Nordic Skiing Vacation Trip Planner | Trails, Passes & Rentals in Crested Butte

This guide has everything you need to start planning a Nordic skiing vacation to Crested Butte. Learn more about the different kinds of equipment to rent for the type of skiing you want to do. Find out which trails you need a pass for and where to buy a pass. We’ve also included trail maps and trail descriptions so you can plan where you want to ski. 

The Crested Butte Nordic Center offers skate and classic ski and snowshoe rentals by the day. Ski rental packages come with skis, boots and poles. Snowshoe rentals come with optional boots and poles. Gene Taylor’s and All Sports Replay in Gunnison also offer ski and snowshoe rentals by the day.

Classic cross-country skis are long and narrow. Classic skis have a pronounced arch that distributes weight between the skier’s foot and the snow. Applying pressure to the arch flattens the ski to grab the snow and propel the skier forward. The base either has textured scales or can be waxed to help grip the snow. The poles are tall and thin. A rental shop employee can help you choose the right size skis and poles. 

Skate skis are designed for a “kick-and-glide” motion similar to ice skating or rollerblading. These skis are shorter than classic skis to allow for better maneuverability. Skate skis are also narrow and have slightly longer poles than classic skis. The arch is stiff and the base is smooth to help the skier glide forward efficiently. Unsure which to try? Do some research and ask for advice in a ski shop. A Nordic skiing vacation would be the perfect time to rent these and try it out!

Most of the trails at the Crested Butte Nordic Center require a pass. Day passes, season passes and punch passes are available. Always display your pass while skiing. Some Nordic Center trails are also dog-friendly. Dogs also need a pass and the pass must be displayed while on the trails. Learn more about the dog-policy at Crested Butte Nordic. 

Gunnison cross-country trails don’t require a pass. Groomed trails are maintained by the Gunnison Nordic Club with the help of volunteers. Donations can be made to Gunnison Nordic for grooming expenses.

The Crested Butte Nordic Center is at 620 2nd Street in Crested Butte. Parking at the Nordic Center is also used for Big Mine Ice Arena. Another transportation option is the free Mountain Express Town Shuttle. Please take a look at the Mountain Express winter route map to find a convenient stop. Trailheads for cross-country ski trails are located all over Crested Butte. Depending on where you’re staying, there might be a trail right out your door. Check out the Crested Butte Nordic trail map for more information.

The best time to cross-country ski is when the track is still firm. If it is a particularly warm day, the snow might be slushy and hard to ski on. Dawn, dusk and cool days are usually the best times for cross-country skiing. 

Crested Butte Nordic has specific recommendations on the best time to ski certain trails. The Bench Trails behind the Nordic Center are best skied in the morning sun. The West Side trails are sunny and warm until the sun goes behind Mt. Emmons in the early afternoon. The East Side trails receive sun longer into the afternoon than the Bench and West Side trails. Learn more and read trail descriptions on the Crested Butte Nordic website.

Cross-country ski trails in Gunnison and Crested Butte typically see the most traffic during weekends and holiday seasons like Christmas and spring break. Plan your trip during the week or non-peak times when less people will be on the trails. 

Peruse a trail map of cross-country ski trails in Crested Butte and Gunnison below. The color of the trail denotes its rating (green, blue or black). Click or tap on each trail to learn its name, difficulty level and zone.

Difficulty: All levels—trails are rated with colors (green=easy, blue=intermediate, black=advanced)

Other users: Snowshoers, fat bikers on certain trails

Dog-friendly? Specific trails are dog-friendly. Your pooch needs a pass to be on them.

Directions from Crested Butte: Several in-town accesses exist. Peanut Lake Road, Town Ranch behind the high school, and the Nordic Center building on 2nd Street and Belleview Avenue (near the Big Mine Ice Arena) are the most popular.

Description: Purchase a day pass or season pass to use these trails. With in-town access, beautiful views and trails that are groomed to immaculate standards, it’s hard to beat the Crested Butte Nordic trail system for convenience and fun.

There are over 50 kilometers of trails that are regularly groomed. Crested Butte Nordic offers a full-service rental and instruction center and welcomes skiers of every skill level. Want to learn to skate, go on a backcountry tour, or tackle downhills on cross-country skis? The Nordic Center offers daily lessons and tours, as well as camps throughout the season.

The Crested Butte Nordic Center also puts on some of the best events of the year, including the Alley Loop, the Grand Traverse and the Gothic Mountain Tour. Don’t miss their entertaining yurt dinners under the stars, too. Find more information, including a trail map, event calendar and pass pricing on their website.

This map of the Crested Butte Nordic trails is updated daily with trail closures and openings, as well as grooming reports.

