Description
Boulder, Colorado is known part for the bountiful selection of outdoor activities on offer within a stone’s throw of city limits. And just because inclement weather means that temperatures plummet, you can count on two things: there’s probably still plenty of sunshine and there’s not really any shortage of ways to enjoy the great outdoors even when the forecast says snow. So bundle up and get to it.
Though Boulder is a relatively manageable drive from major ski resorts, the locals tend to stay closer to home, frequenting the slopes of smaller, but conveniently located, Eldora Mountain, roughly 30 minutes from downtown Boulder; they even have night racing on Wednesday nights, if you need a little help to beat the mid-week blues. And while you can certainly ski or snowboard here, you can also explore on your snowshoes or cross country skies. In fact the Eldora Nordic Center offers access to 40 km of groomed trails for a reasonable fee. For something a little different, try skate skiing. If you like it, you can hone your skills after a good snow in parks right around Boulder itself, like North Boulder Park. And if you don’t mind ungroomed trail, you can hit some of the suitable powder-padded hiking or biking trails close to the city on skis or snowshoes.
It’s a little more extreme, certainly, but for those with a head for heights, ice climbing is another fine way to while away a winter day. Operators around Boulder, Colorado, offer lessons and outings so even if you’re new to the sport it won’t take long to get the hang of crampons and ice picks.
And finally, for those avid anglers who just can’t wait for spring, don’t despair. There’s a handful of lakes and streams where you can snag bass, pike and maybe trout if you know what you’re doing. Outfitters like Front Range Anglers offer an updated fishing report, guides and gear to get you going in the right direction. Who wants to rush spring, anyway?
