Your stay at the Tyrolean Lodge puts over 100 Kms of free cross country trails for classic and skate cross-country skiing and snow shoeing from Aspen to Snowmass at your feet. Ashcroft Ski Touring has 35 Km of groomed trails with stunning views, rivers edge touring and the Pine Creek Cook House Restaurant. Access the Roaring Fork Valley’s 90-plus kilometers of free trails from the Snowmass Cross Country Center where equipment and the Black Saddle Bar and Grille can be found inside. Rentals, lessons, and guided tours are available at both. After a session at the Aspen Cross Country Center, stop by Home Team BBQ in the Inn at Aspen for apres ski endulgences.
Aspen Cross Country Center
This is the place to go for all your Nordic needs! The only full-service cross-country ski and snowshoe center in Aspen, Aspen Cross-Country Center offers equipment rentals and sales, trail information, and amazing customer service! It is located on the trails at the golf course, and is your one stop shop to get you out and exploring one of the largest free trail systems in the country.
Snowmass Cross Country
More than 6 miles of free groomed trails along the Snowmass golf course. Most of the terrain is intermediate, so you’ll find a few hills to challenge your balance. The views of the ski area and Mount Daly are quite pleasant.
Rio Grande Trail
The Roaring Fork Valley’s popular bike and walking path is groomed in winter from Aspen to Basalt. Ski the subtle downhill for 20 miles between these two towns and catch a bus back upvalley. Pick up the trail near the Aspen post office.
North Star Loop
Aspen’s North Star Nature Preserve offers a scenic and easy 1.5-mile loop as it passes through Difficult Campground and meanders along the Roaring Fork River. Begin from the North Gate parking area 2 miles east of town on Highway 82.
Spring Gulch
West of Carbondale, this 13-mile ski-only trail network is Nordic heaven. Warm up on the flat loop near the parking lot before testing your skills on twisty, undulating trails through sagebrush, Gambel oak, and aspen. Highball and Big Dipper include thrilling descents, while Finlandia is a dreamy cruiser with great views of the valley. World class.
Ashcroft Ski Touring
This privately owned cross-country center in the upper Castle Creek Valley grooms almost 22 miles of rolling trails near the ghost town of Ashcroft providing a range of trails fit for beginner, intermediate, and advanced Nordic skiers. Two warming huts serving hot drinks and the Pine Creek Cookhouse restaurant merit stops along the way.
Maroon Bells Road
The road leading up to Maroon Bells is closed to vehicular traffic in the winter, but Nordic tracks are groomed daily by T-Lazy-7 Ranch, where you’ll park. It’s 6 miles to the lake but a you can turn around at any time and the scenery is just as enticing. Avalanche paths cross the road and at times close the full access.
Owl Creek Trail
This 8.5-mile route from the Snowmass Cross Country Center to the Tiehack Bridge in Aspen provides expansive views and an amazing workout. Drop a car at each end, have a friend shuttle you, or use Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (rfta.com) bus service to make the return trip.
Aspen High School Trails
Sprint workouts through 90-degree banked corners may be for the advanced thrill junkie, but the 3.6-mile intermediate loop trail still provides some excitement through ups and downs and tight turns.
