European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 26, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Ski Europe 94 i hiking x n skis Cross country is Good Way to see scenery not just work up a sweat by Theresa Bujnoch this Story is written by a Novice Cross country skier. I mention this right away because each time the subject of Cross country or nordic skiing comes up someone says of i hear that s Gret  it certainly can be but if i wanted exercise i would buy a nordic track. Equating Cross country skiing with a workout undermines the Appeal of this sport. And that s what is is a sport. But it seems people forget. The manager of an outdoor recreation Center explained to me Why there is rarely a shortage of Cross country ski equipment for rent. People Don t want to go on vacation to work he said. At a beginner s Pace it s no More work than walking up a gradual incline. That s nothing compared to the workout downhill beginners receive each time they fall and have to get Back up. So As you continue to read Don t picture the Lycra Clad machines of muscle you watched competing in Norway last february. Instead imagine sliding comfortably through snowy Woods. This is a sport for those of us who like to take our time and enjoy the scenery. Picture hiking on skis. I took up Cross country skiing for Many reasons. Mostly i like its simplicity. Unlike downhill you Don t require lesson to set off on a groomed Trail one with machine made ski tracks already in the Snow you also Don t have to conquer any fears about Heights or breaking your leg. Mastering a few Basic ski Maneu vers like Snow blowing helps a lot. Which is Why Cross country skiing will Likely come a Little easier for those who already know How to downhill. Indeed some downhill skiers Welcome the variety. My husband Learned to ski in the Rockies when he was 6 years old. He prefers Cross country now for Many reasons some personal and some practical. Ski resorts attract too Many Showoff in expensive clothes and Day Glo gear and have too Many Long lift lines that turn into competitions of who has the sharpest elbows. And we Haven t even begun to talk expenses. A three Day lift pass alone can set you Back As much As an instructor helps a group of Cross country beginners take their first Steps. File $100 in Europe and finally Cross country is easier on the Knees. But if your spouse partner or child is addicted to the Speed and thrills that Only skiing Down Steep mountains bring you can Compromise. Many Winter resorts in Europe whose names Are synonymous with downhill skiing also offer Cross country trails such As St Moritz Switzerland and Brunicon Italy. Perhaps the Premier Cross country skiing area in Europe is Seefeld Austria just on the other Side of the Border from Germany. In 1964 and 1976, the olympic nordic events took place in this quaint Village which is a Short drive from the renowned slopes around Innsbruck. In Seefeld trails run from six Miles to 18 Miles and they Are marked with Black red and Blue markers which rate the trails from hardest to easiest. Beginners May be intimidated by the skill of skiers Here. Remember those Lycra body suits you see a lot of them Here on children racing with numbers on their backs and on Gray haired Ronen built nothing like my Grandfather. But the facilities and the qualities of the trails Are first class and accommodations Are reasonable. Check at the tourist office 43 05212-2313, for a list of Privat Zimmer or private rooms Start out on a less challenging course. There Are some that take you to nearby villages. And be sure to have your camera ready when dusk Falls and the Mist settles around  s Church. It s a Nice time for a warm drink in a heated outdoor bar or a ride on a tyrolean Wagon pulled by Large fuzzy Haflinger Mountain horses. In Germany two places Worth noting Are the Allau Region in the bavarian Alps and the Black Forest Schwarzwald the alga a a picturesque Valley South of Ulm and Kempten is a Good downhill resort but the emphasis is on Cross country skiing the network  about 125 Miles incorporate trails branching out from the nearby towns of Ober Taufen and Immen Stadt. The Black Forest the Large Region stretching from Karlsruhe to the Swiss Border is said to be Germany s Best known Cross country Haven. There Are about 600 Miles of trails in the Region nearly 75 of them around the Feldberg the highest Mountain around at just under 5,000 feet. The mountains of the Black Forest Lack the steepness of the Alps and trails Here quickly ascend above the Timber line to rewarding expansive views. On a Clear Day the craggy peaks of Switzerland Are. Visible. Keep in mind that because of the Low elevations Cross country Here is Best Between Christmas and Early March the Best source of general information about the Black Foyest is the tourist office in Freiburg 49 0761-216. But you Don t have to go to a resort to Cross country ski. That s part of the Beauty of this sport. All you need is an Arga which 24 october 26, 1994