Sight-Skiing Trips Overview Austria & Italy Norway Slovenia Factory Trip: Austria & Slovenia
Worldloppet Trips Overview Dolomitenlauf & Marcialonga Marcialonga & King Ludwig France - Transju' Finlandia & Tartu Seefeld & Engadin Norway - Birken Iceland - Fossavatn Australia - Kangaroo Hoppet New Zealand - Merino Muster
World Cup Trips Overview Tour de Ski 2025 Trondheim World Champs 2026 Olympic Games
Self-Guided Overview Austria & Italy: Seefeld & Seiser Alm Norway: Oslo & Lillehammer Canada: SilverStar & Sovereign Lake Canadian Rockies: Canmore, Banff & Lake Louise Montana & Yellowstone Vermont

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Lumi Experiences

As the world’s premier cross country ski travel company, Lumi Experiences offers boutique trips that introduce travelers to winter cultures where nordic skiing is a part of everyday life — from Austria to New Zealand. It’s a ski vacation like no other.

Lumi Experiences was founded by Minnesotan cross country ski Olympian Garrott Kuzzy, who is currently based in Innsbruck, Austria.

Along with a fun-loving team of local trip leaders, Garrott shares his passion for skiing and travel with people who want to experience snowy villages, crackling fires, forest gnomes and warm apple strudel.

After a week with Lumi Experiences you will be physically healthier, mentally calmer and totally invigorated. Our guests rave about their expert trip leaders, wholesome meals, comfortable accommodations and local libations poured and savored often. That’s what it’s all about!

 
Lumi Experiences Seefeld - Engadin 2019 (32).jpeg

Ways to Travel

Lumi specializes in small group experiences for people who love cross country skiing, whether you’ve been skiing for years or getting out for the first time. Our range of trip styles includes:

Sight-skiing Trips

Week-long guided group adventures to some of the world’s renown cross-country ski destinations.

Sight-Skiing Trips →

Worldloppet Trips

Guided group trips that are similar to our Sight-Skiing trips, but with the opportunity to ski a marathon or two.

Worldloppet Trips →

World Cup Trips

Unique access and opportunities at international Nordic World Cup & World Championships events.

World Cup Trips →

Self-guided Trips

For just you and your crew. We take on the lifting and logistics, so you can relax and explore.

Self-guided itineraries →

Trip Protection

Follow the link to learn more about travel insurance →

 
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“Our Lumi Experiences trip had an exceptionally talented group of trip leaders. It was well planned and full of fun surprises that enhanced the experience. Sledding was a hoot, and skiing to our hotel afterwards was awesome. I love the Dolomites and the Tyrol. Austrian curling was a blast. First class care and attention to detail made this a trip of a lifetime for us.”
— Jane & Mike Mandli
 
 
 

From the Founder

Lumi Experiences is a small travel company offering cross country ski vacations to some of the world's renown destinations. We see cross country skiing and travel as a way of life and want to share that experience with you.

Does your ideal vacation include skiing fresh corduroy beneath snow-capped peaks? Someone to wax your skis for you? A hotel close to the trail with a relaxing sauna? Raising a cold beer with friends to celebrate the day? You have come to the right place.

Take advantage of our of expertise in cross country skiing and professional travel design. We take care of the details and logistics so you can relax and enjoy your vacation. Fill out the form below for a personal follow-up and more information about our trips. We would love to host you on your next ski vacation.

See you on the trail,

 
 
 
 

Founder, Lumi Experiences

 

Looking for more? 

Send a quick message to receive a detailed itinerary of any of our trips, or simply to say hi. We look forward to hearing from you!

 
 

WHO WE ARE

Lumi is a collection of people passionate about cross country skiing, travel and sharing our favorite places and experiences with new friends. Here are a few of the faces behind Lumi:

 
 

Garrott

Lumi Experiences was founded by Garrott Kuzzy. After traveling the world as a member of the US Ski Team and competing in the Vancouver Olympics, Garrott has spent the past decade sharing his favorite destinations and experiences through active travel. Garrott and our team of expert trip leaders would love to host you on your next ski vacation.

Lauren

Originally from Seattle, Lauren lives near Craftsbury, Vermont, where she is part of the Lumi behind-the-scenes team wearing lots of hats to help keep trips gliding along smoothly. She spends her winters in her cross country ski boots, either clipping into her Nordic ice skates or skis depending on the conditions. When there’s no snow or ice, she enjoys biking and running the gravel roads and trails around Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. Beyond Vermont, she loves to travel to other rural landscapes for active adventures with friends, always fueled by good food. Ask her about snorkeling in Nova Scotia or biking in Sardinia.

