10:27 am, Feb 5, 2013
It may seem counterintuitive, but winter is the best time for stargazing in Colorado. That's because the air is colder and drier, which means less humidity that can reduce contrast and clarity. The long nights ensure that stars appear early and stick around in the sky. The number one enemy of stargazers any time of the year, though, is light...
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3:05 pm, Feb 4, 2013
I remember—maybe you do, too—spending entire afternoons outside, playing in the woods behind my house and adventuring well beyond my parents’ safety nets. Maybe that’s why I have such a fondness for Steamboat’s Winter Carnival. The multi-day spectacle turns 100 years old this year, but over the course of a century it's stuck close to its...
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3:05 pm, Feb 4, 2013
I remember—maybe you do, too—spending entire afternoons outside, playing in the woods behind my house and adventuring well beyond my parents’ safety nets. Maybe that’s why I have such a fondness for Steamboat’s Winter Carnival. The multi-day spectacle turns 100 years old this year, but over the course of a century it's stuck close to its...
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5:15 pm, Feb 1, 2013
Why we love it: The thick ice at this relatively small suburban lake (about one-fifth the size of the better known Chatfield Lake) is perfect for beginners to get in touch with their inner hunter-gatherer—without the long high country drive. When to go: January through March *** It’s surreal walking on water, even when it’s frozen. The ice...
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11:00 am, Jan 30, 2013
Did you watch Henrik Harlaut make ski history last weekend by landing a nose butter triple cork 1620 at the 2013 Winter X Games in Aspen? (That’s shifting his weight to the tips of his skis right before leaving the lip of the jump, then spinning 1620 degrees while flipping three times.)Just reading about tricks like these makes...
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10:10 pm, Jan 29, 2013
Why we love it: Stunning views of the Front Range with a mix of forest and alpine meadow to provide respite when winds pick up. When to go: After a snowstorm. Remember, deep drifts require larger snowshoes to more evenly distribute weight. ***Dawson Butte—five miles south of Castle Rock—is a favorite hike during the summer months...
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5:25 pm, Jan 24, 2013
Since moving to Colorado nearly three years ago, I've made it my business (really) to visit as much of this state as possible. This means, of course, that I have a ridiculously long must-see list. On top of that list: the International Snow Sculpture Championships in Breckenridge. This year, this art lover and outdoor enthusiast couldn't wait...
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5:25 pm, Jan 24, 2013
Since moving to Colorado nearly three years ago, I've made it my business (really) to visit as much of this state as possible. This means, of course, that I have a ridiculously long must-see list. On top of that list: the International Snow Sculpture Championships in Breckenridge. This year, this art lover and outdoor enthusiast couldn't wait...
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2:30 pm, Jan 22, 2013
When President Obama mentioned the need for increased action on climate change during his inaugural address on Monday, most people probably weren't thinking about skiing. Hurricanes such as Sandy and Katrina, Midwestern tornadoes, and Plains states droughts are the weather catastrophes most often associated with this issue.Although Colorado isn't...
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1:52 pm, Jan 17, 2013
The Dillon Pinnacles, sitting on the Blue Mesa Reservoir just east of Gunnison, cast a warm glow at sunset.
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3:01 pm, Jan 16, 2013
Not into snow sports? That’s a dirty little secret in Denver, where it sometimes seems as if the entire population is into skiing or snowboarding (I-70 traffic to and from the resorts only confirms this suspicion). But fun new introductory classes offered at REI's downtown location help beginners get slope-savvy—and the lessons start before...
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1:15 pm, Jan 8, 2013
As of a week ago, we were still scraping rocks on our runs. Not cool. The good news: Snow is headed our way this weekend. We double-checked local meteorologist-slash-powder-junky Joel Gratz’s latest Colorado Daily Snow report on Open Snow, and it looks like the high country could wake up to as much as six to eight inches on Saturday morning. Maybe...
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11:46 am, Jan 4, 2013
Geese bask in the late afternoon sun at Sloan's Lake.
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11:00 am, Jan 2, 2013
Why we love it: Whether it be hiking, running, mountain biking, or riding your horse or dirt bike, Spruce Mountain's trails have a workout for everyone.When to go: Anytime. Located south of Castle Rock near Larkspur, this park never really gets crowded, and the abundance of trails of varying difficulty means none of them are overused....
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9:14 am, Dec 18, 2012
Why we love it: Evergreen has plenty of great trails, but this park is special. It's easily accessible, and they don't call it Elk Meadow Park for nothing: The town's resident herd uses this as a home base. They often cross the highway in this area, so drive with caution.When to go: Right after a snowstorm.***When I lived in Evergreen, this open...
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