Cross-country (Nordic) skiing in Steamboat
Prices and hours change. Figures below were on the official pages when we checked (October 31, 2026), and some may still be last season's. Confirm on the linked page before you go.
Classic or skate?
Classic means kick-and-glide in set tracks. It's the easiest way to start and works on ungroomed trails too. Skate is a V-shaped push on wide corduroy. It's faster and a harder workout, but it needs a groomed skate lane. The groomed centers below cater to both. Off-trail touring on Rabbit Ears calls for wider classic or backcountry Nordic skis.
| Where | Key facts | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Steamboat Ski Touring Center (base of Mt. Werner, 1230 Steamboat Blvd) | Groomed trails. Trail hours are listed as daily 9 AM–4 PM, snow-dependent. Daily ticket: adult $32, kids 12 and under $27, 65+ $27, parking included. 3-, 6- and 10-day tickets and season passes are also sold. Indy Pass lists it as a new member for 2026/27. | hours · prices · Indy |
| Haymaker Nordic Center | Run by the same operator. A daily ticket is good at one location; multi-day tickets work at both SSTC and Haymaker. | source |
| Howelsen Hill Nordic Center (city, downtown) | A season pass or daily ticket is required on groomed Nordic trails, except on Sundays (Ski Free Sunday). Tickets are sold at the Howelsen ticket office or online. No fat bikes 2–6 PM on weekdays. Ticket prices: check before you go. | City |
| Lake Catamount (Catamount Ranch & Club), south of town | Each winter the golf course becomes a public Nordic center, with classic and skate rentals on site. Prices and hours: call 970-871-6667 or check before you go. | Club · Pilot |
| Valley Pass (SSTC + Catamount + Howelsen) | Season pass, adult $760 / youth $280. The Premier Valley Pass adds Haymaker plus snowshoeing: adult $1,031 / youth $335. Prices change during the preseason. | source |
| Steamboat Lake State Park (about 25 mi north) | About 15 km of groomed beginner and intermediate classic and skate trails, usually groomed Saturday mornings and after big snows. No on-site rentals. A state parks pass is needed (check before you go). Conditions: 970-879-3922. | park · CPW |
| Rabbit Ears Pass West Summit (US-40, about 13 mi east) | Free. The west side is non-motorized. Routes are marked with blue diamonds and mostly not groomed. West Summit Loop A is 3.7 mi. Bruce's Trail (3.1 mi) is built wide for skate and classic and is machine-groomed in early season. Lots fill early, and overnight parking isn't allowed. | USFS brochure · Chamber |
Rentals
Rentals are available at Lake Catamount (Pilot) and the Steamboat Ski Touring Center (SSTC); check rental prices before you go. Steamboat Lake has no rentals, so bring your own skis.
For Rabbit Ears, also read our Rabbit Ears winter guide. If you leave marked routes, check CAIC avalanche forecast.
Gear ideas
Generic product types, not tested by us. Links may become affiliate links — see our disclosure.
- Classic XC skis (waxless/skin) affiliate link placeholder
- Skate skis affiliate link placeholder
- XC boots (match your binding: NNN/Prolink/Turnamic) affiliate link placeholder
- XC poles (classic or skate length) affiliate link placeholder
- Base and mid layers affiliate link placeholder
- Light XC gloves affiliate link placeholder
- Glide and kick wax affiliate link placeholder
Last reviewed: October 31, 2026. Facts link to their sources.