Cross Country Skiing in Pagosa Springs

One of the many winter outdoor activities available in the Pagosa Springs Colorado area is Cross Country Skiing. Instead of using gravity as with traditional downhill skiing, cross country skiing uses the human body to power you along the snow. It’s great exercise and opportunity to spend a day outdoors in the Colorado sunshine during the winter months.

Groomed Cross Country Trails

In theory, you can slap on a pair of skis and ski just about anywhere you find snow. Skiing in areas that have not been groomed requires a great amount of effort and energy, which may not be enjoyable for many. Groomed trails, however, allow skiers to glide on top of the snow making for an easier, more enjoyable experience. There are many groomed trails for cross country skiing around Pagosa Springs.

The Pagosa Nordic Club webpage provides an updated grooming report that can be used to check the latest trail conditions.

Cloman Park

Cloman Park offers 7km of trails that are groomed by the Pagosa Nordic Club. Snow shoeing and hiking are also allowed here, but please be considerate and keep the two ski tracks untouched for the cross country skiers. Dogs are allowed on-leash in the park. Please keep them off the tracks as well and be sure to pick up after them. Adjacent to Cloman Park is the Davis Ranch. There is an additional 2.5 km of trail that runs through the Davis Ranch. Note that this is private property and dogs are NOT allowed.

Overall, Cloman Park offers 7km of groomed trails and access to the additional 2.5km Davis Ranch extension.

West Fork

The West Fork Area is filled with groomed Cross Country ski trails. In this area, the trails are snow covered forest service roads. The entire service road up to the Rainbow Trailhead is groomed and provides several kilometers for cross country skiing. The terrain up to the trailhead is mostly flat making this area a good option for families and beginners.

The groomed trails are for cross country skiing only. As a courtesy, hikers and snowshoers should stay to the side of the trail in order to avoid disturbing the tracks made for the cross country skiers. There are over 15km of groomed trails in the area.

The below map highlights the West Fork Area. During the winter, you must park by the Bruce Spruce Ranch as the road is only open to private property owners.

Coyote Hill

Coyote Hill offers cross country skiers a 3km loop that is shared with hikers and snowshoers. There are many additional loops for cross country skiing that can be accessed off of the main loop, allowing you to increase your distance by several kilometers if you wish. Trails along the main loop are groomed making this area a good option for beginners and families. Trails outside of the main loop are also groomed, however these trails have more undulation and are best for intermediate and advanced skiers.

Plenty of parking is available at the Coyote Hill parking lot, which is on the right hand side of Piedra Road just past the cattle guard.

Yamaguchi Park

Yamaguchi Park is great for beginners and families with kids. It’s a flat 1.5km groomed trail. This trail is also great for a quick ski run, or even a leisurely day advancing your skills. Located close to the Hot Springs and downtown Pagosa Springs, Yamaguchi Park makes for a great cross country skiing location close to town.

East Fork Road (FS 667)

East Fork road offers you the opportunity to ski along the East Fork of the San Juan River, however, the road is not consistently groomed. Do note that the road is shared with snowmobiles, ATVs and other vehicles. The Wolf Creek Trail Blazers snowmobile club grooms the trail. When groomed, the East Fork Road offers miles of trails along the San Juan River.

Plumtaw / Fourmile Road

During the winter months, both Plumtaw (FS 634) and Fourmile Road (FS 645) are closed at the National Forest boundary. The closed roads are groomed occasionally. When groomed, you can ski for miles and miles.

Reservoir Hill

Reservoir Hill is not groomed, however many people do choose to cross country ski there. This location is not good for beginners or families due to steeper elevation changes and lack of groomed trails. For more experienced skiers, this location provides more difficult terrain. Close to downtown, the location is good for visitors wanting to stay close to town and seeking a more challenging cross country skiing option.

Turkey Springs Trails System

The Turkey Springs Trails system is filled with multi-use trails. In the winter months, trails are groomed for many different types of uses such as Snowmobiling, Snow Biking, Snow skating, Sledding and Cross Country Skiing.

Wolf Creek Pass / Lobo Overlook

The Wolf Creek Pass area is filled with multi-use activities during the winter. Many snowmobiling tours start here making for a loud and sometimes congested area. On the drive up to Wolf Creek Pass from the west, are several forest roads that can be used for cross country skiing as well. Another option for cross country skiers at the pass is the road to Lobo Overlook. Parking for Lobo Overlook is on the north side of US160 just east of the pass.