 
 

Trip Leaders

Your trip leaders are your connection to the world you are experiencing. Heading to watch a World Cup event? Holly has skied 74 of them and knows many of the athletes personally. Skiing the Dolomitenlauf and Marcialonga? Kathi and Valentina each grew up on opposite sides of the Austrian / Italian border, but both speak German and Italian with native fluency and enjoy sharing memorable phrases. Got ski wax questions? Raphi has extensive experience waxing for the US Nordic Combined and Austrian ski teams.

 

Trip leaders Holly, Kathi, Anna and Raphi prepare a little surprise on the trail in the Italian Dolomites."

 

More than their experience, each trip leader is passionate about sharing their region and culture with you. The trip leaders are the first thing most guests highlight when reminiscing about their trip. Here is a sample of several trip leaders you might have on your next Lumi Experiences trip.

 
 
 
 

Anna

Anna, living in Villach, Austria near the Italian and Slovenian border, spends most of her time outdoors, She also speaks fluent German, Italian and English which comes in useful on cross-border adventures.

She has skied many of the European ski marathons as part of the Salomon team and particularly loves long-distance classic events. Anna recently moved from Seefeld back home to Villach to help run her family’s lumber business. You will often find her hiking, biking or running in the Alps and in the winter Skijöring with her dog Finn. Ask Anna about her experiences skiing the Dolomitenlauf, Marcialonga and other ski marathons.

 
 

Adele

Adele is a long-time bicycle tour guide and alpine ski instructor who fell in love with cross country skiing in the winter of 2020 when France’s ski lifts were closed. She lives close to Les Saisies and enjoys heading to the plateau for a few km whenever she has free time. Ask her about summers surfing on the French coast.

 
 

Annette

Annette has ties to both the US and France. She lives in Bois D’Amont, one of the villages along the course of the Transju’ and has a long history with the event. As past Event Director and Board Member, she loves to share her passion for France’s Worldloppet event. Ask her about her travels to many of the Worldloppet ski marathons.

Elena

Elena, from Italy, has been guiding for decades. In the summer, she leads groups on bike tours through Italy. Her winters are typically spent as an alpine and telemark ski guide in France...when she is not leading Nordic ski trips in Italy and Austria. Between seasons, Elena can be found kite surfing and adventuring on her own. Ask her about lava-rock skiing on the Mount Etna volcano.

Elisa

From Lake Garda near Verona, Italy, Elisa leads walking and cycling trips in the summer and teaches cross-country skiing in the winter. She considers the Dolomites her home and especially loves the scenery and grooming at the Passo Lavazé trail network, above Cavalese, Italy. Ask her about her favorite walks and experience skiing the Marcialonga.

Holly

Holly Brooks is originally from Seattle. Shortly after college she moved to Anchorage, coaching for the Alaska Pacific University Ski Center. In 2009 she set a “crazy dream goal" of making the 2010 Vancouver Olympic team and when she did, life took an exciting turn. Holly spent the next four years competing in two World Championships, another Olympic Games and earned the first-ever US team World Cup relay medal. Holly is also a 2-time American Birkebeiner Champion. Upon retirement from professional ski racing, Holly spent a season competing in Worldloppet ski marathons around the world. Today she runs her own private practice, Holly Brooks LLC, and is a professional counselor specializing in the athlete population. Be sure to ask her about twin toddlers, sports psychology and Alaskan adventures!

Kathi

Kathi, from Carinthia, Austria, has spent a lifetime on the Nordic ski trails and alpine slopes throughout the region. Growing up in the three-country border town of Villiach, Kathi grew up speaking German and Italian, even going to high school and earning her degree in Italy. She spent several years coaching the women’s national team. In the summer, you can find her hiking or exploring new mountain bike trails. Ask Kathi about the pump-track she rides in her back yard.

Krissi

Krissi, from Tyrol, Austria, has spent her life growing up in the Alps and playing outside, on foot, bikes and skis. She is also almost impossible to catch on a sled. When Krissi isn’t exploring the Alps, she’s busy collecting passport stamps on her world travels. Tokyo, Cape Town, Los Angeles and Hong Kong are all cities she’s been to this year. Be sure to ask about how she spends so much time on the road… or in the air.

