By RMHP
If you love spending time outside, you’ll love hanging around Montrose. There are so many ways to enjoy the town and surrounding nature all year long, but we’re particularly impartial to the magic of winter.
No matter how you like to spend time outside, there’s something near Montrose that will have you loving winter and all it has to offer. Have a look at these top activities, and let us know which one you’re going to try first. Spoiler alert! It’s going to be hard to pick.
The steep canyon walls and expansive vistas of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park are among the most popular attractions in the Montrose area. And, if you visit during the winter, it can easily feel like you have the entire place to yourself.
Snowshoers will love exploring Rim Rock Trail and the Oak Flat Loop, and because South Rim Drive isn’t plowed during the winter it’s a great place to cross-country ski. The road is six miles each way, and you’ll have numerous opportunities to stop at the overlooks to soak in the canyon views.
If snowfall has been minimal, you might even be able to drive South Rim Drive or take a hike along the canyon’s trails. As any Western Coloradan knows, winter can be unpredictable around here.
Ice climbing is another popular wintertime activity in the Montrose area.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison is one of the region’s top spots. The Curecanti Recreation Area is another great spot (perhaps not surprisingly, this massive reservoir is home to tons of fun in the summer and winter). Climbing skills are a necessity, so make sure you’re up to the challenge before heading out.
If snowmobiling is more your style, you’re in luck. There are hundreds of miles of snowmobile-friendly trails around Montrose, most of which are ungroomed, meaning you’ll have easy access to deep powder and beautiful unspoiled wilderness.
The best spots are scattered around the Black Mesa, Grand Mesa, and Uncompahgre Plateau. There are some epic rides in the area that make for great treks, too. You could easily spend days exploring the trails, making snowmobiling an excellent activity to combine with the serenity of winter camping.
Cerro Summit is a short drive away from Montrose, with several trails for the whole family to enjoy running up and sledding down. If you’d rather cross-country ski or try downhill skiing with the whole family, it’s a great spot for that sort of fun, too.
With wintertime activities like ice climbing, skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, and more on the menu, it’s easy to forget about some of the simpler joys that make winter so much fun. But, Cerro Summit proves you don’t have to drive far or bring all of your gear along to have a day of winter fun in Montrose.