Winter activities close to home
By Jay McKinney
From Steamboat Springs to Wolf Creek, Colorado is home to some of the best skiing and snowboarding destinations in the country. It’s a winter pastime that many Coloradans live for, but some people would rather skip the crowded lift lines and I-70 traffic jams. Hibernation is one option, but there are alternative activities to do outside during winter.
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are fun activities that are free to do once the equipment is purchased. The south metro area has many open spaces providing the perfect escape to glide through freshly fallen snow on a pair of cross-country skis.
In Jefferson County, Meyer Ranch Park is a short drive from Morrison, offering an alpine adventure. The upper trails of the park are more accessible with snowshoes, while cross-country skis are well-suited for the expansive meadow. Other popular parks for winter recreation in Jefferson County include White Ranch Park, Elk Meadow Park, Flying J Ranch Park and Alderfer/Three Sisters Park.
Adjacent to Douglas County, there are also some fantastic open spaces to explore during the winter. Dawson Butte, Sandstone Ranch and Spruce Mountain open spaces are popular destinations located near Castle Rock. Due to their proximity to the foothills, these areas generally receive more snowfall, and the forested regions retain it for a longer period.
Ranger supervisor for Douglas County open spaces, Kirk Inderbitzen, is an avid skier and cyclist who embraces winter with both his alpine touring skis and fat bike. Fat biking requires a bike with 4- to 5-inch tires (preferably with studs) and quality gear to stay warm. Any trail system that allows biking can be ridden year-round thanks to these fat tire bikes that maneuver through snow and ice.
Some of Inderbitzen’s personal favorite areas for fat biking include Bluffs Regional Park near Lone Tree and the Ridgeline Open Space west of Castle Rock. As far as snowshoeing goes, he says the winter scenery in Castlewood Canyon and Roxborough state parks is incredible.
“Nature is beautiful any time of year, but during the winter everything gets a little quieter and the crowds disappear,” Inderbitzen says. “The opportunity to discover something new when the county is snow-laden is wonderful.”
With any outdoor activity, preparation is critical, and every precaution should be taken during the frigid months of winter. Before heading out to remote wilderness areas, make sure to pack additional layers of clothing, food, water, sun protection and a fully charged cell phone.
For outdoor recreation that isn’t in remote wilderness areas, the ice skating rink at the Belmar shopping district in Lakewood is a fun option for a date night. Lace up the skates and then grab a bite to eat at one of Belmar’s fantastic restaurants for a memorable evening.
Looking to get some Christmas shopping done before December 23? Head to Winter Wanderland in Cherry Creek North to explore the holiday market, which runs from November 20 to Christmas Eve, featuring a wide range of gift options from more than 50 local artisans. On December 6, 13 and 20, the streets come alive for the Saturday Night Lights. Set under the dazzling display of Christmas lights, visitors can dance on a light-up dance floor with a live DJ, walk through a tunnel of lights and secure a free photo booth portrait worthy of a Christmas card.
If you’re looking to get out of the Front Range, consider visiting one of the two Ice Castle locations in Cripple Creek or Silverthorne. The one-acre icy dreamlands feature tunnels, slides, and towers that are entirely sculpted out of ice. It’s beautiful during the day, but the castles come alive at night when LED lights within the frozen walls illuminate the scene. The Ice Castles typically open in late December and stay open until early March.
