Alright, you’ve decided that you love snowboarding or skiing enough to invest in your own gear. Here’s a brief guide to what you need. Boots Set aside the majority of your budget for high quality, comfortable boots. This is the most important feature of your set up, and often overlooked. Go to a few different shops, get fitted, and make sure you’re getting the best possible pair. They’ll typically last between 100-150 days of riding, which is much longer than it sounds. Snowboards & Skis The guidelines for beginners are generally the same regardless of gender. For snowboards, you’ll... Read More

Learning to ski as an adult can be, well, awkward. It’s embarrassing riding the lift to the intermediate slopes alongside a 5 year old who can get off and NOT fall on their face. And as we grow out of our overconfident twenties, the fear of injury becomes more prominent. So, is it worth it to take up the sport so late? I spoke with Kevin Foote, who has been a ski instructor with Vail for the last 5 years (he is off this season), about how to begin.     Take A Group Lesson  Okay, maybe you don’t want to spend the money, but think of it this way: one full day of group lessons will... Read More

Recently, I wrote about hiking in Conifer as an alternative to more popular locations like Boulder and Golden. Another quiet spot that’s easy to get to is Evergreen. It’s a bit bigger than Conifer and offers a wide range of activities. For hikers, there are plenty of options in Evergreen, including Elk Meadow Park and Alderfer/Three Sisters Park. Each has over 14 miles of pet and bike friendly trails that are easy to moderate. Elk Meadow features wide open spaces and—you guessed it—plenty of elk. For something less strenuous, take Painter’s Pause to Noble Meadow (2 miles one way). For... Read More

For a weekend of frozen fun, head up to Dillon Town Park and see the famous Ice Castles! Better hurry though – they’re only here until the weather warms up and there’s no guarantee they’ll be back next year. The Ice Castles change location every winter, and it’s been a while since we’ve had them in our state. Tickets can be bought on location or online at http://icecastles.com/dillon/ (buying online comes with a discount). Definitely wear warm clothes and winter boots, as the ground can get a bit slushy. You’ll also want to stay dry when you hurl yourself down the ice slides,... Read More

Sometimes you just need to unwind and get away from the hustle of the city. While Golden and Boulder are beautiful spots for hiking, they can be a bit crowded, especially on weekends. If you’re hoping to avoid the crowds, Conifer has plenty to offer and will leave you feeling refreshed. It’s only 30 minutes from Denver and boasts several parks to choose from, but my favorites are Meyer Ranch, Flying J, and Staunton State Park. Meyer Ranch is right off of 285. Pay attention, though: the sign for the exit is only about 20 feet before the turn and it’s easy to miss. Once inside the park, you’ll... Read More

If you’re looking for a place for relaxation then Pagosa Springs is a great choice.  It is a small-quaint town with a lot of personality.  It’s about a 5-hour drive (one-way) from Denver with glorious scenic views along the way but only a 3-hour drive from Ouray, where I had started my journey to Pagosa Springs.  This was my last stop to my three day Colorado road trip and I was looking forward to a little pampering.   Things to Do: The Springs Resort and Spa (Hot Springs):  Enjoy their 18 hot springs pool with varying temperature degrees for just $26 (adults) and $14 (child). ... Read More

Day two of my 3-Day road trip set me off to Ouray, also known as the Switzerland of America.  I decided to stop at their Visitor Center on Main Street (worth the stop).  I was assisted by Heidi who was very helpful and provided me with a map of the area that showed the streets of the town and Perimeter trail, a 5.9 mile trail that wraps around this tiny quaint city.  She marked on the map must see sights throughout the trail such as Cascade Falls and Box Canyon Falls, she also shared the shortcuts to each location if I didn’t desire to hike the entire trail. Since I wanted to make most... Read More

Early October I decided to take a last minute three day Colorado road trip.  I wanted the trip to include some fun and adventurous activities along with some relaxation.  I narrowed down my options to Aspen, Ouray, and Pagosa Springs and I would spend the night at each location.  My first stop would be Aspen.  The drive to Aspen during the Fall is glorious especially if you take the Independence Pass route (closed during the winter).  I must say there were a few scary turns where my heart was racing from pure terror due to the narrowness of the road but the views were spectacular. You will... Read More

Fall is here, the air is crisp, and the leaves are changing quickly. This is the perfect time of year to plan a hike in Steamboat Springs. The one I highly suggest is Fish Creek Falls. Fish Creek Falls is only 4.4 miles outside town. It is actually a 283-foot waterfall in a state park. Because this is a state park be prepared to pay $5 per vehicle or bring your state park pass. Once you park, you will have a few options for hikes- easy, moderate, hard. All hikes are dog friendly, which is great news for your furry friends. The lower falls are also handicap accessible! Fish Creek Falls Trail is... Read More

I drove up to Steamboat on Thursday for a bachelorette party. And let me tell you…the drive was gorgeous! The leaves are changing colors, the wildlife is romping in the meadows, and the temperatures are great for outdoor activities. Below you will find five reasons you should visit steamboat before the first snowfall and one reason you should visit once the snow comes. Fall is in full swing- Awe yes. It is that time of year when temperatures start cooling off, which causes the leaves to change colors. Just looking out my window, I see gold everywhere. It is breath taking. The air is cool and... Read More