Trip
Backcountry Nordic Skiing – Backcountry Nordic Skiing Brainard Lake
An out-and-back backcountry nordic ski on the ungroomed CMC ski trail and Little Raven Trail starting from the winter parking lot at Brainard Lake. Skiers should be comfortable on backcountry terrain and making turns on slopes < 15 degrees.
Contacts
- Fri, Mar 6, 2026
- Northern Colorado
- Backcountry Nordic Skiing
- Adults
- Moderate
- Mileage: 8.0 mi
- Elevation Gain: 600 ft
- 2 (5 capacity)
- FULL (2 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
This route is a really fun ski. It is forested rolling terrain that slowly climbs a slope for 600 feet over 4 miles (total 8 miles round trip). We can expect there to be ski tracks as this is a popular route, but it is ungroomed single track. There are some shorter hills that we might ascend using the herringbone technique. We will be descending these same slopes. In hard packed snow / icy conditions this could be sporty, while if there is fresh snow it could be nice and gentle. Per CMC rating system this is graded easy, but could be considered moderate based on conditions.
Individuals should have basic skills with this type of activity and feel comfortable:
- Moving on rolling ungroomed single track terrain.
- Being able to control your descent on a slopes with <15 degree slope angle and being able to turn.
- Ascend short sections with herringbone or side step.
Date: 3/6/26
Meeting location: Brainard Lake Winter Parking Lot
Meeting time: 8 am, start skiing at 8:10 am.
Required Equipment
- Backcountry nordic skis with metal edges, poles and boots. Please do not bring classic or skate skis.
- Multiple layers of clothes so people can feel comfortable when moving and when stopped.
- Ten Essentials