With abundant snow, Leadville and Twin Lakes, Colorado offer several great places to learn to downhill ski, snowboard, cross-country ski, and snowshoe. Our lessons will have you gliding happily across the snow in no time. And the scenery puts you in a winter wonderland.
Ski Cooper is a fantastic place to learn to ski and ride. Its laid-back, family-friendly vibe will make you feel welcome, and its wide beginner slopes will treat you right.
Leadville-Twin Lakes also offers nearly 100 miles of groomed winter trails, a haven for Nordic ski beginners and new snowshoe enthusiasts. If you also like to explore on wheels, learn more about Leadville-Twin Lakes fat biking events.
Ready to fall in love with a new sport? It’s easy to learn! Here’s where you can take several kinds of skiing and riding lessons.
SKI AND SNOWBOARD LESSONS AT SKI COOPER
Ready to ski or snowboard for the first time—or to improve your skills? Learn at Cooper’s renowned ski school!
Under the direction of seasoned and certified professional Bill McGinty, Cooper’s instructors are highly qualified and incredibly friendly. You’ll feel comfortable from the word “go” and will love your time on the snow!
Cooper has acres of learning terrain, served by Colorado’s longest Magic Carpet conveyor lift, which is an easy way to ride up the slope. You’ll have plenty of room to get comfortable on the gentle slopes.
As your skills progress, take on some of the nation’s the finest “Green Circle” easier terrain. You can practice your skills there until you graduate to our smooth intermediate “Blue Square” cruising runs. When you’ve become an advanced skier/rider you can really put your skills to the test on Cooper’s advanced “Black Diamond” slopes.
Whether it’s your first time on snow, or you’re looking to improve advanced techniques like powder, trees, or moguls, our Ski School will help you reach your goals!
You can rent ski and snowboard equipment at Cooper, including helmets, or in Leadville.
Ages 3 and up for Ski Lessons | Ages 6 and up for Snowboard Lessons
CROSS-COUNTRY SKI LESSONS
Cross-country skiing comes in two styles. In classic style, you kick and glide along a track. In skate skiing, you push off from each leg, creating a V-shaped pattern on the snow. Both are fun, and we offer lessons in both styles!
TENNESSEE PASS NORDIC CENTER
At the Tennessee Pass Nordic Center, you can learn classic and skate skiing in private and group lessons. Lessons include a daily trail pass to give you plenty of time to practice and enjoy great snow and jaw-dropping scenery.
Lesson prices include your trail pass for the day. Please call 719-486-1750 at least 24 hours in advance to make reservations for lessons. Rentals from the Nordic Center are extra. For use on all area trails, rentals are also available in Leadville (see below).
CROSS-COUNTRY SKI & SNOWSHOE TRAILS TO TRY
Leadville-Twin Lakes is renowned for its groomed winter trails.
BEST FOR BEGINNERS
The Tennessee Pass Nordic Center and sections of the Mineral Belt Trail are great for new skiers and snowshoers.
BEST FOR INTERMEDIATE AND UP
Leadville’s East Side Mining District offers amazing mountain views and some areas with steeper hills. The Mining District Trails and Turquoise Lake trails are also open for snowmobiles, so keep an eye and ear out and be ready to step off trail and wave hello!
The Leadville National Fish Hatchery has nice trails through the forest and past lakes; they are not groomed and have more of an incline.
TWIN LAKES TRAILS
New snowshoers may also want to try the Interlaken trail near Twin Lakes or the Colorado Trail / Continental Divide Trail as it wraps around the lake shore. These trails are not groomed, so they may be more difficult for new cross-country skiers.
Portions of the Colorado Trail / Continental Divide Trail near Twin Lakes may also be good in certain conditions, but some areas pass under avalanche terrain. They are not recommended for beginners unless you also have backcountry travel experience and avalanche training and gear.
TRAIL ETIQUETTE
The Leadville-Twin Lakes area has nearly 100 miles of free or affordable winter trails. They are groomed all season to offer you the best experience possible!
Did you know that people are asked to travel on certain parts of each winter trail depending on their activity? Doing so keeps the trail smooth and safe for all users. Here’s how to know which section to use.
NON-SKIERS, PLEASE AVOID THE SKI TRACKS
On one side of the trail, you will see long parallel ski tracks. Those are for Nordic skiing. If you are not skiing, please do not step on the ski tracks, as doing so creates a bumpy ride for people on skinny skis.
PLEASE TRAVEL HERE
- Classic Nordic Skiers: Use ski tracks.
- Skate Skiers: The corduroy in the middle of the trail is for you.
- Fat Bikers: Ride to the edge of the trail opposite the ski tracks.
- Snowshoers: Use the far side of the trail opposite the ski tracks (on the Mineral Belt Trail). In some places, you may also see snowshoe tracks just to the right of the ski tracks.
- Walkers/Hikers: Walk on the far side of the trail opposite the ski tracks, or just to the right of the ski tracks. If the snow is soft, you may “posthole,” or sink deeply into the snow leaving a post-sized hole. If that happens, please consider using snowshoes or coming back on a day when the snow is firm, to preserve the groomed surface for other users. Snowshoe rentals are also available in downtown Leadville (see below).
Please also warn other users when you come up behind them, as they may not hear you coming.
FOR YOUR DOG
If you are bringing a doggo, please keep your pup on a leash, for everyone’s safety. A dog could trip skiers or bikers, and a crash could injure people and pets.
WHERE TO RENT EQUIPMENT
CROSS COUNTRY SKI RENTALS:
Alpine Ski & Sport (Leadville)
Leadville Outdoors (Leadville)
Tennessee Pass Nordic Center (near Ski Cooper)
SNOWSHOE RENTALS:
Alpine Ski & Sport (Leadville)
Bill’s Rentals (Leadville)
Leadville Outdoors (Leadville)
Tennessee Pass Nordic Center (near Ski Cooper)
SKI & SNOWBOARD RENTALS:
Alpine Ski & Sport (Leadville)
Bill’s Rentals (Leadville)
Ski Cooper (Ski Cooper)
ENJOY!
We’re thrilled to introduce you to what we hope will become a lifelong love of winter sports. Have a wonderful time!
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