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Devil's Thumb Ranch named Best Cross-Country Ski Resort

Skiers enjoy 65 miles of groomed trails at this Colorado resort

Few activities can compare to cross-country skiing for the opportunity to experience a quieter, more serene side of winter (with a killer cardio workout to boot). While many alpine ski areas also offer Nordic trails, some of the best cross-country skiing is found at dedicated resorts. We asked a panel of Nordic ski experts to nominate their 20 favorite resorts, and for the past four weeks, our readers have been voting for their favorites.

  • Devil's Thumb Ranch
    Tabernash, Colo.

    Nearly 65 miles (120 km) of groomed trails at the base of Colorado's continental divide make Devil's Thumb Ranch a favorite for skate or classic cross-country skiing. Beginners can sign up for private or group lessons, while more advanced skiers can push themselves in advanced technique clinics
    Photo courtesy of Devil's Thumb Ranch

  • Cross Country Ski Headquarters
    Roscommon, Mich.

    Michigan’s go-to for cross-country skiing, the Cross Country Ski Headquarters in Higgins Lake maintains 11 miles (18 kilometers) of groomed trails, as well as a large and well-maintained rental fleet, full service day lodge and team of certified instructors.
    Photo courtesy of Cross Country Ski Headquarters / Facebook

  • Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Center
    Truckee, Calif.

    Tahoe Donner's 62-plus miles (100 km) of trails wind through 2,800 acres of terrain. The resort, a favorite among Tahoe-area locals, includes five warming huts, a large variety of modern rental equipment and even some fat biking and dog-friendly trails.
    Photo courtesy of Tahoe Donner

  • Garnet Hill Lodge
    North River, N.Y.

    Situated at a 2,000-foot elevation, the snow conditions are excellent at Garnet Hill in the Adirondacks of New York. Skiers of all ages and ability levels can explore the 34 miles (55 kilometers) of daily groomed trails, take a lesson from the PSIA certified ski school or even enjoy some full moon skiing.
    Photo courtesy of Garnet Hill Lodge / Facebook

  • White Grass Ski Touring Center
    Davis, W.V.

    Located in West Virginia's snowy Cabin Mountain range, White Grass Ski Touring Center maintains more than 37 miles (60 kilometers) of trails. The center also offers a variety of rentals, guided tours, lessons, a repair shop and a cafe serving wholesome, healthy and natural foods.
    Photo courtesy of White Grass Ski Touring Center

  • Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center
    Northville, N.Y.

    Founded in 1978, Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center ranks among the best destinations for Nordic skiers in the Adirondacks. Somewhat of a hidden gem, the center enjoys excellent snow conditions–some of the most reliable in the East–and maintains beautifully manicured trails where skiers glide through varied terrain with the chance to spot local wildlife. Many of the 31 miles (50 kilometers) of trails are one-way, making for a more peaceful experience.
    Photo courtesy of Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center

  • Maplelag Resort
    Callaway, Minn.

    Maplelag Resort, a family owned destination cross-country ski resort in Minnesota , offers nearly 43 miles (70 kilometers) of fat bike, skate and classic trails. The resort serves family style all you can eat home cooked meals and features the five famous bottomless cookie jars.
    Photo courtesy of Maplelag Resort

  • Sovereign Lake & Silver Star Mountain Resort
    Vernon, B.C.

    The trail systems of Sovereign Lake & Silver Star Mountain Resort connect to create the largest daily groomed network in Canada– 65 miles (105 kilometers) in total. Trails range in difficulty from beginner friendly to challenging, and amenities include lift access, warming huts and a night loop for after-dark skiing.
    Photo courtesy of Silver Star Mountain Resort

  • Latigo Ranch
    Kremmling, Colo.

    Skiers have a lot of terrain to choose from at Colorado's Latigo Ranch, including more than 31 miles (50 kilometers) of groomed trails and 200 miles (322 km) of powder-covered backcountry terrain. Day skiing is available for guests who don't plan to stay the night, and an equipment shop offers rentals–no lugging equipment across country.
    Photo courtesy of Latigo Ranch / Facebook

  • Jackson Ski Touring Foundation
    Jackson, N.H.

