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.