Our biggest event of the year is October 7—Prairie Harvest Fest!
One of the best things about living in Painted Prairie is just how easy it is to get to the mountains for some winter fun. With easy access to the I-70 corridor, you could be riding, skiing, sledding, or even dog sledding in the morning, and back home in front of the fireplace the same night. Sledding hills, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing all offer a great way to exercise and experience Colorado’s amazing outdoor lifestyle! So, let’s hop in the 4Runner and take a ride up to Colorado Ski Country and explore everything there is to do this winter season.
Whether you are a hard-core backcountry shredder or a newbie still working on your snowplow, Breckenridge is the place for you. Experts and novices will easily find the trails and runs to match any adrenaline level. About an hour and a half away from Painted Prairie, Breckenridge is more than just a ski town. Art museums, restaurants and miles of trails have made this Summit County gem the spot to play for many Colorado natives and visitors.
Gold Run Nordic Center is a great place to rent a fat bike, grab some snowshoes, or strap on those cross-country skis because this spot has something for everyone. Open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm December through March, the center is the perfect place for all ages and experience levels.
Winter is the perfect time to be a tourist in your own state, especially if you live in Colorado. Check out Colorado Tourism’s Breckenridge page for more information about vacations and additional activities in town.
GoBreck.com is a great place to explore not only what to do in the winter, but check it out for summer, fall, winter and spring!
Feeling a bit more adventurous and willing to drive a bit further to try out new things? Get your “mush” on with these dog sledding guides.
Monarch Dog Sled Rides is a small, family-run operation based in Salida that hosts private and personalized dog sled tours. Choose between sitting comfortably in the sled or taking the rein and leading your own team with a guide. With a max weight limit of 1000 lbs., 6 adults can enjoy the ride.
Situated just south of Steamboat Springs, Snow Buddy Dog Sled Tours is a family-run dog sled company operated by Sarah and Dan Piano in Oak Creek that takes you into the heart of the Flat Top Mountains.
Established in 1974, Krabloonik offers fine dining and a dazzling two-hour trip through the Snowmass wilderness, less than a mile from Snowmass Village by Aspen. Each sled, which is pulled by eight to ten Alaskan huskies, can carry two adults and a small child, in addition to the guide.
Want to explore more dog sledding guides, visit Uncover Colorado has a great list of hot spots for locals and tourists throughout Colorado.
We checked with the Colorado Tourism Office again to find the best places to tube and sled throughout Colorado. Check out a few of our top picks.
A great value compared to some of the tubing areas at big ski resorts, Snow Mountain Ranch in Winter Park is run by the YMCA of the Rockies. You’ll find a great tubing hill and views of the surrounding mountains that will knock your mittens off. Next to the tubing hill is an ice-skating rink pavilion, and you also have the option to buy a YMCA day pass for use of the Olympic-size swimming pool and indoor climbing wall to make a full day of fun.
Get ready to scream your face off at our Keystone Resort’s Mountaintop Tubing Hill – it’s a winter rite of passage. Enjoy our multi-lane hill, complete with a convenient lift for more laps per hour. The smiles and giggles are totally free and uncontrollable during this classic family activity that truly is fun for all ages.
Copper Mountain’s tubing hill, like those found at most major ski resorts in Colorado, is a well-equipped fun zone, complete with four designated tubing lanes. A “magic carpet ride” whisks you and your tube to the top where friendly staff will give you a good fling and send you spinning down through curves and over bumps. Critterland, a tiny tot playland and mini tubing area, is right next door for those under 36 inches tall.
The mountain sled hills may be legendary, but when the snow hits at Painted Prairie, an impromptu slide down the hill is only steps away. High Prairie Park has one of the best sledding hills in the neighborhood. Not too fast and not too slow, the hill is perfect for sledders of all ages. So, the next time there’s a snow day, take your pick of any one of our parks to sled, play or build that perfect snowman right in your own “backyard.”
The possibilities for winter fun in Colorado are endless. Do you have a favorite mountain spot that we didn’t mention? Email us at [email protected] and let us know what we should add to our list. You never know, we may add your choices to a future social media post.
Photo by Josh Willink from Pexels
