Not only are outdoor activities good for your mental and physical health, but they’ve come to be incredibly important over the last year as social distancing is much easier when venturing around outside. Though Colorado has some world-class ski slopes scattered across the state, that’s not the only option you have to get outside this winter. Add the following activities onto your spring break to-do list and make the most of your time in the Rocky Mountains!
1. Go Dog Sledding in Breckenridge
Mush around the backcountry with Good Times Adventures on an unforgettable dog sledding adventure in Breckenridge! A team of adorable huskies will pull you and your loved ones along a 6 mile tour in Swan River Valley. An experienced guide will brief you on how to operate the sled correctly and communicate with the Siberian Huskies. Each sled can hold up to 6 people, and the adventure will last about an hour and a half. Not happy with your seat on the sleigh? You are welcome to make stops along the way to trade places with your party.
Heads up! There are specific reservation dates for spring tours with Good Times. Please check their website and write a reminder to make your reservation on the day that it opens so you don’t miss out on this adventure!
COVID Response: Good Times Adventures has implemented a capacity restriction, adjusted tour times, availability and scheduling to ensure the safety of all guests and employees.
2. Take a Sleigh Ride in Granby
Snow Mountain Stables is a more relaxing 45-minute adventure in either a wagon or a sleigh through the Rocky Mountains. Don’t forget to bring your camera along to capture the breathtaking views of Mount Chauncey and Nine Mile Mountain! Be sure to bundle up for this excursion.
Sleigh rides are open daily until March 15th, and wagon rides are available from March 16th to December 9th. If you are staying at the YMVA of the Rockies, Snow Mountain Stables is offering a discount!
COVID Response: 6’ social distancing maintained at all times, sleighs and wagons cleaned between each ride, and masks and gloves are encouraged (you’ll want them in the snowy weather anyway – trust us).
3. Ride Around on a Snowmobile Tour in Winter Park
Grand Adventures at Winter Park is an unforgettable snowmobiling experience. Social distance by riding away from everyone to Arapaho National Forest. You can quickly make it to Vasquez Cirque and catch views of Rocky Mountain National Park and Fraser Valley. If you have done that already, steer on over to the Gore Range in Church’s Park. There are multiple tours to choose from which vary in the amount of time it takes to traverse through and the location. The Continental Divide adventure is the most popular and is for all skill levels. You will venture along the “Moffat” Railroad to Corona Pass and reach peaks as high as 12,000 feet.
Reservations are required and must be booked online or over the phone.
COVID Response: The Fraser Valley Family tour and the Intermediate/Advanced adventure is currently not available. Walk-ins are not permitted due to COVID, so make your reservation in advance. Group discounts are no longer applicable because of group size restrictions.
4. Explore the Ice Caves in Rifle
Rifle Mountain Park is one of Colorado’s hidden gems. Two massive caves are perfect for spelunking, and the limestone walls are utilized for rock climbing during the warmer months of the year. To get to the ice caves you will hike along Koper’s Trail for ¾ miles. The two caves to explore are called The Ice Palace (lower) and The Final Curtain (upper). There are two other caves to explore as well but they do not compare to the beauty of The Ice Palace and The Final Curtain. The ice is fallen frozen water that allows for sun to illuminate through, causing the ice to give off a blue hue.
COVID Response: Click here for Colorado Parks & Wildlife COVID-19 and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment list of rules and restrictions.
Wanting to stick around Summit County? The Dillon Ice Castles make an appearance every winter and are a huge hit for travelers near and far. They’re manmade into incredible structures that you can venture through, and are lit up in an array of different colors. Be sure to make a reservation! With COVID Restrictions, guest capacity is limited.
5. Ice Fishing on Lake Dillon in Summit County
Big Ed’s Fishing Ventures offers ice fishing for all ages on Lake Dillon. All you have to do to prepare is dress properly for the occasion, as your fishing gear and shelter is provided for you. Make sure you purchase a fishing license through Colorado Parks & Wildlife because most locations are not selling them in-person due to COVID-19. Another perk to this adventure is you can have a guide teach you how to ice fish and give you the scoop on the more populous areas of the lake. Fish found in this lake during winter are rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee, salmon, and arctic char.
COVID Response: All guided charters are private so only the same family/party are allowed. Guides are screened for symptoms daily. Arrival and departure times are scattered to ensure minimal contact between groups. All gear is cleaned and sanitized between uses. Liquid sanitizer and wipes are available. Face coverings are required when social distancing cannot be maintained. Handshakes and high-fives are discouraged – do a cool dance instead when you catch something!
Need a ride to the Rockies? Call Peak 1 Express today for your airport shuttle to Summit County or the Vail Valley!