Cross Country Skiing in Steamboat
Perhaps you are an avid cross country skier or maybe you are considering trying it out?
Fortunately, Steamboat has every type of cross country skiing available and an assortment of places to go skiing.
If you are new to the sport, I recommend trying out cross country ski touring. There are several places in this area that have groomed trails for ski touring. If you need skis, I recommend the Steamboat Ski touring Center. The Touring Center has skis available for rent and a ski shop full of cross country ski gear for sale including skate skis. They also offer ski lessosn for both classic touring or skate skiing. Need information on cross country ski racing here is the Steamboat Nordic Council Calendar of Events.
Maybe ski touring just isn’t your style and you prefer Telemark skiing of backcountry skiing. This style of skiing requires a more heavy duty ski and boot than your typical touring ski. The equipment is designed for both lift access skiing and off ski area skiing. The Steamboat Ski Area offers Telemark lessons or check out the cheep lift tickets at Howelsen Hill. Howelsen Hill is a great place to work on your turns before going to the big hill or venturing out into the backcountry.
Backcountry skiing is not for beginners. You need to have well seasoned skiing skills and all the equipment necessary in order to be safe in the backcountry. Going with a trusted friend(s) who are also skilled skiers is recommended. In addition to being prepared with all the necessary equipment, it’s a good idea to check the Colorado Avalnche Report and have the skills to understand snow pits and be able to read topographical maps or use a GPS device. Being safe in the backcountry is essential.
Here is a quick list on places to cross country ski and what type of skiing is recommended there:
Rabbit Ears Pass (REP) – groomed ski touring & skate skiing, also snowmobiling
CDOT Maintenance area (REP) – backcountry
Little Snowbird (REP) – backcountry
The Toilet Bowl (REP) – backcountry
Howelsen Hill – groomed ski touring & skate skiing
Top of Howelsen Mountain – backcountry
Buffalo Pass – snowmobile assisted skiing & snowboarding, lots of snowmobiling
In The Buff – Steamboat Powder Cats terrain
Bitch Creek – backcountry, snowmobile assisted access
Soda Mountain – backcountry
Steamboat Ski Area (SSA)- Alpine skiing, snowboarding, Telemark skiing
Out of bounds at the SSA – backcountry skiing
Catamount Club - groomed ski touring & skate skiing
Steamboat Ski Touring Center – groomed ski touring & skate skiing
Steamboat Lake State Park – groomed ski touring & skate skiing
North Routt Clark/Hahns Peak area – backcountry
