Nordic skiing to me is a fun version of hiking in the winter. Sure you can go snowshoeing, but for me cross country skiing has a freeing kid-like aspect to it. Do you remember being a kid after an ice storm or walking out on a frozen lake? What’s your first instinct? To glide of course! This is what cross country skiing is like for me. I’m not very good at it and if I go on a steep-ish downhill, I will most likely fall. BUT I always have a blast doing it! And falling in snow isn’t so bad, even at my age. 😂 Keep reading to find out where you can experience such joy cross country skiing in Bozeman.

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How Hard Is Cross Country Skiing For Beginners?

If you’ve never been cross country skiing you might be wondering if you can actually do it. For beginners, it is important to choose the right trail.

A groomed one will be easier. Each route has a difficulty level too. Choose an easy trail and have fun with it. Will you fall? Yes, probably! But that’s how you learn. 

If you are one of those people that want someone to show you what to do instead of learning by failing, you can get lessons.

The best place in Bozeman for nordic skiing lessons is at Crosscut. You can learn more about prices and book a time here.  

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Cross Country Ski Rentals In Bozeman

If you don’t have your own skis, there are plenty of places to get your cross country ski rentals in Bozeman. Here are a few options to get you started that I would recommend: 

Crosscut 

If you are skiing at Crosscut, rent directly from them: 

Adult rentals: $25

Youth rentals (10-17 years old): $20

Seniors and Children: $10

Round House

Cross country rentals at Round House are only located at the downtown Bozeman location not out by Bridger Bowl. 

Adult rentals: $30

Kid rentals: $15 

Bob Wards

I normally rent my nordic skis from Bob Wards. They seem to be the least expensive in town. I want to say that it was like $15 dollars. The pricing is not on their website, so I’m not sure if the price has changed.

Just show up and go to the back of the store to get your rentals. If you want to be sure that there are still skis available and the current price, you can give them a call at +1 406-586-4381.

Chalet Sports

Another option for Bozeman nordic ski rentals is Chalet Sports. We always rented our kids alpine skis here. They are a great little store and conveniently located right downtown. 

Adults: $25 

Kids: $10

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Where To Go Cross Country Skiing In Bozeman For Beginners? 

Crosscut 

If you have never been cross country skiing, I would recommend visiting Crosscut. They have miles and miles (45 km to be exact) of groomed trails to use. 13 of these snowy pathways are at an easy level.

There are warming shelters along the scenic paths too to warm up those chilly fingers and toes. In addition, you can book a small group or private lesson if you feel more comfortable learning from someone else. 

If you aren’t a beginner, Crosscut is also a wonderful option with 17 intermediate and 7 experienced routes to choose from. There’s something for everyone! 

Day passes for adults are $30, $20 for youth, 6 year olds and under are free. If you are interested in skiing for multiple days, you can purchase a 5-day pass for $135 dollars. There are also a season pass and a family pass. Get more info on additional options and purchase your passes on Crosscut’s website. 

Sunset Hills & Highland Glen

The closest trails to town are actually right in the city limits. You can test your beginner skills at Sunset Hills and Highland Glen.

The groomed tracks right next to the hospital are all beginner level and a great place to start. There are some other more challenging paths you can take in this area as well.

All the routes are groomed by the Bridger Ski Foundation which is community supported by donations. Check out the map of these groomed ski trails here. 

Bridger Creek Golf Course

Another groomed area by Bridger Ski Foundation is the Bridger Creek Golf Course. With almost 10 kms of easy trails, this is a perfect location to glide through the snow without driving too far from the city. 

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More Bozeman Nordic Skiing Locations For All Levels

Hyalite Canyon 

My favorite area to go cross country skiing in Bozeman is in Hyalite Canyon. It is one of the only forested locations where you can glide through the peaceful snow covered trees on groomed trails without paying for a day pass.

You will find mostly easy routes with a few intermediate level sections scattered around the area. You can see the groomed trail map here. There’s a large parking lot at Hyalite Reservoir with plenty of parking. 

