Rules and Trail Information
You will find approximately 15k of trails, groomed for classic and skate skiing.
All trails are maintained by volunteer groomers (our angels), through many tireless hours of dedicated work. Please make a donation today as we receive no funding other than your donation. All monies received go toward maintaining the trail system.
Dogs are welcome. Owners are responsible for dogs behavior. Please ‘toss’ their droppings off the trail or bag and take home with you as there is no trash pick-up at Vallecito. A $5 per dog per season is a recommended contribution.
Please ski within your ability and under control at all times.
All trails users must recognize and accept dangers associated with cross country skiing and nordic trail use. Vallecito Nordic Club, Inc. provides
- no
services other than trail grooming.
I have heard a rumor that there may be a change to the dog policy. Specifically, it has been circulating that the board is considering banning dogs from the trail. Before I make a contribution this year I would like to find out if that is accurate as my enjoyment of the Vallecito nordic area is dependent upon being allowed to include my dog in the fun.
Thanks,
Jane
Hi There,
I just read the above comment and wondered if this has been decided upon. I was unaware of this as well.
I have been coming to the trails each weekend this winter with my Alaskan Malamute. He is always hooked to a harness I wear with his lead attached to his harness while I snowshoe.
Can you email me with an update?
Thanks!
DOGS ALWAYS WELCOMED!
We skied the tracks for the first time last weekend as a family. It was beautiful! I hadn’t seen or enjoyed double track skiing since high school. It was nice to ski alongside my 4 year old daughter who is learning to ski. Unfortunately there was so much dog poop I was worried that if she fell, her snow suit would be covered. Many of the dogs went right in the tracks and owners have not picked them up. in it!!
As we have not had snow in a while, it sure would make it nicer for everyone if all dog owners (I am too!) would bring baggies and clean up.
Thanks for the enjoyable experience!
Is there a plan to ban dogs? That would be so sad as that is why people love coming here with their dogs…how can you ban them on public lands though? I hope all dog users will be responsible so our furry family members can still come.
DOGS are always welcome…Where did that rumor come from? legxcs@mydurango.net
I sent $100 to VNC in December-one of the main reasons I ski at Vallecito is so I can take my dog. If dogs are excluded, I will go elsewhere
Paul! DOGS are ALWAYS welcome! wonder where you are getting the idea they are not? Let me know so I can correct that info! Diane legxcs@mydurango.net
I am bringing a group of skiers and snowshoers from Bergfreunde Ski Club in about a week. Are snowshoers welcome at your Nordic area?
We are organizing a club to groom trails within our national forest & town park in Pagosa Springs. Would live to talk with someone for some insight on how your club has been operating, funding sources , web site design, ectt..
Thank You
JAMES
HI James, Sorry to be so long in getting back to you. either email me at legxcs@mysurango.net or call 970 884-6193 and I would be glad to share all I can. Diane Legner
Hey there, haven’t seen any grooming reports for a week or so. missed the weekends due to being out of town so I’m wondering what the trail conditions are?
there is no link to your schedule of events? I heard these is a demo day this weekend but…….?
peace out
SlideWright.com Ski and Snowboard wax, tuning and repair tools and supplies would be interested in considering a “Classic Level Sponsor ($250)
Includes Family Ski Pass & Website Listing”. The Active.com link is closed and I do not see an online option to do so. How does one make the donationa nd is assured the online listing?
The Code of La Plata County, Chapter 10, Article II, Section 10-34 states that each owner shall keep his dog under control at all times. It prohibits allowing any dog to run at large in the county.
Control means adequately restrained and subject to the dog owner’s will. A dog shall be deemed under control only when:
1.It is on a leash of sufficient strength to restrain the dog; or
2.The dog is confined in a building, fence, enclosure, motor vehicle, or other structure in such a way that it cannot escape; or
3.It is on property possessed by its owner and in the presence of its owner, possessor or keeper, or a family member of the owner, or any agent or servant of the owner; or
4.The dog is not in an enclave or on the Animas River Trail and is within sight and hearing distance of its owner, a family member of the owner, or any agent or servant thereof and, upon voice command, such dog shall return to the immediate vicinity, not to exceed four feet, of such person; or
5.The dog is in an enclave or on the Animas River Trail and is physically restrained by a structure or vehicle or is under the direct control of its owner, a family member of the owner, or any agent or servant thereof either by a leash, cord or chain, not more than eight feet long.
The County Code Section 10-35 goes on to state that any peace officer or other person is authorized to appropriate measures, which may include destruction of the dog to prevent death, injury or damage to persons or property under certain circumstances. These circumstances include biting or threatening to bite a person and harassing or endangering livestock or wildlife.
i’m not understanding the point “coach” is trying to make, especially since “coach” made a point of including the section about destruction of the dog. i re-read it several times. Coach, could you make a comment about this to clarify what your reply is about? VNA has some of the nicest grooming in the san juans. and some of nicest folks too.
onto the entire dog/no dog issue. which is differnt than above.
I ski w/ my dog(s), sometimes in harness. there some nordic areas that are not suitable for dogs. i have no problem not brining my dogs when i ski there. i don’t complain about it. I’ve had alot of problems w/ other skiers’ dogs at other trails, biting, chasing me (and i was w/out dogs) etc. i’ve never had any issues at vallecito except by goofy overenthusiastic playing dogs. other than the usual weekend dog party which may intimidate non dog folks. i agree that folks need to pick up poop more, but then i feel the same way about trash on the roads. as a dog owner, i’m getting tired of the ARist attitude that all dogs are evil and should be locked up where the sun doesn’t shine. there are alot of areas that do not allow dogs. there are areas that don’t allow snowboarders, there are areas w/ lifts. pick the area that offers services you enjoy instead of complaining about areas that offer services you don’t want. Just sayin.. you could just as easily substitue another word for dogs, these are public trails, that’s what’s so great about vallecito. everyone is welcome!
oops, i hope coach wasn’t referring to the other day when my dogs found a frozen deer leg and proceded to carry it back to the trailhead. no live deer were killed, threatened, maimed or harrassed or endangered that day. have to admit the leg was well decomposed and really gross. sorry to any skier offended.
Are snowshoers welcome?