Planning for the Weekend
🗻 Weather
Quick chart for your weekend ski planning:
🏔️ Resort | ❄️ Expected Snow | 🕰 Best Window |
|---|---|---|
Steamboat | 6–12+″ | Saturday |
Wolf Creek | 6–12+″ | Saturday |
Loveland | 5–10+″ | Sat night → Sunday |
Breckenridge | 5–10+″ | Sat night → Sunday |
Vail / I-70 | 4–8+″ | Sat night → Sunday |
Upcoming Races & Events
Colorado’s not dead just because it’s December. Here are a few races still worth checking out:
🎄 Candy Cane Course — Dec 28, 2025 — Colorado Springs, CO
A jolly winter 5K that slaps with holiday energy and post-run hot chocolate vibes.🎆 New Year New Me Run (5K/10K/13.1) — Jan 3, 2026 — Centennial, CO
Out with hangovers, in with new PRs. Snow or shine, this one's a mood. Running in the USA+1🚴♂️ Old Man Winter Bike Rally & Run — Feb 1, 2026 — Lyons, CO
23mi, 40mi, and a legendary 75mi course through Boulder County terrain—winter gravel at its finest. Bicycle Colorado+1
If you’re feeling extra festive — or extra guilty about your December diet — these are prime opportunities to sweat, earn your food, and maybe bag some finisher swag.
🗻 Winter-Ready Trail: Pine / Staunton State Park – “Sawmill” Loop
If you’ve got winter boots and a bit of grit, lock in the Sawmill Trail Runs course at Staunton State Park near Pine. Snow? Maybe. Rocks? Definitely. But that rugged 50 K / 16-mile / 8-mile loop right in the woods gives serious alpine vibes — and early winter solitude. Perfect for a trail run or hike if you want to beat the crowds and feel like a Colorado badass. GoTrail+1
Bonus: Short & Sweet Warm-Up
If you’re not feeling 50 K levels of masochism, hit a local loop or foothills trail — keep it simple, crisp, and scenic.
Local Meetups This Week
Because nothing says “community” like freezing temps and muddy trails. Here are a few solid picks in the front range:
🏃 Denver Trail Runners — Free Group Runs
Mellow to medium trail runs, all paces welcome. Thursday runs ~60–90 min; Sunday ~1.5–2 hrs. Stay safe, chat, run fast-ish. Denver Trail Runners
🔗 https://www.denvertrailrunners.com/ Denver Trail Runners
🏃 Denver Road Runners — Winter Runs
All-ability runs, great people, zero pressure—perfect for keeping winter miles steady. Meetup
🔗 https://www.meetup.com/denver-road-runners/ Meetup
🏃 Sloans Lake Run Club — Social Runs + Beers
3–5mi loops around Sloans Lake with post-run suds. Because recovery should taste like hops. Meetup
🔗 https://www.meetup.com/sloans-lake-run-club/ Meetup
🏃 Colorado Springs Running Club (casual)
Good vibes, friendly faces, short runs with zero ego—perfect winter crew. Meetup
🔗 https://www.meetup.com/meetup-group-mwsaeihf/ Meetup
🚶 Denver Trail Heads — Multi-Outdoor Adventures
Hikes, snowshoeing, XC skiing, and more if the mountain itch is loud this week. Meetup
🔗 https://www.meetup.com/denver-trail-heads/ Meetup
Pro tip: bring layers, a headlamp (sun sets early), and maybe someone with a sense of humor.
Training & Performance Science (Altitude Edition)
Winter + altitude + training = cocktail of potential gains or wipe-out. Here’s how to tilt toward gains:
Hydration is non-negotiable. At altitude, dryness and reduced oxygen density hit harder. Drink like you mean it — double what you’d normally sip at sea level. Visit Denver+1
Sunscreen & sun protection don’t retire just because it’s December. Winter sun + high altitude = you burn easier than you think. Hats, sunglasses, and lip balm are more important than your ego. Visit Denver+1
If you’re training or doing long runs: dial back intensity until you get used to the thin air. Your lungs don’t care about your ego. Visit Denver+1
Short version: treat altitude like a weight vest for your cardio — respect it, hydrate, protect from sun, and don’t overdo it too fast.
What’s on my hitlist for the weekend:
To take advantage of the new snow I’ll be headed to Monarch to try and time the fresh accumulation on Sunday. Monarch is my favorite early-season ski spot with more terrain variety open earlier with fewer crowds.
Forward this as an offering to the snow gods. Then go earn your turns.
Till next time,
