 Winters can seem long in Wyoming, but they go by much faster if you get out and enjoy all the beauty that winter brings. Cross Country Skiing is one of several great ways to do just that. Cross Country Skiing is enjoyed for recreation and exercise now, but used to be essential for survival. Trappers and hunters would strap on cross country seas to keep them from breaking through deep snow while they checked traps and tracked wildlife. Cross Country Skies played another important role in history. In 1890, locals proved that Teton Pass would work as a mail route by carrying mail on skis for a season. Cross Country Skiing, also referred to as Nordic Skiing, is characterized by tennis shoe-like boots, free heels, and skinny skis with a curved tip. This non-rotorized experience allows the skier to slide quietly over the snow while viewing the snow-covered plants, frozen streams, and adventurous wildlife. Several communities throughout Wyoming groom cross country ski trails. Or you can try backcountry skiing with wider edge skis. But don't forget to throw in your avalanche beacon for safety. So add cross country skiing to your repertoire of winter activities to keep you active, enjoy the sunshine, and the magical winter landscape of Wyoming. From the University of Wyoming Extension, I'm Mae Smith, Exploring the Nature of Wyoming.