In the winter months, the Grand Mesa becomes a winter wonderland with over 50 kilometers of natural snow cross country ski trails! Skyway Trailhead is right off the main road on the way up the Mesa, where the Grand Mesa Nordic Council has built a brand new trailhead building! Maps are posted both at the trailhead and at trail junction points, making trail navigation straight forward.
The trails are consistently groomed for skating skiing, with classic ski tracks typically running on both sides of the trail. Skiers can opt for out-and-back loops, or journey to the other trailhead, County Lines, where there are skijoring trails (ski with your dog!).
Because they are maintained by the U.S. Forest Service, the Grand Mesa ski trails are free to use — no ski pass required! The drive up the Mesa is usually around 1.5 hours, but the stunning views and broad natural access makes the trip worthwhile. It is recommended to check the weather and road conditions before skiing, as the road between Powderhorn Ski Resort and Skyway Trailhead is sometimes closed during snow storms.
For more information, check out the Grand Mesa Nordic Council website.
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The Ouray Ice Park is a human-made ice park which is free to use and offers over 150 ice and mixed climbs. The park is right outside of Ouray, and spans almost 2 miles of the Uncompahgre Gorge. The OP offers an ice climbing package that includes crampons, ice axes, and boots, everything you’d need to take on your next ice route!
For more information, check out the Ouray Ice Park website!
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In the winter operating season, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park closes South Rim Drive and grooms the snow into a cross-country ski trail! The trail is a 4 km out-and-back, groomed for classic and skate skiing, as well as snowshoeing. Before you go, make sure to check the website and see if South Rim Drive is in ‘road’ or ‘ski trail’ mode.
For more information, check out the Cross-Country Skiing at Black Canyon webpage!
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Looking to continue fishing into the winter months? Vega Reservoir in Vega State Park offers amazing ice fishing opportunities! After you purchase a $10 vehicle pass, you can venture to the two-mile reservoir, the biggest body of water in the Grand Valley and home to various trout species.
For more information, check out the Vega State Park webpage!
Click here to check out our ice fishing rental packages!