Winter in Colorado offers you entry to numerous 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.
Finest Issues to Do in Colorado in Winter
Visiting Colorado in winter transports you to a real winter wonderland. The Rockies remodel into a shocking snowy playground, perfect 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 sizzling cocoa and get into the vacation spirit. Colorado presents an ideal mix of journey and serenity, from exhilarating snowshoe hikes to stress-free in sizzling springs. So seize your ski gear and head out to the good outside as a result of these are one of the best issues to do in Colorado in winter.
1. Go Snowboarding or Snowboarding
Colorado is taken into account by many to be one of the 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 inexperienced persons, consultants, and everybody in between.
Due to Colorado’s excessive altitude, the snow is plentiful. It may be skied from October by April and is thought for being each dry and fluffy, making it good for snowboarding.
The place to go Snowboarding and Snowboarding in Colorado
Ski cities are scattered around Colorado, supplying you with loads of choices to select from.
- Vail has one of many largest resorts and a few of the finest and most numerous terrain in Colorado.
- For comfort to Denver, Breckenridge Ski Resort is the best choice for snowboarding in Colorado. You’ll 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 towns like Aspen or Vail.
- Howelsen Hill Ski Area is North America’s oldest working ski space. It’s the most cost-effective choice and is ideal for brand spanking new skiers.
- The Steamboat Resort offers 1,200 hectares of skiable terrain for all expertise ranges.
Winter Park Resort
Winter Park is unquestionably probably the most all spherical ski expertise in Colorado. Usually rated as the highest ski resort in North America, Winter Park Resort is the longest frequently working ski resort in Colorado and went by an enormous transformation when it was owned by Intrawest (The identical firm that reworked Mont Tremblant and Whistler into the dynamite ski resorts in Canada.
Famend for its expansive ski terrain, Winter Park presents slopes that cater to all talent ranges, from inexperienced persons 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 provide. From sundown snowshoes to downhill snowboarding on a ski bike, if presents distinctive experiences. It has guided night time snowboarding on its Ski & Trip by Headlamp tour, and even sleigh rides. Winter Park Resort is Colorado’s most full resort if you’re searching for a resort just like Whistler with a unbelievable 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 manner than downhill snowboarding, give cross-country or Nordic snowboarding a attempt. Yow will discover 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 impression exercise. Since you don’t want to purchase a raise ticket at one of many ski resorts, additionally it is a extra reasonably priced choice for snowboarding. As a substitute, you could find a spot with a day by day path cross.
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 may 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
Yow will discover snow-tubing hills all through Colorado.
The Coca Cola Tubing Hill at Winter Park and the Frisco Adventure 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 completely out of snow. Will probably be returning quickly on the mountain and has doubled in measurement with 8,000 sq. toes for visitors 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 website.
5. Sleigh Rides
Occurring a horse-drawn sleigh trip makes for an ideal household exercise, or may also be an ideal addition to a romantic getaway. Yow will discover sleigh rides that embody sizzling chocolate, cookies, and a few that may take you on to full meals.
The place to go for Sleigh Rides in Colorado
Yow will discover sleigh rides all through Colorado supplied at many resorts and journey facilities. There’s nothing fairly as romantic as a sleigh trip by a winter wonderland. whereas sipping sizzling cocoa as you watch the surroundings unfold.
6. Snowmobiling
For vacationers searching for one thing with just a little extra pace and energy, snowmobiling is one of the best exercise for you. In the event you drive by the mountains after contemporary snow you will note vehicles with snowmobile trailers lining the street.
The place to go Snowmobiling in Colorado
Being new to the world 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 provide snowmobiling excursions all through the winter.
7. Sizzling Springs
Colorado has a number of areas with sizzling springs that make for an effective way to loosen up and heat up throughout your journey. A soak shall be welcomed by your sore muscle mass after a day of snowboarding. Some sizzling springs are very true to nature whereas others are man-made swimming pools fed by pure sizzling springs. It doesn’t matter what you resolve you’ll love taking a dip within the springs to heat up.
Finest Sizzling Springs in Colorado
8. Horseback Driving
Horseback using is a year-round exercise in Colorado however is generally restricted to path rides or indoor classes. Lots of the ranches provide path rides that finish with sizzling chocolate. You by no means know if you should have a sunny day with views for miles or have snowflakes coming down as you make your manner by 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. Loosen up in Your Cabin
Reap the benefits of the wonderful cabins in Colorado in winter. With cozy fireplaces, personal sizzling tubs, and facilities that make you are feeling at residence whereas nonetheless being secluded in nature. There are tons of choices obtainable on VRBO or with trip rental companies, however be sure to e book early as one of the best ones can e book as much as a 12 months prematurely.
In search of a spot to remain in Colorado? Take a look at these Cozy Cabin Rentals to your subsequent Winter Getaway!
You too can discover cabins on the dude ranches all through Colorado. We have now 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 maintain the everyday winter chores like shoveling your snow for you and stocking your wood-burning range with firewood. Whether it is in your funds, that is one of the simplest 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 offer. The meals scene in Denver is consistently evolving with new microbreweries opening up and loads of variety of different choices. We have now seen a number of fashionable 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 recreation. The Bronco’s soccer season goes into early winter and Colorado Avalanche performs hockey by 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 unbelievable job showcasing one of the best winter actions in Colorado that they did. However Dave and I need to take issues up a notch and share a number 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 have now 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 abilities, Colorado presents a few of the finest backcountry snowboarding alternatives in america. In the event you don’t have expertise, you possibly can be part of a backcountry ski tour which is the most secure choice. Go along with an professional information who will scout avalanche hazard and one of the best circumstances prematurely.
