THE DOWNHILL Boulder Mountain Tour, Sun Valley, Idaho (February 3)
This gently rolling 32K course loses 1,100 feet between start and finish. bouldermountaintour.com

THE TEST Lake Placid Loppet, Lake Placid, New York (February 10)
Showcase your hill-climbing chops on the 50K Olympic course, which gains 1,120 feet. orda.org

THE EVERYMAN Keskinada, Gatineau, Quebec (February 15–18)
There's something for everyone at this four-day nordicfest, with 5K, 10K, 16K, 29K, and 53K races. It, like the Birkebeiner (below), is part of the 14-country Worldloppet circuit. keskinada.com

THE CLASSIC American Birkebeiner, Hayward, Wisconsin (February 22–24)
Ski 51K point-to-point at this world-famous event, which attracts more than 7,000 skiers from the U.S. and abroad. There's also a 23K option, but you don't get the same bragging rights. birkie.com

THE PARTY! The Great Ski Race, Lake Tahoe, California (March 4)
Some fans come for the outdoor beer-and-band finish-line celebration alone, but the 30K course, which ascends Starratt Pass before dropping down Sawtooth Ridge, is also legendary. thegreatskirace.com