Snowmass Town Council discusses new Nordic trail system management plan

Snowmass Town Council expressed support for an updated Nordic skiing trail system management plan Monday that puts special emphasis on climate resiliency, accessibility and preservation. 

The plan, which was spearheaded by the city of Aspen Open Space and Trails Nordic Staff, is aiming to mitigate the impacts of low snow and warm conditions in future years after the activity faced challenges during the 2025/26 season. 

The Aspen-Snowmass Nordic trail system, which spans 106 kilometers across Pitkin County, is constructed annually with natural snow. The potential use of artificial snow-making machines was heavily discussed during Monday’s meeting, and Aspen-Snowmass Nordic Council President John Wilkinson pointed out to council that much of the water required for snow-making would melt back into the watershed, reducing wastefulness. 

“For snow-making on Nordic trails, we only need 6 inches,” Wilkinson told the council. “We don’t need Fanny Hill. We don’t need a half-pipe. The amount of water we would require is equivalent to one week of watering at the golf course. Seventy percent of it gets put back into the system when it melts — it eventually works its way back into the watershed.” 

But council still raised concerns about water rights, given that much of the trail system in Snowmass sits on the Snowmass Club Golf Course and privately-owned property along Owl Creek Road. 

“Keep your ears open if there’s ever an opportunity to talk to the golf course people about potential realignments of some of the trails,” Wilkinson urged the council.

The new management plan also includes other climate resiliency methods, like an adjusted  grooming schedule to help improve the snow’s longevity by allowing snow to fully set prior to grooming. Other approaches include investing in equipment better suited for low snow coverage so as to avoid damaging thin layers of snow and implementing insulated snow storage. 

The plan also incorporates building trails on higher ground where snow is less prone to melting — Difficult Campground and Independence Pass were floated, along with other areas in Pitkin County that hold snow more easily. But this procedure would also require obtaining permits and easements.

“Climate resiliency will require more action items,” Council Member Cecily DeAngelo said during the meeting. “We may need to revisit how we participate with Pitkin County Open Space and the Nordic Council in order to ensure that we still have a Nordic system here.”

Aside from climate resiliency efforts, the Nordic Staff are also working to improve trail quality and user experience. One hallmark of the Aspen-Snowmass Nordic Trail System is that it is completely free to use, making it a more affordable and accessible option for residents and visitors looking to participate in winter sports. 

“Having this Nordic trail system here opens up access to nature in a way that downhill skiing just can’t — as far as affordability goes,” Council Member Britta Gustafson said during the meeting. 

The new plan’s quality improvements include mowing trails and trimming down vegetation growing on trail edges to create a smooth layer for snowpack grooming this fall, as well as summer surface and micrograding work characterized by removing rocks and adding in wood chips to support faster freezing. The Nordic Staff will prioritize the most popular, highest-use trails. 

The Nordic Staff is working to preserve existing land easements and secure new easements as new trails develop. With many trails on private land, good communication between staff members and land owners was stressed as essential.

The Nordic Staff also continues to research best practices and developments in the Nordic skiing industry to ensure the vitality of the local trail system for years to come. 

“It’s such a great amenity in the winter,” Mayor Alyssa Shenk said in affirmation of the plan. 

No formal action was requested of council at the meeting.