It seems that winter signals the season’s end of some outdoor activities enthusiasts, while it is the beginning of the season for others. Outdoor activity novices will be happy to know that it is very much both. The summer activities that involve little skin covering will have to end – shorts in the winter?! – but activities that require bundling up – yay, scarves! – can easily be done.
Pueblo has the privilege of being close to mountain living sans steep, ice-covered roads. We are only minutes away from the Wet Mountains and the Sangre di Cristos. Residents of the northern Front Range cities think that Pueblo is too far away, but really, everything an outdoors enthusiast could desire is closer than we often think. Skiing and snowshoeing are my favorite activities.
Skiing is only 2 ½ hours away; Monarch Mountain (http://www.skimonarch.com/) boasts a selection of ski runs that both novices and experts can enjoy. And it lacks the overpriced lines, costly food, and snooty out-of-town skiers that some of the other resorts have. If the two-hour drive home is too long, Salida offers several motels, and a few of them offer Monarch Mountain ski-and-stay deals. The Monarch Mountain Lodge is just downhill from the ski resort’s entrance as well, but comparison shop to get the best price per night. Some excellent restaurants in Salida provide delicious and warming meals to end a thrilling day of skiing, and a dinner at the Mountain Spirit Winery (http://www.mountainspiritwinery.com/) will make memories of bumps and bruises vanish.
Ski equipment, including skis, ski poles, and boots, can be rented at a number of locations. Monarch has skis to rent, but just after you pass Salida, and before you begin the uphill climb to ski area, there are two non-Monarch Mountain ski rental locations – Mt. Shavano and Mountain Sports Haus. Even better, The Edge – Ski, Paddle and Pack in Pueblo also rents skis for only $15 for adults and $10 for kids, and they only charge you for the day you’ll be skiing, not the day you rent or any traveling days. They also offer season rentals for $150 per person, where you can hang on to your equipment until your season is over, and you can exchange your equipment for resizing or performance as needed. They’re at 107 N. Union right next to the PBR headquarters. You can also check their website: http://www.edgeskiandpaddle.com/.
If zipping down the hill doesn’t sound like your definition of fun, but you still crave the outdoors, then perhaps snow shoeing is more your speed. Snow shoeing is an incredible cardio challenge, and it is the ‘fix’ that runners and walkers need for the winter seasons. No trail is too deep when you’ve donned the snowshoe! The Trailhead in Buena Vista offers demo days throughout the winter season so you can try out different styles without paying a dime. The Cottonwood Lake camping grounds is a fun, vigorous hike, and it gives you plenty of time to enjoy the outdoors without getting too far away from the closest cup of steaming hot chocolate! Check out The Trailhead’s website for demo dates, products, and other information: http://www.thetrailheadco.com/index.htm.
I’m getting ready for the winter sports season. I haven’t run much since July – it was too hot, it was stormy, I had excuses – so I have got to get my legs and lungs back into shape. Interval workouts yield better results for me and prevent the hamster-running-in-circles experience if I were to run the same route every night. Lunges, squats, and proper stretching before and after exercising will help me build up my legs without strain. Check with your favorite personal trainer for exercise tips. Don’t forget to consult your physician before you start a new exercise, and go outside and enjoy the wonderful weather and landscape our state boasts!
