60 MARCH 27-APRIL 2, 2025 westword.com WESTWORD | MUSIC & VENUES | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | SPORTS & RECREATION | SHOPPING & SERVICES | CONTENTS | without making you feel terrible the next day, look no further than a Zumba class at one of Denver’s recreation centers. The Latin-fl avored dance fi tness program is of- fered daily, and classes are free with a rec center membership. Instructors welcome dancers of every skill level, from those with two left feet to smooth-moving pros. No matter what your mental state is when you walk into a Zumba class, you’ll leave feeling sexy, happy and free — without the ensu- ing hangover. Best New Public Pool Arvada Aquatics Center 7904 Carr Drive, Arvada 303-467-7140 apexprd.org/facility/arvada-aquatics- center Swim laps in suave style at the Arvada Aquatics Center, which opened at the end of 2024 as a 50,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art aquatics facility for Jef- ferson County and the surrounding area. The natatorium includes a stainless-steel competition pool shipped from Italy and various springboards and diving plat- forms. The facility is owned by the City of Arvada, co-funded by Jeffco Public Schools and maintained by the Apex Park and Recreation District. The AAC replaces its predecessor, the Meyers Pool, and is open to the public for swimming when classes, events and swim meets are not taking place. Best Hot Springs Iron Mountain Hot Springs 281 Centennial Street, Glenwood Springs 970-945-4766 ironmountainhotsprings.com Colorado has no shortage of hot springs in which to relax, with hiking (and cloth- ing) often optional. But if you want to go from car to hot water with minimal steps and without skimping on the views, Iron Mountain Hot Springs is calling. Nestled along the Colorado River at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, Iron Mountain Hot Springs has sixteen geothermal pools of varying sizes, temperatures and minerals to mimic hot springs across the world, from Colorado to Japan, with a 100,000-gallon family pool and jetted spa, as well. But our favorites are on the edge of the river and have pebbles on the bottom for a way-too-satisfying retreat. Best Creative Water Slides Water World 8801 Pecos Street, Federal Heights 303-427-7873 waterworldcolorado.com Most water parks have variations of the same attractions: a lazy river, a race-style open slide, a toilet basin. Water World has all of those, but you have to give it extra credit for creativity. In the Lost River of the Pharaohs, thrill-seekers can ride a river with a few hills through a dark and mysterious pyramid fi lled with treasure, tombs and animatronics. Meanwhile, Voy- age to the Center of the Earth takes riders through dark tunnels back in time to the dinosaur era. Water World is Colorado’s fi rst and largest water park, with slides, pools and places to eat, drink and relax spanning seventy acres. This year, the park will be open May 24 through Sep- tember 1. Best Rec Center for Shvitzing Wheat Ridge Recreation Center 4005 Kipling Street, Wheat Ridge 303-231-1300 rootedinfun.com A steam shouldn’t be hard for the aver- age person to afford, but a good schvitz often requires an expensive gym mem- bership or spa day in Denver. At the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center, you can choose between a traditional dry sauna or modern steam room for less than $10, and you don’t even have to be a resident. For $9.50, anyone can spend a day at the 70,000-square-foot rec center (Wheat Ridge and Jefferson County residents get in for even less), with ten-day passes available, too. After taking advantage of the facility’s multiple basketball courts, full weight and cardio gym and indoor pool, it’s time to top it off with a session inside either all-gender schvitzing area -- or maybe you just want to sweat out the night before. Whatever the reason, Wheat Ridge allows for one cheap execu- tive workout. Best Roller Rink Roller City 6803 West Alameda Avenue, Lakewood 303-232-2498 rollercitywest.com Looking for a place to skate that isn’t a scary hill going into oncoming traffi c (ahem, Wash- ington Park) or a nightclub where people are spilling and slipping in their drinks? Try Roller City, a large indoor roller-skating rink complete with signature nostalgic colorful carpets, fun music and vibrant lights. The rink is available for birthday parties and pri- vate events, but if you don’t want to worry about accidentally running over a child, come on Wednesdays