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Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
in Colorado
Colorado's cross country ski areas and guest ranches offer a wide variety of experiences, scenic forests of lodgepole pine, spruce and aspen, mountain streams and incredible vistas. Plentiful snow and more than 300 days a year with blue skies and bright sunshine. For the best in Colorado xc skiing, click Colorado Cross Country Ski Association. Email at info@coloradocrosscountry.com
Early Season XC Ski Camps and Festivals:
Crested Butte Nordic Center's Thanksgiving Training Camp - In late November http://www.cbnordic.org/thanksgiving_camp.html
Frisco Nordic Instructor Rendezvous - in late Nov www.breckenridgenordic.com
Steamboat Springs Nordic Camp & Festival - Dec 14-16 www.thenordiclink.com
The Colorado Cross Country Ski Association ski resorts include:
Beaver
Creek Nordic Sports Center (970-845-5313, www.beavercreek.snow.com/info/winter/mtn.adult.nordic.asp)
in Avon has 32 km of groomed trails and 15 km of snowshoe trails. Have
lunch at the overlook at McCoy Park with a view that takes in three
mountain ranges. CCSAA member
The Breckenridge Nordic Ski Center (970-453-6855; www.breckenridgenordic.com), on Ski Hill Road on the way up to the Breckenridge Alpine ski area, has 28 km of double-set trails for all abilities. Equipment rentals for xc and snowshoes, lessons, and guided backcountry tours are available. Trail passes are accepted at Frisco Nordic Center and Gold Run Nordic Center. For a full page of info about Breckenridge Nordic Ski Center click here. CCSSA member
Crested Butte Nordic Center (970-349-1707, www.cbnordic.org) is in the center of a charming old western town with 42 km of groomed trails. For a full page of info click CB Nordic. Backcountry tours, hut rentals, lessons, rentals, ice skating, and sledding. 30 miles north of Gunnison. Incredible scenery and worth the trip. CCSAA member
Devils Thumb Ranch (970-726-8231, 800-933-4339, www.devilsthumbranch.com) in Tabernash has 100 km of groomed trails. New accommodations, restaurant and a spa. Check out the Black 10 Trail to take you far above the valley with incredible vistas of the Ten Mile and Gore mountain ranges. For a full page of info about Devil's Thumb Ranch click here.
The Frisco Nordic Center (970-668-0866;
www.breckenridgenordic.com)
is on Highway 9 in Frisco about one mile out of town toward Breckenridge.
There are 43 km groomed for classic and skate skiiing and 20 km of snowshoe
trails. Picnic tables with views on the shoreline of Dillon Lake. Rental
equipment is available for xc skiing and snowshoeing. For a full page
of info about. Frisco Nordic Center click
here. CCSAA member
The Gold Run Nordic Center (970-547-7889, www.townofbreckenridge.com) is located in Breckenridge at the local golf course with great panaramas of surrounding mountains. The lodge has a massive fireplace and overstuffed leather chairs. There are 20 km of groomed trails for classic and skate skiing and 12 km of single track for snowshoers.. Lessons, xc ski and snowshoe rental equipment are available. Trail passes are good at Breckenridge Nordic Ski Center. There is also access to backcountry skiing, too. For a full page of info about Gold Run Nordic Center click here. CCSAA member
Keystone
Nordic Center (970-496-4275, www.keystone.snow.com/info/nordic.asp)
in Keystone has an extensive cross-country ski area, with 18 km of groomed
trails around the River Course clubhouse off Hwy 6. There is an additional
57 km of ungroomed backcountry skiing trails to ghost mining towns in
the Montezuma area and around the region. Lessons and rentals are available.
Cross-country activities include moonlight tours and ecology tours.
E.A.S.E. free door-to-door local bus transportation to the nordic center.
Grand Lake Touring Center (970-627-8008, www.grandlakecolorado.com/touringcenter) in Grand Lake has 35 km of groomed trails and 5 km of snowshoe trails. This is near the western entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. Ski Ptarmigan Tuck and the North Fork of the Colorado River. US Hwy 34 to Granby, County Road 48. CCSAA member
Home Ranch (970-879-1780, www.homeranch.com) in Clark has 1,500 acres and is a 4-star rated resort with 6 lodge rooms and 8 cabins. Groomed xc skiing and guided backcountry adventure. High customer service, family style meals and an indoor riding area. County Road 129, one quarter mile past the Clark Country Store. For a full page of info about Home Ranch, click here. CCSAA member
Latigo Ranch (970-724-9008, www.latigotrails.com) in Kremmling has 65 km of groomed trails on 500 acres of private land. US Route 40 to Colorado Hwy 134 to Red Dirt Road. CCSAA member
Piney Creek Nordic Center and Tennessee Pass Cookhouse in Leadville (719-486-1750, www.tennesseepass.com) has 25 km and a backcountry gourmet restaurant open 7 nights a week and for lunch on the weekend, Highway 24, 10 miles north of Leadville.
Snow Mountain Ranch, YMCA of the Rockies (970-887-2152, www.ymcarockies.org/smrnordic) in Winter Park has 100 km of groomed trails and 3 km of lighted trails. On US Hwy 40, 11 miles north of Winter Park. CCSAA member
Vail Nordic Ski School (970-479-3210, www.vailnordiccenter.com) is set up on the Vail Golf Course and White River National Forest. Instructors specialize in xc skiing, telemark skiing, snowshoeing, and skate skiing. Guests can book snowshoeing tours, telemark lessons, and xc lessons, and tours. There is rental equipment available, a rental shop, and soups, snacks, and beverages.
Vista
Verde Ranch ( 970-879-3858, 800-526-7433, www.vistaverde.com)
in Steamboat Springs has 500 acres and 30 km of groomed trails. Backcountry
tours and telemark lessons, gourmet meals, kids programs with outdoor
activities. Once a week wine tasting and cooking class. For a full page
of info click Vista Verde. CCSAA member
Steamboat Ski Touring Center (970-879-8180, www.nordicski.net) in Steamboat Springs has 40 km of groomed trails and 10 km of snowshoe trails. US Hwy 40 into Steamboat Springs to Mt. Werner Road.