Yes, a thousand times, yes! This has been my go to winter workout for cross training (until we got fat bikes...). The whole body workout is awesome, and the fitness transfers nicely to the bikes and vice versa. I'll echo the comment on good boots - mine literally feel like I am wearing slippers. If they don't feel like that, you will hate them.

I have a brand new pair of skis I got for Christmas two years ago, and still haven't used because the conditions haven't warranted getting out the "good" skis" Like you, we are gear hounds, so the equipment is pretty high end racing gear (but I don't race on the skis).

Yes, it is hard, but it is also fun. We have some great skating areas where the climbs will make you work like a dog (Bretton Woods, Jackson), but even just our local center, on the golf course, is a great workout. The technique is difficult - I've been skating for about 3 years, and still can't get the poling quite right, and still consider myself a very intermediate skier. But getting out for an hour or two to get the heart rate up is exhilarating!

And going at off hours is good advice - early in the morning before the crowds start, late in the afternoon when the temps are cooling... During the week at lunch time is another good option.

We're supposed to get some snow here this week, so hoping to get back out on the skinny skis vs. the fat tires.

SheFly