and Sundays for adult night. You can rent skates or bring your own, and the snack bar is equipped with good ol’ pizza, pretzels, popcorn, hot dogs and nachos. Best Place to Spin Your Wheels Beehive Skate Shop 2272 South Broadway 303-632-9520 beehiveskatedenver.com This place is on a roll! Aaron Burris-DeBo- skey has the only skate shop in Colorado selling both roller and inline skates, and caters to both beginning and advanced skaters. If you’re ready to get aggressive, he’s got plenty of suggestions (and equip- ment), but if you’d just like to glide along one of Denver’s many dedicated bike paths, he’s got what you need, too. Best Deal for the Occasional Skier/Snowboarder Loveland 4pak Loveland Ski Area skiloveland.com The “deals” on lift tickets at most Colorado mountains may be cheaper than full price, but they’re still pretty damn expensive if you’re not committed to hitting the slopes over a dozen times per year. Stay ready to pounce before winter starts, however, and a bodacious bargain can still be had for a handful of days in the Loveland 4pak. For $269, occasional skiers and snowboarders get four days at Loveland Ski Area, one of the closest ski areas to Denver, with no blackout dates or restrictions attached. And if you attend one of Loveland’s listed Front Range ski shows in the fall, you can buy the 4pak for $10 off. That’s a few extra dollars for gas, edibles or wings and beer afterward. Best Bargains on New Skis and Snowboards Denver Ski Company 1350 South Broadway 720-749-6148 denverskicompany.com New snowboards and skis cost a pretty penny, and gone are the days of epic clear- ance-sale events like Powder Daze and Sniagrab. Denver Ski Company seems to be the only place left in town with a large inventory of discounted brand-new skis, snowboards and gear. The store, open since December 2024, sells everything that manufacturing warehouses couldn’t sell before newer models came in, giving snowboarders and skiers a more affordable alternative to big-name outlets like REI, Evo or Epic Mountain Gear. And shoppers can get fi tted for gear right in the store, which also does repairs. With all that and an open parking lot off South Broadway, Denver Ski is one easy run. Best Bar for Colorado Avalanche Games Sobo 151 Bar & Grill 151 South Broadway 303-778-1560 sobo151.net The Denver Broncos may own the town and the Nuggets have the most recent championship, but Colorado Avalanche fans are the most fun to drink with. Don’t believe us? Go to Sobo 151 and see for yourself. This proudly Czech bar is Denver’s go-to spot for watching hockey games, whether an Avs playoff series or an international not-so-friendly match. The crowd is fun and lively (and stays that way in the off-season, thanks to karaoke on Thursdays and Sundays), the menu is stacked with European favorites like schnitzel, goulash, kielbasa and Bohemian roast duck, and the beers are dark and cold — all the ingredients for one great puck night. Best Bar for Denver Nuggets Games Chopper’s Sports Grill 80 South Madison Street 303-399-4448 chopperssportsgrill.com Chopper’s Sports Grill has all the re- quired amenities for a great sports bar: four dozen TVs, plenty of regulars, quick service and a solid bar menu. But Chop- pers, named after the bar’s founder and former Denver Nuggets trainer Robert “Chopper“ Travaglini, has a special bas- ketball legacy Nugs fans can appreci- ate. And with a 165-inch HD projection screen, you can see every single one of Nikola Jokic’s dimes to Aaron Gordon, Jamal Murray and company. Best Bar for Denver Broncos Games DNVR Bar 2239 East Colfax Avenue 303-551-2668 thednvr.com Any place with a liquor license becomes a Broncos bar on Sundays (or Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays and any other day the NFL decides to take over). But these water- ing holes merely adopt the Broncos, while DNVR Bar was born in a local sports fervor and molded by it. Part of the DNVR media operation, DNVR Bar regularly holds spe- cial tailgating events at Mile High Stadium, but the main headquarters, on East Colfax, hosts popular sports podcast recordings, Broncos watch parties and plenty of El- way-loving, Chiefs-hating Broncos fanatics. You’ll fi nd more than angry members of Broncos Country who never shut up about the good ol’ days here, too. This is a bar for knowledgeable fans, fantasy football addicts and the occasional degenerate (but mostly wholesome) sports gambler. Grab a seat and soak it in. Sports & Recreation continued from page 59
