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Colorado · Skiing
Aspen's skiing scene extends well beyond the resort boundaries, and the cross-country and ski touring options in and around town are genuinely worth planning around.
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View on mapSkiing · 45 spots
Aspen's skiing scene extends well beyond the resort boundaries, and the cross-country and ski touring options in and around town are genuinely worth planning around. The Rio Grande Trail runs right through the valley floor and is one of the more accessible groomed corridors for beginners or anyone looking for an easy warm-up ski close to downtown. From there, the network branches out considerably: the Maroon Creek Trail and Maroon-Snowmass Trail push into the backcountry toward the Elk Mountains, offering ski touring terrain that ranges from mellow valley travel to more committing moderate routes. If you want something with real bite, Maroon Gorge Trail is the hardest-rated option in the listing set and should be treated accordingly. The Owl Creek Nordic Trail and Benedict Trail fill out the mid-difficulty range nicely for skiers who have their kick-and-glide dialed but aren't ready to navigate avalanche terrain. Jaffe Park Spur, Marolt Trail, and the ABC Trail are the go-to picks for families or newer skiers. With 45 active listings across cross-country skiing and ski touring disciplines, Aspen has enough variety that you can match the day's conditions and your own fitness to a route without much compromise.
The Rio Grande Trail is the flattest and most accessible option, rated easy and starting close to the center of town. Marolt Trail and Jaffe Park Spur are also easy-rated and good for beginners or a low-key afternoon ski.
Maroon Lake Road, Maroon Lake Trail, and the Maroon-Snowmass Trail all head in that direction and are listed at easy to moderate difficulty. Maroon Creek Trail is the moderate step up if you want more vertical and a longer day out. Be aware that Maroon Creek Road is closed to vehicles in winter, so you'll be skinning or skiing from the closure gate.
Ski touring
Aspen, Colorado
Cross-country skiing
Aspen, Colorado
Cross-country skiing
Aspen, Colorado
Cross-country skiing
Aspen, Colorado
Cross-country skiing
Aspen, Colorado
Cross-country skiing
Aspen, Colorado
Cross-country skiing
Aspen, Colorado
Cross-country skiing
Aspen, Colorado
Ski touring
Aspen, Colorado
Ski touring
Aspen, Colorado
Cross-country skiing
Aspen, Colorado
Ski touring
Aspen, Colorado
Ski touring
Aspen, Colorado
Ski touring
Aspen, Colorado
Ski touring
Aspen, Colorado
Ski touring
Aspen, Colorado
Ski touring
Aspen, Colorado
Ski touring
Aspen, Colorado
Ski touring
Aspen, Colorado
Cross-country skiing
Aspen, Colorado
Cross-country skiing
Aspen, Colorado
Ski touring
Aspen, Colorado
Cross-country skiing
Aspen, Colorado
Cross-country skiing
Aspen, Colorado
Maroon Gorge Trail is the only hard-rated route in the set. It's a ski touring and backcountry corridor, so avalanche awareness, appropriate gear, and a solid fitness base are all prerequisites before heading in.
Morning is generally best on groomed trails like Rio Grande and Owl Creek Nordic Trail before afternoon foot traffic and warmer temperatures soften the snow surface. On sunny days in late winter, south-facing sections can get slushy by early afternoon, so an early start makes a real difference in snow quality.
The cross-country trails like Rio Grande Trail, Bernese Boulevard, and North Star Loop are suited to classic Nordic skis or skate skis on groomed surfaces. The ski touring routes, including Maroon-Snowmass Trail and Maroon Creek Trail, require touring or backcountry skis with climbing skins, and for anything rated moderate or harder in the backcountry, carry avalanche rescue gear and know how to use it.