Illustrative image: groomed cross-country ski tracks across a snowy meadow with aspen groves in the Colorado Rockies.
Not every winter morning in Snowmass has to start on a chairlift. Down in the valley, on the snow-covered golf course and along the creeks, there is a network of free, groomed cross-country ski and snowshoe trails that many visitors never hear about. It is quieter than the ski slopes, it suits non-skiers and rest days, and it is one of the easiest ways to get a family outdoors together. Here is what the people who run the trails say about them, and how to use them well.
The trail system at a glance
The trails around Snowmass are part of the Aspen Snowmass Nordic Trail System, managed by the Aspen Snowmass Nordic Council. The Council describes "90 km of FREE cross country ski and snowshoe trails between Aspen, Snowmass, and Basalt." Aspen Snowmass's own cross-country skiing page calls it "one of the largest free groomed cross-country ski systems in North America" and adds that "Trails are varied in terrain for beginners to experts."
Free trail access is the headline. You bring or rent your own equipment, and there is no trail pass to buy.
The Snowmass trails
The Snowmass Cross Country Center and Trail 60
The heart of the Snowmass side is the golf course. The Nordic Council's Trail 60 page says the Snowmass Cross Country Center "provides beautifully rolling terrain on the Snowmass Golf Course," with minor connecting trails that allow "endless variations for hills and loops." Parking is at the XC Center off Brush Creek Road. This is the place to start if you are new to cross-country skiing or want an easy outing with kids: you can make a loop as short or as long as your group wants.
Labrador Lane
The Council describes Labrador Lane as "a dog-friendly trail located on the Snowmass Golf Course," parked from the Snowmass Cross Country Center, and reminds visitors "that the Town of Snowmass Village has a leash policy." It also notes that "all other trails on Snowmass are for skiing or snowshoeing only."
Village Way and The Terminator
Aspen Snowmass lists two more Snowmass trails:
- Village Way (intermediate, 2 miles) connects Snowmass Village to the golf course tracks and is reached from the bottom of the Assay Hill lift.
- The Terminator (advanced, a 3-mile loop) circles the Two Creeks development. Aspen Snowmass asks skiers to yield to downhill skiers on it.
Owl Creek Trail
For strong skiers, the classic outing is Owl Creek. The Nordic Council's Owl Creek page says the trail "connects Aspen to Snowmass," calls it the home of the "famous Owl Creek Chase," and warns of "challenging climbs and steep descents." Aspen Snowmass lists it as intermediate to advanced and 9 miles, says the section east of Tiehack is for advanced skiers only, and notes the Tiehack Nordic Bridge links it to the Aspen Cross-Country Center. Parking is at either end, at the Snowmass XC Center and the Aspen Cross Country Center, with intermediate access points that include the Aspen Recreation Center, the base of Tiehack at Buttermilk, West Buttermilk Road and the Tom Blake Trailhead in Snowmass.
Owl Creek is a long day at altitude. The Council's own advice is to "Remember sunscreen, water, and warm layers, especially if you are venturing onto the Owl Creek Trail." Our altitude guide explains why that matters even more for visitors who just arrived.
How to check grooming before you go
Grooming changes with every storm, so look before you drive. The Nordic Council posts trail and grooming reports on its website, and its Nordic Hotline, listed on the same site, has an extension for grooming reports. After a big storm, Aspen Snowmass notes, "The Aspen Golf Course and the Snowmass X-C center are the first areas to be groomed after heavy snow," which makes the Snowmass golf course a good bet on the morning after.
Early and late in the winter, low-elevation trails depend on how much snow has fallen in the valley, so a quick check of the grooming report saves a wasted trip.
Rentals and lessons
According to Aspen Snowmass, the Town of Snowmass Village and its Recreation Center "provide a variety of rental equipment"; Aspen Snowmass's cross-country page lists the phone number. In Aspen, the Aspen Cross-Country Center at the Aspen Golf Course offers lessons, tours, rentals, a retail shop, lockers and snacks. If you have never tried cross-country skiing, a lesson is the fastest way to enjoy it: the technique is different from downhill, and a little coaching goes a long way.
