Colorado Springs: In the Colorado Springs area the best place to roller ski is at the Garden of the Gods Park. This is a high Quality paved loop system that runs alongside the low speed auto tour route. The elevation is 6400 feet ( 1900 meters ). It is easy to put two 4 K each loops, all in reasonably hilly terrain that offers an excellent workout. The first loop is the scenic one way loop around the sandstone features of the park, the other loop T's off this loop on the west side and heads towards Balanced Rock. To make a loop here head out toward Balanced Rock then turn left toward the west side visitor's center.

There is also a 10K paved pathway in Woodland Park that is very nice. Begin this trail about 2 miles north of town on Hwy 67 to avoid numerous driveways and road crossings. The path heads north to Manitiu Lake and offers flats, rolling hills and a mile long down uphill. D. Harris

Denver Area: There are over 200 miles of recreational trails in the Denver area which can be used by rollerskiers. Trails are mostly cement. Some areas are fairly hilly, so if you have trouble slowing down check before you head down that hill.

In the Thorton area... My particular favorite place is the S. Platte River trail. ( it's near my house ) I start at the 88 th Ave. parking lot right by the public works garage at 88 th and Colorado Blvd. There is no water, but there are Portajohns at the starting area. Go North to the end of the trail about 2.5 Miles double back by 88 th ave = approximately 7 Miles Trail is cement with some hills and wooden bridges. The bridges are OK as long as you are carrying enough speed. The boards tend to "catch " the wheels if you are going over too slowly. Oh yeah there is one spot where a gravel pit conveyor passes over the trail. Be VERY careful here as there can be a lot of those nasty little round stones that can jam your wheels and give you a major face plant... which is not fun on cement. There are some bikers and some rollerbladers and runners with the occasional usually friendly dog. ... Generally the area is empty except for Sunday around noon when everybody in Denver seems to be there!!! The area is fairly shielded from the wind , we get a lot of that in Denver The trail runs North to South with most of the wind coming from the West.

There is also another circular cement path at the Thorton Recreation Center on Colorado Blvd. The trail is about 3 / 4 mile around and nearly flat with one short little hill at the back end. Generally the trail is not busy and it looks like they might be adding lights.

South of Denver near Highlands Ranch is the Cherry Creek reservoir trail ...about 10 miles around. Some hills and occasionally a lot of bikes. Better to start early in the AM. If anyone is interested in rollerskiing in the Thorton CO area contact: bjohnson@nappsystems.com

Longmont: In Longmont (12 miles North Of Boulder) try the creekside housing development. Nice pavement and low traffic. The place is huge and a lap around the outside takes at least 20 minutes. Contact robaroot@my-dejanews.com If you are interested. R.R.

Aspen: In Aspen we have some great roller skiing-- it's located on Maroon Creek Rd. We start at T Lazy 7 Ranch and go about 10K up the road, then take the bus down. ( it runs in summer ) or hitch. In winter it's a great skiing trip. It also happens to end at the Maroon Bells, the most visited National Forest Site in Colorado. Mark and Anne Uhlfelder