Ice Skating Section

The Colorado Mountain Club offers ice skating trips to locations varying from remote mountain lakes to commercial ski resorts. You may need to hike into some of these locations and clear the snow first. Other locations are curbside with warming huts and restaurants. These trips and their descriptions are listed in the Winter Activity Schedule.

Unfavorable weather and/or ice conditions give the leader the option of changing a location at the last minute to assure the best possible outdoor experience for all.

Recently sharpened skates is far more vital than the kind of skate (figure or hockey). Flawless skating ability is not required, but the knack to negotiate flawed (rippled, bumpy, cracked, uneven) ice with good humor is important.

Always dress for wind and cold -- it's sometimes extreme. The same chilling wind usually means that nature has cleared the ice before our arrival. Be ready to take your turn clearing off snow, if the leader requests it. The leader provides the snow shovels.

The appropriate parks pass or daily permit is required for outings in state or national parks. There is no additional charge for skating on lakes in a natural setting. Keystone, Breckenridge, and Evergreen impose a nominal individual fee in return for manicured ice, warm huts, dining areas; they also rent skates.