Winter in Colorado provides you entry to various pure snow-covered landscapes, offering tons of winter actions. From iconic small ski cities that make having fun with snow sports activities accessible to Denver, a big metropolis with scrumptious meals, cultural occasions, and historic websites, Colorado has one thing for everybody. Listed here are the highest winter actions in Colorado to take pleasure in throughout your journey.
Greatest Issues to Do in Colorado in Winter
Visiting Colorado in winter transports you to a real winter wonderland. The Rockies remodel into a surprising snowy playground, superb for world-class snowboarding and snowboarding at well-known resorts like Aspen and Vail. Past the slopes, charming mountain cities sparkle with festive lights and a comfy ambiance the place you possibly can sip scorching cocoa and get into the vacation spirit. Colorado affords an ideal mix of journey and serenity, from exhilarating snowshoe hikes to enjoyable in scorching springs. So seize your ski gear and head out to the good outside as a result of these are the very best issues to do in Colorado in winter.
1. Go Snowboarding or Snowboarding
Colorado is taken into account by many to be the very best ski and snowboarding vacation spot within the USA. There are over 25 ski resorts within the state unfold throughout the Rocky Mountains which have slopes for rookies, consultants, and everybody in between.
Due to Colorado’s excessive altitude, the snow is plentiful. It may be skied from October via April and is understood for being each dry and fluffy, making it excellent for snowboarding.
The place to go Snowboarding and Snowboarding in Colorado
Ski cities are scattered round Colorado, supplying you with loads of choices to select from.
- Vail has one of many largest resorts and a few of the greatest and most various terrain in Colorado.
- For comfort to Denver, Breckenridge Ski Resort is the best choice for snowboarding in Colorado. You may be there in lower than two hours from the airport (except you might be in site visitors with the locals on the weekends).
- Steamboat Springs Ski Resort is much less crowded than different ski cities and is nice for households. It’s cheaper than extra well-known cities like Aspen or Vail.
- Howelsen Hill Ski Space is North America’s oldest working ski space. It’s the least expensive choice and is ideal for brand new skiers.
- The Steamboat Resort offers 1,200 hectares of skiable terrain for all expertise ranges.
Winter Park Resort
Winter Park is unquestionably essentially the most all spherical ski expertise in Colorado. Usually rated as the highest ski resort in North America, Winter Park Resort is the longest regularly working ski resort in Colorado and went via an enormous transformation when it was owned by Intrawest (The identical firm that remodeled Mont Tremblant and Whistler into the dynamite ski resorts in Canada.
Famend for its expansive ski terrain, Winter Park affords slopes that cater to all ability ranges, from rookies to consultants. The resort’s alpine setting is ideal for households with alternatives to discover snow-covered trails on snowshoes or take pleasure in family-friendly actions like tubing.
Issues to do at Winter Park Resort
Winter Park Resort is so in style for the entire household due to the sheer quantity of winter actions on supply. From sundown snowshoes to downhill snowboarding on a ski bike, if affords distinctive experiences. It has guided evening snowboarding on its Ski & Experience by Headlamp tour, and even sleigh rides. Winter Park Resort is Colorado’s most full resort if you’re searching for a resort much like Whistler with a improbable village.
With cozy lodging and a vigorous après-ski scene, Winter Park Resort is not only a spot to go to; it’s an expertise to expertise winter in Colorado to the fullest.
2. Cross Nation Snowboarding
If you wish to go snowboarding however in a extra relaxed approach than downhill snowboarding, give cross-country or Nordic snowboarding a attempt. You could find solitude away from the crowds the place you possibly can higher take pleasure in nature and get the well being advantages with a low-joint influence exercise. Since you don’t want to purchase a elevate ticket at one of many ski resorts, it’s also a extra reasonably priced choice for snowboarding. As a substitute, you could find a spot with a day by day path go.
The place to go cross-country snowboarding
3. Snow Tubing
There’s a lot you are able to do to benefit from the snow past snowboarding. Snow tubing is an exercise anybody can take pleasure in, and there are lots of snow tubing hills all through Colorado. Many hills present conveyor belts that can take you proper again up the hill to return again down once more, taking away a lot of the effort required.
