Colorado Winter Activity Guide

Colorado is a beautiful place to visit in the winter! With it being sunny 300 days of the year, it makes the winter months much more pleasant. Winter in Colorado can begin in October and go through April. It can also snow in May and September some years as well! The weather can change drastically as you drive into the mountains from Denver. The distance from Denver to the mountains is typically 40min to 1 hour, then you can drive on from there to different mountain towns. In Denver it may be sunny and 60 degrees, where in the mountains there’s a blizzard. The snow in Denver typically melts the next day due to the amount of sunshine we receive. This Colorado Winter Activity guide will provide you with activities to keep you busy all season long.

The most typical Colorado Winter Activity: Ski or Snowboard

This may be the most obvious Colorado winter answer, however there is nothing better than staying in a cabin, skiing, enjoying the mountain village with drinks and food for lunch, then cozy up next to a fire or getting in a hot tub! Even if you only ski as a day trip, it’s still worth going. However, be aware of the traffic. We typically would leave Denver at 6am to catch the first lift of the day. Whether you’re advanced or a beginner like me, there is something for everyone at most resorts.

I’d say Breckenridge is the most popular, as it is well known as a ski resort even for beginners, an adorable town with plenty to do, and only an hour and a half drive from Denver. Other popular resorts include Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone, Winter Park, and Araphoe Basin. If you’re up for a longer drive: Aspen, Crested Butte, Telluride, and Steamboat are great options. Winter activities are pricey compared to summer activities, it can typically cost $200 for a day pass, and then another $30 or more to rent equipment. Unless you have your own gear and have an EPIC or IKON pass! I’d recommend renting from Christy’s Sports.

Colorado Winter Activity: Snowshoeing

A more affordable Colorado winter activity is to snow shoe, if you do not own your own snow shoe/poles I’d recommend renting them from Christy’s Sports as well. We use our hiking poles here, as you can change out the bottom tip for a snowy climate. Certain winter hikes you may not need snow shoe’s for, however I would definitely recommend hiking with Yaktrax or crampons. I personally own Yaktrax because I used them to run when training for a marathon years ago, but now I use them for hiking. The spikes/crampons are more intense, and should only be worn in very snowy/icy conditions. Where as a Yaktrax you can wear even in light snow because you won’t have to worry about ruining the bottom of them like you would with spikes/crampons.

Popular trails to snow shoe: Mayflower Gultch near Frisco, Bear Lake to Emerald Lake in Estes Park, Walker ranch Trail in Boulder, Crags trail near Colorado Springs, Michigan Ditch trail near Fort Collins, Burning Bear Trail near Georgetown. When I go snowshoeing, typically only a few miles is more than enough for me! Some of these trails are longer, so I wouldn’t recommend doing the full 7 miles + unless you’ve been before! There are also Nordic centers at the larger ski resorts that offer groomed trails. Beaver Creek has an winter wine excursion where you can snow shoe for 60-90 min then enjoy wine and cheese after. Aspen Peak Winery in Bailey also offers a snowshoe fondue wine tours January to March. The all inclusive C Lazy U Ranch also has some amazing trails to snowshoe during your stay!

Hot Springs

Hot Springs are a must, especially if you don’t own a hot tub! Last year I went to Mt. Princeton Hot Springs in Buena Vista, I stayed at the resort in a Creekside Suite and admission was included, along with prioritizing our entrance since due to the pandemic, since capacity was limited. I also stayed in this cozy cabin nearby, I’d suggest having a 4×4 Vehicle during the winter months to access it. The fee is typically $25 to have all day access to the hot springs.

Strawberry Springs in Steamboat is another great location. There is also a fee and reservation system due to the pandemic. You can read my full Steamboat Travel Guide here with full details on the hot springs. There are definitely more hot springs on my bucket list to check out this winter.

Ice Skating

Ice Skating makes for such a fun date! There are locations close to Denver, one being in at Northfield Shopping Center, and the other has previously been at the Christkindl Market during the holiday season. For a more mountain landscape check out Evergreen Lake. Many of the ski resorts such as Vail also offer ice skating.

Snowmobiling

We went snowmobiling with this company near Cottonwood Pass and it was incredible! I wanted to be extra careful as it was my first time, so I completed a guided tour to prevent an accident or getting lost. Also when choosing a company, be aware of the contract as you may have to pay for any damages to the snowmobile.

Tubing/Sledding

Hiking to St. Mary’s Glacier and going sledding is so fun! You have to bring your own sled, but the hike is short at an incline. For tubing close to Denver, Echo mountain is an affordable option. Frisco Adventure Park also offers adventure tubing. Keystone and Winter Park also have tubing.

Sleigh Rides

I have not done this Colorado winter activity yet, but I know Breckenridge and Steamboat both also offer Sleigh rides and some include dinner as well. Speaking of dinner, you can also enjoy a yurt dinner in some of the mountain towns like Crested Butte.

Dog Sledding

I have not done this either, but it seems to be a unique popular Colorado winter activity. I know Steamboat offers Dog Sledding!

I hope you enjoy your winter activities in Colorado!

Stay Fearless,

Michelle Foster