Colorado · Cross-country skiing

Railroad Ski

Railroad SkiPhoto: John Sowell, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
1.0 mi
distance
142 ft
climb
9,316 ft
high point
Jun–Aug
best months

Is Railroad Ski open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. It doesn't name Railroad Ski, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Railroad Ski is a cross-country ski route in Colorado's Gunnison Ranger District, part of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route sits at about 9,160 feet, rising to roughly 9,316 feet over its 1-mile length. The climb is short, with a total gain of 142 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 0.47 miles in, where the grade reaches 12 percent. Winter is the natural season for this route. Typical averages from the nearby Crested Butte weather station, which sits a few hundred feet lower, show January highs around 26°F with lows near -7°F, while July highs reach about 76°F. The station's figures are not adjusted for the route's higher elevation, so temperatures on the ski trail run a little cooler. West Elk Peak and the Braun Bypass are both within half a mile, and Kebler Pass Camping Area is about 4 miles away. Ruby Anthracite Creek, a canoeing spot, lies roughly 7.5 miles off.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit Railroad Ski

    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

      26° / -7°

      12 wet

    2. Feb

      29° / -2°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      38° / 7°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      47° / 19°

      9 wet

    5. May

      58° / 28°

      8 wet

    6. Jun

      70° / 34°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      76° / 40°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 38°

      12 wet

    9. Sep

      66° / 31°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      54° / 22°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      39° / 9°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      27° / -4°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Crested Butte, CO, 8 mi away at 8,867 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors