Explore Miles of Groomed and Single-Track Trails on Skate and Classic Skis Throughout Grand County's Rocky Mountains!
Cross-country skiing, also known as Nordic skiing, has deep roots in Grand County. Early settlers in the area used what many now refer to as "skinny skis" for transportation in the long winter months but soon developed a love of exploring the Rocky Mountains on skis, with reports of cross-country skiing for recreation dating back to the late 1800s. Hot Sulphur Spring's first Winter Carnival in 1911 included cross-country skiing as an event and marked what many deemed the beginning of the ski industry in Colorado.
It's easy to see why Nordic skiing grew from simply a means of transport to a beloved pastime. If you're looking to experience the peaceful quiet of the winter woods, soak in breathtaking views, and get in a good workout (for your dogs, too!), you're likely already sold on the sport.
Whether you're in the mood for wide, groomed trails for skate skiing, tracks for classic skiing, or opportunities to break trail on single-track through the Arapaho National Forest, Grand County has seemingly endless opportunities to get out and explore the Rocky Mountains on cross-country skis!
NORDIC CENTERS + RESORTS
DEVIL'S THUMB RANCH NORDIC CENTER
With nearly 120 kilometers of trails nestled in the pristine and private Ranch Creek Valley at the base of the Continental Divide in Tabernash, Devil's Thumb Ranch is a Colorado Nordic-skiing mecca. The pristine trails offer a top-notch experience for all types and levels of skiers. Repeatedly named the #1 Cross-Country Ski Resort in North America by USA Today readers, Devil's Thumb Ranch offers expertly-groomed trails as well as single-track skiing, with plenty of options to get your heart rate up.
If you need equipment or pointed in the right direction, head to the Nordic Center. They'll set you up with skis (and even have pull-behind sled for kids and skijoring rigs). Lessons from experienced coaches are also available! Dogs on leashes are welcome on their trails marked dog-friendly. Should you need a break, they have several warming huts (yurts) along the trail system.
Nordic skiing at Devil's Thumb typically runs from mid-December to mid-April, depending on snow levels. The Ranch also typically puts on fun cross-country events like Ski, Sip + Yoga. Keep in mind - restaurants (aside from the coffee shop) and amenities like the pool and spa are only available to lodging guests, so plan accordingly should you be there for the day!
YMCA'S SNOW MOUNTAIN RANCH NORDIC CENTER
YMCA's Snow Mountain Ranch is also consistently ranked one of the top Cross-Country Ski Resorts in North America by USA Today readers. Their Nordic Center sits a few miles off Highway 40 after you turn into Snow Mountain Ranch, adjacent to 82.5 kilometers of groomed track and trail + 40 kilometers of pet-friendly trails with expansive views of the Continental Divide. The extensive, world-class trail system has miles of trails of all ability levels and ages, with beginner, intermediate, and advanced terrain meandering through pine forest, through wide meadows, and along Pole Creek. Skate and classic ski rentals as well as lessons for all levels are available through Snow Mountain Ranch's Nordic Center. And you can stay on the pulse with trail conditions if you check the updated-daily grooming reports.
The trail system takes advantage of the 5,100 acre property in the heart of Grand County and minutes from neighborhoods like The Fairways at Pole Creek, Pole Creek Valley, Pole Creek Meadows, Winter Park Highlands, Val Moritz Village. Overnight guests have full access to the property, but you can also purchase a day pass or a yearly membership, both of which give access to all Snow Mountain Ranch has to offer, including ice skating, tubing, swimming, roller skating, and more. If you're a Grand County resident and have a library card through the Grand County Library District, you can also take advantage of Access Grand, our library program that partners with local organizations. You can reserve a free day pass (for up to 4 people) every two weeks, making it easy to try out the trails (and more!) at Snow Mountain Ranch.
GRAND LAKE NORDIC CENTER
The Grand Lake Nordic Center is operated by the Grand Lake Metropolitan Recreation and weaves through the Grand Lake Golf Course and beyond, just less than three miles outside of downtown Grand Lake. Scenic views of Rocky Mountain National Park and the Arapaho National Forest make the Grand Lake Nordic Center an off-the-beaten-path gem. With 35 kilometers of beginner to advanced classic and skate skiing trails, a dedicated dog loop, a cute lodge to warm up in with soup and drinks, ski and snowshoe rentals, lessons, a retail shop, and a free tubing hill, it's a real gift to our community. And Grand County kids ski free every Friday (excluding holidays)!
