Winter is Sport and Rec Time in Summit County

Alpine skiing and snowboarding are the most obvious winter sports in our ski town, but there are many more sports and recreation are opportunities for folks in Summit County to get out and gets some of the strong Colorado sun, and some Vitamin D

Skiing

Our skiing page give general information of the four Summit County ski resorts all of which are open to snowboarding as well. Information on cross-country skiing, can be found on our Nordic Skiing page, and advice about where to learn and practice the several Nordic styles of skiing.

Snowshoeing

For those who don't like the idea of sliding - on skis or snowboards - snowshoeing can be a stable, alternative way to be outdoors. Snowshoe design has not changed much from those made by Native American Indians as a way to get around in the winter.

Snowshoes have two important parts: the racket that keeps the person from sinking in deep snow, and the crampon that keeps movement always forward. Because of the crampon snowshoers can climb without sliding backwards and descend without sliding too quickly. On snowshoes, winter campers can easily carry a pack and stay in control, uphill and downhill. Shoes can be rented at most of Summit County's Nordic Ski Centers.

After learning to strap into the binding of the snowshoe, the learning is done. Picking a trail is as easy as picking one for a hike since steepness challenges only the shoers fitness not their ability to keep control of skis. Variables in snow quality can change how deep you sink, and in the case of unstructured snow, sometimes called Sugar Snow, it may be best to stay on a packed trail. Visit our Hiking page, to get ideas of where to snowshoe.

Skating: Figue and Hockey

Two hockey-size skating rinks are housed in the Stephen C. West Ice Rink, one inside and another covered but outdoors. Both are heavily scheduled for teams' hockey practice but also offers open, free skate times. The Maggie Pond is natural pond for skating at the base of Peak 9. 

Silverthorne opens North Pond for skating. Some winters, skating is allowed at the Silverthorne nordic center in the Raven's Golf Course. 

Sledding

Carter Park, one of the public parks in the town of Breckenridge, is a great place for families and dogs. The hill above the tennis courts are perfect for sledding because of the long flat runout. Originally dressed out with a rope tow, local kids used to learn to ski on this hill.

Rec. Centers & Other Sports

Both the Breckenridge and Silverthorne recreation centers offer winter sport classes like snowshoeing and nordic skiing. Breck's site has info about hockey and ice skating, too, but year-round the centers offer classes and spaces to practice general fitness and other year round sports.

Winter Recreation Links:

• Skiing
• Nordic Skiing
• Hiking: great for finding snowshoe trails
• Biking: really fat tires
• Breckenridge Rec Center
• Silverthorne Rec Center