Matija

Matija, living in Jesenice, Slovenia, is a native Slovenian speaker, and speaks fluent English, Italian and German as well.

He spends his summers as a bike tour guide and winters on skis in the Alps. Between seasons and trips, Matija travels with his teenage daughters on adventures across Europe. Ask Matija about growing up in Yugoslavia and childhood adventures across the border to go shopping in Italy.

Oumar

Oumar, from West Africa, lives in Minneapolis. He was Captain of the ski team at St. Johns University. Later on, after interning with Salomon and working as an Event Coordinator for Minneapolis ski shop Gear West, Oumar founded his own business. Ask him about being trailside when Jessie won the first-ever individual gold medal for Team USA during the World Championships in Slovenia last winter!

 
 

Petra

Petra, from Austria, has spent a lifetime on the Nordic ski trails and alpine slopes throughout Tyrol. Most years, she teaches English in her hometown. A sabbatical this year has given her more time to ski on her own and lead us through some of her favorite trails in Tyrol. Ask her about her recent bike tour around New Zealand’s north and south islands.

Polona

From Hribi, Slovenia (Hribi meaning mountains), Polona works for an outdoor apparel company during the week and on weekends, she teaches ski lessons and guides mountain bike tours. Ask about her favorite places to ski in Slovenia and which Worldloppet ski marathons she completed to receive her Worldloppet Master gold medal.

Raphi

Raphi, from Tyrol, Austria, has spent most of his years and free time skiing, climbing and running through the Alps. Raphi coached at Stamms, the world's oldest ski academy, and spends most of his waking hours outside. He is also a wax technician for the US Nordic Combined team in Europe. Ask Raphi about the two years he spent saying "ya to da U.P., eh?"

Valentina

Originally from Bruneck in South Tyrol, Italy, Vale has spent a lifetime skiing in the Alps and exploring the world. She grew up skiing in Toblach and Antholz, two of Italy’s most renown ski areas and spent several years coaching at the Ski Academy in Mals. Currently, Vale works as a physical therapist in Bolzano, when she is not outside playing in the mountains. Ask her about traveling the length of South America or which four languages she speaks fluently.

 
 

Trip Levels

Sight-skiing - Level 1 - 2

For skiers of all levels who want beautiful skiing, delicious cuisine & cultural experiences during their vacation, but no ski racing, please! These small group trips are all led by local, expert trip leaders who would love to share their home trails in Italy, Austria, Norway or Slovenia with you.

These trips are designed for those with basic levels of fitness who would like more cultural enrichment and ‘down time’ opportunities.

World Cup - Levels 1-2

Travel with Lumi Founder & former Olympian Garrott Kuzzy to international Nordic World Cup and World Champs events for unique access, opportunities & insights. Plus all the cultural experiences, cross-country skiing, and top-notch hospitality you’d expect on other Lumi trips!

These trips are for those with moderate to high levels of fitness who enjoy watching ski racing and then skiing those trails themselves. There are plenty of cultural enrichment opportunities, and many are focused around skiing.

Worldloppet - Level 2-3

As an official tour operator of the Worldloppet, an organization of cross country ski marathons around the world, the following trips include the opportunity to participate in a Worldloppet event, with the support of Lumi’s local, expert trip leaders.

These trips are designed for those with moderate levels of fitness who enjoy active adventures. There are still opportunities for cultural enrichment and ‘down time’.

Self-Guided - Levels 1-3

We get it, you’re independent and want a bit more flexibility with the program or simply prefer to travel with the companions you choose. We’ve designed and set up everything for you including a selection of routes, maps, hotels, luggage transfers and a point person to get you ready to glide.

These trips are rated at all levels because it will depend on how easy or difficult you would like to make it.

Non-Skier - Level 0

If you enjoy being outdoors in the snow, but strapping pieces of wood to your feet and walk-running does not sound like fun, we still greatly encourage you to come along. We have hosted non-skiers on Lumi trips, and they have enjoyed cultural enrichment and ‘down time’ opportunities, as well as alternative outdoor winter activities that still provide a chance to play in the snow.

Notes

Arrive 1-2 days early in case you want to get in a quick ski lesson. Otherwise, our skilled trip leaders will be happy to provide tips on the trails.

After signing up for the trip, you’ll receive an email with conditioning suggestions crafted specifically for the level of trip you’ll be going on.

Skiers should feel comfortable going downhill and be able to use the basic snowplow form to stop.

