Just because we live in Colorado doesn’t mean we all ski. Sure, it’s a great winter sport, but I don’t love it enough to endure the weekend crowds and traffic gridlock, let alone the high prices of lift tickets and gear. I haven’t skied or snowboarded at a Colorado ski resort in nearly 15 years, and I don’t miss it — not when there’s another winter activity that gets me outside on the cheap, far from the maddening crowds.
This alternative is snowshoeing — my favorite form of winter outdoor recreation.
Granted, I’m not an adrenaline enthusiast, so the slower pace of snowshoeing suits me just fine. But similar to skiing, a snowshoe hike invites you to plow through fresh powder, soak up sunshine on a bluebird day, and follow groomed trails through snow-frosted forests in the mountains. It can also be an incredible workout.
I bought my name-brand snowshoes on sale for around $100, and I’ve been using them for years. If you’re new to snowshoeing, I suggest borrowing or renting equipment first to make sure you like this type of recreation before you buy. In my neck of the woods, you can rent snowshoes at a local outdoor gear shop in Fort Collins for $15 a day, or at the Moose Visitor Center in Jackson County for $5.
Snowshoeing is an outdoor activity for all skill levels, and a variety of trails and experiences exist across Colorado. For beginners, Rocky Mountain National Park offers shorter, ranger-led snowshoe walks now through March. For those seeking a longer challenge, several state parks — including Mancos, Pearl Lake, Ridgway, Sylvan Lake, Golden Gate Canyon, and State Forest — provide cozy hut and yurt options for overnight snowshoe adventures.
One of my favorite free events is a potluck and moonlight snowshoe hike, held this year on February 22 at the Moose Visitor Center in State Forest State Park near Gould, west of Cameron Pass. Snowshoers can bring a potluck item to share at 5:30 p.m. and then hit the groomed Gould Loop Trail around sunset. At the end of the mellow hike, rosy-cheeked snowshoers warm up with hot chocolate and gooey s’mores by the campfire at the ranger’s cabin. The best part? No lift lines, no I-70 traffic jams, and no empty wallet; just good food and a quiet, snowshoe walk through the woods illuminated by glow sticks and moonlight. It makes for a magical experience.
Becky Jensen is a writer and podcast contributor who lives and works in a little cabin on a big river in Northern Colorado. She’s a former farm girl turned mountain mama and a proud member of Poudre Valley REA. You can find her at beckyjensenwrites.com.