One Day, Three Adventures: Colorado 9s.

If you live in Colorado, there's a good chance you've heard of the Colorado 9s, also known as the Colorado Triple 9 Challenge or the 9-9-9 Challenge. If you're unfamiliar with it, the Colorado 9s describes one day filled with three activities: skiing or snowboarding, watching baseball, and playing golf. You ski nine runs, watch nine innings of baseball, and play nine holes of golf. Pretty packed day, right? But it's totally doable and makes for an unforgettable experience.

I did this challenge a couple of years ago, and it was tiring but a great time. It's always a lot of fun to have a specific goal or challenge in mind to accomplish, and you definitely won't be bored that day!

Now, you can do this in whichever order makes sense to you, depending on the time the Rockies are playing. Starting with skiing, however, seems to be the most logical approach.

Hit the Slopes

The Colorado 9s typically starts with hitting the slopes at one of Colorado's ski resorts. A-Basin is a very popular resort for this challenge, partially because of its long season, which coincides with the start of baseball. The culture at A-Bay is also iconic, especially when it comes to spring skiing. So, head on over to A-Bay (or your resort of choice) and start ripping!

You have nine laps ahead of you, and that's only just the beginning. Although there is no official competition (at least that I'm aware of), many people are particular about the rules. For example, to reach a total of nine ski runs, you will need to lap from the top to the bottom.

When a group of us tackled the Colorado 9s, we weren't quite as strict on the rules, which you'll see in the next two activities. In fact, some people didn't even attempt each part of the challenge. (No shade, guys!).

Next up is either golf or baseball!

Root for the Rockies

Get ready to cheer on the Rockies and have some beers while taking in the beginning of baseball season. To complete the Triple 9s challenge, you will need to be there for all nine innings of the game.

When I did the Colorado 9s, the baseball game followed the skiing. After going home and getting changed, a group of us headed over to the baseball game. Unfortunately, we did not get inside Coors Field until after the first inning. We were in line, though! Some people may not think this "counts," but that's okay! The effort and intention were there.

It's Tee-Time

The final activity to discuss is golf. As mentioned, you will need to play nine holes to complete the challenge. Another important thing to note is that most people believe that mini golf does not qualify for a true 9s.

Listen, I am not a "golfer." I barely enjoy mini-golf after it goes on long enough. Plus, mini-golf is a lot more accessible and easier to fit into a long day, especially when you end up going late at night. My boyfriend and I (the only ones who completed every activity, though, some would argue we still didn't do it right) headed over to what was then called Urban Putt, a fun indoor mini-golf spot that's open late and even has a bar. We did not end up ordering any drinks, however. We were too tired and golfing as fast as possible to make our way through.

Of course, you can be more of a purist and hit an actual golf course. In that case, golfing after skiing and before the baseball game is probably best.

*Tip: If you go real golfing, book your tee time in advance. Be sure to account for enough time to fit your next activity in!

Things to Keep in Mind When Attempting the Colorado 9s Challenge

Planning is essential. While it may sound fun to do spur of the moment, you're going to need to start scheduling things ahead of time to make sure your day goes smoothly. A good place to start is by checking the Rockies' schedule. Once you know what home games are happening, you can work around that. Also, consider the location of your skiing and golfing activities. If you're traveling between mountains and Denver, you'll want to make sure to factor in travel time as well. We all know how terrible the traffic can get.

Another important thing to keep in mind is hydration and energy levels. With so much activity packed into one day, staying hydrated and fueled is crucial. Make sure to drink plenty of water and eat nutritious snacks throughout the day to keep your energy levels up. Don't forget to take breaks when needed. It's better to pace yourself than to burn out early on in the day. Since you'll spend so much time outdoors, you can't forget to protect your face! Be sure to apply sunscreen throughout the day.

Embrace the Challenge

The Colorado 9s is a fun and unique challenge that truly encapsulates Colorado's outdoor and active lifestyle. Whether you choose to strictly follow the traditional activities or add your own spin, it's a great way to spend a day with friends and make unforgettable memories. So grab your skis, baseball cap, and golf clubs, and get ready for an exciting day filled with adventure! Remember that completing all three activities may be tiring, but the sense of accomplishment and fun will make it worth it.

My friends have talked about trying to do it again (for real this time), and as tired as I was two years ago, it's not fresh enough for me to say no! And now that I have the previous experience, I know what things I'd maybe do differently. For example, I would want to be in line for the baseball game in time to get into the field before it starts. I'm also open to changing the order of things, and maybe, just maybe, I'll give real golf a try. (At least riding around in the cart is fun!)

So, next time you're looking for a challenge or just want to switch things up, give the Colorado 9s a try and see if you have what it takes to conquer this triple threat. Remember to have fun with it! If you need to "cheat" or have trouble making everything work perfectly, that's a-okay. This is meant to be an experience.

See you on the slopes, at the game, and on the green!