(outdoor) sports in Boulder (Denver, Loveland: 2009, home, schools)

[Timo]

What kind of place Boulder is for somebody who is very much into cycling (road and off-road)? Are there lot of different roads, how heavy traffic, wide/narrow roads, aggressive drivers?
How about running? Is there anything but concrete and asphalt in the city (parks, trails) or should I go outside the town?
How close/ far are the sites for skiing (cross country and downhill)?
Any lakes around Boulder?

I'm a JUCO student in East Texas and I'm a triathlete and I run college xc. I'm kinda collecting information on places I could go after my time here and Colorado is pretty interesting for me. I love the warm weather here but I'm originally from Finland so I think I stil know how to handle colder weather too. Would the Rockies be my next thing? If anybody on this forum does those activities I mentioned, please tell me more! Thanks

[suzco]

Originally Posted by Timo

What kind of place Boulder is for somebody who is very much into cycling (road and off-road)? Are there lot of different roads, how heavy traffic, wide/narrow roads, aggressive drivers?
How about running? Is there anything but concrete and asphalt in the city (parks, trails) or should I go outside the town?
How close/ far are the sites for skiing (cross country and downhill)?
Any lakes around Boulder?

I'm a JUCO student in East Texas and I'm a triathlete and I run college xc. I'm kinda collecting information on places I could go after my time here and Colorado is pretty interesting for me. I love the warm weather here but I'm originally from Finland so I think I stil know how to handle colder weather too. Would the Rockies be my next thing? If anybody on this forum does those activities I mentioned, please tell me more! Thanks

Boulder is an outdoor sports mecca. Many "world class" runners, bicyclists, climbers, etc. make their home and train in Boulder.

Boulder's densely populated, so there are roads that are heavily travelled, and there are not infrequent vehicle/pedestrian/runner/cyclist accidents. But there are also many bike paths, trails for running, trails for bicycling, and mountains to escape to.

The very closest downhill skiing is at Eldora, just up Boulder Canyon, past Nederland. It's about 30-45 minutes drive from Boulder, and also reached by RTD bus. It's a smaller, "local" type area. There is cross country skiing there as well. Back-country skiing is available in the Indian Peaks wilderness nearby. Brainerd Lake area is a popular, close in area, also past Nederland, for cross country/back country access.

For major Ski areas, it's an hour and a half or so drive to Loveland, a couple of hours drive to Winter Park or Keystone; Breckenridge, Vail, a bit further. These times are for no traffic and clear weather; on weekends, or anytime when it's snowing, the trip can be endless.

There's Boulder Reservoir, and Boulder Creek runs through the city.

[footballchik]

Stupid question... I have skied only a few times in my life on the east coast (almost doesn't count as skiing, really). Where, in the Boulder area, should my family and I start out to learn skiing that would be considered 'cheaper' and generally, very, very easy?

[suzco]

Originally Posted by footballchik

Stupid question... I have skied only a few times in my life on the east coast (almost doesn't count as skiing, really). Where, in the Boulder area, should my family and I start out to learn skiing that would be considered 'cheaper' and generally, very, very easy?

Not a stupid question. *All* of the ski areas have ski schools and "bunny slopes" (easy) for learning. There isn't all that much of a difference in pricing for beginner lessons, but there are some excellent package deals for beginners at areas like Loveland and Keystone. If you're in the Boulder area, Eldora is close by so it's easy to get there, without having to make long trips to the larger areas. They have some good deals for packages like 6 weeks of weekly lessons for kids. (Though their daily lift ticket prices and season passes are not cheap.) It's convenient to Boulder, and a fairly low-key, friendly area. It does get windy!

[footballchik]

Thanks suzco. Whenever I mention the possibility of moving to CO, people ask me if I ski- it's with embarrassment that I tell them, 'no.' Maybe there's hope for me afterall

[jkcoop]

Don't be embarrassed - not everyone that lives here skis. I don't - hate it actually. My son and husband do and my son raced for a few years and even works up at Eldora. No shame in not skiing though!

[DressageRider]

I'm from NY, learned to ski when I was just a tot, and continued for most of my life. Moved to Colorado, and I just haven't bothered with it. I thought I'd feel some mystical call to the mountains, but I haven't. I've met plenty of people out here who don't ski -- especially the few people that I've met who are actually *from* Colorado.

[Brain Drain]

Originally Posted by Timo

I'm a JUCO student in East Texas and I'm a triathlete and I run college xc. I'm kinda collecting information on places I could go after my time here and Colorado is pretty interesting for me. I love the warm weather here but I'm originally from Finland so I think I stil know how to handle colder weather too. Would the Rockies be my next thing? If anybody on this forum does those activities I mentioned, please tell me more! Thanks

In the last week on the trails around Boulder (notice I said trails not concrete or asphalt paths) I've seen 5K American Record holder Dathan Ritzenhein (ex-CU now living in PDX), USA Triathlon Champion Matt Reed, and former World Marathon Champion Mark Plaatjes. Recently I saw Jenny Barringer - American Record holder in the 3000m steeplechase and who just cracked 4:00 in the 1500m. USA's lone Tour de France team is based out of Boulder. Constentina Dita, current reigning Olympic Marathon champion, lives about 10 miles away in Erie.

Also while out on the trails, I saw a mama bear in a tree with two cubs, a coyote, and scores of deer.

The trail system around Boulder is absolutely incredible, especially when you consider only about half of trails are detailed on the maps. Here's a great resource: http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/image...11x17_2009.jpg

There are so many good athletes here, it's disorienting as in most towns I've lived I've known all of the other fitness freaks. Not here! Finding your niche is a bigger issue than finding a kindred spirit.

[Timo]

Sounds like a really good place. I'm sure that the attitude towards physically active lifestyle is great there. Different than in the southern states. Would be cool to visit Boulder sometime

[NickMan7]

Originally Posted by Timo

Sounds like a really good place. I'm sure that the attitude towards physically active lifestyle is great there. Different than in the southern states. Would be cool to visit Boulder sometime

I like your word - visit. Boulder is a beautiful city, but it's in its own little world, it is. There are many ways to keep in shape without ever leaving the boundaries of the city, that's for sure. Biking, jogging and walking trails abound and many will take you to nearby suburbs (Denver exurbs). It's possible to travel many miles on Boulder's pathways.