The place to go Snow tubing
You could find snow-tubing hills all through Colorado.
The Coca Cola Tubing Hill at Winter Park and the Frisco Journey Park are each pretty handy to Denver. We went snow tubing whereas staying at an all-inclusive ranch, the place they pulled us up the hill utilizing a snowmobile, so we tubed down time and again.
4. Copper Mountain Snow Maze
Situated within the East Village close to the bottom of the Tremendous Bee chairlift, The Copper Snow Maze is the world’s highest alpine snow maze that’s made solely out of snow. Will probably be returning quickly on the mountain and has doubled in dimension with 8,000 sq. ft for friends to get misplaced within the mountains.
What’s nice about this winter exercise on Copper Mountain is that the Copper Snow Maze is free for anybody over the age of three. Simply signal a waiver earlier than visiting on the Copper web site.
5. Sleigh Rides
Happening a horse-drawn sleigh experience makes for an ideal household exercise, or will also be an ideal addition to a romantic getaway. You could find sleigh rides that embody scorching chocolate, cookies, and a few that can take you on to full meals.
The place to go for Sleigh Rides in Colorado
You could find sleigh rides all through Colorado supplied at many resorts and journey facilities. There’s nothing fairly as romantic as a sleigh experience via a winter wonderland. whereas sipping scorching cocoa as you watch the surroundings unfold.
6. Snowmobiling
For vacationers searching for one thing with somewhat extra velocity and energy, snowmobiling is the very best exercise for you. Should you drive via the mountains after recent snow you will note vans with snowmobile trailers lining the street.
The place to go Snowmobiling in Colorado
Being new to the realm and sure new to snowmobiling we suggest going with a guided snowmobile tour.
- Breckenridge Snowmobiling offers snowmobiling excursions and unguided snowmobile leases in Breckenridge, Keystone, Vail, Beaver Creek, Frisco, Silverthorne, Dillon, and Copper Mountain, Colorado.
- T-Lazy-7 Ranch and Saddleback Ranch supply snowmobiling excursions all through the winter.
7. Sizzling Springs
Colorado has a number of areas with scorching springs that make for a good way to loosen up and heat up throughout your journey. A soak will probably be welcomed by your sore muscle tissue after a day of snowboarding. Some scorching springs are very true to nature whereas others are man-made swimming pools fed by pure scorching springs. It doesn’t matter what you determine you’ll love taking a dip within the springs to heat up.
Greatest Sizzling Springs in Colorado
8. Horseback Driving
Horseback driving is a year-round exercise in Colorado however is usually restricted to path rides or indoor classes. Most of the ranches supply path rides that finish with scorching chocolate. You by no means know if you’ll have a sunny day with views for miles or have snowflakes coming down as you make your approach via a guided path.
The place to go Horseback Driving in Colorado
- Saddleback Ranch
- A number of visitor ranches like Vista Verde Ranch embody winter path rides and classes in the course of the winter.
9. Chill out in Your Cabin
Benefit from the wonderful cabins in Colorado in winter. With cozy fireplaces, non-public scorching tubs, and facilities that make you are feeling at residence whereas nonetheless being secluded in nature. There are tons of choices accessible on VRBO or with trip rental businesses, however be sure to ebook early as the very best ones can ebook as much as a 12 months prematurely.
On the lookout for a spot to remain in Colorado? Take a look at these Cozy Cabin Leases on your subsequent Winter Getaway!
You can too discover cabins on the dude ranches all through Colorado. We’ve got been to Vista Verde Ranch a number of instances and have been singing their reward ever since. You keep in a cabin however get luxurious meals and 5-star service. They deal with the everyday winter chores like shoveling your snow for you and stocking your wood-burning range with firewood. Whether it is in your price range, that is one of the best ways to have a magical winter getaway in Colorado.
10. Spend Time within the Mile Excessive Metropolis
Take a break from the mountains to see what Denver has to supply. The meals scene in Denver is consistently evolving with new microbreweries opening up and loads of range of different choices. We’ve got seen a number of stylish meals courts opening up within the space which provides you the chance to attempt a number of eating places in a single spot.
