Staying Active During Colorado’s Snowiest Months
Congratulations, everyone! We made it through February and now spring is right around the corner, promising warmer weather and environmental regrowth. That being said, before we can enjoy any temperate climates, we must first endure Colorado’s two snowiest months of the year: March and April. Colder weather will undoubtedly press in on Boulder and, with school in full effect, you may be tempted to stay inside and cozy up. While that can be great, it remains important that you stay active to preserve your physical and mental health. Join me in exploring various ways to stay active amidst Colorado’s snowiest months.
There’s a slew of outdoor activities!
As you probably know, Colorado’s increasing snowfalls bring to the table a variety of sports. Two popular options in the Boulder area are skiing and snowboarding; aside from being an adrenaline fix, they are a great workout for strength and endurance. The control that these–and other–snow sports require activates most muscles in the legs and core and puts your stamina to the test. If you’re just starting out on the slopes, consider joining one of CU Boulder’s skiing or snowboarding clubs. Or, if your skills are more advanced, look into joining our school’s official skiing team! Either option will have your body hurting, but will also gift you with new relationships and memories!
There is also a multitude of niche activities you can try in Colorado’s snowy outdoors. For instance, Boulder’s prime location near various rock formations provides opportunity for ice climbing. This, as you could imagine, is a full body workout but isn’t for the faint of heart. Ice climbing can be a very dangerous (but rewarding) pastime; in case of an emergency, make sure to 1) always have someone accompany you and 2) that you have all the necessary gear to climb safely and successfully. Another activity that suits Colorado’s heavy snowfalls is snowshoeing. Choosing this, you can truly explore our state’s winter wonderland, all while clearing your head and building up that cardiovascular health.
If you prefer milder activities (like myself), consider keeping up with your walking, running, or hiking routines. If you bundle up properly, the cold can be bearable and you can still be comfortable, especially when your heartrate increases and keeps your body temperature up. Just make sure to take your time on slippery terrain and that you have enough visibility to see where you’re going. As for the absolute best outdoor winter activity, it’s shoveling the driveway/sidewalks. Now THAT is a workout.
As for the winter homebodies…
If the thought of March and April snowstorms still chills your core, then you can turn to the list of indoor fitness activities! I personally advocate for getting a gym membership in the colder months, because gyms are safe from the outside elements and provide a wide array of exercise equipment to match your fitness goals. There are even some local gyms tailored to specific sports (rock climbing, gymnastics, etc.), so your options are quite vast! Feel free to choose any facility that works best for you, depending on things like location, pricing, included amenities, and a sense of community. If anything, there’s still the CU Recreational Center, which is open and operating on a strict reservation basis!
Lastly, you also have the option of creating your own at-home fitness routines! The great thing about doing this is that you can tailor your exercises to your personal goals and then complete them without any outside pressures. There is also a number of apps that can help you track your fitness progress, whether it be for yoga, calisthenics, Pilates, or something entirely different. I just began doing yoga, and I strongly recommend you incorporate it in your at-home routine! It works wonders on clearing your head and inducing relaxation, all while testing your core strength and balance.
All in all, don’t let the year’s coldest (and snowiest) months get you down. There is still a plethora of activities you can do to stay physically and mentally healthy, so keep at it. Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay warm!