Goose Creek 

Goose Creek is only a short distance from the city and a delightful area to go cross country skiing in Bozeman. The paths are not groomed but are fairly popular for nordic skiing.

The Forest Service road trails are wide with various routes through wintry meadows and wooded areas. Please note, the parking lot is not very large and the road is too narrow to park on. Have a backup plan if there’s no parking. 

Bear Canyon

A good plan B if there’s no parking in Goose Creek is the nearby Bear Canyon trail. You can ski about 2.5 miles to the first meadow or another 1.5 miles before it gets too hilly. There are some spots where it can be a little steep near a switchback turn, so it might not be the best option for a beginner. 

Bozeman Creek – Sourdough Canyon 

For a beautiful groomed trail that is at an intermediate level, try Bozeman Creek (Sourdough Canyon). These trails are multi-use and you will see lots of hikers and dogs too. After a few miles, the people thin out and you will be alone in the serene area. 

Brackett Creek

Brackett Creek is another great area perfect for those that have a little experience nordic skiing. It is not too difficult, but it isn’t flat either. The pathway is not groomed, but has gorgeous views of the Bridgers while you ski. This is also a great option if your family wants to downhill ski, as it is close to Bridger Bowl Ski Resort.

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Cross Country Skiing Locations Near Bozeman 

There’s not just great cross country skiing right in and around Bozeman. There are a few other epic spots that are in my opinion worth mentioning, even though they are over an hour drive away. 

Lone Mountain Ranch

The first place I have to mention is Lone Mountain Ranch. Located in Big Sky, Montana, it has some of the best nordic ski trails in the area. If your family is downhill skiing at Big Sky Resort, this is the best option for cross country skiing nearby. 

Passes for the day are $40 for adults, youth (13-17) and seniors (60-69) are $28 and children and 70+ are free. They have a 5-day pass you can purchase for $130 as well.

Please note that you can only rent gear at the ranch if you are staying there and you can’t purchase day passes in advance. Buy them when you arrive.

West Yellowstone

If you are traveling to Yellowstone and would like to do some cross country skiing near West Yellowstone, be sure to check out Rendezvous Trails. There are over 35 km of groomed routes at Rendezvous. 

The snow there is usually a little better earlier in the season than Bozeman due to it being at a higher elevation, so if conditions aren’t good in Bozeman yet, this is a great place to check out. 

Ski passes are $15 dollars a day for individuals, $30 dollars for a 3-day pass, and children under 12 are free. I would say that it isn’t an ideal place for beginner cross country skiers as most of the paths are labeled as intermediate and up, but if you have a little bit of experience, it is a great place to go!

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Yellowstone National Park – North Entrance

If you go the opposite direction and plan on visiting Yellowstone from the north, there are plenty of opportunities to go cross country skiing in Yellowstone National Park. The north road in Yellowstone is open year round and there are a few spectacular areas that are popular for nordic skiing. 

Mammoth Hot Springs

There are a variety of paths you can ski near Mammoth Hot Springs including the Upper Terrace Loop and Bunsen Peak which are both groomed trails. The easiest trail near Mammoth is the Indian Creek Loop. You will need to take the ski shuttle to access the Indian Creek area. Be sure to arrange and purchase tickets in advance. This website gives you all the trail options and maps. 

Northeast Area Ski Trails

There are a few trail options as you drive closer to Cooke City. This area of the park consistently has the deepest snowpack throughout the winter, so if you are looking for snow, this might be your best bet. I also love the views of the mountains in this area of Yellowstone.

The Bannock Trail is the easiest option for nordic skiing in this area, but here is the map and list of other trails you can ski in the Northeast Area. 

Tower Falls

One of the most popular areas to cross country ski in Yellowstone is Tower Falls. This groomed trail to the breathtaking Tower Falls is only 2.5 miles one way and easy.

If you are searching for a little more difficult options, you can also venture down the Blacktail Plateau Trail or the Chittenden Loop Trail. Check out the map of these ski trails here.

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