The US Ski Team trains at Copper, but suffice it to say I enjoy a substantially lower caliber of skiing there. I’ve learned from my mistakes, worked my way through the green runs at Copper, and finally took on my first blue last winter (tear-free!). I hope this guide helps you do the same.
Beginner’s Trail Guide: Winter hiking at Paint Mines Interpretive Park
Winter means most Coloradans are headed to the mountains to strap on skis. If you’re still in the mood for outdoor recreation but don’t want the 4 a.m. wake-up call that comes with a mountain trip, head east instead of west to Paint Mines Interpretive Park. How do I get there? Paint Mines is a…
Beginner’s guide to running safely after Daylight Savings ends
If you work a nine to five, chances are you’re running in the dark November through February thanks to the end of Daylights Savings Time. That means cars, scooters, skater bros, and other potentially mindlessly motoring around people have a much harder time seeing you in your dark winter clothes. Fortunately, there are plenty of…
Beginner Trail Guide: The Manitou Incline
The Manitou Incline, or just “The Incline” as it’s more commonly known, is one of the more famous (infamous?) trails in Colorado. But it’s really hard to find any information about it, and all the folklore about how steep and challenging it is can make it seem totally out of your league as a beginner….
Beginner’s guide to Yellowstone National Park
I can’t overstate just how enormous Yellowstone National Park is, which can make planning a trip a little intimidating. Things are so spread out that the park itself has full-service gas stations and grocery stores. There’s just SO much to see at this national icon. So how did we pick? I read American Wolf a…
Surviving Winter: Gear Up For Cold Weather Running
I got the urge to start running in mid-October, which was a pretty poor choice on my part. Within weeks of starting Project Become A Runner, winter arrived in Colorado. More recently, I decided to run my first half marathon in April…and start training around Thanksgiving. Needless to say, I’ve been over (and under) dressing…
Beginner’s Leaf Peeping Guide in Golden Gate Canyon
As an East Coast native, I wasn’t sure leaf peeping in Colorado could live up to the hype – after all, instead of an explosion of a billion different colors, you have “just” one color. Gold. But there’s something about the contrast of the golden aspens against the evergreens that is just stunning. And there’s…
Beginner’s Trail Guide: Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Torrey Pines is a must-do if you’re visiting San Diego. It has stunning cliff views, a unique ecosystem, and plenty of beginner-friendly options for hiking.
What’s it like to pace or crew the Leadville 100 Ultramarathon?
Ultramarathon and beginner are two things that you may not think go together. While beginner runners certainly can’t stick with someone for 50 miles (the maximum length you can be a pacer runner at Leadville), there is absolutely a place for us at one of the most iconic trail races in the world. Even if…
Beginner’s Travel Guide: Three-Day Weekend in Moab, Utah
Moab is a popular destination for Denverites, Coloradans, and plenty of other of my neighbors out west. If you haven’t made a road trip to this desert destination, put it on your list! The only challenge is deciding what sights to see (and resigning yourself to the fact that the town is way less cool…
Beginner’s Trail Guide: Needles Area of Canyonlands National Park
If you’re making a return to trip to Moab, I highly recommend blocking off a day to go to the Needles Area of Canyonlands National Park. Needles is a totally different landscape than what you see at Islands in the Sky (the main section of Canyonlands) or at Arches National Park, two of the more…
Beginner’s Trail Guide: Sunset Hike at Dead Horse Point State Park
Arches National Park may get all the love for sunsets in Moab, but I’d much rather watch the sun go down over the jaw-dropping canyons of Dead Horse Point State Park. The cheery name has just about as cheerful of a story behind it, but don’t let that keep you from going! The west side…
