In recent years, Colorado ski resorts have found unique ways to transform into busy summer and fall playgrounds and ideal spots for group gatherings and activities, and the state’s Nordic centers are doing the same. The Colorado Cross Country Ski Association, representing 19 family- and group-friendly ski centers and guest ranches that have a combined total of more than 850 km of ski and snowshoe trails, shared these ideas for great summer base camps for golf, adventures, events and more.
At Frisco Adventure Park, tubing and sledding turns into summer fun with a free bike park, free skate park, free disc golf course, hiking and biking trails, camping spots, wagon rides and more. Views of Lake Dillon are a bonus.
Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa, Snow Mountain Ranch, Tennessee Pass and Thunder Mountain Lodge become picture-perfect in the summer and fall with dramatic views that provide an incomparable backdrop for receptions, dinners, weddings and most any kind of gathering.
Perhaps one of the most striking changes when the snows melt is realizing that some cross-country ski and snowshoe trails were created over impeccably groomed golf fairways and greens at places like Grand Lake Golf Course, Keystone Golf Course and Vail Golf Course. Measure distance in yards and holes instead of kilometers!
In some cases, stellar Nordic trails come alive with horses and riders at guest ranches like Home Ranch, Latigo Trails, Vista Verde and Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa.
When it’s time to put the skis and snowshoes away, think out of the box about how winter facilities and trails can be transformed into something entirely different for your group!