Colorado · Cross-country skiing

Swenson

SwensonPhoto: Allison Jaeger, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
0.6 mi
distance
14 ft
climb
8,766 ft
high point
Moderate
difficulty
Jun–Aug
best months

Swenson is a cross-country ski route on Snow Mountain Ranch in Colorado, a non-governmental organization-managed property about 0.6 miles long. The climb is short, with a high point of 8,766 feet and a low of 8,729 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 0.2 miles in, with a 9% grade. Winter is the natural season for this route. Typical averages from the nearby Fraser weather station show January highs around 31°F with lows near -1°F, while June runs about 72°F by day and 33°F at night. The station sits a few hundred feet lower than the route, so temperatures on the trail run slightly cooler. Steve's Alley and Donner Pass are both within a quarter mile, making it easy to link routes. For climbing, the Grand County / Fraser Valley area is about 3 miles away, and St. Louis Creek Campground offers camping about 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 Swenson

    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, 6.6 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

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.

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

Donner Pass

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0.28-mile ski route at Donner Pass in Colorado with 78 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.

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

Walts Way

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

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

Biathlon Lane

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0.13-mile trail in Colorado with 45 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.

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

Lap Lane

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

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

Lowery

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

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

Old Lynch

~2 min drive

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

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

Columbine

Next door

Columbine is a 0.31-mile ski trail in Colorado with 40 feet of elevation gain.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors