Friday, March 13: 

At 2:30 today, the temp at the trailhead was 48 degrees, with full sun and windy conditions. No grooming was done as now there are large areas on Kay’s Loop and Eric’s Loop without snow. Tomorrow the trail markers and intersection signs will be pulled and grooming operations have come to an end for this season. Over 80% of the trails are still usable, but we can no longer run the equipment on the trails.

Thanks to all who helped make the best use of the little snow we received this year and thanks to those who financially support the operations.

• Hwy 819
  Skiable
• Kay’s Loop
  Mostly Skiable, no snow at Dorothy’s View
• East Cutoff
  Skiable
• Eric’s Loop
  Closed – Dirt patches on the hills
• Zeus’s Cutoff
  Closed
• James’s Loop
  Untracked

Remember!
Skis or snowshoes only
West Elk Trails Etiquette & Rules

Click here to download and print West Elk Trails map

Have you donated to West Elk Trails?

Show your support!

DONATE TODAY!

Suggested voluntary contributions are only $50 per individual and $95 per family (includes couples). 
West Elk Trails Inc is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
Donations are tax deductible!

Or mail checks to:
West Elk Trails Inc, PO Box 129, Silt CO 81652

Find West Elk Trails Inc on Facebook

Monday, March 9: 

As of 3:30 PM, it was 44°F, sunny, and breezy at the trailhead. Groomers were able to set classic track on Kay’s Loop, Highway 819, and the East Cutoff, and groom Eric’s Loop. On Eric’s, the groomer hit some dirt and it got spread onto the trail surface, so we did not make additional passes over that section.

Crews also hauled and dumped six sled loads of snow onto Dorothy’s View to help coverage, though a few rocks are still being contacted in that area. Zeus’s Cutoff was not groomed today, as snow is thinning around brush and melting back quickly.

Overall, snow is melting fast and with a sunny week forecasted, this could be one of the final weeks of grooming. Expect frozen, firm conditions in the morning, with trails softening quickly once the sun hits.

We’ll reassess conditions again Friday and share another update. So get it while it’s hot

• Hwy 819
  Groomed, track set
• Kay’s Loop
  Groomed, track set
• East Cutoff
  Groomed, track set
• Eric’s Loop
  Groomed
• Zeus’s Cutoff
  Not Groomed, lots of brush
• James’s Loop
  Untracked

Remember!
Skis or snowshoes only
West Elk Trails Etiquette & Rules

Click here to download and print West Elk Trails map

Have you donated to West Elk Trails?

Show your support!

DONATE TODAY!

Suggested voluntary contributions are only $50 per individual and $95 per family (includes couples). 
West Elk Trails Inc is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
Donations are tax deductible!

Or mail checks to:
West Elk Trails Inc, PO Box 129, Silt CO 81652

Find West Elk Trails Inc on Facebook

Friday, March 6: 

As of 1:30 PM today, the West Elk Trails trailhead was 25°F with overcast skies, light snow, and a wind from an unusual direction — the east.

A much-needed 3.5 inches of fresh snow fell overnight across the trail system. Groomers took full advantage of it, re-covering thin spots and re-leveling the trails to deliver some of the best skiing conditions of the season.

Right now there’s approximately 3–6 inches of base on the groomed trails. A few areas around Dorothy’s View are still a bit thin, but the system is 100% covered and skiing really well.

With brilliant sunshine lined up for the weekend, come enjoy some outstanding Colorado West Slope Nordic Skiing.

• Hwy 819
  Groomed, track set
• Kay’s Loop
  Groomed, track set
• East Cutoff
  Groomed, track set
• Eric’s Loop
  Groomed, track set
• Zeus’s Cutoff
  Groomed
• James’s Loop
  Untracked

Remember!
Skis or snowshoes only
West Elk Trails Etiquette & Rules

Click here to download and print West Elk Trails map

Have you donated to West Elk Trails?

Show your support!

DONATE TODAY!

Suggested voluntary contributions are only $50 per individual and $95 per family (includes couples). 
West Elk Trails Inc is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
Donations are tax deductible!

