Colorado is known for its  top-notch skiing and snowboarding in the winter. People flock from all over to ski Vail, Breck, Beaver Creek and others. We’re pretty lucky to live in such a perfect place for all the winter activities, right?

But what if, God forbid, you don’t ski or snowboard every weekend? What if you only want to hit the slopes once or twice this year because you just don’t crave the adrenaline rush that accompanies flying down the mountain? Well, friends, never be discouraged by the judgmental “You live in Colorado and you don’t ski or snowboard?” again. Here is a list of day trips, all less than two hours out of the city, that do not involve skiing or snowboarding.

Estes Park

You may have heard of it as the home of the Stanley Hotel, which inspired the classic film “The Shining,” or as the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. Estes Park is all of these things and more, and winter is certainly the time to pay this lovely town a visit so as to avoid the hoards of tourists who frequent it in the summertime.

Rocky Mountain National Park, located just outside Estes Park, is open 365 days a year, weather permitting. It has 355 miles of hiking trails, which means you can tailor your hike to any level. Remember, winter hikes are going to inherently be more difficult than summer hikes (and many won’t be accessible soon due to snow), so maybe push back your 10-miler until spring. That said, winter is a beautiful time to enjoy the Rocky Mountains on foot. Remember not to bring your dog, as the park is a wildlife protection area. Unfortunately, they just increased the day trip price to $20 per car, but when you compare that to a ski lift day pass, it makes it seem a little more manageable and the price increase is going toward the great cause of protecting our beautiful land.

After your hike, you can warm up in the Stanley Hotel. While you may not see any sets of twins roaming the hallways, it is easy to see how this hotel became the inspiration for a horror story. It is free to walk around the hotel, or you can dine at any of their restaurants. For a more affordable dining option, head to a classic Estes Park restaurant and warm up with a margarita or some tacos. Ed’s Cantina and Grill is on Estes Park’s main street, East Elkhorn Avenue, and offers some of the best food in the town. Before your meal (or while you are waiting for your table), you can stroll amongst the shops and galleries on the small downtown strip.

Nederland

A very little-known town in the mountains outside of Denver is Nederland. This small town is just a hop and a skip away, only about an hour drive via I-25 and US-36. What it lacks in tourist attractions it makes up in hippie small-town vibes, with a creek running right down the middle, a few small shops and a killer coffee shop in town. Right outside Nederland is the opportunity for even more hiking, through the town of Eldora (no, not the ski hill—the actual town). 

Evergreen

If you haven’t visited Evergreen yet, winter is the best time to go. Besides the small downtown complete with coffee shops, restaurants and unique stores, Evergreen offers the Lake House, which has paddle boats and a golf course in the summer and fall. In winter, however, it turns into a picturesque ice skating rink. If you and your significant other are looking for a postcard-worthy mountain date night idea, look no further. While the rink has not opened yet, stay posted on their website, which includes their hotline with weather-permitting openings and closures. 

South Pearl Street WinterFest

South Pearl Street is known for its Farmer’s Market in the summer, but it offers a WinterFest on Dec. 4 and 5 which will include horse and wagon rides, a holiday market with food and gift vendors, live music and hot adult beverages. Need we say more? So cuddle up with a date or a group of friends and get festive on South Pearl Street.

If you aren’t an avid skier or snowboarder, don’t be intimidated by the popular culture around Denver. There are plenty of activities around that don’t involve strapping on skis or a board. Enjoy your winter in as many ways as possible, Pios.