If skiing is not your thing, there are many other recreational activities available in the Fourteener Country area of Colorado.

Sledding is simple, inexpensive, and requires no skill. Pack up the plastic sled and head up any of our mountain roads, and within a few miles, you are sure to find a suitable hill for a thrilling ride.

The mountains that give the region its name also create a unique mild winter climate in the valley. The mountains catch the clouds and hold them. This drops lots of great snow up high, while leaving the valley relatively snow free. This effect is called a snow shadow. Because of this unique weather pattern, there are many places in the valley that are completely free of snow throughout the winter (hence the name Banana Belt!).

On the east side of the valley, the sun melts any snow that might make it over the continental divide. This makes for wonderful winter hiking and mountain biking. Imagine skiing all morning and going for a warm dry mountain bike ride in the afternoon.

The Midland Trail out of Buena Vista is an excellent hiking trail with very nice views of the Fourteeners across the valley. From the light in Buena Vista, turn east and drive to the river. Take the Barbara Wipple Trail across the river and enjoy the walk up to the railroad grade.

The Midland Trail also makes a nice mountain bike ride. Starting in Johnson Village, ride uphill to County Road 304, hang a left and follow this for another mile to the railroad grade, turn left and enjoy the grade all the way into Buena Vista. Be sure to catch the Barbara Wipple Trail to the left for the quick drop to the river. This has a fair bit of climbing, but the downhill sections make it all worthwhile! For a pictorial tour of the Midland Trail, see the FourteenerNet Colorado Photo Album.

If you want to relax and soak away the soreness, visit one of the areas Hot Springs. In Salida, visit the Hot Springs Pool, easy to find on Hwy 50. Enjoy the pool, or rent a private room and have a romantic soak and a bottle of wine. The pool is also a great family experience, complete with kiddie pool and a diving board.

From Buena Vista, drive south to Nathrop. Then, head west on Colorado 162. Mt. Princeton Hot Springs has a pool as well as outdoor soaking along the river. The hot springs vent directly into the river. It is fun and easy to control the temperature by moving rocks to let in more or less cold river water, a unique experience.

Without a doubt the most popular activity among locals is wildlife watching. When the winter storms sweep over the mountains, it forces the elk and deer down to lower elevations. Look in ranchers fields for "funny looking cows". It may be a herd of elk come down to sneak some free hay! The best part about wildlife watching is that you can do it in any weather without leaving your vehicle. Over the years, animals have learned that parked cars will not harm them, so they ignore them. As you travel around the valley, be alert and you may be surprised at what you see.

Visit Fourteener Country and experience all that a Colorado Winter has to offer.