Those Grooves Aren’t Decorative: A Beginner’s Guide to Ski Trail Etiquette
Last week, Bob and I learned a humbling truth about cross-country skiing: there’s more to it than strapping on skinny skis and heading out. There’s technique, balance, patience—and, as it turns out, etiquette.
We’re new to Nordic skiing. The kind of new where you don’t yet know what you don’t know. Wanting to do things right (and not annoy people who actually know what they’re doing), we watched a couple of helpful YouTube videos before heading out again. They cleared up a lot—including a few things we had definitely been doing wrong.
Today’s ski was at Sunrise Campground. The Bear Lake Summit parking lot was basically an ice rink, the snow was slick and sugary, and yes—we fell. But fewer times than last week, which we’re counting as progress. We also learned how to get up without help, without breaking a hip, and without completely wrecking the trail. All those things matter.
Here’s the short version of what we learned, from one beginner to another.
Those grooves aren’t decorative. The classic tracks—the two tidy grooves set into the snow—are carefully groomed. Walking in them, standing in them, or stopping to chat flattens and breaks them down. Even a few careless steps can make skiing harder for everyone behind you.
Skate lanes need space too. The smooth, corduroy-like section next to the tracks is for skate skiing. Walking across it or letting kids play there creates ruts that freeze into ankle-twisting surprises. If you need to cross, do it quickly and step lightly.
If you fall (you will), fix what you can. When you go down and leave a divot, take a moment to smooth it out with your ski or pole before moving on. It’s a small courtesy that keeps the trail safer—and more enjoyable—for the next skier, possibly one moving faster than you.
Snowshoers and walkers: close counts. If you’re not on skis, the best move is to stay off groomed tracks and use the edges or designated routes. Everyone deserves to be out there. A little awareness keeps multi-use areas working for everyone.
As for snowmobiles on groomed ski trails: the signs are clear. The mystery is not.
We shared the trail today with some USU students who were easily half our age. Reassuringly, they were a little unsteady too. Everyone starts somewhere. Etiquette isn’t about being elite—it’s about not making the experience worse for others while you learn.
We’re still beginners but one thing feels clear: we’re lucky. Groomed winter trails don’t happen by accident. They’re the result of time, effort, and people who care deeply about outdoor access around here. Doing our part to take care of the trails helps keep this place awesome for winter adventurers of all ages and levels.
Footnote:
This short video from REI was especially helpful for us—covering basic Nordic skiing technique, trail awareness, and how to get up after a fall without destroying the trail. Worth a watch if you’re new like we are.
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