Our ski days are flexible and allow you to go at your own pace. If needed, there will be bus stops along the way for those who have decided they have done enough that day.

 
 

Why Choose Lumi?

As the world’s premier cross country ski travel company, Lumi Experiences offers boutique trips that introduce travelers to winter cultures where nordic skiing is a part of everyday life — from Austria to New Zealand. It’s a ski vacation like no other.

 Does your ideal vacation include skiing fresh corduroy beneath snow-capped peaks? Someone to wax your skis for you? A hotel close to the trail with a relaxing sauna? Raising a cold beer with friends to celebrate the day? You have come to the right place. Take advantage of our expertise in cross-country skiing and professional travel design. We take care of the details and logistics so you can relax and enjoy your vacation.

Small Group Sizes

Our trips are popular for couples, families, groups of friends and ski clubs. We typically have up to 20 guests, which allows for more intimate experience and greater opportunity to connect to the destination.

Cultural Enrichment

Every trip has opportunities to learn about the region’s food and history - sometimes at the same event. We believe culture and cuisine are intertwined so we ensure guests experience intimate cooking classes, meals at historic local restaurants, and side adventures to important cultural landmarks.

Trip Leaders

Our local trip leaders are friendly, outgoing, and always interested in sharing their knowledge. They are skiing pros who speak the language and share their personal connection to the region which makes each trip one-of-a-kind. If you’d like to meet our guides, click here.

Active For Everyone

Our trips are accessible for all levels of fitness and activity. Learn more by visiting our Trip Levels page.

Self-Guided Trips

Lumi offers self-guided trips to anywhere you can imagine cross country skiing, especially those destinations where we offer guided group trips. Our self-guided trips are popular for couples, families, groups of friends and ski clubs. We encourage you to reach out for a conversation about where, when and with whom you’d like to travel using the contact form or our email and phone number:
info@lumiexperiences.com
612-214-2861

Support Non-Profits, NNF, and Events

We support the National Nordic Foundation (NNF) which provides training, finances, and opportunities for Nordic athletes in the United States. Notably, Lumi’s partnership with the NNF helped provide a financial platform to continue the Trail to Gold Fellowship (T2G), where talented US women coaches with World Cup coaching experience work towards correcting a gender inequity in coaching at the top-level of the sport. We helped fund T2G Fellowships by donating a portion of each traveler’s entrée for their trips to the 2023 Nordic World Championships in Planica, Slovenia. Our partnership with NNF is representative of the strong sense of continuity and camaraderie that courses through all of the US ski community, and one made possible by a unique perspective in our community.

 

FAQs

 

  • What is a typical day like? Most days are spent entirely skiing, with easy to moderate activity levels on trail networks with beginner and intermediate levels. All trails are groomed with multiple sets of tracks, and skate and classic skiing are usually available. On long skiing days, guests will get to recharge in lovely trailside huts filled with warm food and drink. There are also bus stops along the way to shuttle anyone back early.

    There are some days with downtime where guests can choose to ski only half a day and also experience a cultural outing to a fortress, or museum, or pursue the city. If you would like a more detailed idea of a typical day, reach out via email or the contact form and we can send an itinerary.

  • We want to emphasize that the only shared quality our guests have is a love for activities outdoors in winter. There are no ‘typical guests’ at Lumi - we welcome families, friends, singles, couples, ski groups, and non-skiers. 

    Here are some guest statistics from the 2023-2024 trips: 

    Gender ratio - 55% female, 45% male

    Age ranges - 0-21 years old (5%), 22-40 years old (15%), 40-50 years old (60%), 50-80 years old (20%).

    Booking type - Couples 45%, Singles 15%, Families 20%, Groups 20%

  • After signing up for the trip, you’ll receive an email with conditioning suggestions crafted specifically for the level of trip you’ll be going on. These training recommendations come from our founder, Garrott Kuzzy, who is a certified US Olympic coach and a former Olympic skier.

  • Trip Levels

    Our trip level guidelines should help you decide which trips will be right for you. You aren’t expected to stay in peloton formation with other guests, and we do have some flexibility in pace. Check out our Trip Levels page for more information.

    E-skis

    Are there such things? One could say Lumi does provide a type of e-ski - chairlifts. Many days start with taking a chairlift up to the beginning of a lovely, long downhill slope.

