Cross Country Skiing in Aspen | Miller Sports Aspen
Aspen's Finest Mountains for the Best Cross Country Skiing Experience
The amazing things about this truly special place known as Aspen seem at times almost never-ending. In addition to the great downhill skiing, Aspen is a mecca for cross country skiing in Aspen CO with the largest free trail network in the country.
People new to the sport will want to head over to the Aspen Cross Country Center located on the Aspen Golf Course. Not only can you rent and buy all the gear you need here, but you also have the perfect near-flat terrain to learn on. If you want, you can hire an instructor to get your technique dialed in or just go for it on your own. Start by taking a few laps on the practice loop, then head out for a few laps on gently rolling terrain with amazing views of the local ski areas and up Independence Pass.
Once you get your technique dialed in, you can head over to the Moore and Marolt open spaces, which are slightly more challenging than the terrain of the Aspen Golf Course. If you are ready for a real challenge, the Aspen High School terrain offers an even more demanding challenge. This area is located near the base of Aspen Highlands but can be accessed via the golf course.
Snowmass also has a challenging course and a cross country ski center of its own. This course is also rather hilly and offers a great workout. For the true die-hard cross-country skier, there is the Owl Creek trail that goes from Snowmass to Aspen. This offers an amazing experience at times completely in the woods with no signs of man in site. Some fitness nuts will even start in Aspen, ski to Snowmass, refuel at the Two Creeks base area and then do it all in again in reverse. This is a demanding workout, especially the climbs up Buttermilk and Owl Creek. Bonus points can be earned by adding on the appropriately named Terminator loop that takes you onto the Longshot run of Snowmass. This brutally steep climb will be sure to send you into an anaerobic nightmare.
In addition to these areas groomed and maintained by the City of Aspen, the Rio Grande trail is also maintained by the city all the way to Basalt when conditions allow. T Lazy 7 Ranch maintains the road to the Maroon Bells, making for a challenging and beautiful ski to one of the most scenic places in the Rockies. This area can be closed during high avalanche danger as it crosses under avalanche terrain, so even though the terrain you are on seems safe, danger looms above. Obey all signage.
Another special cross country skiing experience can be had at the end of Castle Creek at an area maintained by the Pine Creek Cookhouse. This area does charge a fee, but the setting in the Castle Creek Valley nestled beneath Pearl Pass is more than worth it.
For those not familiar with cross-country skiing, we have prepared a short primer on the two styles: classic and skate. Classic skiing requires skis with scales on the bottom that flow freely forward but gain traction to propel you when the scaled center portion of the ski is pressed into the snow. The arms also move in a linear motion—the perfection of the kick-and-glide motion is essential for efficiency. On groomed terrain, you will not need a metal edge on your skis, and a "track" is usually laid for classic skiers, allowing them to focus purely on their form.
Skate skiing requires groomed terrain, and the forward motion is achieved through a skating-style kick of the skis and a more butterfly motion from the arms. Both styles provide a great workout and can allow you to exercise outside all winter long.
Renting Gear for Cross Country Skiing in Aspen
To fully enjoy your time on the trails, having the right gear is essential. Whether you need ski clothing rental Aspen or are looking for top-of-the-line ski boots near me, Miller Sports has you covered. With a wide range of ski apparel outlet options, you can find everything from ski gloves mens to a full ski snow suit to keep you comfortable and protected on your cross-country adventure.
Looking for convenience? We also provide easy access to ski equipment online store options, ensuring you can prepare ahead for your trip and find everything you need to enhance your skiing experience.
