) offer a similar range as Fischer when it comes off-track skis. Again, I’d stick with something between that 75-90mm width range for what you’re looking to do.
Hope that helps! Let me know if you have other questions 🙂
Hi! Your article is super helpful! I recently purchased a purchased a pair of used cross country skis for $5 from a reuse center and I’m trying to decide if they’re worth keeping or if I’m better off buying something more current. They have 3 pronged bindings and I’m not sure how difficult it will be to find boots to match them or if changing the bindings is an option. I think the height is okay, but they are waxless and I’m not sure if that’s a good thing. I have some experience cross country skiing but I’ve never owned my own. I’d love any tips and recommendations if you have any. Thanks!
Hey Kelly,
Thanks for the kind words and question! Glad you found my article helpful 🙂
As far as making use of those used skis with the 3-pin binding, if you can find inexpensive boots for them you may be fine with that setup. You can definitely find 3-pin xc ski boots on the market, but in all reality most casual xc skiers just use the more contemporary NNN binding system (that uses a single pin to connect you to the ski). Read this article for more info on binding systems (https://tahoetrailguide.com/cross-country-skiing-explained-part-4-classic-cross-country-ski-bindings/). And I honestly wouldn’t bother trying to put new bindings on that old ski. Who knows how old the skis are and what kind of damage they may or may not have incurred. Or, whether or not they’re even the right length for you (based on your body weight). But, if you can find some inexpensive boots for them they could serve as your “rock” skis.
All of that said, I highly recommend investing a few hundred dollars in a new set (boots, bindings, skis, and poles). I believe you’ll be much happier with new gear. And there are so many options for beginner/intermediate xc skiers. The boots, in particular, are so comfortable and insulated nowadays that they can sometimes be worth the price of admission alone.
When you buy, do so based on what type of skiing you’ll primarily be doing just so get the most effective use out of them (like I mention in the article). To make the best possible decision if you do decide to buy new, go through some of my other articles just to give you a little more background on classic cross-country ski gear, as well as checking out my YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/jaredmanninen) where I have a bunch of related xc skiing videos.
Other than that, good luck in your decision and I’m glad you’re interested in cross-country skiing 🙂 It’s a super fun sport, art, and mode of travel! Let me know if you have any other specific questions.
Tahoe Trail Guide,
Hoping you are still on this site. So much information!
My wife and I live Chicago and are excited to start cross country skiing.
We are both 60 and want to pick up a new sport we can continue for a very long time.
So many questions. Hoping you receive and reply to this before I write too much!
Daniel and Branka
Hey Daniel and Branka,
Thanks so much for the kind words, and for reaching out 🙂
Yep, I’m always around. It usually takes me a day or so to respond, but I’d be more than happy to help out in any way that I can. I totally love cross-country skiing, so I enjoy sharing what I know.
I will say, however, before asking every possible question that you may have, read some of the articles I’ve already written in the Cross-Country Skiing Explained category (https://tahoetrailguide.com/tag/cross-country-skiing-explained/). And then check out some my YouTube channel (and subscribe if you don’t mind :)) as I also offer more information there (http://www.youtube.com/jaredmanninen). I plan to do more actual how-to-ski type videos this winter. It just takes me awhile to produce stuff because I still work at a job and always have a ton of projects going on. But, like I said, I’m always around.
Take care, and I look forward to hearing from you guys again!
I’m new to the area and have really enjoyed your posts and recommendations about hiking and local adventures this summer. Where is a good place to find a beginner’s cross-country ski clinic? Do you happen to lead sessions for small groups? Thanks much!
Hey Melodie,
Thanks so much for the kind words, I really appreciate it 🙂 I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed the site! I haven’t been publishing a lot of new stuff this past year. Mostly I’ve been cleaning up and editing my existing content. I’ve also been putting a lot of effort into my YouTube channel. I try to use them in concert with one another. So, basically it’s been a long learning process.
As far as beginner xc ski clinics go, I always recommend Tahoe Donner Cross Country (Truckee, CA). But, full disclosure, I work there 😉 I normally teach group lessons on Sundays at the resort. That said, I’m not sure what this season at TDXC is going to look like. We’re definitely going to be open, but due to Covid 19 we’ll be modifying our services to one degree or another.
Not sure where you’re at in Tahoe, but I live on the South Shore. I haven’t done any teaching or guiding on my own near home since I don’t have a guiding permit (for use on public lands). That’s one reason why I just try to encourage people to take lessons from me through Tahoe Donner Cross Country (on the north shore). It just keeps everything official that way.
Anyway, keep in touch and let me know if you have any other questions. Perhaps one day we’ll see each other on the trails!