When you think of a winter trip to Colorado, skiing and snowboarding is obviously the main attraction. As it should be! Colorado has some of the highest elevations and coldest snow around. But did you know Summit County offers many other opportunities for adventure seekers in winter? In this article we’re going to discuss our top 5 favorite things to do in winter that are not on the mountain.
Dog Sledding
Good Times Adventures offers the unique experience of dog sledding on their 6 Mile loop. Their knowledgeable guides will explain how to work with the beautiful Siberian huskies so you’ll be able to confidently run the sleds. Their tours can handle up to 6 people and reservations are required. Good Times offers snowmobile tours which can be a great way to explore the mountains.
What one Yelp reviewer had to say about Good times – “Great place. Great opportunity to learn about huskies. They treat their dogs very well and all their dogs are extremely social.”
Ice Skating
Skating on a frozen pond has been a tradition for many families and Summit County has some of the most beautiful ponds in the world. If you have your own skates you can go for free at North Pond in Silverthorne, the pond at Meadow Creek Park in Frisco or at the Gold Run Nordic Center in Breckenridge.
If you need to rent skates you can do that at locations in every town.
- In Breckenridge, visit Maggie Pond at the base of Peak 9.
- In Copper Mountain, visit the West Lake Ice Skating Rink.
- In Keystone, visit the Dercum Square Ice Rink.
Our favorite location though, has to be the Lakeside Ice Rink in Keystone. This 5-acre lake converts into the largest Zamboni-maintained outdoor rink in North America. The Zamboni helps keep the ice in pristine condition with fewer cracks and hazards that are common to natural pond skating. The rink adds to the ambiance with festive holiday lights and fun music. There are boards and nets set up for those interested in playing hockey. The rink has a comfortable lodge where you can rent skates, enjoy food/drinks, and warm up from the cold.
Cross County Skiing / Snow Shoeing
Cross country skiing offers an opportunity to explore the pristine forests and valleys of Summit County at a slower, quieter pace.
The Breckenridge Nordic Ski Center (970-453-6855), located on Ski Hill Road has 28 km of double-set trails for all abilities. Trail passes are also valid at the Frisco Nordic Center and the Gold Run Nordic Center. Equipment rentals for ski’s and snowshoes, lessons, and guided backcountry tours are available.
The Frisco Nordic Center (970-668-0866) is located on highway 9 just south of the town of Frisco. Skiing and snowshoeing starts at a beautiful lodge and offers views of Lake Dillon and the surrounding mountains. There are 45 km groomed for classic and skate skiing and 20 km of snowshoe trails. Rental equipment is available.
The Gold Run Nordic Center is located in Breckenridge at the local golf course with gorgeous views and a great lodge. There are 20 km of groomed trails for classic and skate skiing, while snowshoers have 12 km of single tracks. Lessons, ski and snowshoe rental equipment are available. Trail passes are also good at Breckenridge Nordic Ski Center.
The Keystone Cross Country Center is located at the River Course clubhouse off Hwy 6 has an extensive cross-country ski area, with 18 km of groomed trails around the resort, and an additional 57 km of ungroomed backcountry skiing trails. Lessons and rentals are available. Cross-country activities include moonlight tours and ecology tours. Snowshoe rentals also are available.
Sledding / Tubing
Another classic winter past time – sledding. It can be fun for the entire family and there are a lot of options to sled for free around Summit County. Rainbow park in Silverthorne, Carter Park in Breckenridge, and the Dillon Nature Preserve all have fun hills that are close to parking. Bring your own sled and enjoy!
If you’re looking for a bit more adventure, check out one of the county’s tubing hills. Save your legs and let the magic carpet get you and your inner tube to the top of the hill for an exhilarating ride down!
Tubing hills are located at Copper Mountain, Keystone, and Frisco. Rates vary, check their websites for details and reservations.
Fat Tire Snow Biking
Just because the snow’s here to stay doesn’t mean we have to put the bikes away. Fat tire bikes can be a great way of getting out on the trail, even in winter. There are several places around town to rent that offer rentals and the local staff is very knowledgeable about the trail systems.
The Gold Run Nordic Center recently doubled it’s fat bike rental fleet due to the surge in fat biking popularity. Guests can conveniently rent fat bikes at the nordic center before heading out on the trails. A Gold Run Nordic Center pass is required to access the trails.
Other places to rent fat tire bikes:
So there we have it! If you need a break from the mountain, there are a lot of opportunities to enjoy the Colorado outdoors at your own pace.
