Colorado Nordic Centers East of Tennessee Pass

This somewhat arbitrary dividing line is meant to identify those nordic centers (terrain with groomed-trail skiing) that are within a reasonable day-trip-ish drive from the Colorado Front Range.

Breckenridge Nordic Center, Breckenridge, CO

  • Location

  • Website

  • Trail map

  • Positives: excellent trail maintenance; upper trails are remote; coolest lodge on this list; very open to those who do not fit the nordic-skier profile

Eldora Nordic Center, Nederland, CO

  • Location

  • Website

  • Trail map

  • Positives: the most challenging, fast, vertical trails on this list; closest option to Denver-Boulder area

Frisco Nordic Center, Frisco, CO

  • Location

  • Website

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  • Positives: outstanding scenery; { }

Gold Run Nordic Center, Breckenridge, CO

  • Location

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  • Positives: { }

Grand Lake Nordic Center, Grand Lake, CO

  • Location

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  • Trail map

  • Positives: author has only skied there once; nice mom-n-pop vibe; saw an incredible sunset on the trails — get in touch with why it’s awesome

Mount Massive Golf Course Ski Trails, Leadville, CO
(OK technically a couple miles west of Tennessee Pass)

  • Location

  • Website

  • Trail map

  • Positives: outstanding scenery; lots of flat, beginner terrain; nonprofit community operation, with only a suggested donation to ski

Snow Mountain Ranch, Granby CO

  • Location

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  • Positives: great scenery; massive amount of terrain; affordable lunchroom; significant store selection; affordable lodging onsite

Devil’s Thumb Ranch, Tabernash, CO

  • Location

  • Website

  • Trail map

  • Positives: great scenery; lots of flat, beginner terrain; solid grooming; fancy hotel/spa; hosts lots of public nordic events

Keystone Nordic Center, CO

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  • Positives: { }

Tennessee Pass Nordic Center, Leadville, CO

  • Location

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  • Positives: excellent scenery; local, old-school type vibe; best food on this list, home-cooking style (and better than what is available in pricey mountain towns)

Vail Nordic, Vail, CO

  • Location

  • Website

  • Trail map

  • Positives: it’s in Vail? (JK — author has never skied there, get in touch with why it’s awesome)