    The Jackson Ski Touring Foundation operates a Ski Touring Center with some of the East Coast's most popular groomed and backcountry trails. Skiers glide past quintessential New England sights–covered bridges, quaint villages and steepled churches.
    Photo courtesy of Lincoln Benedict / Jackson Ski Touring Foundation

The top 10 winners in the Best Cross-Country Ski Resort category are as follows:

  1. Devil's Thumb Ranch - Tabernash, Colo.
  2. Cross Country Ski Headquarters - Roscommon, Mich.
  3. Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Center - Truckee, Calif.
  4. Garnet Hill Lodge - North River, N.Y.
  5. White Grass Ski Touring Center - Davis, W.V.
  6. Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center - Northville, N.Y.
  7. Maplelag Resort - Callaway, Minn.
  8. Sovereign Lake & Silver Star Mountain Resort - Vernon, B.C.
  9. Latigo Ranch - Kremmling, Colo.
  10. Jackson Ski Touring Foundation - Jackson, N.H.

A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts Jennie Bender, Reese Brown (Cross Country Ski Areas Association), Roger Lohr (XCSkiResorts.com),  Cami Thompson Graves and Jonathan Wiesel (Nordic Group International) were chosen for their knowledge of the ski and snowboarding industry.

Congratulations to all these winning resorts.

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AlertThe Experts

Jennie Bender

Jennie Bender

Since graduating from the University of Vermont, Jennie Bender has traveled the world as a professional cross country skier for most of her adult life. She raced for Team CXC, based out of Minnesota, for three years, and Bridger Ski Foundation, in Bozeman, Montana, for five. After winning four U.S National Sprint Championship titles and competing in eighteen World Cups, Jennie decided to test the waters of Biathlon (cross country skiing and shooting), which she raced internationally in 2018. Living in Bozeman, she is an entrepreneur, and loves to adventure in the mountains.

Reese Brown

Reese Brown

Reese Brown is Executive Director of U.S./Canadian trade group Cross Country Ski Areas Association, and Nordic Director for Snowsports Industry America. He has worked in the snowsports industry since 1981 as a coach, event manager, promotional marketer, and in project-based strategic development. Considered an industry expert and insider, Brown operates internationally to support and promote the sport of cross country skiing, growing public awareness and participation. He lives in Woodstock, Vermont

Roger Lohr

Roger Lohr

Based in Lebanon, New Hampshire, Roger Lohr has been in the Nordic ski business for more than 40 years. He’s been a retail manager; for many years ran national cross country ski and snowshoe programs for trade association Snowsports Industries America; and is one of the most prolific winter-sports writers in North America. In the process, he’s Nordic skied at over 145 areas in 26 different states and Canadian provinces. He’s also owner/editor of XCSkiResorts.com and an editor for SnoCountry.com, SeniorsSkiing.com and Green Energy Times.

Cami Thompson Graves

Cami Thompson Graves

Cami Thompson Graves, entering her 30th season at the helm of the Dartmouth College (Hanover, New Hampshire) women’s Nordic team, was recently named the United States Collegiate Ski Coaches Association Nordic Coach of the Year. No fewer than ten of her skiers have competed in the Winter Olympics in either cross country or biathlon. Following racing in high school and college, she had a stint as an athlete with the U.S. Women’s Cross Country Ski Team, competing in World Cups and FIS World Championships. She has coached squads ranging from Junior National Championships to U.S. Ski Team trips and camps.

Jonathan Wiesel

Jonathan Wiesel

Jonathan Wiesel splits his time between writing about cross-country skiing and designing Nordic ski areas for Nordic Group International. He’s been a ski instructor and guide, ski patrolman, international trips planner and leader, and resort owner; and he’s written on cross-country skiing and snowshoeing for publications on three continents. Wiesel has also consulted on more than 190 Nordic projects across North America, from communities to four-season resorts, ranches to real estate. His latest project is helping Snowbelt golf courses develop winter recreation. Originally a New Englander, he lives in Bozeman, Montana