It’s even hard for me to believe but it’s true: Until last week, despite a lifetime of ski dedication, I’d never cross-country skied.

It wasn’t about proximity: My family ski house was set on a peak that looked down upon the revered Jackson XC (https://www.jacksonxc.org/), a spot that’s been celebrating and bettering the cross country world for 50 years. At night, when the lights of that famed spot twinkled below us, we called it Whoville.

I drove by it nearly every day. And in my many trips to ski spots all over the world, Nordic was always close by. But I was thirsty for alpine, aways alpine, and so it never came to be.

But here I am, close to the point when my husband and I begin to spend our entire winters up north. I realized long ago that while my main goal is to alpine ski well into my 80s (fingers crossed and fitness plan in place!). I’d need to embrace some other parts of northern living once there. Snowshoeing I had down. Now, it was time for me to finally do more than gaze at the beautiful fields – I had to learn to cross-country ski.

How hard could it be? My first day of cross country was indeed a challenge; it took me quite a while to adapt to the different stance and get the feel for the very different gear that cross-country skiing requires.

But I also found this: All the basic rules of learning  alpine ski apply to learning cross country. And while folks tend to think: “how hard can it be, strap on borrowed gear and head out to figure it out,” I found that like learning Alpine, a solid start with the right gear, a quality pro and some patience are the recipe for success.

First up, I had to ask a simple question: How does one dress for this kind of skiing? Jackson XC gave me guidance ahead of time – and I’m glad I admitted to not knowing. I dressed lighter than alpine and in layers. It’s important to feel comfortable out there.

I chose Jackson XC as my first spot for somewhat sentimental reasons. Jackson is where my ski heart beats strongest, and starting this new avenue there just felt right. But there was another reason: Their reputation. I knew Jackson XC  takes the sport seriously, hires top-tier instructors and takes immaculate care of their trails. They teach an average of 700 first-timer lessons each season; they’d know how to guide me best.

First up: rentals. It was a snap. The boots are soft and easy to fit (unlike alpine ski boot rentals which can be a challenge to get just right). The skis need no adjusting; you just give the rental shop your weight and height and they grab the length that’s right for you. Easy peasy and it only took a moment.

My husband was along with me for our shared first-timer lesson. I warned our instructor Marianne Lucy, a lifetime enthusiast of the sport, that we’d probably advance at different levels. She assured me she could handle it – and she did.

Sean picked it up in a snap (he’s a big skinner and had experience with the feel of gliding with your heel free). Me? I was immediately humbled. It took me a lot of time to get the feel, understand the dynamics and most of all, gain my confidence.

Marianne didn’t just show me how to glide; she discussed the physics of the sport, showing me the patterned bottom of the classic skis I was using and helping me understand not just why they are built the way they are, but how to use that in my skiing.

There are two types of cross-country skiing styles – classic and skate. Jackson XC advises newbies to take a classic lesson first; it gives you the basics you need to build from.

I hung in the cut tracks getting the feel for this new kind of glide. It took me some time, and for that I’m glad. Because out there that morning, chugging along and learning the basics, I soaked in the cross country ski society.

Because there was limited terrain, everyone was in the same general locale this day. There was a group of women about my age gliding along and chatting. I could tell they meet up regularly and I bet they play pickleball. There were the super jock types out there getting a workout. They’d soar by, but never in a way that surprised or scared me. I could tell they care about the rules of the road, so to speak.

“I’m so sorry I’m slow!” I yelled out to one as he passed me. “Are you kidding?” He yelled over his shoulder as he soared by, “I love seeing first-timers! Welcome!”

A group kid’s lesson was going on, with parents and coaches helping them learn to take bigger hills. Everyone looked happy.

“I think I’m going to like this,” I thought as I felt my gliding improve. Community matters in ski life.

We stuck around after our one-hour lesson; Sean soaring around the 1k loop, me working on taking small hills and gaining more confidence.

I’ll need more lessons, but that’s OK. There was something amazing about being off my center of confidence on snow that day. It reminded me of how strong I am as an alpine skier, but also of how amazing, interesting and important it is to learn snow sports the right way.

I’m no one and done here. I’ve mastered the attire. I’ll be out there – instructor by my side – mastering the rest.