Sunshine, breathtaking vistas and friendly folks join together to bring you wonderful cross-country skiing experiences in Summit County, which sprawls between the Tenmile Range and the Continental Divide. Trails wind through the woods, up mountainsides and sometimes through old mining ruins. Exploring the Rocky Mountains while on cross-country skis ensures spectacular views, a chance to visit with friends and family, and enough exercise that you'll enjoy soaking in a hot tub at the end of the day.
The Breckenridge Nordic Ski Center offers 32 kilometers of daily groomed trails for all ability levels on classic track and skate-skiing trails. The trails thread through spruce forests and over open meadows on a continuous looped trail system. On Peak 7, there's a beautiful trail alongside South Barton Creek in the White River National Forest. When it's time to rest on this trail, visit Kathy's Viewpoint (a sauna hut), or the furnished Hallelujah Hut warming hut. The Breckenridge Nordic Ski Center provides equipment rentals, ski instruction and personalized attention. For more information, call 970-453-6855, or visit www.breckenridgenordic.com.
The Frisco Nordic and Snowshoe Center maintains 43 kilometers of cross-country trails and 15 snowshoeing trails alongside the shores of Lake Dillon. For information about the trails and equipment rentals, call 970-668-0866 or visit www.breckenridgenordic.com. At both Breckenridge and Frisco centers, when you rent cross-country equipment, you'll also get free snowshoe rentals.
Whether you're an eager beginner looking for a relaxing afternoon, or a seasoned expert wanting an intense physical challenge, you'll find it at Keystone Resort. The Keystone Nordic Center has 18 kilometers of groomed cross-country trails right outside its door on the River Course. Some 50 kilometers of marked, but ungroomed, trails lie in the surrounding countryside, and on old mining roads heading up toward the Continental Divide. Nordic and telemarking lessons, rentals and programs are available, November to April, weather permitting. For more information call 800-354-FUN or visit www.keystoneresort.com.
Many ungroomed trails thread the forests and mountainsides in Summit County. There's also hut-to-hut skiing, thanks to huts that are part of the Tenth Mountain Hut System located in Summit County. Some cross-country skiers do venture into the backcountry—but this should only be done with trained guides or by experienced backcountry skiers. The avalanche danger in Colorado's backcountry is to be taken seriously. So only those with knowledge of safe backcountry travel and appropriate equipment should ski there. You can access trail maps, current snow conditions and backcountry equipment rentals at the Breckenridge and Frisco Nordic Centers.