Photo courtesy of Nate Zelinski. Courtesy of Hoedown Hill.
Hoedown Hill, Windsor
Nothing says snow fun and makes you feel like a carefree kid like a great day of tubing. At 1,200 feet long, Windsor claims to have the longest tubing hill in the United States. Hoedown Hill has 10 tubing lanes and two levels of fun for any age. There’s the thrilling Bushwhacker for a frost your- hair-back kind of ride and the Greenhorn for little ones under 42″ tall or those seeking a more leisurely ride. Hoedown Hill also has multiple groomed runs for skiing and snowboarding as well as three terrain parks with jibs, rails, and jumps. For information, visit hoedownhill.com.
Photo by A.J. Mellor, courtesy of Ice Castles.
Ice Castles, Cripple Creek and Eagle
An awe-inspiring winter phenomenon, Ice Castles brings fairy tales to life.
Created in 2011 by lead ice artist Brent Christensen, the experience is built entirely by hand using hundreds of thousands of icicles. The immersive structures include towers, frozen thrones, ice-carved tunnels, slides, and fountains — and LEDs frozen inside the ice light up the sculptures and change color at night. It’s magical, whimsical, and a must-do activity this winter.
Opening dates for Cripple Creek and Eagle Ice Castles are weather dependent. Visit icecastles.com for tickets and information.
Photo courtesy of Nate Zelinski.
Ice Fishing at the Ice Addiction Tournament
If you’re a hard-core fishing fanatic, you know that a frozen lake isn’t stopping anything. Even if you’ve never ice-fished, Nate Zelinski and his Tightlines company can show you all you need to know.
Unlike other ice fishing events where there is little engagement, Ice Addiction is super social and high energy. It’s all prepped before you arrive: games for kids, and predrilled holes surrounding fire pits for gathering. All you need to do is set up your gear and have a good time. In the middle of it all is the live weigh-in where everyone gets a great view of the prize-winning fish. For dates and more information, visit tightlineoutdoors.com.