On the cover: At the 2019 New England Nordic Skiing Eastern Cup Opener, Stratton Mountain School's Fin Bailey rockets through the trees along Waterville, Maine's Quarry Road Trails. [Photo] Steve Fuller

FEATURES

MEASURES OF SUCCESS
Over the course of a week of racing at the 2020 FIS Junior/U23 World Ski Championships, the U.S. contingency earned four medals, nabbed 27 top-30 finishes in individual start races and placed athletes in the top 10 in 10 of the 15 scheduled races. To learn how a breakout year has raised the bar for American success on an international level, Erika Flowers Newell speaks to the athletes who found so much success in Oberwiesenthal, Germany.

2021 GEAR GUIDE
Like many springtime events, Cross Country Skier's 2021 Gear Test fell victim to cancellations caused by the coronavirus pandemic. But cross country skiing proved its resiliency last March and April, as our crew of 20 testers skied in small groups and solo out the backdoor, on closed, snow-packed roads and at the few Vermont Nordic centers that remained opened. Their resulting feedback has become the 43 reviews of skis, boots, poles and apparel that make up this Gear Guide.

DEPARTMENT CONTENTS

Mass Start

EDITOR'S NOTE
The best and worst of times.

WAX BOX

GALLERY

AN ODE TO NIGHT SKIING
Night time is the right time.

Nordic Nation

THE SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
The March 17, 2020, Minneapolis World Cup would have been the first cross country World Cup held on U.S. snow in 19 years. In spite of its last-minute cancellation, the event was a resounding success.

BEHIND THE DAVIS U.S. SKI TEAM
Charitable foundation steps up to support Olympic dreams.

Destination

SUN VALLEY, IDAHO
It's a common cliché that mountain-town residents come for the winters but stay for the summers. But in the shadow of Sun Valley Resort, many come for the alpine skiing but stay for the Nordic.

The Final Stretch

BACK SHOP
How to improve balance and strength with preseason stability training.

PERSPECTIVE
Rosie Frankowski gives back.

SENIOR MOMENT
A couple words of advice.

PHOTO FINISH
Air time