Colorado · Cross-country skiing

Donner Pass

Donner PassPhoto: Allison Jaeger, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
0.3 mi
distance
19 ft
climb
8,754 ft
high point
Moderate
difficulty
Jun–Aug
best months

Donner Pass is a cross-country ski route on Snow Mountain Ranch in Colorado, about 0.28 miles long and rated moderate. It rises from 8,721 feet to 8,754 feet, with a total gain of 19 feet and a brief stretch of 3% grade at the start. The pass sits on land managed by a non-governmental organization. Winter is the natural season for skiing here. Typical averages from the nearby Fraser weather station, at a similar elevation, show January highs around 31°F with lows near -1°F, while June highs reach about 72°F. July and August are the warmest months, with highs in the mid-70s. Swenson and Walts Way, both cross-country ski routes, lie about 0.2 miles away. Climbers can head to the Grand County / Fraser Valley climbing area, roughly 2.8 miles off, and St. Louis Creek Campground is about 5.5 miles away for an overnight stay.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit Donner Pass

    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, 6.7 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

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

Swenson

Next door

0.59-mile ski trail in Colorado with 135 ft elevation gain.

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

Walts Way

Next door

0.50-mile trail in Colorado with 73 ft of elevation gain.

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

Heckman

~1 min drive

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

Steve'S AlleyPhoto: Allison Jaeger, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Steve'S Alley

Next door

0.29-mile ski trail in Colorado with 38 ft of elevation gain.

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

Old Lynch

~1 min drive

Old Lynch is a 1.22-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 469 feet of elevation gain.

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

Biathlon Lane

Next door

0.13-mile trail in Colorado with 45 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.

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

Upper Just

~2 min drive

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

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.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors