Hi Ben,

Great to hear you will take up the challenge and enjoy the wonderful conditions we currently have.  I was skiing up at Marchairuz in the Jura yesterday and it was fantastic.

There is one place in Lausanne to hire equipment:

http://www.aubertsport.ch/location/location.php?cat=loc&what=fon

Otherwise in Bremblens there is

http://www.francois-sports.ch/shops/winter-shop/materiel/

A really nice place for xc skiing is Les Mosses (up from Aigle) and they have a hire shop in the town that has some good equipment. Its about an hour drive. Bit longer if you take the train and bus.

Towards Geneva in the Jura is La Givrine (just up from St Cergue) and skis can be hired in St Cergue.  There is a little shop at La Givrine, but the shop does not have a huge range of sizes. You can catch the train to Nyon and then the little mountain train up the hill.

Near Geneva on the French side is La Vattay and this a great place to ski, but takes a little longer from Lausanne.

Start with the blue loops as they are reletively flat and know how to fall over and snow plough before trying any long downhills.Its also best to have a lesson - there are a few tips that will get you going without getting too frustrated when starting out. Fitness does help a lot, but some technique does help.

You can normally get away with winter running clothing to start with, not heavy ski jackets/pants, as you will overheat.  Layering is the best, with a windproof outer layer, good thermals and a layer or 2 inbetween. Gloves are needed, not bulky but still warm, and a hat. I normally wear a neck buff if its cold and sun cream is very important when the sun comes out. 

Just let me know if you want anymore info. 

Have fun.

Thank you Zimmo! 

This was extremely useful info as I've been wondering for some time now how/where to do xc skiing around here.  So excited now, can't wait to try my wobbly technique (it has been a while)!

Thanks again!

Glad to hear you are planning to get out Laura. I'm sure the wobbles will soon disappear.

I forgot to mention, there is another good website with all the xc ski locations and information on xc ski passes. Just need to check that the smaller ones have been groomed (tracée in french) before you go there. I think the one at St George will also have lighting for night skiing this season.

http://www.skidefond.ch/centre.php?lang=en

Happy skiing

I have not been myself, but Froidville it's supposed to be for, a village located about 15 km from Lausanne.

Thank you Zimmo,

exactely what I was looking for. 

I have been quite busy with work this week, hopefully the plan is to work out details tonight/tomorrow then I can go on Sunday! cant wait=)

Thanks again.

Ben 

Just beyond La Givrine there is Les Rousses with plenty of hire shops - train does not go that far.  But possible to ski there from the last station La Cure.

However was up at La givrine last Sunday and the cross country runs had not been prepared so you need to check at St Cergue before starting as with the amount of snow which has fallen it will be difficult to move on cross country skis 

La Givrine was perfect on Sun and so was La Vattay.  Tracks are a little soft in places, but overall very good. According to the website Froidville is open - it's quite good when there is good snow (like now).  Chalet a Gobet had not been groomed on the weekend, but there were some self make classic tracks - enough for a play. Will try St George on Wed night to see what the night skiing is like.

Hope you got out for a ski Ben and Laura - well worth it!