Nordic Ski Trails in Gunnison

Places to cross-country ski in Gunnison

Winter brings many opportunities for outdoor recreation in Gunnison. Gunnison Nordic provides groomed trails all over town. There are non-groomed areas as well. Hit Dos Rios or Western Colorado University for easy lunchtime laps. For a more wilderness Gunnison nordic ski experience, head to Hartman Rocks or Mill Creek.

Where can you cross-country ski in Gunnison?

Mill Creek, Van Tuyl, Dos Rios and more

There are groomed and non-groomed places to cross-country ski around Gunnison. Gunnison Nordic grooms a track at Mill Creek, Van Tuyl Ranch, Jorgensen Park, the Western Colorado University practice field, Hartman Rocks Recreation Area and Dos Rios Golf Club. Non-groomed areas include Spring Creek Road and Curecanti National Recreation Area. Gunnison National Forest and Fossil Ridge Wilderness could also provide access for cross-country skiing. If you choose to Nordic ski in a remote area, please be aware of avalanche dangers and make sure you have the proper skills, knowledge, and equipment to stay safe.

Easy Nordic Skiing in Gunnison

Western Colorado University, Van Tuyl Ranch and more

There are a few groomed tracks around Gunnison for cross-country skiing. The Western Colorado University practice field is a short loop perfect for beginners or anyone who wants to get quick laps in. This track has a small hill that is great for beginners to practice going ip and down hills. Van Tuyl Ranch is a working ranch—Gunnison Nordic grooms in the pastures. Dogs are not allowed in the pastures. This track has a beautiful view of the Palisades, a towering rock feature on the west side of town. Jorgensen Park has a waxing room and a flat groomed track over the baseball fields. Dos Rios Golf Club is a golf course turned ski track in the winter. There are a few loops that can be skied individually for a shorter ski or connected for a longer one. This track offers a scenic and peaceful place to ski that is in town.

Intermediate and Advanced Nordic Skiing in Gunnison

Hartman Rocks Recreation Area and Mill Creek

Hartman Rocks Recreation Area and Mill Creek are longer and and more challenging. Both these locations are also on public lands, providing more of a wilderness experience. Hartman Rocks is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Gunnison Nordic grooms 16 miles of trails for classic and skate skiers to enjoy. Hartman Rocks has green, blue and black trails. Gunnison Trails grooms Hartman Rocks for fat biking in the winter. Mill Creek is part of Gunnison National Forest. Gunnison Nordic usually grooms it early in the season before the snow is too deep. It gets groomed less as the snow gets deeper. Mill Creek is not the best option for beginner skiers. Both of these areas are multi-use. Please be mindful of other trail users and practice good winter trails etiquette.

A group of people ski on skinny skis called cross-country skis on a snowy track under trees

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Cross-country ski at a National Park

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is about 60 miles from Gunnison near Montrose, Colorado. Every winter the National Parks Service closes part of the South Rim Drive to vehicles and grooms a track for Nordic skiing along the South Rim Drive at Black Canyon National Park. This unique experience is free as there are no entrance costs to the park in the winter. The track is available for classic and skate skiing and snowshoeing and is six miles one-way. Stop at the overlooks along the way to take in the view.

Other things to do in Gunnison

Summer and winter outdoor activities in Gunnison

The Gunnison Valley is home to two million acres of public lands. These public lands provide so many fun things to do. In the summer enjoy hiking, high desert mountain biking, boating, fishing and more. Try out fat biking or downhill skiing at Cranor Hill or Crested Butte Mountain Resort in the winter. The Crested Butte Nordic Center offers groomed cross-country ski trails in Crested Butte. Plan your trip today!