Winter Fun in Colorado

There's nothing quite like wintertime in Colorado. Denver, the state's capital, is within a few hours' driving distance or less of a multitude of winter entertainments and activities, including winter sleigh rides, a favorite pastime of Denver and surrounding community residents. Sleigh rides in Colorado offer a trip down memory lane, an unforgettable bit of nostalgia or a taste of history that no one is likely to soon forget, coupled with crisp mountain air, the scent of rich pine, wood smoke and good old-fashioned cowboy friendliness wherever you go.

Sleigh rides in Breckenridge, a roughly 2-hour drive from downtown Denver, offer Two Below Zero, a company specializing in unique dinner sleigh rides in an 1850s replica sleigh that glides through scenic trails, offers awesome mountain views, fine dining and good old fashioned cowboy entertainment in the great Colorado outdoors.

Sleigh rides provided by Two Below Zero are open daily. Owners recommend visitors come prepared with coats, hats, gloves and warm shoes. The 2-hour sleigh ride costs an average of $84.00 for adults and $55.00 for children, with those under three years of age traveling for free. Access information regarding Two Below Zero's fun-packed sleigh rides at http://www.dinnersleighrides.com.

The 4 Eagle Ranch, founded in 1885 located near Vail, Colorado, approximately 90 minutes from downtown Denver, offers day and 2 1/2 hour evening sleigh rides and dinner entertainment throughout the winter months, as well as daily horseback riding opportunities in the middle of the Colorado Rockies winter playground. Private sleigh rides are available for roughly $150 for up to 10 people. Access information regarding winter activities and entertainment amidst snowcapped mountains and beautiful vistas at 4 Eagle Ranch at http://www.4eagleranch.com/.

Nordic Sleigh Rides, also located near Breckenridge, offers winter entertainment with old-fashioned sleigh rides through crisp, quiet nighttime woodlands near an 1860s gold mining town, complete with a gold camp dinner and show that includes Colorado-sized portions of steak, chicken or salmon topped with hot apple pie for dessert. Nordic Sleigh Rides offer sleigh ride, dinner and show for approximately $82.00 per adult and $60.00 for children between the ages of 4 and 12. Access http://www.nordicsleighrides.com/ for shows and ride schedules.

If you're anywhere near Snowmass or Aspen, don't miss out on sleigh rides offered by the Pine Creek Cook House. With staggering views of the 14-ers (14,000 foot peaks) of the Elk Mountains and less than four hours from downtown Denver, enjoy the best of Colorado's outdoors, trails and ghost towns in and around Aspen. Located about 10 miles outside of Aspen near the bottom of Elk Mountain, the Pine Creek Cook House hosts romantic sleigh rides and fine Colorado dining such is elk, caribou, and of course, rainbow trout and more to tickle anyone's palate. Visit http://www.pinecreekcookhouse.com/ for more information.