Colorado Cross Country Skiing Historic Vicksburg

For a casual ski with a genuine historic twist, visit the town of Vicksburg. Head north of Buena Vista on Hwy 24. Take a left onto Clear Creek Road (Colorado 390). After 5 miles, see the town of Vicksburg, a mining town that has been restored by the Colorado Historic Society.

Vicksburg and nearby Winfield were booming towns in the 1870's when Silver was king. In 1873, the dollar went off the bi-metal standard, and silver was severely devalued. The price went from $1.60 per ounce to $.60 per ounce almost overnight. The government subsidized the price to help the miners until 1893. Once these subsidies stopped, the mines closed up, and soon after the towns closed up. There is still plenty of silver in these hills, waiting for the price to rise again! Believe it or not, both towns had their own post offices, and were bustling communities with hundreds of inhabitants in their time. The railroad line passes right through Vicksburg and makes for good cross country skiing for the whole family. Make sure to step up on a porch and imagine yourself a weather hardened miner enjoying a well earned rest.

After skiing Vicksburg, drive on up the road to Winfield. A small year round community on the edge of the most rugged mountains in the area. Ski south out of town on the snowmobile tracks, into the South Clear Creek drainage and enjoy a view of the spectacular Three Apostles.