The Best Places to Cross-Country Ski in Colorado
It might be known for its downhill skiing, but Colorado is a world-class destination for Nordic, too.
And while expert skiers will have their tried-and-true routes at a handful of Nordic centers, those who are just starting out might be wondering just where to begin. Let us help guide the way to your winter on skinny skis in the Rocky Mountains. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or you’re a local just getting into the sport, we think this breakdown is a great place to start.
Frisco Nordic Center
BEGINNER FRIENDLY, GREAT VIEWS, FRIENDLY STAFFKMs of Trail: 30
Rentals: Frisco Nordic will get you set up on both skate and classic. (They actually provided our rentals for year two of Sisu Ski Retreat. Thanks, guys!)
Wax Tent: The wax tent at Frisco Nordic is the stuff of Nordie dreams. Spacious–with at least three dedicated waxing tables–it makes it easy to get a fresh wax based on their recommendation for current conditions.
Ski With Your Dog: Nope. Frisco Nordic is serious about keeping their trails in good condition. Dogs are welcome, however, on the public groomed trail that connects Frisco to Breckenridge.
Ticket Price: $30 Day Pass
Find the Trail Map Here
One of the most easily accessible Nordic centers from the Colorado Front Range, Frisco Nordic is an excellent choice for skiers of all abilities. Beginners will appreciate the large and (almost) perfectly flat learning area right outside the lodge. Beyond, a variety of terrain awaits. For intermediate skiers who want to work on their V2, we recommend a loop up Crown Point: a mellow and wide trail that gradually climbs to the high point of the area for great views of Lake Frisco and the surrounding mountain ranges. Then, drop into Olympian’s Link for a taste of downhill fun! Those who want a short but sweet loop with a lot of variety (including some punchy little hills) check out the Frisco Bay Loop. We also can’t say enough good things about Frisco Nordic’s lesson program. They host a series of beginner and intermediate women’s-only classes each winter with a variety of instructors—all of whom we have found to be excellent. In fact, we brought on Bernie to help teach Sisu Ski Retreat in 2024 and he had all our beginner skiers doing a V2 on their second day on skis. Thanks, Bernie!
☝🏼 Need to Know: Parking fills up quick at Frisco Nordic thanks to their location next to the town sledding hill! Get there early or, even better, visit on a weekday to avoid the crowds.
Crested Butte Nordic
DESTINATION WORTHY, WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS, FRIENDLY STAFFKMs of Trail: 50
Rentals: Yes, both skate and classic
Wax Tent: Surprisingly Crested Butte Nordic does not offer a dedicated wax tent, but they do have a small area up against one wall of the Nordic center if you don’t mind drawing a crowd of curious tourists.
Ski With Your Dog: Yes! Several trails on the Crested Butte Nordic system are open to dogs. The Peanut Lake area, as well as the free Town Ranch Loop, both welcome four-legged friends.
Ticket Price: $25 Day Pass
Find the Trail Map Here
If you haven’t been skiing in Crested Butte yet, get your trip booked now! You can easily spend a long weekend enjoying Crested Butte Nordic’s trails and never cross your same tracks twice. With 50km of trails–all with iconic Elk Mountain views–you really can’t go wrong. But if you need a place to start, we always recommend heading out via Peanut Lake parking lot to the V2-alternate-perfect Mike’s Mile. (Note that this area is open to dogs and does sometimes get closed down for dog vs moose drama, so you’ll want to ask at the Nordic center what the latest is before heading out.) Early season? Ruthie’s Run typically holds the best snow, and offers exciting terrain to bring your lungs up to speed. Speaking of early season, we have had a great experience at Crested Butte Nordic’s Thanksgiving Camp, a three-day training event featuring awesome instructors and friendly fellow skiers at every level.
Grand Mesa Nordic Council
ADVENTURE SKIING, EARLY SEASON SKIING, DOG FRIENDLYKMs of Trail: 50
Rentals: No
Wax Tent: No
Ski With Your Dog: County Line and Ward are dog friendly, but keep your paws off Skyway
Ticket Price: Donation Based
Find the Trail Map Here
The only Nordic center on our list that isn’t technically a Nordic center, Grand Mesa Nordic Council is the premier cross-country ski destination in Western Colorado. A non-profit dedicated to the maintenance and stewardship of 50km of trails at 10,000 feet on Grand Mesa, this community-supported group grooms three unique trailheads: Skyway, County Line, and Ward. For Front Range skiers, it’s definitely worth a trip out to Grand Mesa to take part in a clinic or ski race at this ultra-unique destination. And at such an high elevation, it’s the go-to for early or late season ski trips. As of right now the Grand Mesa experience feels quite “off the grid,” but look out for Skyway Station—Grand Mesa Nordic Council’s first permanent structure that is slated for completion in 2026. (As of right now, you can expect a breezy pit toilet.)
Snow Mountain Ranch
FAMILY FRIENDLY, WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS, CAFETERIA VIBESKMs of Trail: 82
Rentals: Yes, both skate and classic
Wax Tent: Yes, there is a dedicated waxing room attached to the cafeteria
Ski With Your Dog: Yes! 40km of the 82.5km at Snow Mountain Ranch are dog friendly.
