Available now is Cross Country Skier’s 2019 Photo Annual—the industry’s leading collection of Nordic skiing images and photographer profiles. Plus, in this issue, Leath Tonino shares his ski-inspired poetry, written over the course of 20 consecutive Sundays, below Crested Butte’s Paradise Divide. Cross Country Skier’s own Danny Kuzio travels to the heart of Cowboy Country, Jackson, Wyoming, to profile the Teton region’s XC scene. Included are his tips on where to ski, stay and visit. Frequent contributor Hansi Johnson shares the story behind Duluth XC’s new home and trails, highlighting the terrain and the community that made it possible.

FEATURES

2019 PHOTO ANNUAL
There's a storied history of Photo Annuals in the alpine skiing world. Less so in cross country. So, when the new owners (and publishers of Backcountry Magazine) took the pen at Cross Country Skier, they reached out to a long list of professional shooters from around the world. Several of the best are profiled here. And their images, well, they speak for themselves.

PARADISE DIVIDE
Leath Tonino moved to Crested Butte, Colorado, not for the landscapes or the nearby ski resort, but for the beer. Kidding. He moved there for the skiing and the beauty. Armed with a few brews and his Nordic skis, he labored from town every Sunday for an entire winter to wax poetic for you.

BEHIND THE LENS IN PYEONGCHANG
Photographer Cody Downard was at the finish line, firing away, as Jessie Diggins went beyond the red zone to secure America's first-ever Nordic Olympic gold medal in the team sprint event. But there was much else to see and shoot in PyeongChang last February. Downard had a behind the scenes and behind the lens view of it all.

DEPARTMENT CONTENTS

Mass Start

CONTRIBUTORS
Nordorks and skinny skiers

WAX BOX
Letters, props, Olympics and updates

EDITOR'S NOTE
Fun and games

ESSAY
Alone in Norway, together with skiers

Nordic Nation

MOUNTAINS FROM MOLEHILLS
New York Times raises the ire of one zealot

TO THE DOGS
Our annual take on skijoring from one who knows

NEW PROSPECTS
Skiers come together to save a Southern Vermont ski area

XC RACING, BY THE NUMBERS
Can a moneyball approach by Team USA bring its athletes to new heights?

DOWN BY THE RIVER
Duluth, Minnesota looks to become the new epicenter of Nordic

Overland

CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE
Long known for its alpine and backcountry skiing, Jackson, Wyoming, is still home to some of the best cross country skiing on the planet

The Final Stretch

BACK SHOP: NUTRITION
Keeping your training fire fueled

GEAR BAG
Make the most of your days on the snow

LOCAL HERO
The life of complete skier Dan Simoneau

SENIOR MOMENT
Conjugal cross country

PHOTO FINISH
Sticky business