As winter approaches we are also nearing the season for which Colorado is world-renowned. That glorious time of year when you wake up early to bright, cold, bluebird mornings. When you walk outside the ground crunches beneath your feet and your breath freezes in front of your face.
To many, this time of year is known as ski season. I know it simply as winter for I have a shameful confession to make. In the almost four years that I have lived in Boulder I have not been skiing nor snowboarding once. My excuse the first winter was an injury and as more winters have passed I have come to realize how many amazing winter activities there are that do not involve a drive over frozen mountain passes, long lift lines and hoards of people. Each winter I pledge that this will be it; this is the year that I will finally make it up to the mountains. Alas, a broken ankle will keep me away from them again this year, but seeing the snow beginning to build on the mountains to the west still stirs a restless enthusiasm. Fortunately for me, that enthusiasm can be satiated quite easily right here in the Front Range.
With the wealth of trails around Boulder, you don’t even need to leave the Front Range during those few winter storms that actually bless us with some amount of snow. Re-explore all of the hikes that you checked out with your family this fall, but this time do it on snowshoes! If this winter follows the typical Boulder weather pattern-sunny and beautiful-it is likely that you will need to venture a bit further afield. Fortunately, it is rarely necessary to travel far. Around Estes Park and Nederland you might check out,
• Lily Lake for a pleasant afternoon snowshoe and picnic.
• Lily Mountain would be a longer more strenuous option, though be aware of the trail as it can be easy to lose in the snow.
• Brainard Lake also offers a variety of trails with spectacular views of the Indian Peaks and Continental Divide.
If we are lucky enough to have a snowy Boulder this winter, then sledding is an absolute must do. Sledriding.com is a national database which lists sledding hills across the country. The Front Range has a number of hills ranging from beginner to expert. Though sledding generally does not need any added incentives, if you are so inclined, you might turn the whole activity into a fun and entertaining challenge. Who can come up with the most creative sled? I myself have used everything from a cookie sheet to an inflatable palm tree. The possibilities are endless and the creative juices are flowing at warp speed between the ages of 5 and 12. Perhaps it will catch on with other families and we will see a revitalization of the sledding scene this winter!
With crisp days and cold nights also comes the chance for us to glide across water. In this land of blue skies and snowy peaks there are a number of picturesque ice skating destinations to choose from. Check out the ice rink at,
• Boulder One Plaza if a short drive, restaurants serving hot beverages and the perfect size rink (meaning it is not large enough for over-enthusiastic six or twelve year olds to build up too much speed) sounds ideal.
• Evergreen Lake for a skating experience that is a bit more remote and offers an ample amount of space for exploration. With the Evergreen Lake House nearby, which has a warming hut and fireplace, the ability to warm frozen toes and fingers won’t ever be too far off.
• Nederland Ice and Racquet Park for those in search of the truly remote, mountain experience. It is typically colder in Nederland and ice skate rentals are not available so be sure to be prepared.
For the intrepid adventurers out there, you might consider winter camping. Put to test some of the skills that you learned on your Avid Family Trip. Challenge some of the primitive skills or backpacking lessons that your child learned over the summer. A number of Colorado State Parks offer winter camping, which would be a great introduction to the activity. Continue to check back for recommendations on camping around the Front Range.
Whatever your preferred winter activity is, as always, the most important thing is to make sure everyone is having fun. There is certainly a good time to be had on the ski slopes just west of us, but there is also plenty of fun to be had in our own backyards. Now is the time to really challenge your children. The world around them has transformed into a frozen wonderland. Is it still important to keep the Leave No Trace principles in mind when out romping around on snowshoes? How is it possible to still recognize and identify the trees learned over the summer if they are missing their leaves? How many different colors still exist in a world that is all white? If you follow through on my call for creative sledders, there should be quite a few colors!
Virginia Sanford, a senior Avid4 Adventure staff, continues to stay active as she recovers from ankle surgery. You'll see her back in CO soon on the trails and rock.
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