Top Winter Activities for UW Students

Yes, Laramie winters are cold and sometimes difficult to navigate, but that doesn’t mean students have to shut themselves inside until spring arrives. Grab your cold weather gear and some friends, and explore all the great activities in the areas surrounding UW and Laramie!

Before you get too far down the list of our top winter activities, students should know that they can find equipment rentals for almost ALL of these activities at UW’s Outdoor Program!

---

Snowboarding/Skiing

The snow is coming down, but that’s no excuse to spend the day on the couch! Less than an hour away, we have access to the Snowy Range Ski Area – a resort that’s just the right size for a day on the slopes. With four lifts and dozens of trails, it has plenty for you and some friends to stay entertained for the day.

If you’re looking for a bigger mountain and more trails, Steamboat Ski Resort down in Colorado is also a manageable drive (a little more than two hours) for a day or weekend.

---

Snowshoeing/Cross Country Skiing

If you’re into exploring and trail hiking, the snow doesn’t have to stop your adventurous spirit! The areas around Laramie offer some great snowshoeing and cross country skiing locations – with the two leading candidates being Vedauwoo and the Snowy Range. Whether you want to head east to Vedauwoo or west towards the Snowy Range Mountains, both have very accessible trails where students can strap up and continue exploring.

---

Fat Biking

If you’ve got the need for speed, maybe try out fat biking – bicycles with oversized tires that are perfect for riding through snowy conditions. As far as finding a place embark on the trails, Vedauwoo and the Snowy Range will probably be your best bet.

---

Ice Skating

You don’t even have to be outside to enjoy this winter activity. The Laramie Ice and Event Center is a great place to go on an ice skating date or just get some friends together and have some fun. Check the schedule to make sure the rink is available and go check it out!

---

Ice Fishing

For those UW sportsmen and women, there are still big fish to be caught this winter! If you’ve never been ice fishing before, it’s actually more fun than you might think. Find a buddy, bundle up and check out a few of these top ice fishing spots in the area!

• Plains Lakes (west of Laramie)

  • Alsop Lake

  • Lake Meeboer

  • Lake Hattie

  • Twin Buttes Reservoir

  • Diamond Lake

  • Gelatt Lake

• Leazenby Lake (south of Laramie on Highway 287).

• Sodergreen Lake (west of Laramie on Highway 230)

• Wheatland Reservoirs (near Wheatland, Wyo.)

---

 

Half Acre Gym

It may be cold outside, but you’ll be nice and warm in our very own state-of-the-art Half Acre Recreation and Wellness Center. The opportunities are almost endless – whether you just want to get your sweat on, swim some laps, get into a 5-on-5 basketball game, or join an actual team with club or intramural sports. Not to mention the Wellness Center, where students can sign up for athletic training, personal training or just drop by to sit in one of the massage chairs. If outdoor winter activities aren’t necessarily your cup of tea, it’s still a good idea to stay active and Half Acre is a great place for that!

---

Downtown Laramie

If students are just looking for something to do off campus, maybe do a little exploring in Downtown Laramie. From shopping, to all the restaurants and bars, there is plenty to do downtown – and you’d also be supporting local businesses, which is always appreciated!