Or mail checks to:
West Elk Trails Inc, PO Box 129, Silt CO 81652

Find West Elk Trails Inc on Facebook

Monday, March 2: 

As of 2:00 PM today, the West Elk Trails trailhead was 45°F with partly cloudy skies and little to no wind. The trails are looking great after Saturday night’s surprise inch of snow. Only a few small spots of earth were showing, and crews shoveled snow onto those areas to keep coverage consistent.

Right now there’s approximately 2–4 inches of base on the groomed trails. A few patchy areas are starting to show up near Dorothy’s View/Overlook, but overall the system is about 99.9% covered and skiing smooth and level.

Put on sunscreen, grab a hat and sunglasses, and come enjoy some classic spring skiing — T-shirt laps fully encouraged.

• Hwy 819
  Groomed, track set
• Kay’s Loop
  Groomed, track set
• East Cutoff
  Groomed, track set
• Eric’s Loop
  Groomed, track set
• Zeus’s Cutoff
  Groomed
• James’s Loop
  Tracked

Remember!
Skis or snowshoes only
West Elk Trails Etiquette & Rules

Click here to download and print West Elk Trails map

Have you donated to West Elk Trails?

Show your support!

DONATE TODAY!

Suggested voluntary contributions are only $50 per individual and $95 per family (includes couples). 
West Elk Trails Inc is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
Donations are tax deductible!

Or mail checks to:
West Elk Trails Inc, PO Box 129, Silt CO 81652

Find West Elk Trails Inc on Facebook

Friday, February 27: 

As of 2:00 PM today, the West Elk Trails trailhead was 45°F with sunny skies, a few clouds, and no wind. The trails looked great when groomers arrived this morning and were manicured back into beautiful form.
Right now there’s approximately 2–5 inches of base on the groomed trails. With the warm, sunny stretch ahead, we expect a few rocks and dirt patches to start exposing in places by Sunday, March 1.
That said, the trails are currently 100% covered and skiing is fabulous — smooth, fast, and fun. Come out and enjoy it… while the gittin’s good.

• Hwy 819
  Groomed, track set
• Kay’s Loop
  Groomed, track set
• East Cutoff
  Groomed, track set
• Eric’s Loop
  Groomed, track set
• Zeus’s Cutoff
  Groomed
• James’s Loop
  Tracked

Remember!
Skis or snowshoes only
West Elk Trails Etiquette & Rules

Click here to download and print West Elk Trails map

Have you donated to West Elk Trails?

Show your support!

DONATE TODAY!

Suggested voluntary contributions are only $50 per individual and $95 per family (includes couples). 
West Elk Trails Inc is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
Donations are tax deductible!

Or mail checks to:
West Elk Trails Inc, PO Box 129, Silt CO 81652

Find West Elk Trails Inc on Facebook

Saturday, February 21, 2026

A perfect day for a get together at the trailhead. Great snow and sunny weather greeted the 70 people that stopped by to enjoy some refreshments, a warm fire and good conversation. Trail conditions were superb and some people took advantage of the free demo equipment provided by Defiance Cyclery. Also, thanks to Down Valley Brewery for the coffee.

Remember!
Skis or snowshoes only
West Elk Trails Etiquette & Rules

Click here to download and print West Elk Trails map

Friday, February 20: 

As of 2:30 PM today, the West Elk Trails trailhead was 18°F with overcast, cloudy skies and light snow. The groom crew spent the day packing over 12″ of fresh snow across the trail system. Over the past 72 hours, the West Elk Trails system has received 12–14 inches of new snow, including some wind-drifted accumulation across the trail network. This is the largest storm system of the 25/26 winter season, and it’s exactly what we’ve been waiting for.
With all the snow to pack most of the day, crews finished with a smooth corduroy groom across all trails, but no classic track was set today.
The trails are in great shape for User Appreciation Day on tomorrow from 9AM to 3PM.
Come out and enjoy a beautiful ski or snowshoe — enjoy the fresh snow we’ve been waiting for.

