With over 350 miles of trails, the park offers a vast array of choices for winter fun. When properly equipped, snowshoeing and cross country skiing in Rocky Mountain National Park often are inspiring and invigorating. A snowshoe excursion will reveal beauty unique to winter. Here are ice-filled cascades and waterfalls, and massive peaks sparkling with snow against dark rock.

There are no ski lifts in the park, so skiers generally use cross-country equipment that allows them to ascend as well as descend in mountainous terrain.   Although the East Side of Rocky Mountain National Park does not really offer beginning cross-country skiing, it does have a selection of trails suitable for the beginning snowshoer. Free ranger-led walks can help you get started. (Call 970-586-1223 for more information.)

When it comes to sledding, there’s only one place in Rocky Mountain National Park open to sledding and downhill sliding on snow: Hidden Valley Snow Play area. The fenced hill for sleds, tubes and saucers is a favorite for sledding and snow play activities.  Want to know the conditions at Hidden Valley before you head up with the kids?  Call the National Park’s information line at 970-586-1206 or the Estes Park Visitors Center at 800-44-ESTES for the latest snow reports.

Keep in mind that even for short day in the park, pack gear for all types of weather (sun, snow, wind) and be prepared for exercise at high elevation – drink plenty of water and travel at a pace where you can still talk and breathe easily.

If you don't have your own "shoes" or sleds several stores in Estes Park offer equipment rentals for extremely reasonable fees. Just five minutes east of the entry into Rocky Mountain National Park, the town offers all the creature comforts visitors to the Park might need -- dining, shopping, equipment rentals and lodging.