Snowshoeing and trail etiquette
Snowshoers are welcome on the groomed trails, with a few rules that keep the tracks in good shape for everyone. From the Nordic Council's trail etiquette and safety page:
- Snowshoes: "Snowshoeing is allowed on our groomed trails, but please do not walk on the classic ski tracks." Stay to the edge of the trail, especially in soft conditions.
- Walking: on most trails, the Council asks that you use them "with skis on your feet!"
- Dogs: "Dogs are only allowed on a select number of trails, see the dashed lines on our trail maps." Pick up after your dog, and remember "The Town of Snowmass has a leash law."
- Bikes and machines: fat tire bikes are not permitted on the Nordic system except on the Rio Grande Trail and the Marolt Open Space, and "No motorized vehicles are allowed on the trail system."
- Stay on the trail: "Skiing off trail jeopardizes our access to ski, so please stay on the groomed trail, especially on the Owl Creek Trail." Parts of the system cross private land.
Beyond the groomed trails
Snowshoeing off the groomed system, in the national forest above the valley, is a different activity. Some slopes around Snowmass can avalanche, and avalanche conditions are forecast by the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. If you plan to leave the groomed trails, check the CAIC forecast and go with the training and equipment that terrain calls for, or hire a guide.
Fitting Nordic into a ski trip
A Nordic morning makes a great rest day between big ski days, or a full day for family members who do not downhill ski. Our non-skier winter activities guide has more ideas, and things to do in Snowmass Village covers the rest of the village. Pack layers you can shed: cross-country skiing is warm work, even on a cold day. Our packing list covers the essentials.
Staying at Stonebridge
Stonebridge Condominiums makes it easy to mix Nordic days with downhill days. The condos are ski-in/ski-out, next to the Village Express lift at Fanny Hill, and Base Village is "just a quick 3-5 minute walk away." A complimentary shuttle runs during office hours. After a long loop on the golf course or a day on Owl Creek, there is a heated outdoor pool and two outdoor hot tubs, a fitness center, and condos with fully equipped kitchens and fireplaces.
Planning a winter trip? Check availability or call us at 1-800-323-2577.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Nordic trails in Snowmass free?
Yes. The Aspen Snowmass Nordic Council describes 90 km of free cross-country ski and snowshoe trails between Aspen, Snowmass and Basalt, and Aspen Snowmass calls it one of the largest free groomed cross-country ski systems in North America.
How do I check Nordic grooming in Snowmass?
The Aspen Snowmass Nordic Council posts trail and grooming reports at aspennordic.com, and its Nordic Hotline has a grooming-report extension; the number is listed on the Council's site.
Can I snowshoe on the groomed Nordic trails?
Yes. The Nordic Council says snowshoeing is allowed on its groomed trails, but asks snowshoers not to walk on the classic ski tracks and to stay to the edge of the trail, especially in soft conditions.
Where can I rent cross-country skis in Snowmass?
Aspen Snowmass says the Town of Snowmass Village and its Recreation Center provide a variety of rental equipment, and the Aspen Cross-Country Center at the Aspen Golf Course offers lessons, tours and rentals.
Are dogs allowed on the Snowmass Nordic trails?
Only on some trails. The Nordic Council says dogs are allowed on a select number of trails shown with dashed lines on its maps, marks Labrador Lane as dog-friendly, and notes the Town of Snowmass has a leash law.
Sources
- Aspen Snowmass Nordic Trail System — Aspen Snowmass Nordic Council
- Trails and Grooming — Aspen Snowmass Nordic Council
- Trail 60 - Snowmass Golf Course — Aspen Snowmass Nordic Council
- Labrador Lane — Aspen Snowmass Nordic Council
- Owl Creek Trail — Aspen Snowmass Nordic Council
- Trail Etiquette and Safety — Aspen Snowmass Nordic Council
- Cross-Country Skiing — Aspen Snowmass
- Colorado Avalanche Information Center — Colorado Avalanche Information Center
