Things do in the Colorado winter besides skiing and snowboarding

Every winter as the flakes fall my friends are lured to the mountains for days of skiing and snowboarding in the endless powder. I, however, am left behind because I am clumsy, unathletic, and quite disinterested in hitting a tree at 40 mph and killing myself. And while I spent years of my youth trekking to Summit County with friends pretending to enjoy myself, the truth is I don’t much care for skiing or snowboarding. Winters in Colorado sans one of its most popular winter sports can be boring even lonely with so many Coloradoans spending their weekends in the high county, but there are alternatives for the skiing adverse. Here are five other ways to spend snowy days:

1. Snowshoeing: What I like about snowshoeing is that there are no lessons as most people who can walk can get the hang of snowshoeing fairly quickly; no expensive lift tickets and even equipment rental is relatively cheap; and no lines to wait in as snowshoers can spread themselves out over hundreds of different areas around Colorado instead of cramming into a dozen specially designated resorts.
2. Dog sledding- This more traditional winter sport is gaining popularity in Colorado. Relive life from the yesteryears of winter transportation as a team of powerful pooches take you over the hills and through the woods (whether you go to Grandma’s house or not is completely up to you).
3. Tubing/sledding- Sit down and go, that’s a winter activity I can enjoy (not to brag but I am awesome at sitting). There are numerous small sledding hills scattered in neighborhoods and suburbs, but for a real thrill try visiting one of Colorado’s professionally maintained tubing hills. Even big ski resorts like Vail and Keystone have their own tubing hills, but my favorite has always been the tubing hill in Fraser just northwest of Winter Park.
4. Ice skating- If you like rollerblading in the summer, then try ice skating in the winter. Numerous natural and artificial rinks pop up around Colorado in the colder months. Some popular spots to try this winter sport include the Ice Rink at One Boulder Plaza in Boulder, Ice Centre at The Promenade in Westminster, or on Evergreen Lake in Evergreen.
5. Snowmobiling- Snowmobiling offers a little high octane fun in the snow. You can rent snowmobiles and spend the day exploring the great white yonder on your own or you can join one of the numerous tour companies operating in Colorado for a guided adventure in the snow.