Colorado · Cross-country skiing · Near Leadville

Shortcut

ShortcutPhoto: Skivacations, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
0.3 mi
distance
120 ft
climb
10,605 ft
high point
Moderate
difficulty

Is Shortcut open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 6 alerts for White River National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · White River National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Shortcut is a cross-country ski route in Colorado's White River National Forest, within the Dillon Ranger District. It is a short, moderate outing, about a quarter of a mile long, with a climb of 120 feet from a starting elevation of about 10,470 feet to a high point of about 10,605 feet. The Forest Service manages the land. The route is best for skiers looking to move a short distance on skis. The steepest stretch comes near the start, with a grade of about 12 percent. Snow is frequent from December through March, when typical averages from a nearby weather station in Climax run from highs in the mid-20s to around 27 degrees with lows near 3 degrees. By June, snow days drop to about two a month, though temperatures remain cool at around 61 degrees for highs. The Peak Six Trail lies about half a mile away, and the Siberian Loop, a mountain biking route, is just 0.1 mile off. For climbing, the Breckenridge climbing area is about 1.7 miles away, and the Blue River offers canoeing about 2.8 miles out.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Breckenridge Area

    Campground

    Campground · 2.8 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Pioneer Crossing

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 1 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Jeremy Olson, CC BY-SA 4.0 (commons)

More in Leadville

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go

    Best time to visit Shortcut

    No month here meets our mild-weather rule. 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

      27° / 3°

      15 wet · 15 snow

    2. Feb

      29° / 3°

      15 wet · 15 snow

    3. Mar

      35° / 8°

      14 wet · 14 snow

    4. Apr

      40° / 15°

      13 wet · 13 snow

    5. May

      49° / 25°

      10 wet · 8 snow

    6. Jun

      61° / 34°

      8 wet · 2 snow

    7. Jul

      67° / 40°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      64° / 39°

      15 wet

    9. Sep

      58° / 32°

      11 wet · 2 snow

    10. Oct

      47° / 21°

      9 wet · 7 snow

    11. Nov

      35° / 11°

      12 wet · 12 snow

    12. Dec

      27° / 3°

      15 wet · 15 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Climax, CO, 10.8 mi away at 11,344 ft. The station sits about 700 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more snow worth the drive

Peak Seven Timber RoadPhoto: Bidgee, CC BY-SA 3.0 au (via Wikimedia Commons)

Peak Seven Timber Road

~2 min drive

4.74-mile route on Peak Seven Timber Road with 1,398 ft of elevation gain.

Beaver MeadowsPhoto: Bidgee, CC BY-SA 3.0 au (via Wikimedia Commons)

Beaver Meadows

~3 min drive

1.48-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 352 ft of elevation gain.

Gold DiggerPhoto: Thomson200, CC0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Gold Digger

~3 min drive

Gold Digger is a 0.33-mile trail in Colorado with 67 feet of elevation gain.

Wheeler Lakes TrailPhoto: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Wheeler Lakes Trail

~8 min drive

0.45-mile trail in Colorado with 85 ft of elevation gain.

ColumbinePhoto: Skivacations, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Columbine

~3 min drive

Brief beginner-friendly Colorado ski trail perfect for short outings.

BreckenridgePhoto: 좀비 브렌다, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Breckenridge

~3 min drive

Breckenridge is a ski area in Colorado with 35 lifts, 128 runs, and 3,256 ft vertical drop.

Gluteus MaximusPhoto: Bidgee, CC BY-SA 3.0 au (via Wikimedia Commons)

Gluteus Maximus

~2 min drive

0.76-mile route in Colorado with 327 ft of elevation gain.

Morning GloryPhoto: Thomson200, CC0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Morning Glory

~3 min drive

0.64-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 174 ft of elevation gain.

Troll ForestPhoto: Bidgee, CC BY-SA 3.0 au (via Wikimedia Commons)

Troll Forest

~3 min drive

1.01-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 75 ft of elevation gain.

B&B Mine TrailPhoto: QKC, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

B&B Mine Trail

~8 min drive

Short, beginner-friendly Colorado ski tour near historic mining area.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors