December 30, 2025 - Legendary Aspen, Colorado offers unforgettable ski experiences including the 90km Aspen-Snowmass Nordic Trail System, the largest free municipal trail system in North America.

Featuring a long season, the free cross-country ski network offers Rockies powder, varied terrain, great grooming on mostly double-track trails, plus lots of skating. Snowshoers are welcome everywhere, while dogs, walkers and fat biking can also access designated trails.

Connecting the communities of Aspen, Snowmass Village, Basalt and tiny Woody Creek, the wildly successful xc ski network is the brainchild of Aspen native Craig Ward, U.S. XC Olympian and captain of the 1980 team at the Lake Placid Games. Ward returned from racing in Europe with the vision of replicating what he’d found in Davos, Switzerland.

Aspen Cross Country Center at the Aspen Golf Club offers marvellous beginner terrain together with rentals and instruction and it’s also home to the popular Red Mountain Grill with lunch, dinner and a full bar.

Famous Owl Creek Trail connects Aspen and Snowmass through meadows and woodland, with a mix of easy and intermediate routes, and the infamous Terminator Trail.

Aspen offers a wide range of luxurious accommodations including reasonably priced, low-key options such as the Mountain Chalet, St. Moritz, Aspen Mountain Lodge, Limelight and Tyrolean Lodge.

Plus, you can downhill at four major areas, fly fish, snowshoe, ice skate, balloon, paraglide, hike, or enjoy historic walking tours, sleigh rides and much more.

Read more about the Aspen-Snowmass Nordic Trail System here.
Check out Best Nordic Ski Great Escapes that features the Aspen-Snowmass Nordic Trail System and many more spots here.