GRANBY RANCH RESORT TRAIL SYSTEM
While you might know Granby Ranch resort for its family-friendly downhill skiing, they also groom cross-country ski trails all winter long and typically host a couple Nordic skiing events like the Ranch2Ranch Trek each year. Beginner-level trails loop around the golf course on the cart paths, great for a family adventure! Above the downhill runs to the southeast of the base ("East Mountain"), they groom several beginner and intermediate trails that loop around the mountain top on summer bike trails like Main Street, Rabbit Run, Sweet, Nancy, and Cabin Cruiser. You'll need a pass to access Granby Ranch's trails: snag your Nordic season pass or day pass online. Keep in mind - Nordic passes do not include lift access (but uphill skiing is included). Granby Ranch homeowners get access to all the trails as part of their annual HOA fees - learn more about the neighborhood and its perks here.
FREE TRAILS
We love our Nordic centers and resorts that streamline cross-country skiing with groomed trails and on-site ski rentals, and we also love to explore trails without day-pass or membership fees! Hopping on the trail for a quick lunch break or post-work ski is easy throughout the Fraser Valley. The trail system just to the west of downtown Winter Park in the Arapaho National Forest, sometimes referred to as the "Vasquez Creek" area, has a wealth of cross-country ski trails that follow summer mountain biking trails. Up Blue Sky with a left on Tunnel Hill Road to take Chickadee back down is one of our favorite quick loops. You can also hop on the Fraser River Trail from downtown Winter Park to Winter Park Resort - the snowmobile packed track with xc ski tracks is beautiful.
The Rendezvous/Idlewild trails just east of Fraser are miles of build-your-own cross-country ski adventure. You can also check out the Fraser Experimental Forest to the west of Highway 40. We love the 6-mile Flume-Creekside loop! Or you can head up County Road 50 to the Tipperary and Backscratch Trails just near Church Park.
The Fraser Valley Metropolitan Recreation District also makes cross-country skiing easily accessible! With groomed loops right near the Grand Park Recreation Center and at the Fraser Valley Sports Complex (just near the turn off Highway 40 onto County Road 5 from Fraser), a quick solo loop or a family/dog loop is ready for you! And Pole Creek Golf Course (also operated by FVMRD) grooms trails along the cart paths, even offering several "full moon skis", complete with lighted trails, a bonfire, and hot chocolate throughout the season.
Play Winter Park has a comprehensive list of Winter Park area cross-country ski trails. And even more free trails abound throughout Grand County - please feel free to reach out for recommendations! We'd love to help point you in the right direction!
HUT TRIPS
Trekking in for a hut adventure is quintessential Grand County fun! Pack in your food and gear for a night in the woods, ski into one of our local huts, and find cross-country ski adventures from your hut the following day. The Broome Hut, run by Grand County Huts and just on the Winter Park side of Berthoud Pass, is one of our favorites. The one-mile ski in is steep, but there are plenty of opportunities for cross-country adventures with less elevation gain once you reach the hut!
We also love the High Lonesome Hut, just off the road up to Meadow Creek Reservoir in Tabernash. The traverse from the parking area is a quick couple miles with relatively minimal elevation gain (about 600 ft), making it a fun xc ski for all ages and abilities.
Spending the night in a hut is such an unforgettable experience - we highly recommend it if it works with your life and schedule!
RENTALS
All of the Nordic centers in Grand County also offer both skate and classic ski, boot, and pole rentals: if you're skiing at Devil's Thumb Ranch, Snow Mountain Ranch, or Grand Lake Nordic Center, you can pick up your rentals before you hit the trails.
If you are taking advantage of trails systems in the Arapaho National Forest or other free options around town, swing by Icebox Mountain Sports or Epic Mountain Sports to rent your set up before you head out to "choose your own adventure."
GRAND NORDIC SKI CLUB
If you want to get connecting with the Nordic community here in Grand County, there is no better way than joining the Grand Nordic Ski Club. From organizing lessons and events, hosting an annual ski swap, to sharing trail tips, this local nonprofit organization champions and promotes all things Nordic skiing here in the Winter Park area!
SEE YOU ON THE TRAIL!
Time in the woods is one of the many reasons we are so grateful to call this place home! We hope to see you the cross-country trail or bump into you around town soon. If you're in the market for a property with quick and easy cross-country ski access or just looking for recommendations for fun trails, we are here for you! Feel free to reach out with any questions you may have! We can't wait to connect with you.
Posted by Angela McDonough (Sandstrom) on
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