Why is cross-country skiing becoming popular again right now?

I think that might be a bit of an exaggeration, presenting it as some big new trend. Cross-country skiing has always been popular, especially in areas with lots of snow - it's just that Corona meant a lot more people went out and tried it at the same time. You notice it more in the Harz because the region is perfect for it and maybe a lot of people just didn't think of it before.

But what I think is important, and what others miss: a lot of people get into it because they think it's basically just walking on skis. And yeah, you need less equipment than with downhill skiing when you're starting out. But if you're actually doing proper cross-country skiing - skating technique and all that - you quickly realize it's seriously exhausting as a sport. I experienced that myself when I tried it last winter. You need way more endurance and technique than it looks like. That's why some people who start with big expectations drop out pretty quickly.

The positive side is really that it's low-barrier and works wherever there's snow - no lift, no waiting times. But the "trend" is probably less about it being new and more about Corona giving people the time and mental space to try something like that. In a few years it'll probably normalize again.

The phenomenon is absolutely real. Cross-country skiing has the huge advantage that you can do it anywhere - not just on groomed trails, but also simply through snowy terrain. After Corona, a lot of people realized they wanted to get outside, but not necessarily into crowds on a ski slope. Cross-country skiing is perfect for that: you need less equipment, it's way cheaper than downhill skiing, and you can go out completely alone or with just a few people. Plus, it seems less exhausting than downhill skiing, so it's also appealing to older people and beginners.

You really notice that especially in the Harz, because the conditions for cross-country skiing there are often better than for regular skiing - it snows regularly, but rarely so extremely that big slopes would make sense. The infrastructure for cross-country skiing has also been established there for a long time. What helps: if you want to get started yourself, don't immediately buy expensive equipment. A lot of people rent skis first, go a couple of times, and then figure out if it's really for them. That saves money and space.