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Discover the 285 Corridor

Winter in Colorado isn’t just for skiers. The Front Range of Colorado offers a plethora of activities for all ages. The region encompassing Bailey, Evergreen, and Conifer provide a blend of cozy small town charm with plenty of trails and outdoor adventures.

We’ve put together a list of things to do while staying at Front Range A-frame, located in Bailey, Colorado. Here’s a guide to winter activities in the area complete with direct links for more information.

Bailey, Colorado

Nestled in the Platte Canyon, Bailey offers a small town Colorado escape with various outdoor activities.

Winter Activities in Bailey:

1. Hiking: the hardest part about choosing a hike near Bailey is narrowing down the options. From Mt. Bailey (accessible when staying at Front Range A-frame) to Staunton State Park to Pine Valley Ranch, the trails are great all season long.
2. Fishing: Book an ice fishing day at local spots with a local guide or rent gear if that’s all you need and go fishing on Wellington or Evergreen lake.
3. Visit local eateries: Warm up with some Glühwein (spiced warm wine) at Aspen Peak Cellars Winery, local beers at Craft Mountain Brewing, or some pork green chili (Colorado loves their green chili!) at Two Dad’s Eatery.
4. Visit the Sasquatch Outpost Museum and Escape Room in Bailey. Even the gift shop is a fun visit. This is a fun place to visit on cold or snowy days that you want to spend indoors.
5. Snowshoe and Fondue: Monthly events hosted by Aspen Peak Cellars.
6. Soak in the a-frame’s cedar hot tub. Spending a few days doing nothing is absolutely acceptable (and often needed!). We’ve had guests tell us that once they arrived at the a-frame, they wished they had more time or canceled plans so they could spend more time at the cabin. The A-frame and its cedar hot tub were designed with relaxing in mind. You’ll have plenty of cozy corners, books, puzzles, games, and soaks in the hot tub to help you relax.

Winter Activities in Conifer and Evergreen:

Just a short drive from Bailey, Conifer and Evergreen combines natural beauty with winter sports.

1. Ice Skating at Evergreen Lake: Glide across one of Colorado’s most picturesque outdoor ice rinks. Evergreen lake is family friendly, offers rentals, and is close to downtown Evergreen, an adorable little town worth exploring.
2. Sledding spots in Conifer: Family-friendly sledding spots are available for some downhill fun all around Evergreen and Conifer. Meyers Ranch is probably the easiest option, but there’s plenty more if you want to explore the area.
3. Local shops and art galleries: Explore local art shops and Evergreen’s adorable downtown. We’re personally a big fan of food from Blackbird Cafe (Kittredge), Murphy’s in Evergreen or Rocky Mountain Wraps (Conifer). If you’re in the mood to warm up, there are three coffee shops we love including Off the Rails in Bailey, The Lift Coffee Shop (between Conifer and Evergreen), and Amano Coffee and Plants (Kittredge).
4. Spa day: Get a massage or spend a full day at the spa. TallGrass is probably the most popular spa in Evergreen, but there are others that are highly rated.
5. Winter horseback riding in Conifer: Reservations are required and they aren’t open all the time so check the website and send them a text to get full details.

Planning Your Winter Adventure

When exploring Bailey, Evergreen, and Conifer consider the following:

• Rent a car that can handle snowy conditions: We recommend a AWD or 4WD drive care, but most importantly a car with good tires can make all the difference. While it can be tricky to know what you’ll get when you rent, we’ve heard great things about using Turo.
• Check Weather Conditions: One of the best things about staying in Bailey is that no mountain passes are required to get there and neither is I70. However, Colorado’s weather can be unpredictable; always check road conditions before heading out. Colorado experiences a lot of sunny days between snow days, so it’s hard to say exactly what the conditions will be during your stay.
• Stay Informed on Trail Conditions: Before hiking or snowshoeing, you can check for trail conditions on COTREX. However, it never hurts to bring a pair of Yaktrax / shoe traction on winter hikes to help with icy conditions that can form on shady, south facing trail sections. Snowshoes aren’t often needed unless it just snowed.

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FAQ

1. What’s the best time to visit these areas in winter?
   • December is great if you’re looking for holiday festivities. January and February offer quintessential Colorado winter experience (make sure to bring layers, it’s the coldest months), and March is traditionally Colorado’s snowiest month followed by sunny t-shirt weather.
2. Are there beginner-friendly skiing options nearby?
   • Bailey is probably best for non-skiers or those willing to make the scenic drive to a ski resort. Breckenridge and Loveland Ski Area are both about 1 hr 30+ minutes from the a-frame in Bailey. Loveland is a great locals ski area with more affordable prices and great terrain for beginner lessons to advanced—it’s also a little more accessible if the weather is snowy. The fastest way to Breckenridge is over HWY 9 from Alma and we wouldn’t recommended it during big snow storms. Breckenridge is the most adorable Colorado ski town so it’s worth seeing and wandering around if you haven’t been yet.
3. What wildlife can I see during winter?
   • Common sightings include elk (often seen in Evergreen), deer (often in the yard while staying at Front Range A-frame), fox, and various bird species.
4. Are these towns kid-friendly during winter?
   • Activities like sledding, ice skating, and holiday events are great for families.
5. Can I visit all these places in a single trip?
   • Yes, Bailey is an easy drive to Evergreen and Conifer.