Winter Wonderland Adventures

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Crisp, cold air. Hot chocolate and spiced cider. Mittens, coats, hats and scarves. It’s winter time in Colorado Springs!

Every year I get super excited to take the kids sledding, to make snow angels and snowmen. But the last few years, Southern Colorado has seen severe drought! So this year while I will continue to hope for the opportunity to try out some of Colorado Springs best sledding hills, I am widening my options. I’m venturing a little further into the Rockies when those 300 days of sunshine sneak back in and all of the snow melts off by noon.

If you also love winter time activities or feel like the mountains are calling, try out some of these frosty activities.

ICE SKATING

Sertich Ice Center. Public skating at a reasonable price through the City of Colorado Springs.  Check out the website for rates and sessions.  Kid programs and open skate times are scheduled throughout the week.

Broadmoor World Arena Learn to Skate Program. Figure skating and hockey initiation classes in a seven week program.  Classes include 7 free public admissions for the public Ice Hall skate sessions.

Honnen Ice Arena at Colorado College. Come join the CC Tigers for Open Skate or sign up for lessons with Learn to Skate.

And don’t forget…

Skate in the Park – Acacia Park. Returning November 9th, get outside and enjoy this seasonal amenity.

SNOW SHOEING

Like hiking but with big feet.  For those avid hikers, cold weather doesn’t preclude you getting out.  Rent or buy a pair of snowshoes and check out our favorite family hikes around the Springs.

FREE PLAY

If you prefer to stay home and play with the little ones, check out some of Ashley’s suggestions for Snow Fun.

MOUNTAIN RESORTS, SKIING

Unfortunately, all of the major ski resorts are a bit of a drive from Colorado Springs, but are still easily a manageable day trip.  Here are some local favorites with drive time, distance and activities.

Monarch. 2:19 minutes and 120 miles from Colorado Springs close to Salida, CO. Enjoy skiing, boarding, tubing and snowcat rides.

Ski Cooper. 2:30 minutes and 136 miles from Colorado Springs close to Leadville, CO. Enjoy skiing, boarding and snowcat rides.

Copper Mountain. 2:30 minutes and 121 miles from Colorado Springs close to Frisco, CO. Enjoy skiing, boarding, tubing, free snowcat rides, alpine coaster, mountain tours.

Breckenridge Ski Resort. 2:08 and 106 miles from Colorado Springs, located in Breckenridge, CO. Enjoy skiing, boarding, mountain coaster, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and fat tire biking.

Other great options here.

YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS?

What are your favorite wintertime activities?  Are you willing to drive a few hours to experience all that Colorado has to offer?

Tell us about it in the comments.

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Rachel, Senior Writer
Rachel is a native Coloradoan, though originally from the Western Slope. She followed her husband Chris to his hometown of Colorado Springs after having met in engineering school at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO. Together they have four beautiful children, Tommy (2011), Tazzy (2014), Zach (2015) and Zinny (2018). Having a young and active family keeps Rachel on her toes trying to find ways to keep the ship sailing while still meeting all the demands of motherhood. Though Rachel loves her most important role as Mommy most, she also works full time outside the home as a Water Resources Engineer for the Colorado Division of Water Resources. This role helps keep her life centered, bouncing from detailed and complex discussions relating to Colorado Water Law with her husband ( a mechanical engineer) to daycare and preschool drop off and pick up schedules, while being constantly interrupted by the equally complex musings of her 4 year.