Thanks to the Pagosa Nordic Club, Wolf Creek Ski Area and the National Forest Service volunteers and employees, the Pagosa Springs area offers many beautiful areas of free groomed skiing!
Please read the trailhead signage and observe the restrictions for given areas. Not following the rules may result in the loss of winter access to these amazing spots. The Pagosa Nordic Club has also been granted access to private property under the condition restrictions are strictly followed. These generous owners have allowed the PNC to extend trail grooming by many, many kilometers.
Dogs are prohibited in certain areas. Refer to trailhead signage. When dogs are allowed, they should be leashed or under voice control. Please pick up waste!
Full PNC Trail Maps
Cloman Park
This Archuleta County Park area of groomed trails weaving in and out of Ponderosa pine forest is wonderful for beginners and intermediates, classic and skate skiers. Beginners will especially appreciate the many loops of varied terrain within easy access of the parking lot. The upper east section of trails have views of Pagosa Peak not to be missed!
The Cloman Park ski trails are groomed by the PNC exclusively for cross-country skiing. Please no snowshoers/walkers! Post-holing ruins the groomed snow. There is a specially designated, marked and packed/groomed loop for snowshoers/walkers which begins at the parking lot or there are many off trail opportunities at this location. Snowmobiles are prohibited at Cloman Park.
Dogs should be leashed or under voice control. Please pick up waste!
The Davis Ranch and McCollum Ranch (the newly fenced area adjacent to the airport runway) are groomed and available for cross country skiing. These are private property and considered wildlife sanctuarys. ABSOLUTELY NO DOGS are allowed on this section. It is open to skiers only (no snowshoes or walking allowed.) Please stay on designated groomed trails. Please respect these important rules or access for all users will be revoked!
Getting there: Drive 1.3 miles north on Piedra Road from Highway 160. Turn right (east - entrance to Steven's Field airport) on Cloman Blvd for 1.4 miles. Stay left at fork in the road which dead ends at Cloman Park parking lot.
Coyote Hill
In National Forest, Coyote Hill is a nice area with three levels of loops. The Pagosa Ranger District grooms up to 14 km for skate skiing, with set tracks for classic cross-country skiing. The first level — just off the parking area — offers 3 km of beginner, groomed trails. From the main trail, skiers can continue up to the second level for an additional 3 km of intermediate terrain. The upper loop offers another 6 km of intermediate terrain and 2 km of advanced terrain. The backside and upper loops have immense, stunning views of Pagosa Peak!
The ski trails are groomed exclusively for cross-country skiing. Please no walkers! Post-holing ruins the groomed snow. There is a specially designated, marked and groomed loop for snowshoers which begins at the parking lot. Snowmobiles are prohibited on Coyote Hill. Dogs should be leashed or under voice control. Please pick up waste!
*Ability Level signs mark the trails.
Getting there: Drive 6.3 miles north of U.S. 160 on Piedra Road (County Road 600). The trailhead is on the right, just after the cattle guard. Please park in the pull-off if it is plowed.
Laverty Ranch
This location is private property. PNC membership or donation to PNC is highly recommended. The trails are groomed exclusively for cross-country skiing. Dogs, bikers, walkers, snowshoers and snowmobiles are prohibited at Laverty Ranch.
Park on the gravel to the west of the vet clinic Monday through Saturday. Please keep the first gate closed and stay on groomed trails. Dogs are not allowed at Laverty Ranch
Getting there: Located at 2197 E Hwy 160 - 1.1 miles east of the intersection of Hwy 84 and Hwy 160. Park in the designated parking area next to San Juan Veterinary Hospital.
West Fork Nordic Trail
In National Forest, with an abundance of flat, groomed and natural terrain, the West Fork area provides fantastic cross-country opportunities for beginners. The area offers skiers the chance to ski through stands of giant conifers, as well as scenic views of the valley floor and the headwaters of the San Juan River. Stay on the Forest Service road for a mostly flat ski experience or continue beyond the second bridge toward the Rainbow trailhead to get an uphill workout. Or proceed to the left to access a keyhole loop of undulating terrain.
West Fork is one of the few locations that typically provides early and late season groomed trails. Pagosa Nordic grooms up to 15 km for skate skiing, with set tracks for classic cross-country skiing.