• Hwy 819
  Groomed
• Kay’s Loop
  Groomed
• East Cutoff
  Groomed
• Eric’s Loop
  Groomed
• Zeus’s Cutoff
  Groomed, lots of brush
• James’s Loop
  Untracked

Remember!
Skis or snowshoes only
West Elk Trails Etiquette & Rules

Click here to download and print West Elk Trails map

Have you donated to West Elk Trails?

Show your support!

DONATE TODAY!

Suggested voluntary contributions are only $50 per individual and $95 per family (includes couples). 
West Elk Trails Inc is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
Donations are tax deductible!

Or mail checks to:
West Elk Trails Inc, PO Box 129, Silt CO 81652

Find West Elk Trails Inc on Facebook

Monday, February 16: 

As of 3:30 PM today, the West Elk Trails trailhead was 39°F with overcast, cloudy skies. The groom crew spent the day shoveling and moving snow onto those pesky bare patches across the trail system, with the main focus on Dorothy’s Overlook and the southeast section of Eric’s Loop.
Because snow-moving took most of the day, crews finished with a smooth corduroy groom across all trails, but no classic track was set today.
The good news: about 99.9% of the trail system is covered and skiable, and there’s little to no leaf litter or tree debris on the trails right now.

Come out and enjoy a beautiful ski or snowshoe — it’s riding really fast out there.

• Hwy 819
  Groomed
• Kay’s Loop
  Groomed
• East Cutoff
  Groomed
• Eric’s Loop
  Groomed
• Zeus’s Cutoff
  Groomed, lots of brush
• James’s Loop
  Untracked

Remember!
Skis or snowshoes only
West Elk Trails Etiquette & Rules

Click here to download and print West Elk Trails map

Have you donated to West Elk Trails?

Show your support!

DONATE TODAY!

Suggested voluntary contributions are only $50 per individual and $95 per family (includes couples). 
West Elk Trails Inc is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
Donations are tax deductible!

Or mail checks to:
West Elk Trails Inc, PO Box 129, Silt CO 81652

Find West Elk Trails Inc on Facebook

No pictures today, just an update. The trails received around 3″ of fresh snow last night. The temps were in the high30’s today when the groomers were on the trails. The snow is very high moisture and relative warm so it is not as smooth as colder powder, but the trails are groomed.

• Hwy 819
  Groomed
• Kay’s Loop
  Groomed
• East Cutoff
  Groomed
• Eric’s Loop
  Groomed
• Zeus’s Cutoff
  Groomed, lots of brush
• James’s Loop
  Tracked

Remember!
Skis or snowshoes only
West Elk Trails Etiquette & Rules

Click here to download and print West Elk Trails map

Monday, February 9: 

As of 2 PM today at the West Elk Trails trailhead parking lot, the temperature was 42°F with a slight breeze and cloudless blue skies. No new snow on the trail
 All trails have been groomed , and classic Nordic tracks are set on some loops. Coverage is good in most areas, trail base is 4 to 8 inches, the surface is smooth, and conditions are good, but areas with full sun are getting thin and some bare spots are deveolping.

 Get out and enjoy these excellent winter conditions — it’s a great time to be skiing or snow shoeing at West Elk Trails

• Hwy 819
  Groomed, track set
• Kay’s Loop
  Groomed, track set
• East Cutoff
  Groomed, track set
• Eric’s Loop
  Groomed
• Zeus’s Cutoff
  Groomed, lots of brush
• James’s Loop
  Tracked

Remember!
Skis or snowshoes only
West Elk Trails Etiquette & Rules

Click here to download and print West Elk Trails map

Have you donated to West Elk Trails?

Show your support!

DONATE TODAY!

Suggested voluntary contributions are only $50 per individual and $95 per family (includes couples). 
West Elk Trails Inc is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
Donations are tax deductible!

Or mail checks to:
West Elk Trails Inc, PO Box 129, Silt CO 81652

Find West Elk Trails Inc on Facebook