by Michele Kadison

So here you are in the Colorado Rockies.  Its winter, the snow is accumulating, the cold is brisk, and your sense of invigoration and excitement is mounting!  You may have come to ski, but the truth is, Colorado offers an amazing variety of activities that can open up new horizons to the intrepid traveler.

Nordic Skiing

What could be more magnificent than cross-country skiing across some of the most beautiful trails in North America?  The hush of the land bathed in white is perfect for enjoying a meditative, solitary trek that stills the mind and tone the muscles.  Nordic skiing is one of the best low-impact aerobic exercises that you can do, and lessons are available, as are equipment rentals, at any of the Nordic centers located throughout the Colorado Rockies.  Book a ski ranch or simply ski through the many trails that offer hot drinks and short rest periods in the many huts and yurts that are located along the way.  The 350-mile trail monitored by the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association, is an ideal designated trail system for anyone desiring true communication with the Colorado wilderness.

Snowshoeing

For the avid hiker, snowshoeing is a way to take a winter walk through fields of snow.  Trails abound throughout Colorado, with some of the best found in the Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, and at the ski resorts of Aspen Mountain and Eldora.  Like Nordic skiing, this sport provides an excellent low-impact aerobic workout while allowing you to navigate the breathtakingly silent terrain.

Snowmobiling

One of the most popular activities in Colorado, the snowmobiler has over 3,000 miles of designated trails to explore.  Daniel Jensen, of Extreme Rentals in the Denver Area, is a fan of Vail Pass and the Winterpark area for some of the best snowmobiling in the Rockies.  For those of you who worry about snowmobiling’s impact on the natural resources, Jensen assures that when you follow the forest approved trails, there is no damage done.  It is only those who break the rules by going off-trail that this sport poses a danger to wildlife and terrain.

For more information on snowmobile rentals in the Denver area, contact: Extreme Rentals at 303-232-9342  www.extremerentalsinc.com

Ice Skating

What better way to enjoy some good old family fun than by renting ice skates and taking to the many outdoor rinks located throughout the State.  Link arms with your honey and practice your best moves.  Some of the best skating rinks are found in downtown Boulder, Evergreen Lake, just 20 miles west of Denver, or at Keystone Village, which has the largest outdoor Zamboni rink in the United States.

Ice Climbing

Colorado has become the climbing capital of the nation with its numerous ice walls created by frozen falls. Check out the Ouray Ice Park with its 100-foot man-made ice walls for one of the most challenging climbing experiences.  Whether its winter ice climbing or summer rock climbing, Colorado provides some of the best climbing challenges for sports enthusiasts at any level.

Ice Fishing

Streams and lakes in Colorado are as chock full of fish in winter as they are in summer.  Rent or bring your own gear and head out for a serene afternoon of angling amongst some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world.  If the Denver reservoirs are frozen, this area provides a plethora of fish.  Then there is Georgetown Lake, just off route 70, which is a convenient drive from just about anywhere.

If its competition you’re looking for, get yourself booked for the Green Mountain Ice Fishing Tournament in January.  Located in Heeney, Green Mountain is known for its abundance of Macanaw, rainbow and brown trout, and salmon.  Sponsored by Masters Bait and Tackle, this competition pulls in Colorado residents as well as those residing in the Western region, such as Wyoming and Colorado.  Kacey Beres, Events and Member Relations Director for the Kremmling Chamber of Commerce, described the event as one of the most exciting open prize drawings in the Colorado Rockies.  To begin, anglers from the Colorado Division of Wildlife catch fish, tag their fins, and release them back into the water.  After the prize fish is tagged, its number is placed in a sealed envelope until the night of the drawing, making this a fun, high-stakes event for anyone who has a passion for the sport.

For more information on the two winter ice fishing tournaments contact: Kremmling Chamber of Commerce, www.grand-county.com – 877-573-4301

Sledding/Tubing

Colorado is ideal for sledding and tubing, with the multitude of hills that dot the terrain at your beck and call.  Some resorts offer lifts or rope tows for hauling your sled back up the hill, allowing you to have all the fun with none of the work!  Try the sledding at Cuchara, Copper Mountain, Keystone, Steamboat Springs, Vail, and Fraser Hill just outside of Winter Park.

Dog Sledding

If “mush” is a word you’ve been dying to say, here is your big opportunity.  With many dog-sledding expeditions throughout the Colorado Rockies, you can take your team on a white, wild, open-air drive to have some of the most outdoor fun imaginable.

Book a sledding tour with Mountain Musher, offering some of the best sledding in Vail Valley.  Take the beautiful mountain trail that starts at Cordillera and goes through the Diamond Star Ranch, a 10,000 acre expanse of gorgeous terrain.  The trail is private, so there’s no chance of running into snowmobiles, which are noisy and can often leave trails beaten up.  The smooth trails that go up and down the mountain, the hushed and pristine surroundings, and the magnificent views will leave you breathless as you are pulled by twelve trained huskies.  Mountain Musher offers a ride for two people, with a driver (“musher”) standing behind you controlling the sled and the team.  Covered in warm blankets and pillows, your ride will be snug and comfy.  Take a break for refreshments and picture taking, and you will have a ride of a lifetime!

For more information contact:  www.mountainmusher.com

Sleigh Rides

What could be more romantic than a sleigh ride through the hushed plains of the Colorado Rockies?  Think Dr. Zivago and away you go on your winter-land fantasy, all wrapped up in cozy blankets to keep you warm while you marvel at the Alpine forests and towering mountain peaks.  For those of you who enjoy traveling with the family or meeting new people, most companies offer large sleighs that accommodate 14 passengers or more.

Just outside of Denver, you can book a wonderful dinner ride at Two Below Zero, a company serving all of Summit County, including Frisco, Silverthorne, Dillon, and Breckenridge.  Run by owner Steve Lewis, the company has been around for 25 years and boasts drivers who collectively have over 80 years of experience in the field!  Each sleigh was built by Lewis in the tradition of sleighs made170 years ago.  Using red oak, these antique-looking works of art are drawn by mules through the private and quiet trails that abound in the area.  Travel in any type of snow condition, as the sleighs are able to convert to wheels with axels and brakes for a super safe ride.   The twenty minute ‘glided’ tour will whisk you away to a dinner camp where you are served a sumptuous meal and serenaded by acoustic guitar.  You will then be returned to headquarters, with the whole evening encompassing a wonderfully spent two hours.

For more information, contact Two Below Zero, www.sleighrides.com – 800-571-MULE (6853)

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