BOATING

Colorado is not only known for it's magestic mountains, but also for it's pristine lakes that bring thousands of tourists every year to the state. It's almost impossible to name all the activities available on the Colorado lakes, but one of the most prominent, and my personal favorite, is recreational boating. Boating lakes dot the whole state and are unlike any other lakes in the country because many are surrounded by steep mountains canyon walls. I reccommend getting on the water as soon as possible in the morning in order to have the glassiest water for wakeboarding. Then as other boats start pouring in and the water starts getting choppier you can break out the tubes for tubing.

CAMPING

Camping in Colorado is easy, beautiful and always a good time. Whether you're traveling across the country in an RV or just headed up to the mountains for the weekend with a tent, there's a variety of campsites all across the state. There's also many cabins available for renting at a lot of camp grounds for pretty cheap prices. Because there's so many campsites to choose from, you want to look into all the different ones available before coming to a decision. It really depends on the  kind of experience you're looking for. You can take a 5 day backpacking trip across the Rockies or head up to Horsetooth Reservoir for a night or two. Many campsites are located on lakes or on rivers while some overlook canyons. You can choose to have a campsite with a electricity and running water or drive up a mountain til you lose phone service. In the vast mountain areas of Colorado, anything is possible.

PARAGLIDING

The Colorado Rocky Mountains are a prime location for paragliding. There are associations located in Vail, Aspen and Steamboat where you can be instructed and certified to para-glide from peak to peak all across the Rockies. A paraglider is a large parachute that you harness onto yourself before you run off a cliff and soar across valleys and canyons. Obviously, paragliding is a unique experience and Colorado has the most unique terrain for it. There is no where else in the world with mountains like the Rockies and I can't say for myself, but Colorado's reccomended by many to be the best paragliding around.

WHITE WATER RAFTING

Because of the steep mountain terrain, Colorado is home to some of the most wild rivers in the country. The Arkansas, the Colorado and the Poudre Rivers all are prime rafting destinations for any kind of trip. When planning a rafting trip in Colorado, there's a lot of flexibility. A short ride a few miles down the river can take only a few hours. Or you can choose to go on a 5 day rafting adventure where you can conquer the largest rapids in the state. There are many rafting companies located all over the state with experienced river guides that know what they are doing. Best of all, they know exactly the right spots to go depending on the experience of their rafters. My personal favorite rafting trip is through the Royal Gorge- a 1,000 foot canyon carved by the Arkansas River. The trip has all different classes of rapids ranging from class 1 to class 5 and also provides scenic views of the canyon. The trip starts in Canyon City-about 2 and half hours southwest of Denver. The trip is most enjoyable in the early summer when the weather is warm enough to not be a chilling ride, but the water is still high enough from the spring snowmelt. But there are hundreds of rafting trips offered in Colorado and picking a good one really depends on your experience and preferences.

MOUNTAIN BIKING

Colorado also offers miles and miles of mountain biking trail with views and scenery that can't be matched. Trails are relatively easy to find at any state park or camping site. There's also many sites such as http://www.singletracks.com/colorado-bike-trails_6.html that provide you with the location and diffaculty ratings of biking trails in Colorado. There's also many different kinds of trails so you have a wide range of options. If you're looking for an easier ride, there are plenty of winding dirt roads that ease on up to a number of different locations. If you're looking for a more challenging experience, you might want to try one of downhill rocky trails that propells you down the side of a mountain. In the summer, many ski resorts use their ski lifts as bike carriers to carry you and your bike up the mountain so that you can more thoroughly enjoy your time going down. Make sure to wear a helmet and proper protective gear when riding. While biking, it is even more crucial to stay on the trail than while hiking because you can get lost a lot more quickly when you're darting around trails and over boulders. Also, from personal experience I can tell you it is very important to make sure you have proper tire patching tools and a tire pump as there are sharp rocks and sticks that will slice a hole in a tire more easily than one would think.

HIKING

If you're not up for a 14er but you still want the hiking experience, there are many other hikes that are a little less intense. Colorado has thousands of miles of trail that weave all throughout the Rocky Mountains and around majestic valleys and crystal blue lakes. It's really not hard to find a nearby trail in Colorado anywhere you are. Of course, the kind of hike will differ depending on the area you are in. If you are looking for more rigorous hike, you'll want to go farther up in the mountains. It's hard to recommend a specific hiking trail because I've found it really depends on how experienced of a hiker you are, what kind of environment you enjoy and what kind of experience you're looking for. Personally, my favorite hike is up in Granby around Bowen Lake-it's 16.5 miles roundtrip. It offers some incredible views of the lake and it includes many high points where you can see other Colorado mountain peaks stretch on for miles. Some important tips for hiking are always staying on the path to prevent getting lost. It's easy to wander off and quickly become lost in the wildernass. Always make sure to take a compass and essential survival gear just in case you lose your way for a long period of time. Make sure to know your limits and know when you need breaks. Also remember to leave no trace as we are guests while we hike through the mountains.