Gunnison Nordic grooms and maintains 45 kilometers of ski trails in the Gunnison area. This includes many of the trails listed below, which are free and open to the public. They do this completely on volunteer power, small grants and individual donations. Learn more, donate or become a member by clicking the button below.

Difficulty: Medium to difficult

Other users: Snowshoers, fat bikers

Dog-friendly?: Yes

Directions from Gunnison: From the stoplight at the corner of Highway 50 and Highway 135, go north on Highway 135 for 3.5 miles. Turn left on Ohio Creek Road. In 9 miles turn left on Mill Creek Road. Follow it for 3 miles until you reach the parking area.

Description: Skiing in Mill Creek is downright impressive. As you travel up the canyon on any of the trails, you become slowly enclosed by massive spires and columns of weathered rock. There are several trail options winding through the spruce and aspen groves. Gunnison Nordic occasionally grooms trails in Mill Creek.

Difficulty: Easy to difficult

Other Users: Snowmobilers, fat bikers, snowshoers

Dog Friendly?: Yes

Directions from Gunnison: Follow Highway 50 west from the center of town. Just before crossing the Gunnison River, turn left on CR 38 (Gold Basin Road). Follow this for a 2 miles to the Hartman Rocks parking area. Access also exists off CR 32 (McCabe Lane) a couple more miles west on Highway 50.

Description: With acres of shrub-land, unique rock formations, and endless views, Hartman Rocks offers a more expansive Nordic skiing experience than many places in Gunnison. Gunnison Nordic focuses most of their grooming efforts on keeping the miles of trails in the area in tip-top shape, and long loops and day trips are easy to piece together here. 

Difficulty: Easy

Other users: Snowshoers

Dog-friendly?: No

Directions from Gunnison: Follow Highway 50 West from the center of town for 57 miles. Turn right on CO-347 and drive another 4 miles. Park at the South Rim visitor center. There is no entrance fee in winter.

Description: Even in summer, the Black Canyon is one of the least-visited National Parks. In winter, you’ll pretty much have the place to yourself. South Rim Road is groomed starting at the visitor center.  From the visitor center, you can ski or snowshoe along the road as far as you want to go. Be sure to stop at the overlooks to check out the views of the canyon and have a snack. The mellow grade of the road is appropriate for any skill level. This is an unforgettable way to experience the beauty of one of the country’s most unique National Parks.

Visit the park’s “current conditions” page before you go to check if snow conditions have allowed for grooming. 

If you’re looking for a mellow ski on your Nordic skiing vacation in Gunnison, Gunnison Nordic grooms the golf course at Dos Rios, the practice field at Western Colorado University and Van Tuyl Loop. 

Difficulty: Easy to Medium

Other users: None

Dog-friendly?: No dogs please, the golf course does not allow dogs.

Directions from Gunnison: From the stoplight at the corner of Highway 50 and Highway 135, go west on Highway 50 for two miles. Turn left on Camino Del Rio and follow it for 0.3 miles. Follow signs to the golf clubhouse and park in the parking lot. You will see clearly marked signs for the nordic loops. 

Description: Skiing around the Dos Rios Golf Course is a special and beautiful experience, and often does not require much new snow since the grass is already cut so short. Ski various loops among the Cottonwood and Willow trees, cross bridge over the river and keep your eyes out for Bald Eagles!

Difficulty: Easy to Medium

Other Users: None

Dog Friendly?: No dogs please, this is a working ranch with easily spooked livestock and potential conflicts with other farm animals.

Directions from Gunnison: This one is right in town! Park at Char Mar Park at the northwest corner of town at the end of Tincup Drive.

Description: Ski mostly flat trails amidst a working ranch set near the river beneath a backdrop of cliffs and Cottonwood Groves. You’ll be skiing near, and sometimes crossing, the Van Tuyl recreation path, which is cleared all winter for walking, running and bicycling. Keep your eyes out for eagles and foxes!

Difficulty: Easy

Other Users: None

Dog Friendly?: No dogs please.

Directions from Gunnison: This one is right in town! Park in the large university parking lots on the north side of the recreation building, below the stadium.

Description: This is a flat, short 1 kilometer loop that is great for learning or getting a quick lunchtime workout in.

The Crested Butte Nordic Center is the hub of Nordic skiing in Crested Butte. The Nordic Center grooms over 50 km of trails for classic and skate skiing and snowshoeing. These trails are pristine and close to town, offering a wilderness experience for a Nordic skiing vacation without having to go far.

Gunnison Nordic grooms 45 miles of trails in and around Gunnison. View the grooming report, maps and event info on their website. 

Discover cross-country experiences in Colorado and Gunnison and Crested Butte.

Planning a trip to go on a Nordic skiing vacation in Colorado this winter? Check out the articles below for more things to do in winter in Crested Butte and Gunnison.