Overview

Snowshoeing is not only a great calorie burner, but it's also fun for all ages and a great way to experience nature at your own pace. Though there are resorts that offer snowshoe trails, the beauty of snowshoes is that wherever there is snow, you can strap them on and just go explore!

Additionally, there are countless trails through national forests where you can bring your snowshoes and enjoy a backcountry experience, including within Rocky Mountain National Park, The Byers Peak, Never Summer and Indian Peak Wilderness Areas, as well as within the Arapaho National Forest and on Berthoud Pass. Check with the Sulphur Ranger District for trail maps and other information: 970-887-4100.

Locations

The Winter Park Ski Resort (Less than two miles from downtown Winter Park)

Snowshoers are welcome to access all of the summer mountain bike trails that extend from this resort through the Arapahoe National Forest. Just grab a map at the Balcony House and pick a trail - they are marked according to difficulty level, so green (easy), blue (intermediate) and black (expert).

• Directions: Park at the Vintage Hotel for free and ride the Cabriolet to the Base. 
• Cost: 2-hour snowshoe tours are $49/adult.
  
• Contact Info: 970-726-1616.

Devil's Thumb Ranch

This ranch has 15k of snowshoe trails to explore, as well as other recreational opportunities that include ski joring, ice skating, sleigh rides, cross-country skiing (100k of trails!), lodging options, and amazing views of the Continental Divide! 

• Directions: Drive west on US Highway 40 toward Tabernash. Turn right onto County Road 83 and follow signs for guest parking. 
• Season/Hours: Opens late November and closes late March/early April, weather depending. Weekday hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Weekend hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the night trails are available until 9 p.m. 
• Cost: Adult day pass is $22-$27 and $10 for under 12 and $15 for over 65. (Guests of the Ranch receive a discount.) Bring your own or rent snowshoes for $25/day; Inquire about passes, lessons and rental equipment within Zac's Mercantile. 
• Contact Info: 970-726-8231 or 800-933-4339

Snow Mountain Ranch Nordic Center (about 13 miles from Winter Park)

This nordic center has about 15k of snowshoe trails that wind through hills and meadows with mountain views everywhere you turn. Lodging and dining options are available on the ranch grounds. 

• Directions: Drive West on US Highway 40 toward Tabernash/Granby. Turn left onto County Rd. 53 and follow signs Snow Mountain Ranch.
• Season/Hours: Opens in early/mid December and closes late March/early April, snow depending. Weekday and weekend hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the night trails are available until 9 p.m. 
• Cost: Adult day pass is $20.00, and $10.00 for ages 6 - 12 & 61-69. (Guests of the Ranch can snowshoe for free.) $20.00/day for snowshoe rentals. 
• Contact Info: 970-887-2152 x 4170 or 303-443-4743.

Granby Ranch Ski Resort/Headwaters Golf Course (about 20 miles from Winter Park)

The nordic/snowshoe trails here can be accessed for free from the base of this alpine ski resort; the trails traverse up the mountain, or for just $5.00, a skier/snowshoer can take the lift to the top and access the trails from the summit. It offers 40k of quiet trails. Another great place to snowshoe is at the Headwaters Golf Course; there are no amenities there during the winter, but you can park in the parking lot and snowshoe all over this 18 hole golf course. 

• Directions: Drive west on US Highway 40 toward Granby. Turn right onto Village Road/Ten Mile Drive and follow signs. • Season/Hours: Opens mid-December and closes mid-March. Weekday and weekend hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
• Cost: FREE unless you ride the lift to the summit, whereas there's a $5.00 lift fee. You must bring your own snowshoes. 
• Contact Info: 800-754-7458 or 877-247-2629.

Grand Lake Touring Center (about 36 miles from Winter Park)

This touring center has 30k of nordic/snowshoe trails that meander over what is a beautiful alpine golf course in the summer; snowshoers are asked to stay on the side of the trails, staying out of the groomed track. They have little trail signs along the way that indicate the distance from one point to the other, and they often offer 'full moon' ski nights & spaghetti dinners, as well as other events. Rentals are available and the clubhouse offers a selection of spirits and snacks; you can also bring your own food. 

• Directions: Drive west on US Highway 40 into Granby. Turn right onto US Highway 34 to Grand Lake. Turn left onto County Road 48 and follow signs. 
• Season/Hours: Opens late November and closes late March, snow depending. Weekday and weekend hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 
• Cost: $16.00 day pass for an adult; $8.00 for 16 and under. Snowshoe rentals are $10.00/day, but after 1:30 p.m., both the day pass and the rental price drop to $13.00. 
• Contact Info: 970-627-8008.

Latigo Nordic Center (about 64 miles from Winter Park)

This well-known Dude Ranch offers 60k of trails that snowshoers are welcome to romp on, but they're asked to stay out of the groomed cross-country ski track. You can also access the nearby backcountry trails that wind through miles and miles of national forest. A historic lodge is a huge draw and it offers gourmet dining and lodging. 

• Directions: From Winter Park, drive to Kremmling. Turn left (west) onto County Road 134 (4 miles outside of Kremmling), and then turn right onto County Road 19, then take the slight right onto County Road 191, then take the first right onto County Road 1911. 
• Season/Hours: Opens mid-December and closes late March, snow depending. Weekday and weekend hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. but if it's still light out after 4:30 p.m., they invite you to stay out as long as you want! 
• Cost: $20.00 for a day trail pass, regardless of age. 
• Contact Info: 201 County Road 1911, Kremmling, CO 80459. Phone: 970-724-9008 or 800-227-9655.

Backcountry Snowshoeing at Berthoud Pass (About 6 miles from Winter Park)

Berthoud Pass was once a ski resort, and even though all of the lifts and amenities are long gone by now, it's still a popular area for snow sports. Park right off the highway at the Berthoud Pass summit and just start walking up the mountain - trails veer out in most every direction. Be wary that you are in the back country, so pack accordingly (food, water, first aid kit), before heading out on the hundreds of acres to explore! There is a restroom at this parking lot.