Cross-country skiing is gaining popularity. It’s a completely different sport from alpine skiing, in technique, equipment and ski area. It is often considered less dangerous than alpine skiing. It’s cheaper (a day pass for cross-country pistes costs around 20% of the price of a pass for ski lifts in an alpine ski resort), and you’ll also feel that you’ve had more of a workout than with alpine skiing. The areas you’ll ski tend to be more deserted, so if you like the wilderness, you’ll probably enjoy cross-country skiing.