he days are getting shorter, and the shadows are growing longer, signaling the arrival of winter. Frozen glimmering blankets of snow cover the ground, as the warm sun illuminates the intricate and natural splendor of Southeastern Wyoming. The frozen air seems to slow time, and the glowing nights inspire a sense of renewal. Though the days are shortest during this season, there’s nothing quite like wintertime in the west, and we’ve got eight ways you can lose yourself, only to find yourself in Laramie, Wyoming.
djust your altitude this winter and hit the Snowy Range Ski & Recreation Area slopes. Just 40 short minutes outside of Laramie, this recreation area offers 27 trails suitable for skiers and snowboarders of all experience levels. Boasting nearly 250 acres of outdoor recreation, the Snowy Range is an ideal location to play in Wyoming’s pristine and uncrowded wilderness. Discover a place where the only lines you’ll find are the ones your skis leave behind.
With over 200 inches of snowfall annually, the range has plenty of fresh powder to romp in all season long. With day passes starting as low as $30, as well as private lessons and rentals, this laidback resort can provide you with all the resources to make memories that will last a lifetime. Take a relaxed trip to the slopes and experience the stunning scenery of the Medicine Bow National Forest firsthand.
With over 200 inches of snowfall annually, the range has plenty of fresh powder to romp in all season long. With day passes starting as low as $30, as well as private lessons and rentals, this laidback resort can provide you with all the resources to make memories that will last a lifetime. Take a relaxed trip to the slopes and experience the stunning scenery of the Medicine Bow National Forest firsthand.
Be sure to layer! When participating in winter outdoor recreation, layering is the key to staying warm and dry all day long.
ick up speed this winter and hit the trails on a snowmobile. With the Snowy Range Mountains just 40 minutes west of Laramie, this outdoor recreation activity is perfectly suited for thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies. Visit the Albany Lodge and get outfitted with everything you’ll need to hit the snowmobile trails. With help from local experts, you’ll be on your way to exploring Southeastern Wyoming’s backcountry in no time. Discover scenic snow-covered meadows and thrilling hill-climbs. Depart directly from Albany Lodge to explore miles of groomed snowmobile trails, or, alternatively, head 30 minutes north and depart from Green Rock Trailhead and hit rugged and rural backcountry.
Don’t forget to purchase your permit before hitting the off-road vehicle trails. Pick up a permit locally or online before departing on your adventure.
eeking something different and off the beaten path? Have no fear, Laramie has something for everyone. If you’re new to winter sports, then snowshoeing is the perfect activity for you. Relatively inexpensive and easy to learn, snowshoeing offers a low-impact alternative to downhill skiing and snowboarding. Another fun winter activity is cross-country skiing, or Nordic skiing. Originating in Scandinavia over 5,000 years ago, this sport has been a longtime favorite of winter adventurists. Unlike with snowshoeing where a person lifts their foot with every step, cross-country skiing allows you to glide through endless untracked powder.
Get outfitted with everything you need at Laramie’s Basecamp before making your traverse into the nearby rugged winter landscape. With guidance from local experts, make your way to the Happy Jack Trailhead (13 miles southeast), Veduawoo Climbing Area (18 miles south), or the Snowy Range (36 miles west) to explore an entire network of spectacular snowshoeing and cross-country skiing opportunities.
If snowshoeing and cross-country skiing aren’t your thing, check out fat biking. Like mountain biking, fat biking follows backcountry trails to explore rural Wyoming wilderness (the big difference being snow-packed trails and fat tires). Check out the Pedal House or All -Terrain Sports for information and guidance on your fat biking adventure. Like with any outdoor recreation, always be sure to come prepared — packing for a safe trip ensures you’ll have a fun, stress-free time. For prime fat biking trails check out the Tie City trail system. Frequented by bikers all year long, Tie City is only 15 miles east of Laramie and teeming with groomed cross-country trails. Alternatively, Happy Jack Trailhead and the Snowy Range are also great areas to explore.
Always plan your route before embarking, and be sure someone knows where you’re going before you leave.
n Laramie, good eats are around every corner. Whether you’re seeking American, Thai bistros, or vegetarian fare, Laramie has it all. For a traditional, Old West meal, check out the Cavalryman Steakhouse. Located on the historic grounds of Fort Sanders, this restaurant is a landmark that sources local, sustainable, and fresh ingredients to serve some of the finest and freshest meals in Wyoming. If steak isn’t your thing, check out Sweet Melissa Cafe, Laramie’s resident vegetarian restaurant. Here, dine on scrumptious cauliflower wings, cashew queso, or sweet potato black bean fritters. For delicious pizza and craft cocktails head on down to another local favorite: Alibi Wood Fire Pizzaria & Bakery.
Along with handcrafted artisanal pies and charcuterie boards, Alibi also bakes fresh, wood fired breads and pastries daily. For a departure from American food, head down to Anong’s Thai Cuisine for world-class Pad Thai, Spicy Eggplant, and potstickers. From there, check out The Crowbar and Grill for burgers and poutine and experience firsthand delicious food and warm Wyoming hospitality. Whatever you’re craving, Laramie has it all!
Make a reservation or call ahead to ensure social distancing guidelines are followed.
hen it comes to craft brewing, Laramie has some of the finest brews in the West. Boasting five local breweries within mere blocks of one another, there is no shortage of places to kick back and enjoy a drink. Play around outside in Laramie’s winter wonderland, and find warmth in one of its many breweries in the historic downtown.