The ski trails are groomed by the PNC exclusively for cross-country skiing. Please no walkers! Post-holing ruins the groomed snow. Snowshoers are advised to use the very edge of the trail or enjoy the many off trail opportunities at this location. Dogs should be leashed or under voice control. Please pick up waste!
PNC has worked out an arrangement with the Pagosa Ranger District for the shared use of the main trail, since this trail also provides access to private property. PNC will groom the left side (southern side) of the main road to allow private property access along the right side (northern side) of the main road. There may be instances where access with a track vehicle will need to use the left side of the groomed trail surface where the trail passes through narrow areas. These areas may not accommodate set tracks due to the available width. Please share the trail!
Getting there: Drive 14 miles east of Pagosa Springs on U.S. 160 look for the “Bruce Spruce Lodge” sign on the left side of the road. Turn left onto West Fork Road (Forest Road 648). Drive to the end of the road (.25 miles). Park on the side of the road where it is plowed. Please do not block driveways, the turnaround area or ski trail entrances. It is best to use the turnaround to face to the way out.
Note about West Fork Road
- DO NOT drive down the road if it is not well plowed! It is easy to become stuck in drifting snow and help is not easily reached.
- If the road is not well plowed, there is a pull out area off U.S. 160 at the top of West Fork Road which is often plowed. Skiers can then ski/walk down West Fork Road to the ski trails. Do not park in this pull out if it is actively snowing. CDOT plow operators will be forced to block your vehicle in with snow.
Yamaguchi Nordic Track
Located in downtown Pagosa Springs in the town park, this 1.5 km Nordic track loop is flat with 100 percent beginner terrain, providing a great family area and perfect lunch-time workout area.
When there is adequate snow pack, Pagosa Nordic or the school Nordic teams groom a 1.5 km loop and the neighboring trails behind the high school for skate skiing, with set tracks for classic cross-country skiing.
The ski trails are groomed exclusively for cross-country skiing. Walkers, bikers and snowshoers are advised to use the very edge of the trail. Snowmobiles are prohibited at Yamaguchi. Dogs on leash only. Please pick up waste!
Getting there: Follow Hot Springs Boulevard past Pagosa Springs Town Hall and turn right on Apache Street, then left on South 5th Street. Follow South 5th Street about two blocks to the parking area.
Groomed Nordic Ski Options East on U.S. 160:
Alberta Lake Loop (Wolf Creek Ski Resort)
A beautiful 10 km loop which starts at the end of the upper parking lot of Wolf Creek Ski Area and goes through meadow and forest. Wolf Creek Ski Area has groomed this trail for skate skiing, classic cross country skiing, snowshoeing and fat biking for many years with no use fees required.
Walkers, bikers and snowshoers are advised to use the very edge of the trail or enjoy the many off trail opportunities at this location. Snowmobiles are prohibited at Wolf Creek. Dogs should be leashed or under voice control. Please pick up waste! Check on location signage for any trail specific restrictions.
There is no ability level signage at Wolf Creek. The access to all the Nordic trails is a 1 km Intermediate level trail heading down. Beginners should be aware of the slope and that speed control is needed. For beginners, walking to the lower area is advised and worth the effort. Note that users should remember to save enough energy to make it back up this hill to their car at the end of the day.
During ski area hours, there is often a restroom available at the base of the Alberta lift also for use by Nordic trail users. On the weekends and during high seasons, Wolf Creek Ski Area operates a small grill at the base of the Alberta lift offering food and drinks during lunch hours.
Getting there: Travel 24 miles east on U.S. 160 to the Wolf Creek Ski Area. The parking attendant can guide you to the far east end of the upper parking lot where the Nordic trails begin.
Fall Creek Road(Forest Road 039)
Please note - this area is open to all winter activities and in resent years, has seen heavy snowmobile traffic on the road and surrounding terrain with a very full parking area.
Beginning at about 9,600 feet in elevation, this popular ski route climbs gradually for approximately six miles. Beginners should be aware of the required ability to control speed on the return.
Great early and late season snow conditions. 5 km groomed for cross-country skiing by the PNC early in the season only. Available prior to other trails opening for the season.
Getting there: Travel 19 miles northeast on U.S. 160 to Fall Creek Road (039). Once cleared, there is a large parking area on the south side of the highway. Avoid parking along the highway travel lanes.
