When the pools around town close for the summer, and the lifeguard whistles stop tweeting across the warm air, most of us in Colorado put thoughts of swimming to rest. Our eyes and hearts shift quickly from the pool to the slow build-up of snow on the mountains to our west. We hit the ski sales and re-outfit our growing kids in new gear, while bathing suits sink forgotten to the bottom of dresser drawers.

I am a summer girl, however, who counts the days until Memorial Day as soon as the sun sets on Labor Day. And I have a child who loves being in the water. It’s not necessarily about swimming for him. It’s just the calm, the ease of movement. So this winter, for the first time, I looked to our local indoor pools and was more than pleasantly surprised about the options.

An entire family can spend the day swimming while watching the snow fall outside from steamy floor-to-ceiling windows. And it costs as little as $20 for a family of four. Here are a few we have enjoyed from north of the city to south of it:

The Apex Center Indoor Water Park (http://apexprd.org/facilities/apex-center#water_fun) includes a 25-yard lap pool as well as amusements like a tube slide and vortex area with a moving current. It also has a separate zero-depth “beach” play area with slides, fountains, waterfalls and geysers for younger kids. There is also an indoor playground, childcare, a rock climbing wall, gym and snack bar. The fee is only $5.25 per adult, less for kids, and those under two years of age can swim for free. It is an amazing place to engage (and tire out) your children and their friends on a cold, wintry day. A bit of a drive, but worth it at 13150 W. 72nd Ave., Arvada, 303-424-2739.

The Goodson Recreation Center (http://www.ssprd.org/Facilities/RecreationCenters/GoodsonRecCenter.aspx) is more a traditional pool than a water park compared to its colleagues to the north and south, but it provides the same escape from feeling stuck indoors. Open swim in Goodson’s 25-meter pool is available every day, including late into the weekend afternoons. There is a small swim area for younger children. Entrance fees are less than $20 for a family of five. 6315 S University Blvd., Centennial, 303-798-2476.

To the south of the city, the Lone Tree Recreation Center (http://www.ssprd.org/Facilities/RecreationCenters/LoneTreeRecCenter.aspx) has that clean, brand new feel that every family loves. Even the family locker area is spotless. And the pool is fantastic for all ages. A lap-swimming area allows serious swimmers to get their exercise while kids slide down the huge tube slide, coast quickly around the lazy river, jump in and out of the geysers and join their parents in the large hot tub. A zero entry section with a toddler size slide is perfect for families with young ones. Also included in your $19 per family fee are its workout facility, running track, basketball courts and more. 10249 Ridgegate Circle, Lone Tree, 303-708-3500.

Swimming lessons and childcare are available at all three facilities.

There are other indoor pools around town that can be found on your local Parks and Recreation websites, and they too offer indoor family fun for a small entrance fee all winter long. These are just the ones our family discovered this winter when we’ve ventured out in the cold, longing for summer and wearing our bathing suits.