Rob and I had a bit of trouble deciding what to do with on this year’s Thanksgiving camping trip. Lacking in skiing knowledge and cold weather attire, I was a little nervous that we would be able to entertain ourselves.
We opted out of learning to downhill ski this time around because of cost. Having to rent ALL our gear and pay for a lift ticket for 3 days is not cheap. We’re planning to learn to downhill soon, but this trip we really wanted to just get out of the city and play in the snow covered mountains we can see from our porch.
Mountain vista. (not from our porch)
So, with our rented cross country skis from REI, we formed a lose plan to drive through the ski towns West on I-70. Here is how our days panned out:
Wednesday
- Arrived at the Breckenridge Nordic Center at 9 am. Everyone was so friendly and helpful when we told them we were totally new to cross country skiing.
- Did about two hours of skiing and falling on their green level, groomed courses.
Rob down.
- Headed to the blue level courses. Proceeded to herringbone uphill for 30 minutes.
- Worth it for the views at the warming hut.
- I walked down while Rob skied down. I don’t really know how to stop yet.
- Drove around town and went to see Catching Fire. It was awesome!!!
- Crashed in Super 8. We were prepared to camp, but unsure of how we would survive sub-30 degree temperatures; the coldest we camped was 35.
Thursday
- Drove to Vail. Awed at the extravagant houses.
- Stopped to hike Hanging Lake Trail. It was 1.2 miles one way with a 1,000 foot elevation gain. We thought it would be quick, but quickly found ourselves slipping and sliding on the snow and ice. 4 hours later, we decided we need to buy some crampons to attach to our shoes.
Attempting not to slip and slide down the icy hill.
- Ate a turkey, instant mashed potatoes, breakfast burrito, and brownie Thanksgiving dinner in the parking lot.
- Drove to Aspen. Drove around town remarking at how stinking cute it is.
- Boondocked for the night. Turns out we were nice and toasty in 18 degree camping weather!
Friday
- Fueled up on coffee/hot chocolate and a breakfast sandwich while walking around the early morning streets of Aspen. So adorable!
- Went to the golf course for free cross country skiing on their groomed courses.
- An hour and a half later, we were sweating messes. Cross country skiing is no joke.
- Explored Snowmass and gawked at the speedy downhill skiers.
- Drove 3 hours back to Denver with zero traffic.
Even though I was a bit chilled at times, I had a blast on this trip. Next thing I have to learn: snowshoeing!
RQ: What is the coldest weather you have ever camped in? Have you ever cross country skied?
I’m Brooke Selb, a Personal Trainer and Health Coach specializing in helping busy moms and moms to be to easily juggle mom life with family friendly recipes, and easy exercise routines to help you achieve your fitness goals that fit in with your already busy life with sound nutritional advice.
I love cross-country skiing. I did it all the time in my backyard when I lived in Maine. Here I do it from time to time, but usually end up downhill skiing. I have no idea what the coldest I have been camping is, but it is usually COLD. I love camping outside fancy ski towns so I can just head into town and grab god coffee and a muffin like I belong there.
It was so fun to do that exact thing in Aspen!
when I was about 17 we camped in 42 degrees at Taylor’s Falls. it sucked. I’m sure it was because I, and the rest of the family was not prepared but it was cold.
Rob and I had a ton of blankets and slept in layers. That really helped.
Ans you two could cuddle…I juat jad my brother…ewww….
There is a reason why we would head to the Caribbean in cold season rather than those cold slopes! Imagine the expense of 4 girls and 2 parents geared up with lift passes……air fare was cheap in comparison! That being said….absolutely gorgeous scenery! We are inspired to try nice long cross country trails with you both….NOT the uphill ones however!!!
I don’t blame you for going Caribbean! Cross country is fun and a tough workout.
Umm…I don’t camp at all and that 18 degree thing would have had me at the closest hotel so fast!!!
Glad you had such a great time!!
It was chilly if you had any body part out of the 12 blankets. We wanted to see if we could do it though. Check!
Looks like you had an AMAZING time!!!!!!
Chilly, but fun.