Colorado · Cross-country skiing

Walts Way

Walts WayPhoto: Allison Jaeger, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
0.5 mi
distance
56 ft
climb
8,780 ft
high point
Easy
difficulty
Jun–Aug
best months

Walts Way is a short, easy cross-country ski route on Snow Mountain Ranch in Colorado, managed by a non-governmental organization. The trail is about half a mile long, rising about 56 feet from a low point of 8,712 feet to a high of 8,780 feet. The climb is gentle, with the steepest stretch at about 4% grade near the start. 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. That station sits a few hundred feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on Walts Way run slightly cooler. Donner Pass and Lap Lane are both about 0.2 miles away, and the Grand County / Fraser Valley climbing area is about 2.7 miles off. For an overnight stay, St. Louis Creek Campground is about 5.6 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 Walts Way

    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, 6.8 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

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

Donner Pass

Next door

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

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.

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

Swenson

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

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

Steve'S Alley

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0.29-mile ski trail in Colorado with 38 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.

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

Travis

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

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.

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

Lynch

~1 min drive

0.42-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 208 ft of elevation gain.

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

Goldie

Next door

Goldie is a 0.16-mile ski trail in Colorado with 4 feet of elevation gain.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors