Where Is That On The Map?

Laramie, Wyoming, is a small college town where winters are harsh and summers are warm. No matter the weather, skating in Laramie is a year-round activity. In the winter the community comes together to shovel the park, and the summers consist of skating from sun up to sun down. Ever since I moved to this town, I have always been looking for the best spots to skate. Over the past two years, I have found myself regularly skating at what I consider the “best” spots. I have found 5 places to skate, all within Laramie or less than an hour’s commute. With this interactive map, you too, can check out and shred the best spots to skate.

OLD SKOOL

This is a photo of me rollerskating outside the University of Wyoming Union; I had my friend Andrew capture this epic stair jump.

The University of Wyoming is one of Laramie’s oldest skate spots! Since the early 80s, people have been using curbs, ledges, stairs, and rails to get rad. The UW campus is a skate-friendly campus.  You will always see people riding bikes, scooters, and skateboarding. If you decide to skate on campus, you might even run into Local Laramie Legend Skater Guy. The UW campus is a good spot to skate, but make sure you respect the surroundings and the students. Most skateboarders skate in the evenings when the campus is less busy.

LOCAL SHRED

This photo was taken in the street section of the skatepark overlooking the main part of the skatepark. Photo credit: Josh Kaffer.

The Laramie Skatepark is located in LaBonte Park-Just a quick 3-minute drive or 7-minute skate from campus. This park has a great transition section with a few obstacles and a spine. A new street section with a mini, curbs, and a small set of stairs. Finally, a big bowl flow section is on the far end of the park. This park is welcoming for all types of skaters and skill types. Check out Skate Laramie for local events, learn-to-skate camps, and upcoming park projects. Dont be shy to talk to skaters at the park; the local Laramie skaters are some of the most friendly people I have ever met.

LOCAL, BUT NOT

This panoramic photo of the Cheyenne Skatepark clearly shows all the features the park has to offer. Photo credit: Dan Hughes-The Northwest Skater.

Just a short 45-minute drive on I-80, you reach Laramie’s sister town, Cheyenne. William N. Brimmer Bowls and Street Plaza was constructed in Cheyenne around the same time as Laramie’s skatepark. This park is mainly filled with street obstacles and has a ton of flat ground for tricks. The green metal makes for some slick skating, so proceed with caution. Brimmer park also has two flow bowls that are perfect for some rad transition skating. The Lost Longboarder has a great blog going more in-depth about Brimmer park.

DO IT YOURSELF

This photo was taken from the parking lot of Northside DIY-there is a ton of space to skate and picnic tables to set your things.

If you take 287 south of Laramie for about an hour,  you will come across Fort Collins, Colorado.  Fort Collins is a much bigger town than Laramie, which means a much bigger skate scene.  FoCo has many skate parks, but Northside DIY skatepark is definitely worth checking out. This park is special;  it’s not like a traditional skatepark. It has a little bit of everything because it was made by passionate skaters! If you visit this park, make sure to pay attention to all the different textures the park has; it even has a mini fingerboard park. Speak Easy Skate has a ton of rad photos of this skatepark.

LAUNCH YOURSELF INSIDE

Photo credit: Launch. This photo shows the inside of Launch. pictured is the half-bowl section the park has as well as the backside with some street-style features.

If you are from Colorado or Wyoming, you know that the winters are not for the faint of heart. Even when it’s not in the middle of winter, the weather can change immediately. Sunny and 70 at one moment, and 20 and snowing the next. One thing skaters need for a good sesh is good weather. Lucky for us, Launch is an indoor skatepark. Also located in Fort Collins, Launch is a skatepark with features for everyone, beginner or expert. For only $5, you can shred the indoor park year-round. Check out Launch’s website for special deals, summer camp information, and specific hours.

Whether you are a local skater or just passing through these locations will have the best stoke. Skating is fun when you can do it in the sun, but even in the snow, the locals are not afraid to shovel the park and shred or go pop inside. The skate scenes in Laramie, Cheyenne, and Fort Collins are some of the most welcoming communities around, and if you decide to stop and skate, you will not be disappointed.