Yep I XC skied two years ago and I loved it. No breathing issues but it had already been cold for awhile so.... Last year there was hardly any snow! The parks and trails systems here make it a total breeze and I could ski out my front door because we live on a very low priority street. This year I'm hoping for early snow and a nice base all winter.
I'm totally prepared for winter this year man. I got studded running shoes, studded bike tires, HID bike lighting. I'm going to ride the chain of lakes this year when they get nice and frozen.
No winter wimps!