Cross country ski fans at the ready in Chamonix

If just the thought of queueing at Grands Montets is getting too much for you, but you want still want to get some good old fashioned exercise on the snow this forthcoming winter, then you could do worse than take up cross country skiing!

Yes, yes, we know cross country skiing can't seem to shake off its uncool reputation (might be something to do with the unflattering lycra look it's synonymous with!), but it is one of the best value ways to enjoy the snow, with a brand new lift pass launched that covers every single cross country skiing piste in the whole of the Rhone Alpes costing just 110€. And it does wonders for those thighs and bums.

It's also a great sport to take up if you haven't got much time, so if you fancy getting out in the fresh air and you've only got an hour or two, rather than trudge up to one of the alpine skiing areas only to do one piste before having to head back down again, you can pop onto the pistes in Les Bois or Argentiere and easily do a good few kilometres in your lunch hour.

If you fancy having a go, then there's the perfect event coming up in Chamonix which offers a great insight into cross country skiing. The Nordic Monster Test is on Saturday the 5th December this year and will take place at the Foyer Ski de Fond, which is the wooden chalet-type building opposite MBC.

Open from 09:00 to 16:00, all the big name brands will be there (Atomic, Fisher, Julbo, Madshus, Suunto, Rossignol, Toko, Salomon and Swix) offering free gear tests. There will also be cross country skiing instructors, trainers and athletes on hand to take you for a spin on the pistes, so whether you fancy trying classic or skating styles, there's professional help at hand.

Entry to the Nordic Monster Test is free, you just need to bring a credit card as deposit for testing the equipment. There will also be refreshments available and a big tombola which will be drawn at the end of the day. You will also be able to buy your cross country season pass for the Chamonix valley (which is even cheaper than the Rhone Alpes pass) and membership to Chamonix's Ski de Fond section too at the event.

We're off to dig out our finest lycra leggings and bum bag right now...!