Colorado · Cross-country skiing

Biathlon

BiathlonPhoto: Eric Johnson, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
0.4 mi
distance
56 ft
climb
8,732 ft
high point
Moderate
difficulty
Jun–Aug
best months

Biathlon is a cross-country skiing route on Snow Mountain Ranch in Colorado, managed by a non-governmental organization. The trail is short, about 0.4 miles, and the climb is gentle, with a total gain of 56 feet and a steepest grade of about 6% near the start. It is rated moderate. Winter is the natural season for skiing here. Typical averages from the nearby Fraser weather station show January highs around 31°F with lows near -1°F, while June and July run in the low to mid 70s. The station sits a few hundred feet lower than the route, so temperatures on the trail may run slightly cooler. Tabernash and Possum, both cross-country ski routes, are each about 0.1 mile away. Climbers can head to the Grand County / Fraser Valley area, about 2.6 miles off, and St. Louis Creek Campground is about 5.4 miles away.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit Biathlon

    Best months: June–August. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      31° / -1°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      34° / 2°

      10 wet

    3. Mar

      43° / 11°

      9 wet

    4. Apr

      51° / 20°

      8 wet

    5. May

      62° / 27°

      7 wet

    6. Jun

      72° / 33°

      6 wet

    7. Jul

      77° / 38°

      9 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 37°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      68° / 29°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      56° / 21°

      7 wet

    11. Nov

      41° / 10°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      31° / -1°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Fraser, CO, 6.5 mi away at 8,560 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more snow worth the drive

Pole CreekPhoto: Eric Johnson, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Pole Creek

Next door

0.99-mile route in Colorado with 40 ft of elevation gain.

DavisPhoto: Eric Johnson, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Davis

Next door

0.18-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 42 ft of elevation gain.

HeckmanPhoto: Eric Johnson, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Heckman

Next door

1.25-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 282 ft of elevation gain.

Lap LanePhoto: Allison Jaeger, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Lap Lane

Next door

Lap Lane is a 0.10-mile ski trail in Colorado with 1 ft of elevation gain.

TravisPhoto: Allison Jaeger, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Travis

Next door

Travis is a 1.13-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 119 feet of elevation gain.

Upper JustPhoto: Eric Johnson, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Upper Just

Next door

Moderate 3.15-mile Colorado backcountry ski tour for intermediate skiers.

CcoPhoto: Allison Jaeger, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Cco

Next door

Cco is a 0.29-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 14 feet of elevation gain.

LoweryPhoto: Eric Johnson, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Lowery

Next door

0.12-mile ski trail in Colorado with 37 ft of elevation gain.

AudunPhoto: Eric Johnson, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Audun

~1 min drive

2.38-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 327 ft of elevation gain.

Ranch ViewPhoto: Eric Johnson, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Ranch View

Next door

0.28-mile ski trail in Colorado with 27 ft of elevation gain.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors