Cross-Country, Snowshoe & Nordic Sports

The Badger Pass Cross-Country Ski & Snowshoe Center

The Nordic Center sits adjacent to the alpine resort and is the staging point for 90+ miles of marked cross-country trails — including the iconic Glacier Point Road groomed track, one of the longest and most spectacular Nordic routes in California.

90+miles of trail
21miles to Glacier Point
7,200ftstarting elevation
1928Nordic skiing here since

Equipment Rentals — Cross-Country & Snowshoe

All equipment fitted at the Nordic Center, separate from the alpine rental shop. Book ahead on weekends and during peak season.

All Day Cross Country Equipment Rentals at Badger Pass Ski Area
NordicFull day

All Day Cross Country Equipment Rentals

Full-day classic XC package

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Half Day Cross Country Equipment Rentals at Badger Pass Ski Area
NordicHalf day

Half Day Cross Country Equipment Rentals

Half-day classic XC rental

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All Day Snowshoe Rentals at Badger Pass Ski Area
NordicFull day

All Day Snowshoe Rentals

Full-day modern snowshoes

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Half Day Snowshoe Rentals at Badger Pass Ski Area
NordicHalf day

Half Day Snowshoe Rentals

Half-day snowshoes

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Nordic Lessons — From First Tracks to Telemark

The Nordic ski school teaches classic, skate, and telemark technique. Choose by your current level — these are sequential, not interchangeable.

Introductory Lesson at Badger Pass Ski Area
Nordic Lessons~2 hours

Introductory Lesson

First-timer XC clinic

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Intermediate Lesson at Badger Pass Ski Area
Nordic Lessons~2 hours

Intermediate Lesson

Build XC technique

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Advanced Lesson at Badger Pass Ski Area
Nordic Lessons~2 hours

Advanced Lesson

Refine for performance

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Cross-Country & Telemark Private Lesson at Badger Pass Ski Area
Nordic Lessons2 hours

Cross-Country & Telemark Private Lesson

Private XC or telemark instruction

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Telemark Lesson at Badger Pass Ski Area
Nordic Lessons~2 hours

Telemark Lesson

Free-heel skiing instruction

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Skate Ski Lesson at Badger Pass Ski Area
Nordic Lessons~2 hours

Skate Ski Lesson

Skating-style XC technique

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The Glacier Point Road groomed track

From early December through April (snow permitting), Glacier Point Road is closed to vehicles and groomed by Yosemite Hospitality for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The track runs 10.5 miles each way to Glacier Point, climbing gradually through old-growth pine forest with periodic vista openings.

The full 21-mile round trip is a serious objective — most fit Nordic skiers take 6-8 hours. The Glacier Point viewpoint itself, sitting 3,200ft above Yosemite Valley with views of Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and the High Sierra, is widely considered one of the great winter destinations in California.

For shorter outings: Summit Meadow (1.5mi each way) and Bridalveil Creek Campground (8mi each way) are common turnaround points.

Snowshoe trails from the Nordic Center

Snowshoers can use the same Glacier Point Road track or the designated snowshoe trails branching off from the Nordic Center. Popular destinations:

  • Old Glacier Point Road — gentle, well-marked, ideal for beginners
  • Summit Meadow — short out-and-back to a meadow viewpoint
  • Dewey Point — 8-mile loop to a dramatic granite overlook of Yosemite Valley
  • Bridalveil Creek — longer day option through varied forest

The Moderate Discovery Snowshoe Hike and Dewey Point Adventure Snowshoe are guided versions of these trails — recommended for first-time snowshoers or anyone who wants the natural history context.

Nordic Center FAQ

Do I need a separate ticket to use the Nordic Center?

No lift tickets are required for Nordic skiing or snowshoeing — the cross-country trails are accessed from the Nordic Center without any lift access fee. You'll need to rent equipment if you don't bring your own, and book lessons separately if you want instruction.

Cross-country vs skate skiing — what's the difference?

Classic cross-country uses a forward-stride motion in parallel tracks; it's the older, more accessible form. Skate skiing uses a side-to-side push (similar to ice skating) on a wider groomed surface; it's faster and more athletic but harder to learn. Both work on the Glacier Point Road groomed track. Classic is the right starting point unless you have a Nordic background.

Can beginners ski to Glacier Point and back?

21 miles round trip is a serious day for any cross-country skier, beginner or otherwise. Plan for 6-8 hours. If you're new to cross-country, do a shorter outing first (Summit Meadow, 3 miles round trip) on day 1, then attempt longer distances on day 2 or 3 once you know how your body handles the kick-and-glide motion at altitude. For a guided experience, the Out & Back Day-Trip is the classic version.

Telemark — is it really still a thing?

Telemark is a small but devoted niche in Nordic skiing — free-heel descending that combines cross-country gear with downhill terrain. The Badger Pass Nordic school teaches it because it's part of California ski tradition (the resort's founders skied telemark before alpine bindings were standardized). If you've never tried it, the Telemark Lesson is a great way to find out whether it clicks for you.