X-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing
Some of the nation’s best snow conditions occur year after year in the mountains east of Cedar City. Nordic skiers comment that the snow conditions and terrain on Cedar Mountain, including Dixie National Forest and Cedar Breaks National Monument, are some of the best in the country for un-groomed trails.
Established Nordic Trails
| Trail Name | Trail Location and Description | Length Round Trip/Elevation | Special considerations | |
| 1 | Brian Head, Burt’s Road | Park just north of the Brian Head City Hall on Utah highway 143. | Up to 7 miles (11 km) at about 9500 ft elevation. | Sometimes groomed. Located on private property with ski access allowed. |
| 2 | Rattlesnake Trailhead | Park at this trailhead about a mile south of Brian Head on UT-143 on the north boundary of Cedar Breaks National Monument. Follow the orange poles west of the highway | 3.5 mi (5.6 km) at 10,500 ft elevation. | Ungroomed. Located on National Park Service and Dixie National Forest land. |
| 3 | Cedar Breaks Alpine Pond Trail | Park at the intersection of UT-143 and UT-148 a couple miles south of Brian Head. Ski south on (closed) highway UT-148 about 1 mi (1.6 km) to a winter ranger station yurt, then follow orange XC trail poles south for another mile and return. | 4.5 mi (7.2 km) from parking area at 10,500 ft elevation. | Marked XC trail sometimes groomed. Located on National Park Service land. Have hot cocoa at the yurt. |
| 4 | Midway Trail to Spectra Point | Drive on UT-14 to about mile marker 18 east of Cedar City and park at the intersection with UT-148. Ski 2.5 mi (4.0 km) north on UT-148 (closed in winter) into Cedar Breaks National Monument. After another ½ mile ski left to the small pump house, then follow the ridge to the right., which leads to the scenic Spectra Point overlook, less than ½ mile from the road. Return downhill to parking area. | 7 miles (11 km) at 9800- 10500 ft elevation. | Groomed only on snowmobile trail (UT-148). Located on Dixie Forest and National Park land. |
| 5 | Bristlecone Pine Trail | Park on UT-14 just past mile marker 17 east of Cedar City. Ski south with the gorge at your right to a scenic overlook deck, and return. From the parking area you can also bushwhack downhill east to Midway Valley and back, another 2 mi (3 km) round trip. | 0.3 mi (1 km) at 9900 ft elevation. | Ungroomed. Located on Dixie National Forest land. |
| 6 | Deer Valley by Navajo Lake | Park at the county snowplow turnaround at mile 22.8 east of Cedar City on UT-14, at the boundary of Iron and Kane counties. Ski south of the highway toward the hill and veer to the left, where ski signs lead up a draw on the east side of the hill. | 9 km of marked trails, plus unmarked side loops. 9500 ft elevation. | Closed to snowmobiles. Destined for future grooming and expansion. |
Additional info:
Cedar Mountain Nordic Ski Club is a non profit group formed for the purpose of promotion cross country skiing in the Cedar City/Brian Head area and to educate the public about the benefits of Nordic skiing. Please visit them at their website at www.cmnsc.org for in depth trail descriptions and maps or call Dorothy and David Uherka at 435-867-4644.
Dixie National Forest
District Headquarters
1789 N. Wedgewood Dr
Cedar city, Utah 84720.
435-865-3200