We loved going to a Denver Nuggets skilled basketball sport. The Bronco’s soccer season goes into early winter and Colorado Avalanche performs hockey via the winter.
Since Colorado was one of many first states to legalize marijuana within the USA, take a hashish tour to go to a develop facility, dispensaries, and eating places.
Winter Actions in Denver
11. Excessive Winter Adventures in Colorado
Dan did a improbable job showcasing the very best winter actions in Colorado that they did. However Dave and I need to take issues up a notch and share a couple of winter adventures for adrenaline junkies and for these you might be searching for a little bit of a weekend exercise or a brand new winter sport to attempt.
12. Backcountry Snowboarding
We’ve got talked about downhill and cross nation snowboarding, however for actual thrill seekers, backcountry snowboarding isn’t for everybody, however if you wish to get away from the resorts and have the talents, Colorado affords a few of the greatest backcountry snowboarding alternatives in the USA. Should you don’t have expertise, you possibly can be a part of a backcountry ski tour which is the most secure choice. Go along with an knowledgeable information who will scout avalanche hazard and the very best circumstances prematurely.
Even in case you by no means skied within the backcountry, you possibly can ski the very best bowls in Colorado with a information. By no means go into the backcountry with out expertise or a information. Locations like Vail and Steamboat Springs supply guided excursions.
The place to Go Again Nation Snowboarding
Aspen Expeditions Worldwide (Aspen): Affords guided backcountry snowboarding within the Aspen and Snowmass areas, catering to numerous ability ranges.
Colorado Journey Guides (Summit County): Gives guided excursions in areas like Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, and Keystone, appropriate for various expertise ranges.
San Juan Mountain Guides (Ouray and Telluride): Makes a speciality of guided backcountry excursions within the San Juan Mountains, recognized for his or her difficult terrain.
Irwin Guides (Crested Butte): Affords customized backcountry snowboarding experiences within the Elk Mountains, together with the well-known Crested Butte space.
Paragon Guides (Vail and Beaver Creek): Recognized for his or her hut-to-hut snowboarding journeys and backcountry excursions within the Vail Valley and surrounding areas.
Rocky Mountain Alpine Guides (Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park): Gives guided backcountry snowboarding within the beautiful terrain of Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park. Estes Park has quite a few backcountry snowboarding routes, notably round Bear Lake and Longs Peak
Don’t fear in case you don’t have the price range for heliskiing, die-hard backcountry snowboarders go mountaineering as much as the highest of the bowls. It makes the reward a lot extra price it!
13. Fats Biking
Mountain bikes remodel to fats bikes take over in winter and is without doubt one of the greatest winter actions in Colorado. Loads of locations supply fats biking leases the place you possibly can hit the paths and plow via snow. One of the best half? If you fall within the fluffy snow, it doesn’t damage!
Be sure that to verify the native path circumstances and climate forecasts. Some trails could require particular permits or have restrictions throughout sure instances of the 12 months.
The place to go Fats Biking in Colorado
Crested Butte: Usually considered one of many birthplaces of mountain biking, Crested Butte affords quite a few trails excellent for fats biking in winter.
Aspen/Snowmass: affords glorious fats biking trails, with leases and guided excursions available. T
Durango: This space affords quite a lot of trails which can be well-suited to winter fats biking. The Horse Gulch and Telegraph Path Techniques are native favorites, providing routes for all ability ranges.
Steamboat Springs: The world round Steamboat Springs is famend for its ‘Champagne Powder’ snow, which makes for glorious fats biking circumstances. The Yampa River Core Path and Emerald Mountain are in style spots.
Breckenridge: Breckenridge additionally boasts nice fats biking trails, with lovely winter landscapes. Boreas Go is a advisable path for a scenic and pleasing experience.
