Calvin Masten
The Ramspondents
Snowmen prepare for their return this winter season. Photo by Calvin Masten
As the weather continues to change, so too does outdoor recreation in Fort Collins.
Fort Collins is known for its access to outdoor recreation, whether that’s a trip to Horsetooth Reservoir, a hike in Lory State Park, or enjoying one of the many natural areas in the city. But as residents prepare for harsher temperatures and snowy days, these recreation spots start to take on a different look and feel.
That isn’t to say that Jack Frost is here to ruin all the outdoor fun in Fort Collins. It’s just that a hike in the foothills may be colder by a bit, or by a lot. Along with that, plenty of other outdoor activities will become much more popular and accessible with a blanket of snow covering the area.
Here are some of the best outdoor, cold-weather activities in Fort Collins and how to navigate them safely.
Hiking snowy mountain trails
Fort Collins’ proximity to Lory State Park offers residents and visitors easy access to beautiful hiking trails that range in difficulty. That beauty is only added to with a layer of powdery snow, but it presents new challenges when traversing the trails.
When deciding to take a hiking or snowshoeing trip, Rachel Balduzzi, Fort Collins’ Natural Area’s public engagement senior supervisor, suggests the use of COTREX. COTREX, or Colorado Trail Explorer, is an online tool that tracks all of Colorado’s hiking trails and provides information on the weather and conditions of the area.
“These actions will also help to inform what clothing and footwear is appropriate for the day,” Balduzzi said. “Suggested footwear might include traction devices such as microspikes, which allow for extra grip on slippery surfaces.”
Balduzzi also encourages people looking to enjoy a snowy hike to come prepared with food, water, additional layers and knowledge of the difficulty level of a trail.
Fat biking
Still looking to get outside and take a ride on a bike? Try fat biking.
Like the name implies, fat biking is bicycling on a bike with much larger tires than a normal bike. This allows for more traction and control in snowy and icy climates, like in popular backcountry areas like Lory State Park and Cameron Pass.
More information regarding fat biking, fat biking tours, how to get a fat bike and trails can be found at Visit Fort Collins’ Front Range Ride Guides webpage.
Ice skating
As the weather gets colder and the water starts to freeze over, ice skating becomes a popular outdoor recreation activity. However, it is important to remember that ice skating can be dangerous if not done correctly.
“Ice skating is not allowed within natural areas, except where posted,” Balduzzi said. “If the area is posted as open to skating, use is at your own risk, as the city does not manage the ice.”
Popular and well-regulated outdoor ice skating areas include the Red Feather Lakes at the Beaver Meadows Resort Ranch, about an hour outside of Fort Collins or in certain areas of Sheldon Lake at City Park. If residents are looking for indoor ice skating to escape some of the cold, they can visit EPIC, or the Edora Pool Ice Center, on the corner of East Prospect Road and South Timberline Road.
Natural areas
Fort Collins residents have access to more than 40 natural areas within the city, parts of the community that many people take pride in. Cold weather and conditions don’t dissuade community members from enjoying these areas.
Natural areas in Fort Collins are open to the public, are convenient drives for most residents, and offer breathtaking visuals, opportunities for wildlife watching and a chance to take in all that the winter season has to offer. When asked about her favorite winter recreation activity, Balduzzi said she is very fond of these natural areas.
“I personally love a crisp walk in the snow with my pups!” Balduzzi said. “They get exercise, and so do I, so it’s a win for all of us. Natural Areas such as Pineridge or Maxwell offer excellent views and fun terrain with a leashed pet.”
For more information regarding how to safely and effectively enjoy the upcoming Fort Collins winter, check out Visit Fort Collins’ website for more information and details.
Calvin Masten is a third-year Journalism and Media Communication major and Sociology minor at Colorado State University. His fondness for interpersonal stories and human connections drives his enjoyment of writing, editing, and filming.