Colorado Explorer

Bison
© U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Out and about in winter

By Linda DuVal

Activities

Looking for a great place to hike on a mild winter's day? Try the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. Where else can you get a view of a bison herd with the Denver skyline and the distant Rockies as a backdrop? Call for winter hours. 303-289-0930.

The Smithsonian Institution has created an extensive Paleo-Indian exhibit at the Wray Museum in northeast Colorado. It's one of only a few permanent Smithsonian exhibits outside of Washington, D.C. The town museum focuses on Colorado archeology and has a huge arrowhead collection. 970-332-5063.

It's never too early to learn, especially if the whole family is into snow sports. A good deal for wannabe skiers ages 5-8, and snowboarders ages 9-12, can be had at Wolf Creek Ski Area, where the Wolf Pups program provides four hours of lessons, lift tickets, lunch and snacks for $60. 970-264-5639.

Art is the order of the day during the First Friday Gallery Walks in Fort Collins, the first Friday of each month. In November, the Center for Fine Art Photography features an exhibit showing the impact of humans on our planet. For more gallery schedules, contact Arts Alive. 970-482-2232.

©Southlands Shopping Center

Lace up your skates and head to The Pond, an outdoor ice skating rink at the Southland Shopping Center in Aurora. It opens the day after Thanksgiving and doesn't close until March. Nine bucks gets you skate rentals and you can skate all day if you like. Call for hours. 303-627-5000.

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad makes its annual "Polar Express" runs, complete with reindeer and Santa, Nov. 26 through Dec. 28. Hot chocolate and treats are supplied to young passengers, who may wear their pajamas for the ride. Call 888-872-4607 for reservations.

Lodging

Hotel Boulderado kicks off its 100th birthday with a New Year's Eve Gala. The hotel opened on New Year's Day in 1909 and will celebrate it on Dec. 31. Dance, drink champagne and take a horse-drawn carriage ride. Or stay there any time and just enjoy its historic charm and the ambience of Boulder. 866-826-2887.

If you're headed to Aspen in ski season but prefer peace and quiet, consider spending a night or two at Gailyn's Cross Country Bed & Breakfast Inn in nearby Carbondale. The small Victorian inn is next to a cross-country trail and offers easy access to snowshoeing, ice skating and downhill skiing. Glenwood Springs' hot springs are just a stone's throw away. 970-963-0537.

Dining

Next time you ski at Copper Mountain, check out the wide diversity of restaurants on the property. You can get everything from pizza to sushi. But if it's fine dining you're after, head to the C. B. Grille, the resort's most upscale restaurant. Whether you order the elk loin, pork medallions or roasted salmon, it'll be a treat. Save room for the Chocolate Galaxy dessert. 970-968-3113.

A mix of Mexican food, wild game birds and ribs are on the menu at the Minturn Saloon, a popular eatery in a historic building in Minturn, not far from Vail. It's as homey and affordable as Vail is upscale, and typifies Colorado cuisine at its best. Sample the quail as an appetizer or entrée, dig into the Pancho Villa ribs, or smother yourself with some of the best Mexican fare around. 970-827-5954.

Shopping

If you're shopping for items that are unabashedly geared to Christmas, there are several shops in Colorado which specialize in the holiday. They include Swan Mountain Christmas in Breckenridge (970-453-5974) and St. Nick's Christmas Collectibles in Littleton (303-798-8087). Stop by St. Nick's South in Manitou Springs (719-685-4290) or the nearby Santa's Workshop at the North Pole amusement park (719-684-9432), near Cascade at the foot of the Pikes Peak toll road. Or order from most of them online.

Linda DuVal is a freelance writer and former travel editor for The Gazette in Colorado Springs.