At Accomplice Mycro-Pub enjoy a large selection of snacks, salads, desserts, and of course, beers. Or, head over to Coal Creek Tap and try a sample flight of their four most popular beers, Molly Blonde, Wyoming Toad rye IPA, “Hey, Victor” smoked porter, or the Coal Train Belgian coffee stout. For awesome gram-worthy pictures check out the side of Coal Creek Tap and visit the “Many Hands” mural by Meghan Meier.
For larger groups, visit The Library Sports Grille Brewery. Equipped with foosball, pool tables, and numerous TVs throughout, The Library can meet the needs of every type of group. Take the group out and partake in their famous Tart Cherry ale or Wyoming Hazy IPA. Looking for Laramie’s best bar food? Visit Altitude Chophouse & Brewery. Established in 1999, this brewery has mastered the marriage of both fine dining and beers. You can’t go wrong with their prime rib sandwich and a growler of one of their seasonal brews. Finally on your brewery tour, visit Laramie’s newest addition, Bond’s Brewing Company. Elevate your taste buds and sample their seasonal spicy Hatch Chile Ale, or their locally renowned Citra-Hop-A-Dopolis. Explore Laramie’s premiere craft beer scene, and discover a world of brews for every type of drinker.
If you arrive on a busy night, socially distant seating is available at every brewery except Accomplice.
espite being a small town, Laramie is overflowing with shopping opportunities. Wander the historic downtown district and discover a world of carefully curated, local shops of every variety. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or for others, you’re bound to walk away with the perfect souvenirs.
For over a decade now, Atmosphere Mountainworks has been a Laramie staple that crafts and designs their own line of handmade, local outdoor equipment. Find everything from gifts, clothing, dog gear, sporting equipment, and more. At Poppy’s Flower Shop & Women’s Boutique, peruse an enormous selection of cards and stationary, clothing, jewelry, and local, one-of-a-kind handmade souvenirs at this full-service flower shop and gift store. Grab lunch and a cup of joe at Night Heron Books and Coffeehouse and peruse Laramie’s only used book store. Settle into one of their many nooks and find refuge from the cold with your new read and some warm coffee. Find upscale and upcycled antiques, vintage jewelry, and custom made quilts at The Bent & Rusty. Starting as a local flea market, this craftsman’s cooperative has grown into one of the largest coops in the United States. As a community, Laramie celebrates small businesses, making this small town a shopping destination.
As you hit local shops use throughout town, don’t forget to use #WYshopLaramie on your socials for a chance to win sweepstakes.
our winter vacation wouldn’t be complete without a cabin to call your home away from home. Nestle in a cozy, private cabin and enjoy the mountain lifestyle in comfort. Reserve a spot with Mountain Meadow Cabins, and enjoy modern accommodations with a rustic aesthetic. Just 45 minutes from Laramie, these facilities can host everything from large groups to intimate getaways.
Alternatively, escape to Albany Lodge, which is also only about 40 minutes away from downtown Laramie. Here, guests can enjoy ease of access to the beautiful Snowy Range. Customize your trip by renting snowmobiles, or, simply kick back and enjoy the comfort of a wood burning fireplace. Looking for a more luxurious experience? Rent one of three high-end alpine cabins from Aspen Creek Cabin also located in the “Snowies.” Immerse yourself in the pristine and rural southeastern Wyoming wilderness while simultaneously enjoying the amenities of cabin life.
Alternatively, escape to Albany Lodge, which is also only about 40 minutes away from downtown Laramie. Here, guests can enjoy ease of access to the beautiful Snowy Range. Customize your trip by renting snowmobiles, or, simply kick back and enjoy the comfort of a wood burning fireplace. Looking for a more luxurious experience? Rent one of three high-end alpine cabins from Aspen Creek Cabin also located in the “Snowies.” Immerse yourself in the pristine and rural southeastern Wyoming wilderness while simultaneously enjoying the amenities of cabin life.
Make reservations early, before cabins sell out!
aramie is a town rich in history. Participate in and discover firsthand the trials and tribulations of manifest destiny and the Old West. Visit Wyoming’s only pyramid at The Ames Monument, 20 minutes southeast of Laramie. Here, you can behold the spectacle of a 60-foot high granite pyramid constructed in 1882 as an homage to the Ames brothers, who were essential players in the construction of the Union Pacific transcontinental route.
Pay tribute to former President Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial Monument. Located at the Summit Information Center just 15 minutes south of Laramie, this monument boasts a 13-foot-tall bust of Lincoln, which stands at Sherman Summit, the highest point on Interstate 80.
Escape the cold and take a trip to the University of Wyoming Art Museum. Located conveniently in town, this museum displays art from the American West. Experience national and international art dedicated and linked intrinsically to the region. Or, visit the Laramie Plains Museum located in the magnificent Ivinson Mansion. Here, guests can experience the opulent side of Wyoming’s history and tour one of the West’s most significant and beautiful residences.
For a foray into Laramie’s outlaw past, visit the Wyoming Territorial Prison. Constructed in 1872, the prison incarcerated 1,063 convicts in its day, and even housed notorious outlaw Butch Cassidy.
Check each attraction’s website before embarking on your journey, as hours and social distancing guidelines vary.