Two hours drive from Denver on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park lies Grand Lake, Colorado. A short drive north into the Park from town brings winter adventure seekers into some of the most pristine mountain wilderness the Centennial state has to offer.

Make sure to bring your Nordic skis too because the RMNP is offering ranger-led ski tours within the Kawuneeche Valley three Fridays in February. Each tour will start at 1 p.m., Feb. 9, 16 and 23 and be between 1-2 hours long and will take place on non-groomed, off-trail routes.

Participants can enjoy skiing across snow-covered meadows and in mixed conifer forest areas within the Kawuneeche Valley while learning about this incredible mountain environment.

Rocky’s ranger-led ski tours are considered moderately strenuous and participants should have a baseline fitness level that allows them to ski approximately one mile over hilly terrain at high elevations. These programs take place at 9,000 feet in elevation and are not suitable for young children. Participants must be 16 years or older.

Some cross-country ski experience is required. This program is not designed to be a ski lesson. All participants will need to bring their own gear to participate, including Nordic skis, poles, boot, appropriate clothing, etc. Equipment can be rented nearby at locations in Grand County. All participants should have some knowledge of Nordic ski techniques and know how to snap into and out of their ski bindings.

Reservations are required for all participants and space is limited to a maximum of 12 people per program. To make a reservation, call 970-586-1513. Reservations can be made beginning on the Wednesday before a scheduled program. All reservations are taken in the order they are received. Reservations for ranger-led ski tours are free (a park entrance fee or valid park entrance pass is required to enter RMNP).

Join a Snowshoe Walk Program

A ranger-led snowshoe walk is a two-hour program where participants can walk through hilly, uneven, snow-covered meadows and mixed conifer forest areas within Rocky Mountain National Park. Programs are offered on both the east and west sides of the park and no previous snowshoe experience is required, but the walk is considered moderately strenuous.

Participants should have a baseline fitness level that allows them to snowshoe approximately one mile over hilly terrain at high elevations. These programs take place at 8,700-9,700 feet in elevation. Participants must be 8-years-old or older.

Space is limited to a maximum of 20 people per program. Reservations are free (park entrance fees are still required) and all participants are required to make reservations in advance. These programs are very popular and fill quickly. For more information, visit the park’s webpage at www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/ranger-led-snowshoe-walks.htm.

Already in session, ranger-led snowshoe walks are offered on the west side of RMNP at 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Reservations are taken on the Wednesday before the scheduled program, in the order they are received. West side programs will be offered, weather permitting, through March 17.

Already in session as well, ranger-led snowshoe walks are offered on the east side of RMNP at 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reservations can be scheduled up to seven days in advance of a scheduled program. To make a reservation, call 970-586-1223. East side programs will be offered, weather permitting, through March 28.

Are you a teacher interested in bringing your class to Rocky this winter? Ranger-led Educational Snowshoe Programs are offered to organized school groups. To learn more and to schedule a field trip, visit www.nps.gov/romo/learn/education/rangerguided.htm.