Ticket Price: $29 Day Pass
Find the Trail Map Here
Ah, the YMCA of the Rockies. Snow Mountain Ranch Nordic Center is a truly iconic spot for Nordic skiing in Colorado. Nestled into Middle Park with several other groomed trail systems including Devil’s Thumb Ranch and Grand Lake Nordic Center, one look at the trail map at the YMCA and you’ll see why it’s truly a “can’t miss” destination. (Hint: not all the trails can be shown on a single page.) Beginners can cut laps on Pole Creek, while intermediate loops along practically any perimeter trail will bring plenty of smiles. Those looking for a real challenge can climb up Blue Ridge Summit, where it will feel like you’ve left the world behind. Keep an eye out for moose—they are commonly seen in the willows. (The Nordic center features a “what to do if you run into a moose” pamphlet, which we recommend committing to memory.) Pro tip: Snow Mountain Ranch is also the start of a low-stakes annual race put on by Grand Nordic called the Ranch2Ranch that is a fun time for intermediate to advanced skiers.
☝🏼 Need to Know: The cafeteria is only open on weekends. When it is open, don’t miss the soup—they typically have a couple of options and they are all excellent paired with a bag of chips and a packet of hot chocolate, YMCA style.Devil’s Thumb Ranch
BEGINNER FRIENDLY, FRIENDLY STAFF, RESORT EXPERIENCEKMs of Trail: 120
Rentals: Yes, both skate and classic
Wax Tent: Sometimes? We have been there when a wax tent is both present and when it is not.
Ski With Your Dog: Yes, two different loops at Devil’s Thumb are dog-friendly
Ticket Price: $30 Day Pass
Find the Trail Map Here
Easily the most posh of all the destinations in our round-up, Devil’s Thumb Ranch is a five-star resort and spa that offers an impressive 120km of skiing. They also lead with another accolade: the fact that DTR won “#1 Cross-Country Ski Resort in North America” by USA Today readers for 5 years in a row. While the skiing is indeed good, I don’t find that the trails stand out for any reason in particular over other Colorado destinations. In fact, many of the kms give the feeling of being in a spaghetti bowl, giving a feeling that the Devil’s Thumb marketing department was trying to hit max kms instead of fostering an actual enjoyable day on skis. That said, if you are looking for a resort-like experience to stay, ski, and eat, Devil’s Thumb Ranch is indeed hard to beat! Intermediate skiers will love a loop on Blue Extra with beautiful views at the property below. Pro tip: plan to spend some extra cash in their Nordic center—they have beautifully merchandised goods including brands like Salomon and Filson.
☝🏼 Need to Know: We used to recommend a day of skiing at Devil’s Thumb with a burger onsite at Heck’s, but the restaurant is now only open to guests of Devil’s Thumb. The on-site cafe will take you, but their grab-and-go offerings might leave you wishing you packed a lunch.
Latigo Ranch
FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED, CHALLENGING TERRAIN, DESTINATION WORTHYKMs of Trail: 50
Rentals: Latigo Ranch has a small fleet of classic skis, boots, and poles
Wax Tent: No
Ski With Your Dog: No guest dogs allowed on Latigo Ranch property
Ticket Price: $25 (does not include lunch)
Find the Trail Map Here
Our home sweet home, Latigo Ranch! The George Family who own and operate Latigo Ranch have been our gracious hosts for Sisu Ski Retreat every year since 2020. And while we might be biased, we really do think Latigo is a unique destination for cross-country skiing in Colorado. The first thing to know is that you need to call ahead. This is a family ranch, and as such they only groom for visitors–day or overnight–on weekends. Second to know is that while you can stay for a day and enjoy a home-cooked lunch with your day pass (at an additional cost), you should definitely stay for the full weekend. You’ll need it to have the full Latigo experience; from the 50km of wide groomed trails to the gourmet food and rustic ski-in ski-out cabins. Once you’re there, the Reservoir Loop will deliver the flattest terrain on an otherwise somewhat challenging area. And make sure you don’t miss the view from Latigo Point! While it’s a climb to get there, the descent down Porcupine back to the lodge is worth every glide. (Beginners, we recommend Saddle View.)
☝🏼 Need to Know: You need to call ahead to ski at Latigo Ranch! And bring your blue wax. Winter mornings can be very chilly at around 9,000 feet.
Eldora Nordic Center
CLOSE TO DENVER, CHALLENGING TERRAINKMs of Trail: 40
Rentals: Yes, both skate and classic
Wax Tent: Eldora offers an extremely small waxing shed attached to the Nordic center
Ski With Your Dog: No
Ticket Price: $35 Day Pass plus a $10 Single Occupancy Vehicle Parking Fee on “Saturdays, Sundays, holidays and holiday periods, and weekdays with 10 or more inches of new snow.” Their entire fine print regarding parking fees can be found here.
Find the Trail Map Here
Eldora Nordic Center is one of the most visited Nordic centers in Colorado because of its proximity to the Front Range, but it is also one of the most technically challenging. On any given day at Eldora you’re bound to see people struggling to stay on their skis, many of whom are wearing snow-packed jeans. 17th Avenue is the gruesome “green” trail that climbs out of the Eldora Nordic Center, and is required to access any of the other trails. It immediately gains enough elevation to take you to the top of the adjacent alpine ski hill and would be considered a blue or black at any other Nordic center. Our other gripe is the ticket price, easily the highest on our roundup for the lowest amount of groomed trail. And last is that in our experience, the staff don’t seem to be Nordic skiers (which makes it tricky for them to answer questions). All of that is to say, while we love Eldora for its convenience, it is definitely a destination for intermediate to advanced cross-country skiers eager for a workout. And for many Boulderites, that fits the bill exactly!
☝🏼 Need to Know: People who have never been on skis before and do not know how to stop in a controlled manner should absolutely not ski for the first time at Eldora Nordic Center.
Now that you know where to go, wondering what to wear? We have a guide for that, too.
