BACKCOUNTRY SKIING
Backcountry skiing is abundant in the Heart of the Rockies region. About 80% of the geography is publicly owned with the public invited to its natural terrain. Elevation ranges from about 6,000 feet above sea level to over 14,000 feet. You will usually get good snow conditions from early December through May and sometimes into July. Terrain varies from absolutely flat to triple black diamond. Beware of avalanches!
LIFT-SERVED SKIING
Lift-served skiing is available at Heart of the Rockies’ southern boundary at the Monarch Ski Area, and the northern boundary at Ski Cooper. Unlike the high-priced mega-mountain destinations just outside the northern boundary of Heart of the Rockies, these family-oriented and family-budgeted ski areas allow families to ski together and have a lot of fun doing it.
SNOWCAT SKIING
There is nothing like riding to the top of a ridge in a warm snowcat with some friends, getting dropped off on top of the world, and then skiing down absolutely untracked powder. Check out the cat skiing at Monarch, which features abundant tree-skiing and Ski Cooper, where almost all of the skiing is above tree line. Snowboarders are welcome and no poles are needed at either cat-skiing operation.
SNOWBOARDING
Snowboarding is available at Heart of the Rockies’ southern boundary at the Monarch Ski Area, and the northern boundary at Ski Cooper. Unlike the high-priced mega-mountain destinations just outside the northern boundary of Heart of the Rockies, these family-oriented and family-budgeted ski areas allow families to ski together and have a lot of fun doing it.
SNOWMOBILING
Gentleman (and ladies) start your engines! Snowmobiling trails are abundant in Heart of the Rockies, especially on high elevations around Leadville. Trails are regularly groomed in the Historic Mining District. Or, a slowed-down and more protected from the weather mechanized ride is ATV gliding in this same district.
FAT TIRE BIKING
Who said you can’t ride a bike in the snow? In the Heart of the Rockies, there are many groomed trails for fat tire biking, especially in the Leadville area. Check the trail maps, put on your fat tires and off you go!
NORDIC SKIING
Nordic skiing on groomed trails is abundant throughout The Heart of the Rockies. Among the most popular of these groomed trail systems and is the Leadville Cross Country Ski Council trails in Leadville at the AMG – a massive golf course in warmer seasons.
SNOWSHOEING
Snowshoeing is becoming the fastest growing winter sport. Just find a groomed trail, secure your snowshoes, and you’re off. What better way to enjoy the amazing Rocky Mountains than hiking through the snow on snowshoes? Snowshoe season usually lasts from early December through May.
DOGSLEDDING
Travel back in time to the era before internal combustion engines and enjoy the thrill of dogsledding. There is nothing like the energy of a dog herd running at full speed!
ICE CLIMBING
Frozen waterfalls are abundant in Heart of the Rockies. Grab your picks, ropes, spike-boots and a friend, then check the maps and go for the ultimate adrenaline rush.
ICE SKATING
Usually by mid- to late-December all of the lakes and ponds in the Heart of the Rockies freeze over. That includes Lake County’s mega-lakes Turquoise Lake and Twin Lakes. Bundle up and bring your ice skates for a load of fun. Informal hockey games occasionally break out so bring your hockey stick and puck to have some fun with friends.
ICE FISHING
Fish do not take the winter off just because their lake or pond freezes over. Cut a hole in the ice, grab a chair and maybe a tent and you’re ready to fish. Their normal food supply, which is insects landing on the water surface, are not available. So they are ready to bite your hook. Have fun!
SKIJORING
Want to have the adrenaline rush of your life? Try skijoring, where a horse galloping at full speed pulls you like you are slalom skiing behind a motorboat. Leadville hosts skijoring competition in early March of every ski season where their main street, Harrison Ave, is packed with two feet of snow and the crowds line the street. Make a date to come to Leadville to either watch or participate. It’s an event you’ll never forget.
YOUR INVOLVEMENT MATTERS
If your heart is in the Rockies, consider sharing your contact info so that we can keep you updated about news, events and upcoming volunteer opportunities.
