The Swiss Jura is a paradise for cross country skiing and I'd be happy for others to join me. Any level, beginners fine. Favourite haunts include Les Cernets, La Brévine, les Rasses.

Who is up for it ans which week day is best for you?

I am. Monday or Thursday best for me.

I am too. Mondays and thursdays generally work for me as well.

Great - Thursday used to be good but now my Tai-chi course has changed from Monday to Thursday. So Monday would be great.
Shall me make a start next Monday at La Brévine where the equipment can be hired cheaply. Rendez vous in front of La Siberia cross country ski shop at 11.45 (this way you'd get half day rate normally from 2pm- but agreed with owner).

See www.siberiasports.ch

Any more?

Have you seen this : Nordic/crosscountry ski evenings in NE ?

What about Thu tomorrow 7pm? Shall I be the driver?

Sorry x-bow, can't do tomorrow evening. Have fun but wrap up warm La Brevine at night is COOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLDDDDDDDDD.
A few years back they got down to -41.7!

Are you an expert? Classic or skating?

I'd really like to try this, total beginner but have been promising myself to learn. Would that be ok?

Yes of course - could you make a Monday and get to La Brevine. Otherwise perhaps wait until we arrange an outing to Les Rasses (ST Croix above Yverdon) in a couple of weeks.

Just phoned M. Schneider at Siberia Sports. He has confirmed that he will do the half day rate from 11.45 instead of 14.00 (shop is closed between 12.00 and 14.00). Fabulous value at 15CHF for half day (skis, boots and sticks)- or 25CHF for whole day. (Make sure you book ahead if going a week-ends, with your size (height), level, shoe size).

If you are coming next Monday, please tell me if you need equipment hire or not and with above details if you do.

If you ever have an outing on a weekday evening (or weekend), please let me know! I've been out a couple of times but am still very much a beginner. I really enjoyed it though and am eager to learn.

I would be coming down by train from Basel, but I can leave work little early and I don't mind getting back late.

Will organise some week-ends when I've got my ski legs back. Never cross country skiied until last year, but an experienced downhiller and snowboarder (with a bad leg and many kg to lose). Hopefully someone will be able to pick you up from Neuchatel train station + return.

Hi Oldie, the cross country ski-ing looks fun but hard work!! My friend took me up the Jura at the weekend, I believe to Les Rasses or very near .. which is where I took this photo. I hope one day to have the courage to join you, have fun

I'd love to give it a go! This Monday is no good (I freelance, but there's a work meeting scheduled that day I can't get out of). I'd certainly try and make it another time. Is Siberia Sports by the train station?

Great idea Odile!

Can't make it on weekdays but I'll join for a weekend event.

Is an instructor necessary for a beginner? I've watched x-country skiing on the TV and it doesn't look too difficult.

Yep -that photo looks like the Les Cluds to Les Rasses run- with one of the best views of the Alps possible.

There are 2 styles for cross country - the really hard looking stuff called skating style which has to be done at full pelt all the time (wow those people have tight and perky bums in their lycra!)- which is done in the middle wide part of the piste. Then there is the 'classic' style, done in the track on either side (see San photo) - which can be done by anybody at their own pace, and very easy to learn providing the pistes used are mainly on the flat with no sharp inclines. This is what I am proposing, lol. Great exercise though, in in beautiful settings, good for the soul as well as the body. Won't see me in Lycra I can tell you. I've taken many beginners out, with varying degrees of talent and fitness- wonderful.

WTE Basel - there is no station in La Brevine. But hopefully one of us could pick you up at Neuchatel or Fleurier station. Quite happy to organise B&B for overnight stay at minimal cost just to cover expenses.

No worry - tomorrow I'm going to Savagnieres.

No, a bit experienced but rather not an expert.

I like more skating but I do more classic - hope I'll change it soon.


I would add that there is also so called 'back country' - an off-road (off-piste?) variant of classic style where skis are wider, sometimes waisted and with metal edges, bindings and shoes (boots) are heavier.

I had no idea when we bought our x country skis that it is almost impossible to skate with classical skis. When we get better at classical, will rent some skating skis to try.

Skating with classical skis is possible, not very efficient (for sure) but possible
Odile, if you have some experience with downhill skiing, don't care about you classical style, just rent skating equipment and you will enjoy skating after 20-30 minutes of learning. The problem begins after - skating means running and if you are not used to spend some energy this way, you will be quickly exhausted.

Learnt to downhill ski when I was about 3 - and skied all my life (eg nearly 60 years, lol). But I have a bad knee due to a severe car crash, and skating with classic skis is very hard work! I also find going downhill on cross country skis really scary, as I am used to parralel ski on normal skis with boots and skis tightly working together! So I chose terrain carefully on my cross country tours

Warning - white out, snowing and very poor visibility up in Jura moutains, 17hoo today.