Even when you by no means skied within the backcountry, you possibly can ski one of the 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 provide guided excursions.
The place to Go Again Nation Snowboarding
Aspen Expeditions Worldwide (Aspen): Provides guided backcountry snowboarding within the Aspen and Snowmass areas, catering to numerous talent 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, identified for his or her difficult terrain.
Irwin Guides (Crested Butte): Provides customized backcountry snowboarding experiences within the Elk Mountains, together with the well-known Crested Butte space.
Paragon Guides (Vail and Beaver Creek): Identified 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 gorgeous 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 when you don’t have the funds for heliskiing, die-hard backcountry snowboarders go mountaineering as much as the highest of the bowls. It makes the reward a lot extra value it!
13. Fats Biking
Mountain bikes remodel to fats bikes take over in winter and is without doubt one of the finest winter actions in Colorado. Loads of locations provide fats biking leases the place you possibly can hit the paths and plow by snow. The perfect half? Whenever you fall within the fluffy snow, it doesn’t damage!
Ensure to examine the native path circumstances and climate forecasts. Some trails might require particular permits or have restrictions throughout sure instances of the 12 months.
The place to go Fats Biking in Colorado
Crested Butte: Usually thought to be one of many birthplaces of mountain biking, Crested Butte presents quite a few trails good for fats biking in winter.
Aspen/Snowmass: presents wonderful fats biking trails, with leases and guided excursions available. T
Durango: This space presents a wide range 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 talent ranges.
Steamboat Springs: The world round Steamboat Springs is famend for its ‘Champagne Powder’ snow, which makes for wonderful 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 Move is a really helpful path for a scenic and satisfying trip.
14. Canine Sledding
Canine sledding is a enjoyable solution to get into the backcountry in winter. We love canine sledding nearly as a lot because the sled canines like to run on the path. These canines had been made for winter. It is vitally essential to e book dogsledding excursions with a good firm. Learn extra: Is Dog Sledding Cruel? The Misconceptions of Dogsledding
Breckenridge: Identified for its ski slopes, Breckenridge additionally presents memorable canine sledding experiences by lovely snowy forests and meadows. Firms like Good Instances Adventures present guided excursions.
Winter Park: Canine Sled Rides of Winter Park and different native outfitters provide excursions by the scenic Fraser Valley, offering a mixture of exhilarating rides and alternatives to study mushing.
15. Ice Climbing
Colorado, presents distinctive mountain climbing experiences, typically finest loved with the experience of a information. In the event you haven’t tried it earlier than, Mountaineering might be loads of enjoyable. However like lots of the adventures we recommend right here, don’t go alone when you don’t have expertise. There are many locations in Colorado that supply mountain climbing 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 companies function right here, catering to all talent ranges.
Lake Metropolis: This space presents a wide range 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 companies in Lake Metropolis provide personalised climbing adventures.
Vail Valley: Guided excursions can take you to hidden ice falls and frozen waterfalls within the surrounding areas, appropriate for each inexperienced persons and skilled climbers.
Telluride: The world presents a variety of routes, and native information companies present professional instruction and gear.
East Vail Chutes: This space is a little more difficult and is finest fitted to climbers with some expertise. Native guides can present a secure and exhilarating climbing expertise.
16. Snowshoe in Colorado
Snowshoeing will not be thought of excessive, however it’s undoubtedly an excessive exercise. We have now finished a ton of snowshoeing and it is a superb solution to keep in form. Snowshoeing might be very tough when breaking path however it’s a lot simpler than mountaineering in winter. When mountaineering into the backcountry it would be best to strap on a pair of snowshoes to chop by the deep snow as a substitute of falling in.
The place to Go Snowshoeing in Colorado
Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park: With its gorgeous mountain landscapes, the park presents a variety of trails good for snowshoeing, comparable 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 world round Breckenridge has nice snowshoeing trails like Boreas Move, which supply scenic vistas and a peaceable ambiance.
Vail: The Vail Valley has a number of trails that are perfect for snowshoeing, offering a serene solution to discover the winter great thing about Colorado’s mountains.
Steamboat Springs: The world round Steamboat Springs is thought for its ‘Champagne Powder’ snow, good for a snowshoeing journey. The Uranium Mine Street and Fish Creek Falls path are in style selections.
Telluride: The San Juan Mountains surrounding Telluride provide a few of the most dramatic landscapes for snowshoeing, with trails that cater to all talent ranges.
Crested Butte: Sometimes called the Nordic ski capital of Colorado, Crested Butte additionally presents distinctive snowshoeing alternatives with miles of scenic trails.
San Juan Mountains: This area, notably close to Ouray and Silverton, presents a few of the most picturesque snowshoeing within the state, with trails winding by serene, snow-covered forests and alongside frozen waterfalls.
Winter Packing Ideas
When planning a winter journey, you’ll be spending loads of time outside in chilly climate. Ensure 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 may learn our full articles about winter packing right here: 5 Winter Layering Tips to Dress for Extreme Cold Weather
These are all one of the best winter actions to do in Colorado. The Centennial state is an incredible winter journey vacation spot. So what are you ready for? Get outdoors and benefit from the snow and go to Colorado this winter.
