Spring Break Staycation: Why head for the sunny south when you already live in paradise?

By Ingrid Palmer

While our friends in the Midwest, Up North or on the East Coast scramble to book beach rentals for their spring break getaways, we Coloradoans tend to look at each other with confused expressions and shake our heads, perfectly content to keep our feet planted right here in the Colorado snow.

It doesn’t make sense to battle crowded airports or highways when there are mounds of fun to be had just a short drive from home. And at this time of year the Rockies offer the best of everything—snow and sunshine, recreation and relaxation, warm days and cool nights. 

But in case you need some new ideas—or a little help convincing your out-of-state friends to head west this spring—we’ve put together a list of mountain activities that should entice even the most dedicated beach bum. Check it out:

Fly fishing — Every summer, droves of anglers head to Colorado’s waterways for top-notch fly fishing, but March is the prime time to dust off your rod and reel in some nice rainbow, cutthroat or cut-bow trout. Since trout feed heavily after a long winter and in the weeks preceding the spawn, spring offers some of the best big trout fishing catches of the year.

With more than 6,000 miles of streams in Colorado, however, choosing your destination can be 

daunting. One tried-and-true place for amazing

spring catches is The Dream Stream area along the banks of the South Platte River near South Park. Other options include the Upper Arkansas River, Blue Mesa Reservoir, and The Colorado River in Rocky Mountain National Park. Or you can always head down the road to our own Evergreen Lake. Be sure to get a Colorado fishing license ahead of time. For guided tours and local stream reports, check out www.bluequillangler.com.  

Skiing — You know you’re a true mountain mole when you pass up Caribbean and Cancun getaways in order to hop in your Subaru, head to the snowy peaks and strap on your skis. Downhill skiing is, of course, the state’s most celebrated outdoor sport. With world-class resorts just a short drive from Evergreen, why not rent some Völkl or Kastle skis from Boone and head to Summit County, Crested Butte or Telluride?

Also, Aspen, Vail and Breckenridge all host a slew of concerts during Spring Break. Link here to see some great deals for spring lodging in Telluride and here for a kids-ski-free package. And check out Snowpak.com for more awesome deals on spring break skiing throughout the state. 

Don’t forget that King Soopers sells Loveland and other resort passes at a slightly discounted rate. And if you fill up 10 gallons of your gas tank at a Shell station, the cashier will reward you with a buy-one-get-one lift pass at Copper Mountain.

Hot Springs — What could be more relaxing after a day of hiking, biking or skiing than a soak in our state’s steamy hot springs? The mineral-rich waters are not only soothing for your tired muscles, they are therapeutic as well. A short swim in the 75- to 105-degree geothermic pools reduces stress and pain, promotes sleep, softens skin and increases circulation.

There are many options within a few hours from Evergreen, including the resort at Mt. Princeton near Salida and family-friendly Glenwood

Springs where you can also enjoy the adventure park and cave tours. For a more secluded spot, try the Piedra River Hot Springs in the San Juan National Forest, which has no facilities and involves a  3-mile roundtrip hike. And if you’re heading toward Winter Park or Steamboat, check out the Hot Sulphur Springs Resort and Spa near Granby or Strawberry Hot Springs outside of Steamboat.

In addition to those highlighted above, there are plenty of other spring activities that will thrill out-of-towners and locals alike. You can try snowmobiling, biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and more. Whether you end up angling for a fish fry, packing some fresh powder or exploring caves with the kiddos, stop in at Boone to gear up and grab some maps. Above all, have fun!