Winter Beyond the Slopes / COME TO LIFE 11 ICE FISHING The main season for ice fishing is December to late February, when the ice is typically sure and conditions are right. Before layering up and heading out, pop into a tackle shop for advice on the best places to go, the best bait to use and plenty of fish tales. Where to Go: Chambers Lake near Walden Eleven Mile Reservoir in Lake George Harvey Gap Reservoir in Glenwood Springs Trinidad Lake State Park Chatfield State Park in Littleton Crawford Reservoir Lake Granby Twin Lakes Reservoirs More: COLORADO.com/ IceFishing 10 SKI BIKING Another way to experience the beauty of a Colorado winter and also get your adrenaline flowing, it’s simply a bike with the wheels replaced by skis. Many ski areas offer lessons with staff instructors; the bikes’ three-point stance and low center of gravity make it an easy activity to pick up. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: SKI BIKING, PURGATORY RESORT; ICE-FISHING TACKLE, ISTOCKPHOTO; ICE FISHING NEAR DURANGO, KENNAN HARVEY; YAMPA VALLEY CRANE FESTIVAL; BIGHORN SHEEP NEAR ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, JAMES FRANK. Where to Go: Purgatory Resort in Durango Winter Park Resort Vail Mountain Keystone Resort Steamboat Resort Telluride Ski Resort More: COLORADO.com/SnowBiking 12 WILDLIFE WATCHING Moose, deer, marten, ermine, jays, woodpeckers, owls and others often move to lower elevations as the snow piles up in the high country. Several winter festivals celebrate eagles, bighorn sheep, snow geese and cranes. Where to Go: All State and National Parks (page 41) All Colorado Birding Trails Winter festivals: Lake Pueblo Eagle Days (Feb.), Barr Lake Bald Eagle Festival (Feb.), Colorado Springs Bighorn Sheep Day (Feb.), Lamar’s High Plains Snow Goose Festival (Feb.), Monte Vista Crane Festival (March), Pueblo’s Colorado Owl Fest (Oct.), Chatfield State Park Big Sit (Oct.), Georgetown Bighorn Sheep Festival (Nov.) and Christmas Bird Counts in various locations (Dec.) More: COLORADO.com/WildlifeTripIdeas WANT MORE? GO TO COLORADO.COM/WINTER-ACTIVITIES & BLOG.COLORADO.COM. COLORADO.COM / 29
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2018: Page 29
