Rocky Mountain High

When you have a hankering for prime powder, head to Colorado Springs and take a bite out of nature.

PHOTO: LEISA GIBSON

Founded in 1871, Colorado Springs has evolved from a quaint, Victorian resort town to a sophisticated city that draws more than six million visitors a year. With some of the best skiing in the world, the region is known as the gateway to Colorado’s “Outdoor Adventure Play Land.” Here are some of the best places to learn the ropes and hit the slopes.

PIKES PEAK ALPINE SCHOOL

This alpine school employs many well-trained guides to teach all the skills and techniques you’ll need to ski the rugged backcountry and swoop down steep Colorado mountains. The school also offers ice climbing lessons, which take place on the North Face of Pikes Peak and are open to all skill levels.

719-630-3934 | www.sei-ppas.com

KEYSTONE SKI RESORT

Watch a beautiful mountain sunset from your skis this year at Keystone, one of the only places in the Colorado Springs region where you can ski and ride until 9 p.m., giving you the longest ski day in the state. Your daytime lift ticket is valid until 9 p.m., or you can purchase a night ticket from 4 p.m. to close. Enjoy fresh corduroy during the afternoon grooms.

877-753-9786 | www.keystone.snow.com

CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN STATE PARK

Some of the best exercise around can be easily found by strapping on a pair of snowshoes and clomping through park terrain. Winter transforms forests into something wonderful, while the clearer air often affords longer-range views from lookouts than are available in summer. For an easy-ish trek, try Cheyenne’s Coyote Run Trail. The 1.37-mile loop is close to the visitor’s center and is the perfect place to try and spot the mule deer, elk, black-tailed prairie dogs, foxes and red-tailed hawks that call the park home.

www.parks.state.co.us/parks/cheyennemountain