Celebrate! is a your guide to events, shopping, dining, and enjoying the holiday season in the Pikes Peak region.

The rest of the country might retreat indoors after fall’s first snow fall, but this is Colorado – a little cold can’t stop us.

“We live in a climate where it can snow storm one day and then be 60 degrees out and sunny the next,” said Ed Johnson, owner of Colorado Springs Bike Shop, 622 W. Colorado Avenue. “I always tell people not to put their bikes away, there’s still plenty of beautiful days to ride in the winter.”

Johnson credited the fat bike tire craze with providing more accessibility to trail and road biking in colder months. “Those tires can handle a lot more; people can ride on snow-packed trails with confidence now,” he said. Johnson carries several fat tire bike models in his store, ranging from $700-$2,000.

As for proper winter biking attire, Johnson recommended wearing layers that can be easily added or removed. “I’d also invest in a good pair of winter gloves and shoe covers to keep your feet warm. They go around the outside of the shoe and have a hole on the bottom so you can still clip in. They’re made of wind-proof material.” Johnson also suggested switching regular chain lube to a wet-style lube. “It’s thicker and stickier, so it won’t get washed off as easily in water and snow,” he said. “I’d also say it’s best to stay in the lower elevations and utilize the trails throughout the city, like Greenway or Santa Fe, especially if you just want to get out and pedal.”

Johnson admitted he has a higher threshold for cold than the average rider – heading out down to 10 degrees – but said most can handle riding even when the temps dip just below freezing. “On a sunny day, when you’re making your own heat, you can have a beautiful ride.”

Most of Colorado’s 42 state parks are open 365 days a year and offer year round access to trails as well as cabins and RV campsites, including those at Mueller State Park. “Mueller has an amazing open space area and premier snow shoeing,” said Kyle Davidson, public information officer for Colorado Parks and Wildlife in southern Colorado. “It’s really accessibly, yet has quite a few un-motorized trails, so if you’re looking to escape and find some peace and quiet, it’s the perfect spot.” Mueller’s cabins will also be available for half price throughout the winter – check cpw.state.co.us for pricing and availability.

If you’re ready to get out with the whole family but want to stay in town, a trip to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo offers great views of the city and the animals. Open 365 days a year, the Zoo, located at 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road, is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, with the last admission at 4.

“The Zoo is still an amazing place to visit during winter time,” said public relations manager Erica Meyer. “We have several animals that actually love and enjoy the winter weather and behave differently. Our Amar tigers love to play in the snow and their bright orange fur really pops against the white. It’s beautiful to see.” Meyer said the Zoo’s Rocky Mountain Wild exhibit animals also make for entertaining observation during the holidays. “They’re built for this kind of weather.” The exhibit includes otters, moose, mountain lions, Canada lynx, Mexican gray wolves and North American porcupines. “We also have two grizzly bears that don’t really hibernate, though they are a bit slower in the winter.”

If visitors get chilly, they can step inside one of the indoor exhibits, sit for a bit near a warming fire, or sip on a hot cocoa or coffee from the Grizzly Grill. If you’re more free in the evenings, the Zoo staff has a special treat for visitors this December.

“We’re celebrating the 25th year of Electric Safari,” Meyer said. From 5:30-8:30, 24 evenings from December 4 through January 1, the Zoo will glow with more than one million lights in animated displays built by the Zoo’s own horticulture department. “If you’re not in the holiday spirit, we’ll definitely help get you there,” Meyer said. For a list of Electric Safari dates, visit cmzoo.org/electric.