As Evergreen Lake’s popularity continues to exceed its parking capacity, there are other local options for winter revelry.
on the western edge of the county, offers free ice skating to anyone who brings their own skates and can manage some all-natural, non-groomed ice.
“The agency’s intention was to allow ice skating when conditions allowed since there was a history of ice production from the lake,” said Thea Rock, Jefferson County Open Space’s communications manager.
Eggert Ice Company of Denver harvested its ice there from 1908 until the 1920s. Jefferson County Open Space acquired the lake and surrounding land in 1994 and shortly after built a warming hut for skaters and visitors who come for ice fishing.
Erik Collette is the ranger who lives on-site at Pine Valley Ranch and said that with ice fishing clinics and winter junior ranger programs introducing more people to the lake, it has grown in popularity. However, the small skating rink is not Zamboni-groomed and there are no concessions, so it might not be the best for beginners.
“It can be rough and uneven,” Rock said.
, Evergreen Park and Recreation District’s lake house supervisor Brad Bednar said the parking lot typically fills up by 10 or 11 a.m. weekends and holidays. The district runs a shuttle on holidays and weekends from , but Bednar said visitors often ask about alternative things to do when their first choice of ice skating does not pan out.
His staff is quick to suggest a visit to downtown businesses, but for winter activities, there is “S curve” hill off Jefferson County 73 in Denver Mountain Park’s Cub Creek Park property that is a popular sledding spot for locals, and Meyer Ranch in Conifer, which has wide open sledding hill that has been historically popular.
Rock said locals near White Ranch, Elk Meadow and Reynolds open space parks have also sprouted sledding hills.
The Rock said there are no rules barring park visitors from seeking out their own secret sledding spot, but it should be done with reserve.
“Primarily, we’re more concerned about people being safe and watching out,” she said. “We just want people to be safe and use their best judgement.”
For winter revelers needing to check Evergreen Lake skating off their list, Bednar said the district is trying to diversify those options by steering some toward renting its warming hut, which comes with its own private rink, or bringing a large group to the ice during weekdays.
“We’re tying to utilize the ice when we’re not open to the public,” he said. “We’re pushing it a little bit more this year trying to maximize that time.”
Josie Klemaier: 303-954-2465, jklemaier@denverpost.com or twitter.com/JosieKlemaier
