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Aspen | Snowmass Nordic Trail System (Visit this link)
The Aspen/Snowmass Nordic Trail System was initially developed in the early 80’s by the Aspen/Snowmass Nordic Council, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving and improving cross-country skiing in the Aspen and Snowmass area. There were cross-country ski trails in the upper valley long before this time, but the ASNC brought cohesiveness and a long-term source of funding to the system. The City of Aspen, Pitkin County and Snowmass Village joined together in an Intergovernmental Agreement in the late 80’s to help ensure the continued success of the system. The ASNC oversees the general operation and the City of Aspen Parks Department administrates the maintenance of the system through its Nordic Trails Department. (For the latest news view our Bulletin Board or call the Nordic Hotline at (970) 429-2039).
The Moore Trail offers a technical 1.5 Km loop and access to the High School Trail from the Aspen Golf Course trails. Pyramid Peak looms in the background.
The Aspen/Snowmass Nordic Trail System is unique to North America because it links two towns (Aspen and Snowmass Village) via the Owl Creek Trail which meanders through meadows, wooded areas and crosses three distinct valleys. In addition, the system has trails east of Aspen on the North Star Nature Preserve, along the Roaring Fork River, adjacent to the Aspen High School and the Aspen Valley Ski Club training building. It has trails adjacent to the Snowmass Club, a full service athletic club and the Sage Restaurant that offers a great lunch and dinner menu. It has two very good cross-country ski centers located at each end – one on the Aspen Golf Course and one on the Snowmass Golf Course. The combination of the varied, entertaining ski trails, wonderful vistas, amenities of trail-side cross-country centers, restaurants, athletic clubs and training facilities makes the Aspen/Snowmass Nordic Trail System really very unique and rewarding to ski and snowshoe on. This trail system is also the largest free groomed cross-country ski system in North America.
There are 60 kilometers of groomed skiing available in this trail system. The majority of the system is groomed for both classic and skate skiing although there are some trails that are classic-only. Grooming is done with either small Pisten Bully snowcats or snowmobiles. This is a true winter trail system and does encourage snowshoe use on all of its trails although walkers, runners and bicyclists are not permitted.
There are many locations to access the system and almost all trailheads are accessible via free public transportation. The system is not patrolled so use your best judgement as to ability and fitness levels.
There are other places to cross-country ski in this valley other than on the groomed trails of the ASNC system. Ashcroft Ski Touring offers very good skiing up in the scenic Castle Creek Valley south of Aspen. Tenth Mountain Trail Association and the Fred Braun Hut Association offer un-groomed trails that lead to huts. Spring Gulch Ski Area, located about 45 minutes drive away, is also a groomed, free trail system. In addition to these trails, there is the vast array of back-country skiing opportunities available to those knowledgeable and skilled enough to safely venture out into the mountains and valleys of the Elk Mountains.
http://www.aspennordic.com