With the Rocky Mountains as our natural playground, hundreds of miles of metropolitan trails and some of the best community fitness facilities in the country, it’s no wonder that the Denver metro area was recognized nationally this year as one of the top five fittest and healthiest cities in the United States. Looking at many health and fitness factors like obesity, smoking rates, physical activity frequency, heart disease, diabetes and community policies that encourage healthy and fit lifestyles, the American College of Sports Medicine determined that Denver ranked fourth overall in the nation in its 2014 American Fitness Index.
Year Round Activity Abounds
While hiking, biking and water sports keep Denver residents active in the summer, when the snow starts to fall like it has been over the past month, that’s when Denver and its neighboring Rocky Mountains really come to life with winter wonderland activity fun for all ages. Some of the best winter activities for activity lovers of all levels include:
- World-Class Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding: As early season snow accumulates in the Rocky Mountains, Colorado’s ski resorts continue to open some of the best skiing and boarding terrain in the world. To stay up-to-date on which resort opening days and snow reports, bookmark Colorado Ski Country USA’s Web site for all of the latest winter skiing information this season.
- Snowshoe and Cross Country Skiing: Popular mountain golf courses and hiking trails in the summer transform to some of the best snowshoeing and cross country skiing terrain in the country. And, unlike the need of buying lift tickets to enjoy Colorado’s downhill skiing and snowboarding terrain, many of the snowshoeing and cross country skiing trails are free and open to the public in most cases.
- Mountain and City Ice Skating: From pond hockey tournaments in the foothills at Evergreen Lake House to outdoor ice skating in the heart of the city at Skyline Park, competitive and leisure skaters alike can enjoy the fitness benefits and whimsical memories that come with lacing up your skates.
Local Restaurants Focus on Local Ingredients
After enjoying the great Colorado outdoors in the mountains or in the city, Denver residents can look forward to returning home and dining on local, fresh and creative cuisine. Recently highlighted in Cooking Light magazine, Denver’s chefs and restaurants have been recognized as not only sourcing local ingredients year round, but also emphasizing the importance of farm-to-table dining. Cooking Light highlighted the following Denver restaurants as having healthy and local ingredient options.
- Fruition, 1313 E. 6th Avenue, has taken the farm-to-restaurant concept to the next level by sourcing many of the restaurant’s menu items from the chef’s private farm.
- TAG, 1441 Larimer Street in Larimer Square, boasts creatively arranged menu items that combine local ingredients with international inspiration.
- Duo, 2413 West 32nd Avenue in the Highlands, is known for combining local Colorado ingredients with some of the state’s best craft brews.
From numerous outdoor activity options to restaurants dedicated to locally sourced and inspired cuisine, the Mile High City has everything that health- and fitness-minded individuals could want in a city. If you’re interested in finding a Denver home that’s close to parks, trails, fitness centers and healthy eating options, contact the Denver metro area real estate experts at New Era Group. We’d love to show you why Denver is one of the top five healthiest and fit cities in the nation.
Like Us here on Facebook: