FATMAP by Strava

Nordic Highway to Shafer Butte

A scenic out-and-back on the main Nordic trail at Bogus, for skate or classic skiing.

Cross Country Skiing Moderate

Distance
13 km
Ascent
455 m
Descent
455 m
Duration
1-2 hrs
Low Point
1.8 km
High Point
2 km
Gradient
17˚
Nordic Highway to Shafer Butte Map

Nordic Highway is the main trail from Frontier Point at Bogus Basin. It's groomed for classic and skate, and also has lanes for fat-tire bikers and snowshoers. As such it can be pretty clogged near the beginning, but crowds quickly thin out as you go. The trail is unique for XC skiing because it's set on the side of the mountain rather than down in a valley, so the views are amazing for most of the way.

Description

The route mapped here includes the Nordic Highway trail and the Shafer Butte Extension which takes you to the very top of the Nordic trail network. Along the way are ups and downs, then a sustained uphill near the end. That means a fast glide down after turning around, then some punchy climbs still to go on the way back. You could easily switch this up with connecting trails in the network as well.

Note that use of the Nordic trails requires a day ticket or season pass from Bogus Basin.

Difficulty

Moderate

Low Exposure (E1)

1 out of 4

Exposure is limited to that of the slope itself. Getting hurt is still likely if the slope is steep and/or the snow is hard.

Remoteness

1 out of 4

Close to help in case of emergency.

Best time to visit

between December and April