Going Cross-Country
You want to gift a cross-country skier something for Christmas, but have no idea what to get! First, try to learn about the sport. According to Wikipedia "Cross-country skiing is a form of skiing where skiers rely on their own locomotion to move across snow-covered terrain, rather than using ski lifts or other forms of assistance."
Is this individual a long time skier or just starting? If we're dealing with an adult who has been skiing for a while, he (or she) will most probably already have a good set of skis, poles and boots that work for them. You can easily spend up to $500 on a variety of ski paraphernalia, but there are more modest gifts you can choose.
A new set of gloves, headbands, and socks are just a few gifts you can combine in a gift box along with some other "warming" items such as a hand warmer and a thermos bottle.
There is always a gift card to a well-known ski store or resort. This will give them the opportunity to choose a ski gift of their liking.
Cross-country skiing is so different from downhill — it allows the skier to travel long distances, therefore many of the gifts for hikers could also be given to a cross-country skier.
Of course, if he or she is a beginner, a book or two on cross-country skiing or a subscription to one of the many magazines on cross-country skiing would be appreciated.
Finally, you can gift them some lessons at one of the many cross-country ski resorts in their local area.
Here are some other gifts.
These professional microfiber cross-country gloves by Barnett provide great comfort through a fleece lining on the back of the hand. (They tend to run small.) amazon.com
A perfect solution in cold weather, this portablerechargeable hand warmer keeps hands toasty all day long. Made by Osunlin, it has an co-friendly lithium-ion battery, safety protection technology, and will also charge your electronic equipment. amazon.com
The perfect ski lover shirt for men! A mogul, aerial, halfpipe, slopestyle, downhill, slalom, or cross country skier will love it! Tell the people how it really is! etsy.com
This high-impact black acrylic license plate frame is made in the USA. It's non-rusting, dent-proof, light weight, and works with states or provinces using 12" x 6" plates regardless of sticker placement. etsy.com
This street sign makes the perfect gift for any cross-country skiing fan looking for a cool decor piece! Made of premium aluminum it will stand the test of time. This sign will look great in any room, home den, cave, or office. etsy.com
Hand cast in solid, lead-free fine pewter, the cross country skier pin measures 1 and 5/16" x 1 and 1/16". Each piece is an original three dimensional sculpture signed by the artist, Jim Clift. etsy.com
This is a Paperback by Martin Volken and includes trip planning, navigation, fitness, and avalanche safety information. Canada: amazon.ca and US: amazon.com
This is a well known magazine and is the journal of Nordic skiing. Gift a cross-country skier a magazine subscription. crosscountryskier.com
By D Revelins
Photo Credits: See Acknowledgements