    Non-Skiers

    Those who want to join our wonderful ski trips should know we are ski-focused. However, we greatly encourage non-skiers to join as well. There are cultural enrichment and ‘down time’ opportunities, as well as alternative outdoor winter activities that still provide a chance to play in the snow.

  • One of the most common questions we get is about the weather. Acknowledging that each trip will have slightly different conditions because of the different geographical locations, we can generally say to expect cold winter conditions (0-17°C / 32-0°F). We recommend packing layers so you can remove or add as necessary on the trail, as well as checking the forecast a few days before your trip. We will also provide general climate averages on detailed itineraries sent to you after booking, as well as a detailed packing list. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Want to know more? Check out our blog!
Plunging into Winter in Estonia & Finland
Plunging into Winter in Estonia & Finland

Estonia & Finland go together like ice swimming and sauna. Would you like to experience Finnish & Estonian winter culture on the Lumi trip next winter? Next year’s Finlandia will be two weeks earlier, so you can join this trip and make it home in time for the Birkie. Sign up by Monday, March 31 to receive the $300 / person early booking discount. The trip is already filling quickly for 2026!

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Romance in France
Romance in France

For Valentine’s Day next winter, how about trading in the typical bouquet of roses for something truly special? In 2026, Lumi’s Middle Week trip to the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics (almost full!) overlaps with Valentine’s Day. Book your 2026 cross-country ski trip with your loved one before Monday, March 31 and save $300 / person.

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Lumi Experiences & NNF: Supporting the Next Generation of US Nordic Skiers
Lumi Experiences & NNF: Supporting the Next Generation of US Nordic Skiers

Coach Bryan Fish and World Junior Team skiers met with guests on Lumi’s Marcialonga & König Ludwig Lauf trip in Seefeld, Austria last week for Eisstockschiessen—Austria’s version of curling—and yodeling. For those who dream of combining world-class skiing with cultural experiences like curling, yodeling, and rodeling (Austrian sledding), there is still space available on several of Lumi’s most popular 2026 trips.

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Festivities in Cavalese, Italy: This Winter & Next!
Festivities in Cavalese, Italy: This Winter & Next!

Will you be part of the festivities in Cavalese next winter? Reach out to receive an itinerary for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games trips (filling fast), Tour de Ski, Dolomitenlauf & Marcialonga or Marcialonga & König Ludwig Lauf trips. Reserve your spot before March 31 to receive the $300/person early booking discount, although some trips will likely fill sooner.

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Becoming a Worldloppet Master: On track to skiing 10 Worldloppet Ski Marathons
Becoming a Worldloppet Master: On track to skiing 10 Worldloppet Ski Marathons

It’s not an easy feat to earn the title of Worldloppet Master: a title reserved for those who have skied 10 different Worldloppet marathons, on two or more continents. To date, three Lumi guests are Worldloppet Gold Masters. Want to ski your first or your 10th Worldloppet with Lumi? Where will you ski it? Check out Lumi’s 2026 Worldloppet trips and sign up by March 31 to receive the $300 per person early booking discount on any 2026 Lumi trip.

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SPECIAL INVITE: Road to the 2026 Winter Olympics
SPECIAL INVITE: Road to the 2026 Winter Olympics

Lumi Experiences founder Garrott Kuzzy shares his road to becoming an Olympian and how you can experience the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games. Learn more, express interest and reserve your spot by Friday, January 31.

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The Arc of a Lumi Trip
The Arc of a Lumi Trip

One of the guests asked me on their last day in Seefeld, “how could the skiing be any better?” I just smiled, knowing what they would experience when they arrived in Seiser Alm. Experience the arc of one of Lumi’s Sight-Skiing or Worldloppet trips next winter!

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Gliding into 2025
Gliding into 2025

Guests on Lumi’s Tour de Ski and Seefeld & Seiser Alm trips have been enjoying an excellent start to the winter in the Alps. Do you want to be trailside for the racing in Cavalese, Italy in 2026? Next winter Cavalese will host the final stages of the Tour de Ski races (like this year!) and the cross-country ski events for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games (next year ONLY!).

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New Years Greetings from Cavalese
New Years Greetings from Cavalese

Happy New Year! A big snowfall in the Alps on Christmas Eve brought a winter wonderland to Nordic trail networks across Europe, where ski areas like Seefeld, Austria have over 200 km of trails open. The first Lumi trip of the 2025 winter season – the Tour de Ski trip – kicked off in Cavalese, Italy yesterday!!

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