Cross Country Skiing in Aspen, CO

In the winter months sections of the trail from Aspen to Basalt are groomed for cross-country skiing. Dogs are allowed on the 7.3-mile stretch of trail from Aspen to Woody Creek, and it’s possible to ski all the way to Emma in Basalt, which is a little more than 12 miles from the Aspen trailhead.

Aspen’s famed Highway 82, which climbs over the 12,095-foot Independence Pass, closes for the winter months and provides Nordic skiers and snowshoers with an excellent opportunity enjoy the majestic, snow peaks that bookend the Roaring Fork Valley.

Maroon Creek Road is a great venue for the intermediate to advanced cross-country skier looking for a long excursion and some of North America’s best views. Skiing the full six miles from T-Lazy 7 Ranch yields epic winter scenery of the Maroon Bells, one of the most photographed mountains in the country. Many skiers will even pack a picnic lunch and enjoy it at the Bells.

Winding among 175 acres of preserved Roaring Fork River wetlands, the North Star Nature Preserve cross-country trail offers an unforgettable Nordic experience.

This 30-minute, three-mile (5 km) loop is a popular section of the Aspen Nordic Center’s free 60 miles of cross-country trails that run through Aspen, Snowmass and Basalt. Located around the Aspen High School and Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club, this challenging black-diamond rated trail offer both classic cross-country (XC) and skate.

This challenging, groomed Nordic trail, which runs from Aspen to Snowmass along the south side of the Owl Creek and Roaring Fork valleys, provides a great workout and incredible views of Independence Pass and Snowmass.