Nordic trails opening up around town and in Crested Butte South

Lily Lake grooming done for the season

By Katherine Nettles

Nordic skiing is hitting its prime as snowfall and lots of grooming have helped open some of the favorite local areas for the season.

The Crested Butte Nordic Center has about half its trail system—roughly 25 kilometers—open now. Town Ranch and the Riverbend Connector were groomed to open on Tuesday. Crested Butte Nordic Center executive director Christie Hicks said the Met Rec has ensured that area will have ample grooming and public access this year, since Met Rec will provide the funds to keep Town Ranch regularly groomed, free and open to the public for all non-motorized uses. Hicks said Lily Lake grooming is done for the season since the county stopped plowing to the area.

Updated information for the Crested Butte Nordic center and events can be found at cbnordic.org.

The ranch loop on the Spann Ranch in Crested Butte South opened on Monday. According to Crested Butte South Property Owner Association manager Dom Eymere, approximately 3.8 kilometers beginning at the end of Teocalli Road were groomed. With another storm on the horizon, more track is expected.

“It is still early season, and there is no classic track set yet. We still need a little more snow for that. And once more snow comes, we’ll get in to more intermediate terrain,” said Eymere.

The ranch loop is free to all POA members and guests, and Eymere said a donation box is at the trailhead, and those donations are always appreciated. No dogs are allowed on the ranch loop. The POA will host some full-moon skis throughout the winter, with potlucks at the trailhead. The first one is scheduled for January 10. Updated information for the Crested Butte South tracks and events can be found at crestedbuttesouth.net.