Protecting the Winter Wonderland: Tips for Responsible Outdoor Fun

Winter outdoor recreation in southern Colorado offers a unique opportunity to embrace the serene beauty of nature—often with fewer crowds than the rest of the year. Shorter days, cooler temperatures, and snowy, icy conditions deter many people from enjoying invigorating activities that can enhance both physical and mental well-being, but with a few tips and added preparation, you’ll be ready to get outside and explore local landscapes. 

Unlike during the summer months, recreational activities in winter often require more planning and preparation due to cold, harsh conditions and variable weather. Making sure that you’re well-equipped for a winter day will not only help limit your impact on our precious natural spaces but also ensure a fun and safe day for you and your loved ones. As a member of the Care for Colorado Coalition, Palmer Land Conservancy cares deeply about ensuring our community has the necessary information and skills to minimize negative impacts on our beloved outdoors.

Here are seven steps that you can take to ensure you’re staying safe and sustainable this winter in the Pikes Peak Region:

1. Know Before You Go 

The increased potential for hazardous conditions such as storms, extreme temperatures, and avalanches make this step extra critical in ensuring safety during the winter months in Colorado. It’s a great idea to begin close to home in easy to moderate terrain. Before heading up into the mountains you’ll want to have a firm understanding of avalanche safety.

Download the COTREX App 

The Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX) App is a FREE tool with working maps of every trail in our state. The app provides users with detailed, up-to-date information regarding trails and conditions across all public lands. COTREX now includes daily weather and avalanche forecasts from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC), providing key information to help you stay safe when spending time on winter trails. 

Pack Accordingly 

Even though Colorado sees an average of 300 days of sunshine per year, winter temperatures can still vary by as much as 20 degrees in a single day! Pack numerous layers to stay warm and avoid sweating as temperatures and your exertion change during your outing. Sun and eye protection are also critical in winter due to increased glare from snow cover, and adequate footwear/traction such as ice cleats, microspikes, snowshoes, or skis will ensure safe travels. Check out our list of winter hiking essentials for a great list of items to consider while enjoying the winter wonderland. 

2. Stick to Durable Surfaces

Snow and ice often provide protective insulation for delicate plants, so winter can be a great time to get off the beaten track while minimizing the impact of your footprints.

Determine the Snow Depth 

Snow depth of 4-6 inches usually provides adequate coverage for winter activities like snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and off-trail travel. If choosing to travel off-trail, have a way to track your route, such as a GPS device or the COTREX App, because wind and new snow can cover up tracks.

When in Doubt, the Trail Wins Out 

Plan to stay on the trail if there are less than four inches of snow cover to preserve habitat and provide the best experience for you, other users, and local wildlife. On sunny and warm winter days, trails often thaw out and become muddy and hazardous. Traversing mud trails can damage trails and surrounding vegetation when people try to avoid the mud by walking on the sides of the trail. Keep an eye on the temperature and start early in the day to avoid muddy trails. 

3. Trash the Trash

Cold conditions mean trash and waste will last even longer if not packed out.

Pack It In, Pack It Out

Even “natural” items like fruit peels, cores, or nut shells take several years to biodegrade in Colorado, and put wildlife at risk from disease and altered behavior.

Bring Your Own Trash Can

A container such as an old peanut butter jar or ziplock bag is a great receptacle for packing any trash you may have or find on the trails. It also ensures that your gear stays mess-free!

4. Leave It As You Find It

Winter is a harsh time for both plants and animals in Colorado. Leaving items like rocks and plants where you find them ensures that wildlife will be able to utilize them in their habitat throughout the colder months.

Capture the Moment

Taking a photo, writing a journal entry, or even painting a picture are all unique, low-impact ways to preserve special winter moments. 

5. Be Careful with Fire

Winter is a great time to cozy up around a warm fire with friends and family. Make sure you spark the right mood by checking your county’s website to determine if there are any current fire restrictions before you plan to have a fire. The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control also provides regular updates on fire restrictions across the state.

Try a Camp Stove

Bringing your own stove for cooking provides easy and quick access to warmth when needed. Bonus: there’s nothing like a freshly brewed hot beverage on a cold winter day!

Keep It Local 

Make sure all firewood is sourced locally from no more than 50 miles outside your burn site to prevent the transportation of invasive species like pine beetles.

6. Keep Wildlife Wild

Less food and colder temperatures mean wildlife is especially vulnerable in the winter.

Keep a Safe Distance

Use the “rule of thumb”: If you can cover the entire silhouette of an animal with the outline of your thumb at arm’s length, you’ve given them enough space.

Leash Your Pets

Wildlife need all the calories they can get during winter. Keeping pets leashed prevents hazardous encounters with wildlife or accidental chases and ensures your pets stay safe.

7. Share our Trails and Parks

One of the best parts of the Colorado good life is the access to outdoor recreation through our protected public parks and open spaces. Though winter tends to see fewer people than the busy summer season, you can still preserve the magic of Colorado winter by being mindful of other users.

Don’t Skip the Howdy

Passing on a friendly smile or hello when you encounter other users creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere to break the winter chill.

Enjoy the Quiet

Winter is one of the best times to enjoy serenity as deep snow absorbs lots of added sounds. Be mindful of your noise level so everyone can experience the magic quiet of winter.