Every action you take helps to protect and preserve the Heart of the Rockies. By staying informed, practicing sustainable habits, and sharing your love for this incredible region, you contribute to safeguarding its natural beauty for generations to come.
© 2025 Heart of the Rockies. All Rights Reserved.
Backcountry skiing is abundant in the Heart of the Rockies region. About 80% of the geography is publicly owned with the public invited to this natural terrain. Elevation ranges from about 6,000 feet above sea level to over 14,000 feet. You will usually get good snow conditions from early December though May and sometimes into July. Terrain varies from absolutely flat to triple black diamond. Beware of avalanches!
Lift-served skiing is available at Heart of the Rockies’ southern boundary at the Monarch Ski Area, and the northern boundary at Ski Cooper. Unlike the high-priced mega-mountain destinations just outside the northern boundary of Heart of the Rockies, these family-oriented and family-budgeted ski areas allow families to ski together and have a lot of fun doing it.
There is nothing like riding to the top of a ridge in a warm snowcat with some friends, getting dropped off on top of the world, and then skiing down absolutely untracked powder. Check out the cat skiing at Monarch, which features abundant tree-skiing and Ski Cooper, where almost all of the skiing is above tree line. Snowboarders are welcome and no poles are needed at either cat-skiing operation.
Who said you can’t ride a bike in the snow? In the Heart of the Rockies, there are many groomed trails for fat tire biking, especially in the Leadville area. Check the trail maps, put on your fat tires and off you go!
Snowboarding is available at Heart of the Rockies’ southern boundary at the Monarch Ski Area, and the northern boundary at Ski Cooper. Unlike the high-priced mega-mountain destinations just outside the northern boundary of Heart of the Rockies, these family-oriented and family-budgeted ski areas allow families to ski together and have a lot of fun doing it.
Gentlemen (and ladies) start your engines! Snowmobiling trails are abundant in Heart of the Rockies, especially on high elevations around Leadville. Trails are regularly groomed in the Historic Mining District. Or, a slowed-down and more protected from the weather mechanized ride is ATV gliding in this same district.
Snowshoeing is becoming the fastest growing winter sport. Just find a groomed trail, secure your snowshoes, and you’re off. What better way to enjoy the amazing Rocky Mountains than hiking through the snow on snowshoes? Snowshoe season usually lasts from early December through May.
Nordic skiing on groomed trails is abundant throughout The Heart of the Rockies. Among the most popular of these groomed trail systems and is the Leadville Cross Country Ski Council trails in Leadville at the AMG – a massive golf course in warmer seasons.
Travel back in time to the era before internal combustion engines and enjoy the thrill of dogsledding. There is nothing like the energy of a dog herd running at full speed!
Frozen waterfalls are abundant in Heart of the Rockies. Grab your picks, ropes, spike-boots and a friend, then check the maps and go for the ultimate adrenaline rush.
Usually by mid- to late-December all of the lakes and ponds in the Heart of the Rockies freeze over. That includes Lake County’s mega-lakes Turquoise Lake and Twin Lakes. Bundle up and bring your ice skates for a load of fun. Informal hockey games occasionally break out so bring your hockey stick and puck to have some fun with friends.
Fish do not take the winter off just because their lake or pond freezes over. Cut a hole in the ice, grab a chair and maybe a tent and you’re ready to fish. Their normal food supply, which is insects landing on the water surface, are not available. So they are ready to bite your hook. Have fun!
Want to have the adrenaline rush of your life? Try skijoring, where a horse galloping at full speed pulls you like you are slalom skiing behind a motorboat. Leadville hosts skijoring competition in early March of every ski season where their main street, Harrison Ave, is packed with two feet of snow and the crowds line the street. Make a date to come to Leadville to either watch or participate. It’s an event you’ll never forget.
YOUR INVOLVEMENT MATTERS
If your heart is in the Rockies, consider sharing your contact info so that we can keep you updated about news, events and upcoming volunteer opportunities.
Every action you take helps to protect and preserve the Heart of the Rockies. By staying informed, practicing sustainable habits, and sharing your love for this incredible region, you contribute to safeguarding its natural beauty for generations to come.
© 2025 Heart of the Rockies. All Rights Reserved.