14. Canine Sledding
Canine sledding is a enjoyable approach to get into the backcountry in winter. We love canine sledding nearly as a lot because the sled canine like to run on the path. These canine had been made for winter. It is extremely essential to ebook dogsledding excursions with a good firm. Learn extra: Is Canine Sledding Merciless? The Misconceptions of Dogsledding
Breckenridge: Recognized for its ski slopes, Breckenridge additionally affords memorable canine sledding experiences via lovely snowy forests and meadows. Corporations like Good Occasions Adventures present guided excursions.
Winter Park: Canine Sled Rides of Winter Park and different native outfitters supply excursions via the scenic Fraser Valley, offering a mixture of exhilarating rides and alternatives to study mushing.
15. Ice Climbing
Colorado, affords distinctive mountaineering experiences, typically greatest loved with the experience of a information. Should you haven’t tried it earlier than, Mountaineering could be quite a lot of enjoyable. However like most of the adventures we advise right here, don’t go alone in case you don’t have expertise. There are many locations in Colorado that supply mountaineering programs and excursions.
The place to Go Ice Climbing in Colorado
Ouray Ice Park: Situated within the “Switzerland of America,” Ouray Ice Park boasts over 200 man-made ice and blended climbs, and quite a few guiding providers function right here, catering to all ability ranges.
Lake Metropolis: This space affords quite a lot of pure ice formations appropriate for climbing. It’s much less crowded than extra well-known spots, offering a extra serene expertise. A number of information providers in Lake Metropolis supply customized climbing adventures.
Vail Valley: Guided excursions can take you to hidden ice falls and frozen waterfalls within the surrounding areas, appropriate for each rookies and skilled climbers.
Telluride: The world affords a variety of routes, and native information providers present knowledgeable instruction and gear.
East Vail Chutes: This space is a little more difficult and is greatest suited to climbers with some expertise. Native guides can present a secure and exhilarating climbing expertise.
16. Snowshoe in Colorado
Snowshoeing is probably not thought of excessive, however it’s undoubtedly an excessive exercise. We’ve got performed a ton of snowshoeing and it is a wonderful approach to keep in form. Snowshoeing could be very tough when breaking path however it’s a lot simpler than mountaineering in winter. When mountaineering into the backcountry you’ll want to strap on a pair of snowshoes to chop via the deep snow as an alternative of falling in.
The place to Go Snowshoeing in Colorado
Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park: With its beautiful mountain landscapes, the park affords a variety of trails excellent for snowshoeing, akin to Bear Lake, Nymph Lake, and Emerald Lake trails.
Aspen and Snowmass: The world round these iconic ski cities offers quite a few trails with breathtaking views, appropriate for snowshoeing fans of all ranges.
Breckenridge: Apart from being a ski haven, the realm round Breckenridge has nice snowshoeing trails like Boreas Go, which provide scenic vistas and a peaceable ambiance.
Vail: The Vail Valley has a number of trails that are perfect for snowshoeing, offering a serene approach to discover the winter great thing about Colorado’s mountains.
Steamboat Springs: The world round Steamboat Springs is understood for its ‘Champagne Powder’ snow, excellent for a snowshoeing journey. The Uranium Mine Street and Fish Creek Falls path are in style decisions.
Telluride: The San Juan Mountains surrounding Telluride supply a few of the most dramatic landscapes for snowshoeing, with trails that cater to all ability ranges.
Crested Butte: Sometimes called the Nordic ski capital of Colorado, Crested Butte additionally affords distinctive snowshoeing alternatives with miles of scenic trails.
San Juan Mountains: This area, notably close to Ouray and Silverton, affords a few of the most picturesque snowshoeing within the state, with trails winding via serene, snow-covered forests and alongside frozen waterfalls.
Winter Packing Ideas
When planning a winter journey, you’ll be spending quite a lot of time outside in chilly climate. Be sure that to pack in layers together with breathable base layers made out of Mereno Wool, a heat insulating layer made and a water-resistant windproof outer layer.
You’ll be able to learn our full articles about winter packing right here: 5 Winter Layering Tricks to Costume for Excessive Chilly Climate
These are all the very best winter actions to do in Colorado. The Centennial state is a tremendous winter journey vacation spot. So what are you ready for? Get exterior and benefit from the snow and go to Colorado this winter.
