Winter Sports

The GMUG National Forests boasts three developed ski areas alongside limitless backcountry options for skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing, plus gentle slopes perfect for sledding and abundant, powdery snow for recreation.

Skiing/Snowboarding

The GMUG National Forest offers visitors three developed ski areas and countless opportunities for undeveloped backcountry skiing and snowboarding.

Ski Resorts located on the GMUG National Forests:

• Norwood Ranger District : Telluride Ski Resort
• Grand Valley Ranger District: Powderhorn Ski Area
• Gunnison Ranger District: Crested Butte Ski Resort

XC Skiing/Snowshoeing

The GMUG National Forest offers visitors countless opportunities for undeveloped backcountry skiing, snowshoeing and snowboarding. You can backcountry ski, board or snowshoe just about anywhere on the GMUG if you are willing to break trail! Many areas have groomed cross-country ski trails such as the Ironton Town Site, County Line on the Grand Mesa, and Matterhorn near Trout Lake. Some ungroomed areas are so popular you will always find tracks to follow. Backcountry options abound from a quiet self -sufficient hut to hut endeavor, to a mechanized delivery of you and your friends (via snowcat or helicopter) to some of the best untouched fresh powder in southwestern Colorado.  Before you head out into the backcountry, be prepared and monitor avalanche conditions.

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Recreation Opportunities

Snowmobiling (22)

XC Skiing/Snowshoeing (24)

Showing: 21 - 30 of 30 results

Rambouillet Snow #473

Rambouillet Snow Trail #473 is 4.5 miles long. It begins at Forest Road #729.1A and ends at the Gunnison National Forest boundary. The snow trail is open for the following uses: XC Skiing/Snowshoeing…

San Juan Mountains

This area includes the portion of the San Juan Mountains that are on the Norwood and Ouray Districts of the Uncompahgre National Forest.  This area is also known as the Mountain Division.

Sunlight To Powderhorn Snowmobile

The Sunlight to Powderhorn Trail begins by the Sunlight Ski Area near Glenwood Springs on the White River National Forest and ends on the west end of the Grand Mesa south of the Powderhorn Ski Area…

Surface Creek Snowmobile #741

The Surface Creek Snowmobile Trail #741 begins at the Surface Creek Winter Trailhead approximately ¾ of a mile south of the National Forest boundary and ends at an intersection with the Sunlight to…

Trout Lake Nordic Ski

The Trout Lake Nordic Ski Trail is groomed by the Telluride Nordic Association for skate and classic skiing. The trail, located on the historic Rio Grande Southern railroad line, climbs at a gentle…

Uncompahgre Plateau

This area includes the Uncompahgre Plateau area of Norwood, Ouray, and Grand Valley Districts on the Uncompahgre National Forest.  It is also know as the Plateau Division.

Vega Snowmobile #545

The Vega Snowmobile Trail #545 begins at the Vega State Park Trailhead, a State Park Pass is required to park at the trailhead, and ends at an intersection with the Sunlight to Powderhorn Trail…

Ward Lake Ski System

The Ward Lake Ski trail is 15.2 miles long. It begins at Grand Mesa Visitor Center and ends at Ward Creek Reservoir. Ward Lake Ski Trail is open for the following uses: XC Skiing/Snowshoeing

West Bench Cross Country Ski

The West Bench Trail #501 begins at the information sign and travels southward where it crosses a wooden bridge over Mesa Creek. It intersects a natural road and heads northwest paralleling the…

Windy Point Spur Snow #243

Windy Point Spur Snow Trail #243.3M is 1.1 miles long. It begins at Forest Road #243.3H (Windy Peak Road) and ends at Forest Road #243.3B (Pipeline Road). The snow trail is open in the winter for the…