CLIMBING 14ER's

Colorado's 14ers are the thing to do if you want a real challenge. A fourteener is a mountain peak that is at least 14,000 feet above sea level. Colorado has many fourteeners that can be climbed year round and provide a view of Colorado you can't get any other way. However, not everyone can climb one. You have to be in pretty good shape and have good lungs to be able to handle the altitude in combination with the rigourous hiking and climbing. Although there are peaks that are harder than others, all of them are at least a little bit of a challenge. One of the most famous 14er's is Pikes Peak located just west of Colorado Springs. You should make sure to always have proper equipment and safety gear. Make sure if you climb in the winter you wear warm clothing as temperatures on the peak can be much cooler than those in a lower elevation. Always make sure to bring enough water as dehydration can cause sickness and fatigue which is extremely dangerous hwile climbing. There are many different trails and things and different ways to explore. Make sure you have a map or a guide and know where you're going at all times.

Although winter is drawing to an end something you will have to check out next winter is snow tubing.
Snow tubing is a thrilling ride down the ski slopes seated on a big rubber tube. You'll never forget the experience you have as you tear up the slopes at an astonishing speed. Tubing is an easy thing to do given all the ski resorts in Colorado that offer separate tubing hills next to the ski runs. Many resorts even how various slopes for different ages-some more steep than others for the more wild riders and some smooth for the kids. The nicest thing about these tubing runs is that most, if not all, have tow ropes that pull you back up the hill so you don't have to worry about lugging the tube back up the hill. This makes it a lot easier to take the kids and have an enjoyable time. My advice would be to wear a scarf or a neck warmer that covers your face because there is nothing worse than having the cold air whipping against your face as you cruise down the mountain. So maybe take a half day of skiing and spend the rest of the day on the tubing hill one day this winter when the snows a little icy. I promise you won't regret it.

An activity that is sometimes forgotten in the more common Colorado activities of skiing and hiking is snowshoeing. Snowshoeing has been around for thousands of years and still is alive and well today. Colorado is one of the best places to snowshoe because of the great powdery snow and the varying terrain options that provide for a variety of trails. Snowshoeing is also a great sport because its relatively inexpensive. Compared to renting out a snowmobile or even a pair of skis renting snowshoes is really pretty cheap. It's also a good family or group activity because almost anyone that can walk can participate and Colorado has many different trails for beginners and many more extreme trails for experts. The trails are located near almost every ski resort and if not, the resort can surely tell you where to find one. Make sure to wear comfortable footwear and preferably wool socks. Dressing in layers that can be easily removed is also reccomended for when the weather warms up in the afternoon. Backcountry snowshoeing may seem really adventurous and exciting but it can be really dangerous. Avalanches can occur easily and you want to make sure that you don't risk your life just to get to the powder no matter how tempting it may be.

Another activity Colorado has to offer with its amazing snow and mountainous terrain is snowmobiliing. Snowmobiling paths, tours and rentals are offered at almost every ski resort in Colorado as well as in other areas suitable for this kind of recreation including the National Parks. Snowmobiling is a great way to tour the backcountry of the mountains of Colorado because they speedily take you through the forests and to the top of the peaks and you are able to see the many different views and scenes. Touring with a guide would be ideal if you don't know your way around-it's easy to venture off and get lost in the snowy white and seeminly endless terrain. You will also want to make sure to bring appropriate gear especially things that will keep you warm and safe. Keep in mind that each driver must have a valid driver's license. Children are allowed to ride if accompanied by adult. Snowmobiling is an exhilerating activity and there is no better place to experience than Colorado. Whether you whip through snowbanks and off thrilling jumps or glide along the trail on a tour with your family the hundreds of miles of trails can provide you with days of adventure through the wilderness of the Rocky Mountains.

One of the most prominent outdoor activities Colorado offers this time of year is skiing. Every year thousands of people travel to Colorado from all across the nation and even different areas of the world to experience the ski slopes of the Rockies. In just the past few weeks resorts like Vail and Steamboat have received over 30 inches of snow and counting. Together Colorado ski areas provide over thousands of acres of slopes for all levels of skiiers. There's also tons of backcountry areas often untouched by anyone else for the more experienced, more daring skiiers..if you are willing to look. Resorts like Breckenridge and Copper Mountain are located just a few hours from Denver International Airport and have beautiful lodges for family vacations. For most types of skiing gear, it depends on personal preference. There are types of skiis for more freestyle skiing in the terrain park or backcountry runs or skiis made for speed. You always want to make sure you have a helmet. Skiing accidents can be quick and fatal and this season because of so much powder, small avalanches have not been uncommon. But wherever you chose to go, whatever skis you're gliding on, I can promise you that Colorado will show you a good time on the slopes.

The outdoor activities and opportunities in the diverse Colorado landscape are seemingly endless. Whether you visit the Rocky Mountain state to shred the slopes, scale the cliffs, raft the ravenous Colorado river or simply sit out by the fire on a starry night and gape at the sunset creeping behind the majestic mountainous sky, Colorado will give you a ride you'll never forget. In this blog I will name and describe just a few of the activities provided by Colorado and include the information you will need on where to go and what to bring. Being a Coloradoan myself I am a little biased but I hope I can show you why I'm proud to call this my home state. I'll also treat you with some pictures to show you just how picturesque the natural wild lands of this great state are. Especially if you love the outdoors, Colorado can keep you busy all year round. There are many recreational destinations that dot Colorado each with their own unique activities and accomodations. Whether you want to take it easy and take a nature walk through a lush forest or ride a mountain bike up a rocky ridge, I'm sure Colorado has the perfect spot for you. With thousands of miles of exotic hiking trail, hundreds of acres of ski slopes frosted in the winter with fresh powder along with the rivers and lakes that provide recreation for the fisherman and boating crews, Colorado is truly a place waiting to be explored.