With the skiing season winding down, there are plenty of other ways to continue to enjoy the mountains all year long, especially after a recent law was passed expanding the number of activities that ski resorts can offer during the summer. Here are the top five ways to continue playing in the hills this spring and summer.
1) Ride your bike: whether you're interested in conquering Loveland Pass or just taking a spin near the lake in Dillon, there are tons of great places to go for a ride in the mountains. You could even sign up for an event like the Beaver Creek Colorado Eagle River Ride and enjoy the thrill of riding in a peloton like the pros! Finally, if you want to get a glimpse of the real pros in Colorado this summer, ride along the route of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge and pick a good mountain top spot to cheer.
2) Hit the slopes without the snow: the new law expanding the number of activities that ski resorts can offer during the summer includes recreational uses that limit environmental impact such as zip-lines, disc golf, mountain biking and ropes courses. Seriously, what could be more fun that screaming down a mountain on a zip-line going even faster than the pro skiers?
3) Concerts, film and food festivals: there are tons of fun cultural activities available in the mountains, and a lot of them are even free! Check out the Bud Light Street Beats Concert Series, the Vail Film Festival, and other events that you won't want to miss.
4) Go for a hike: the trails that are so fun for cross country skiing in the winter also make excellent hiking trails in the summer. Whether you're planning to climb a 14er or just stroll through the woods, this is a great free way to spend a beautiful day in the mountains.
5) Get wild in the west: from rafting to rodeos, rock climbing and horse back riding, there are tons of exciting new ways to experience the mountains during the summer. You could even take a kayaking lesson or watch the pros compete at the Teva Mountain Games, which includes everything from fly fishing and paddle boarding to dogs jumping off docks.
See you up there this summer!
-- Beth