Snowshoeing

If winter sports bring thoughts of long lift lines and a gash in your pocketbook, have no fear. It's time to go snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Considered one of the fastest growing sports in the country, snowshoeing is fun AND it's easy to learn. If you can walk, you can snowshoe.

Today's snowshoes are nothing like the large wooden tennis rackets of the past. They're lightweight, shorter, and fit easily onto good hiking or winter boots. If you have neither, you can always rent overboots that fit over most comfortable shoes.

Dress warm and add some winter essentials to your summer backpack, bring a thermos of hot chocolate, grab a pair of poles, and you're ready to go. If you're just getting started, head for Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. Bear Lake has a high elevation so the snow is consistently good. There are also several short, spectacular snowshoe destinations from this trailhead including Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake.

Keep in mind that what is considered an easy hiking destination in summer is a moderate snowshoe outing in winter as everything takes longer & requires more energy. On the other hand, snowshoeing is much easier on the knees and more fun on the return.

Winter is a special time in Estes Park. The downtown sparkles with Christmas lights all during the winter season, lodging rates are lower, and life in general takes on a slower pace. Make it a full week of fun with guided snowshoe tours, cross-country skiing, sledding, ice-skating, and downhill skiing at nearby Eldora.

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