From tracked and groomed meadow trails to steep backcountry climbs, Grand County has a nordic experience awaiting skiers of every level and interest at several commercial and a multitude of backcountry sites, all of them offering excellent skiing, varied terrain, and dazzling views of the Rockies.
Devil's Thumb Ranch
PO Box 750
3530 County Road 83
Tabernash, CO 80478
970-726-8231 or 800-933-4339
E-mail: activities@devilsthumbranch.com
Snuggled in Ranch Creek Valley between the towns of Fraser and Tabernash, against a mountain ridge topped by a spire of rock that is the ranch's namesake, Devil’s Thumb Ranch boasts nearly 100 km of groomed trails and skating tracks that wander through 5,000 acres of secluded meadows and hills, with challenges for every level of skier.
Additional winter recreation offerings include:
• Lessons
• Children’s programs
• Retail Sales/Rental Shop
• Sleigh Rides
• Ice Skating
• Sleigh Rides
• 3k lighted trails for night skiing
• Full moon cross country skiing outings
• Cross country races
• Ski joring (skiing with your dog)
• Snacks, sandwiches and drinks
• Snowshoeing
• Ranch Creek Spa
Stay and Play! The Ranch offers a full-range of luxury log cabins. Experience our new 52-room main lodge and Ranch Creek Spa facility.
Snow Mountain Ranch Nordic Center
1101 County Road 53
Granby, CO 80446
970-887-2152 or 303-443-4743
Located just outside Granby at the YMCA of the Rockies, Snow Mountain Ranch Nordic Center has 100 km of groomed tracks and trails through pine forest, wide meadows, and along Pole Creek – and if the climb to the top of some of the more advanced trails doesn't take your breath away, the 360-degree views will!
Additional offerings:
• 2-km lighted trail
• Snowshoeing
• Biathlon range
• Skijoring (skiing while harnessed to your dog)
• Home of the Subaru Snow Mountain Stampede
• Lodging and meals also available on campus
SolVista Basin
63331 US Hwy 40
Granby, CO 80446
800-754-7458 or 877-247-2629
At SolVista Basin, nordic skiers can find one of the best bargains in the area. Some 40 km of uncrowded, groomed trails wind through the forest bordering their two alpine ski hills, and those who climb to the top are rewarded with unsurpassed views of the Continental Divide and the Indian Peaks.
Additional Offerings:
• Free nordic trail
• Ski shop renting both classic and skate skis
• Lessons available for groups, adult and children – Learn to ski, guaranteed!
• Alpine skiing also available
Grand Lake Touring Center
PO Box 590
Grand Lake, Colorado 80447
970-627-8008
During the summer, the Grand Lake Touring Center is one of the area's excellent golf courses. After the snow falls, some 30 km of trails are groomed as tracked and skating trails to wander over the gentle hills of the golf course and into the nearby forest. The Center also serves as the trailhead for many more challenging backcountry trails that stretch out into the public lands that border the property.
Additional offerings:
• Rentals, retail and lessons
• Restaurant and lounge on-premise
• Full Moon Skis & Spaghetti Dinners
• Grand Lake Classic
Latigo Ranch
PO Box 237
Kremmling, CO 80459
970-724-9008 or 800-227-9655
E-mail: info@latigotrails.com
Latigo Ranch offers the best of guest ranch hospitality and prime nordic skiing. During the winter nearly 60 km of track are groomed, and many more backcountry and telemark trails branch out into the surrounding 200 square miles of National Forest. Add to this the gracious lodgings and excellent food, and you have the makings of a memorable nordic getaway.
Additional offerings:
• Sledding
• Snowshoeing
• Hot tub
• Historic log lodge
• Complete food service
• Voted “Best Dude Ranch in Colorado” by Colorado's Best: The Essential Guide to Favorite Places
Open Space
Beyond the commercial nordic centers, true aficionados of backcountry skiing know that 70% of the county's area is public open lands, includingRocky Mountain National Park, Arapaho National Forest, Medicine Bow/Routt National Forest, and the Vasquez Peak, Byers Peak , Never Summer and Indian Peaks wilderness areas. The various nordic centers, local retail shops, and ski clubs are staffed with experienced skiers who can provide valuable information about permits and accessing these remote areas.
