In partnership with
Adventure curated by the brands you trust
REI Co-op and Intrepid Travel have teamed up to take you somewhere extraordinary.
Hike Nüümü Poyo, also known as the John Muir Trail, one of America's most iconic multi-day treks, while forming lasting bonds with like-minded adventurers.
Set up camp each night with iconic backdrops and get to know your fellow travelers over dinners prepared by your local trip leader, who handles all the logistics so you can focus on the adventure.
This trip is part of a curated collection of small-group adventures across 85+ destinations worldwide. And right now, REI Co-op members save 15% on this REI Exclusive trip.
For T&Cs and more info, click here.
❄️Planning for the Weekend — Open Terrain Tracker
Conditions Snapshot — Read This Before You Load the Car
No new snow. Just duct-tape ingenuity.
Colorado’s snowpack is still lagging hard for this point in the season, storms are MIA, and the forecast is basically vibes and sunshine. That hasn’t stopped resorts from getting scrappy — snowmaking, wind farming, and surgical rope drops to unlock just enough new terrain to keep advanced skiers entertained. Below is a rundown of what’s newly open, not because it dumped, but because patrols and ops teams are squeezing every last skiable inch out of a thin winter.
We’ve modified the snow tracker “New Terrain Open” this week because snowfall is low statewide (snowpack’s at historically low levels) but the resorts are creatively opening what they can.
❄️ Snow Tracker — New Terrain Open
Resort | What’s New / Open | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Vail | ~12 of 26 runs in Blue Sky Basin open + select Back Bowls (China, Tea Cup, Sun Up) | Over 2,800 acres now skiable. |
Breckenridge | High-alpine terrain (Horseshoe Bowl via T-Bar) operational | Bump into technical lines for strong skiers. |
Loveland Ski Area | Ptarmigan Lift now spinning + new gladed lines (North Blackjack, Forest Meadow, etc.) | Directed natural terrain skiing adding variety. |
Aspen Snowmass (Buttermilk) | Main runs + West Buttermilk now open via Summit Express | Progressive openings as conditions allow. |
Extra Credit: Monarch Mountain has 100% of No Name Basin open. Check out the full tour on Youtube from last weekend.
🏃♀️🚴⛷Upcoming Races & Events
Here’s what’s live and begging for registration or your attention:
🚴 Frisco Freeze Fat Bike Race — Feb 14, 2026 — Frisco
The Frisco Nordic Center doesn’t typically allow winter fat biking on its groomed trails, but Frisco Freeze is the exception! It’s your exclusive opportunity to ride the pristine course (9, 12 mile options)
🏃 Run Through Time Trail Marathon — Mar 14, 2026 — Salida
This 21st annual classic is a early-season high-altitude trail running test through the Arkansas Hills around Salida, featuring full and half marathon distances with significant climbing on dirt roads and singletrack at 7,000–9,000 ft — all capped with custom socks and a hot finish-line meal.
⛷ Epic Backcountry Ski Race — The Grand Traverse — March 29 — Crested Butte
This Crested Butte → Aspen point-to-point is on the calendar for March 29 — ~40 miles with >6,800′ climbing across Elk Mountains; partners and mandatory safety gear required.
(Pro tip: check the full Colorado run calendar and Run Guides for Feb–Mar options)
🏃 🚵 Trail Suggestions & Local Routes
Big picture first: with snowpack still thin and no new storms in sight, the high country is a minefield of sharks, sun cups, and “why did I bring my good skis.” Meanwhile the Front Range is warming up fast, trails and pavement are drying, and you can get a quality MTB, road ride, or trail run without dodging core shots or survival skiing. Here’s a few recommendations primed for warmer weather.
🚵🏃Apex Park — Golden
Distance: 8–15 miles (stackable loops). Vert: ~1,500–3,000 ft
Why it’s the move: South-facing, rocky, and technical — dries early and rewards sharp handling plus punchy power. Short climbs, hard efforts, zero filler.
Watch-outs: Directional rules are real (don’t be that person), crowds spike late morning, and shaded corners can still hold ice early.
🚵🏃 Buffalo Creek Trail System — Pine
Distance: 20–35 miles. Vert: ~2,500–4,000 ft
Why it’s the move: Sandy, decomposed granite drains fast and stays rideable when everything else is a mud trap. Perfect for long aerobic pressure, sustained tempo, and actually training instead of trail roulette.
Watch-outs: Fully exposed and deceptively dry — hydration errors compound fast. Wind can turn the return leg into a mental tax.
🚴 Rist Canyon → Stove Prairie → Poudre Canyon Loop — Fort Collins
Distance: ~55-70 miles. Vert: ~4,000 ft
Why it’s the move: This is the Fort Collins endurance staple — long, steady canyon climbs, quiet roads, and sun-exposed pavement that’s usually rideable well before the high country. It rewards diesel power, patience, and smart pacing rather than punchy hero efforts.
Watch-outs: Wind in the Poudre can turn the final miles into a grind, shaded corners stay cold early, and services are limited once you’re deep in the canyons.
🧠 Pro Tips Before You Go
Check Trailforks / Local Beta: COMBA’s condition page lists the systems that are reportable, but individual trail surfaces vary — south/sun exposures will be dry first, while shaded north slopes can stay soft or even icy longer.
Avoid Riding Mud: Early spring warmth can create a deceptive window where trails look dry but are still saturated underneath — if your tires cake up, bail and come back later.
🗞️Colorado Outdoor News
Colorado Athletes Put Skimo on the Olympic Map
Colorado-based skimo standouts Cam Smith and Anna Gibson locked up a World Cup win in the mixed relay, securing Olympic qualification for Team USA as ski mountaineering heads toward its Olympic debut. It’s a landmark moment for a niche, suffer-heavy sport that’s long lived in the shadows of alpine skiing.
Quick takeaway for athletes:
This is proof that engine + technical efficiency wins — not just brute strength. If you’re a mountain athlete, skimo-style fitness (high aerobic ceiling, fast transitions, uphill economy) is becoming increasingly transferable across endurance sports, from trail racing to big alpine objectives.
What’s on my hitlist for the weekend: Flatiron Scrambles
With warm temps and sun lighting up the Front Range, I’m ditching the thin, sharky high country and heading to Boulder for a scramble-heavy linkup: Second Flatiron → Royal Arch → Front Porch. Expect dry rock, hands-on movement, some exposure, and just enough spice to remind you winter isn’t fully gone — classic shoulder-season adventure that rewards fitness, footwork, and good decision-making.
Forward this as an offering to the snow gods. Then go earn your turns.
Till next time,
