Find yourself missing a sunny-day hike and gorgeous views during this chilly Colorado winter? Well we have the solution for you, snowshoeing! This joyous winter sport can be done on virtually any hiking trail in Colorado. Worried that you don’t have the right gear? No problem. We’ve scoped out affordable rentals, some of the best trails, and even modes of transportation to get you snowshoeing, skiing or snowboarding in no time.

First things first, get your gear.

Most winter sports can be enjoyed by anyone whether they are a novice or an expert. But no matter the activity you are getting into, getting the right gear with good quality to ensure your safety can tend to get a little pricey. Luckily, snowshoeing rentals are available all over Colorado and are quite affordable. While the majority of these rental shops are located in Boulder, we’ve included a few on the outskirts of the city as well.

Crystal Ski Shop

Located off of 28th and Canyon in Boulder, Crystal Ski Shop is a one-stop-shop for all of your snowshoeing and skiing equipment needs. The shop offers daily rentals for snowshoes for adults and kids too. If you are looking for the most up to date and affordable snowshoe rentals this is the place to go. Crystal’s also offers snow pants and jackets, goggles, and sleds as rentals. As an added bonus, if you find yourself with a need for custom fit ski or snowboard rentals, Crystal’s has what you need at more to hit the slopes with confidence.

Neptune Mountaineering

Neptune Mountaineering is also located in Boulder on Broadway, just off of Table Mesa. They offer snowshoe rentals for kids and adults, as well as plenty of other gear for your trip. As far as costs go, snowshoe rentals for adults start at $20 for the first day, $10 for kids and $40 for a sled if you are considering renting one. Neptune also offers gear rentals for camping, backpacking and climbing too. Their website has a well organized breakdown of all of the gear they offer for rent and how much each item costs for a given amount of time.

Mountain Side Gear and Rental

As promised, a rental shop located outside of Boulder! Mountain Side Gear and Rental is stationed in Denver off of South Golden Road. The variety of rentals available range anywhere from foam snowshoes to all-terrain. Mountain Side of course offers snowshoe rentals for kids as well, along with a huge list of other outdoor activity and winter sport-related items. Their website even offers gently used gear at affordable prices on staple products such as tents, sleeping bags and outdoor backpacks.

On-site Rentals at Eldora Mountain Resort

Despite the fact that this one does not offer snowshoe rentals, this is a solid rental route to check out for skiing and snowboarding rentals, and snowshoe trails too. For those looking to make the rental and ride process as seamless as possible, Eldora Mountain Resort offers on-site rentals for skiing and snowboarding alike. Although you can walk right up to the resort and rent your gear on the spot, online reservations offer the best pricing and expedited service. Eldora offers skiing and snowboarding packages for adults and children at all skill levels. Their dedicated snowshoe trails cover all terrains as well.

Now that you’ve got your shoes, time to pick a destination.

Many cross-country ski resorts will allow snowshoeing on their trails while some may even have trails dedicated to snowshoeing alone. Trails can be structured, or freestyle, and Nordic Centers offer a huge variety of sites to choose from. After the snow we had this weekend, any of these trails should be covered in just enough snow to head out for a mid-week hike in your freshly rented snowshoes.

Vail Nordic Center

With so many Nordic centers to choose from, we will first be showcasing Vail Nordic Center for their 10-kilometer span of scenic trails. The trails are tended to daily to keep the trails ready for action. This Nordic Center also offers on-site rentals for snowshoes, skis and fat bikes. If the 10 kilometers of trails aren’t enough to convince you to visit Vail, consider giving the newly added 13-kilometers of fat bike trails waiting for you in this scenic mountain Nordic Center.

Keystone Nordic Center

This family-friendly Nordic Center hosts 17 kilometers of groomed trails available for your snowshoeing experience. Additionally, if you’re looking for something with a little more freestyle, Keystone has 40 kilometers of backcountry trails located near the resort in the White River National Forest. Worried about getting lost on your first trip? Fear not, as Keystone offers guided snowshoeing trails so you can feel safe and enjoy the excursion that much more. Similarly, if you are looking for a more daring hike but enjoy the safety of a guide, the Mountain Top Tour is the way to go. Starting at high elevation and ending even higher, the breathtaking views will make the journey more than worth the trek.

The Arapaho Glacier Trail

Located in Nederland, this trail is known amongst snowshoeing fanatics as having one of the best views on the route. The trail runs through Indian Peaks Wilderness before hitting the open tundra with an exquisite view of a mountain lake. Other views caught on this trail include the North and South Arapaho peaks as well as the Arapaho Glacier. This is a challenging hike no matter the skill level, so make sure to map your route before embarking on this one.

Last but certainly not least, obtain a ride… or better yet a carpool!

Whether you are planning to adventure solo or with family and friends, coordinating a carpool ensures that nobody is “that one guy” who pulled into the parking lot as a solo traveler. Ride sharing is a great way to decrease traffic congestion and air pollution, increase social interactions and lower the cost of the trip for everyone involved.

TreadShare makes it easier than ever for drivers and riders to coordinate their trips at the benefit of everyone involved. Many Ski Resorts are implementing a parking fee for drivers who show up to the slopes alone, in an effort to encourage visitors to utilize ride sharing apps as opposed to solo traveling. Let’s be honest, a long car ride shared with others leads to that many more memories along the way.

Best Colorado Snowshoeing Spots and What You Need To Do To Get There