From the streets of downtown Fort Collins to the slopes of the Rocky Mountains, winter brings a wonderland of beauty and magic to northern Colorado. Whether you prefer to enjoy winter’s chillier temps and snow showers outdoors or from the indoors, these six winter must-do’s will give you some ideas of how to get the most of a true Colorado winter.
#1. Lace up your skates
Get your friends together and hit the ice for an afternoon or evening of skating. If you’re an experienced skater, head to Fort Collins’ City Park with your gear to skate on frozen Sheldon Lake with a view of the foothills. If you’re new to the sport or want a more urban experience, make plans to visit the seasonal rink in Old Town, offering low-cost admission and gear rental.
#2. Layer up and take a hike
Even after the weather turns and snow starts to cover the ground in northern Colorado, hitting the trails is still a great way enjoy the scenery of Fort Collins and the surrounding area. Get bundled up, head over to the Student Recreation Center to rent snowshoes, micro-spikes, and trekking poles, and head out on a unique winter adventure with your pals. Revisit your favorite trail for a new perspective or find a new one to explore. Winter is a great time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park, which is less than 50 miles from Fort Collins!
#3. Soak in the winter wonderland of Old Town
For all the holidays feels and finds, wander around Old Town to enjoy thousands of holiday lights, delicious hot beverages and pastries, and maybe even find that perfect Colorado gift for a loved one back home.
#4. Hit the slopes
Whether you’re a bunny-slope beginner or an experienced skier/snowboarder, the SkiSU shuttle and the Snowriders club will get you set up to shred those famous Colorado slopes with your fellow Rams throughout powder season.
#5. Pop into a museum or a movie theater
Take shelter from the cold and snow by taking a few hours to visit a local museum or see a movie with your roommates. Many local museums host free admission days and give discounts to students, like the Museum of Art Fort Collins and the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery. Head to locally-owned theatre The Lyric to catch the latest blockbuster or an open mic night, and browse some local art or challenge your friend to a pinball match in the lobby while you’re there.
#6. Cheer on the Rams at Moby Arena
Put on your most-spirited CSU gear and join the crowd in Moby Arena to cheer on the Rams as they battle it out on the basketball court. As always, tickets for students are free and accessible via your RamCard once you’ve claimed them.
Coming to CSU from a warmer climate?
Here are some tips for conquering your first Colorado winter.
