Ski or fish?

Ah...winter in the Rockies. So many activities and YES, the time to do them (aside from holiday traveling of course). Real estate is generally slower this time of year, although the cunning come and look in the deep winter to see what they're getting into! Nevertheless, there is some time for outdoor recreation. Skiing at Purgatory and Wolf Creek are my preference...both are great and small enough you don't get lost but large enough you get plenty tired! However, I don't generally ski until later in the winter when the holiday crowds subside. Now is the time for fishing and hunting.

If we get a steady period of warm weather in Durango (3 days + at 40 degrees +) the Animas River can be stellar. Fish deeper holes dredging nymphs along the bottom or slowly retrieving leeches from below. Large fish generally appear from the depths this time of year. If it's cold, a trip to the San Juan River is appealing as the crowds are sparse and the side channel fishing can be great. If you can use a drift boat, do so but not for better fishing only comfort. I tend to catch more fish wading. Ice fishing season generally starts about January 15th when the ice becomes reliable, more on this & hunting later...