Your Ultimate Guide To Winter Attractions And Activities In Colorado
Tori Jane
Author
Everyone knows that Colorado is an amazing place to be, whether you’re only visiting or you’re lucky enough to live here. It’s jaw-droppingly photogenic in almost every single place you can possibly wander off to; it’s filled top-to-bottom with incredible hiking trails, many of which are some of the best in the nation. In the winter, though, it really shines – Colorado’s tourism cranks up during ski season, and even if you’re not skiing, you know there’s plenty to do in the Centennial State when it’s chilly out. Check out our warm-n-cozy guide to the chilliest time of year in Colorful Colorado – winter might just become your new favorite season out here.
Holiday Events in Colorado
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas (and the holidays in general)! Of course, given its status as a winter wonderland, there are countless wonderful holiday events in Colorado that you, your friends, and your whole family are sure to love. Check out some of our favorite holiday events in Colorado and make some plans to check them out – you’ll find all kinds of wonderful new traditions along the way!
1. Christmas Lights Display: Garden of Lights
Situated in beautiful northern Colorado is Fort Collins, and every year, Fort Collins is home to one of the best Christmas lights displays in the state. The jaw-dropping Garden of Lights is amazing fun for the whole fam, and you’d have to be the ultimate Grinch not to have the time of your life. Hundreds of thousands of lights, Santa, a dog troupe (you read that right) and more will make this an unforgettable fun time. This year’s festivities take place from Friday, December 8 until Saturday, December 23, 2023, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.; gates close at 8 p.m. so plan accordingly!
2. Tree Lighting: Estes Park's Tree Lighting Ceremony
Estes Park's Tree Lighting Ceremony is a longtime tradition going back more than six decades and still going strong. This year’s delights include pictures with Santa, holiday craft kits, horse-drawn wagon rides, and llama photo ops – plus more! Once you’re done at the tree lighting, be sure to explore the incredible winter wonderland that is the Estes Park Holiday Trail. It’s a can’t miss. Even better still, Estes Park is right next door to Rocky Mountain National Park, so come discover the best parts of a Colorado winter.
3. Holiday Festivals: Rio Frio Ice Festival
The Rio Frio Ice Festival is a long-time tradition in Alamosa complete with ice carving competitions, a chilly 5K run (on the frozen river), a polar plunge (which is exactly what it sounds like), an ice carousel, fat bike races, and SO much more. This is a wonderfully fun family tradition you’ll find yourself excited for next year, and we don’t blame you. This season’s festivities take place from January 26th through January 28th, 2024.
4. Long-Time Traditions: The Breckenridge International Snow Sculpture Championships
It’s tough to find anyone who’s lived in Colorado for their entire life and has never been to the epic Breckenridge International Snow Sculpture Championships at least once. Free to attend, this incredible local tradition will blow your mind – never in your life will you have ever dreamed of doing this with snow. Taking place in late January each and every year for many decades, this season’s festivities will run from January 22, 2024, until January 31, 2024.
Christmas Towns In Colorado
Colorado’s small towns are known for being photogenic and wonderful to visit, with plenty of things to see, do, and experience while you’re here. If you’re here during the winter, why not check out some of the best winter towns in Colorado? Some could even be considered truly magical Christmas towns in Colorado if you’re someone who celebrates. Visit some of the best of the best this season!
5. Telluride
Telluride is a beautiful small town in Colorado that really comes into its own every winter. There’s always something going on to celebrate the season, including things like the Polar Express, sleigh rides, nostalgic holiday movie screenings, Santa's workshop, and more. This town is gorgeous year-round, but when it’s cold outside it might just be at its best.
6. Breckenridge
One does not simply enjoy winter in Colorado without a visit (or ten) to Breck. Every winter, the entire town transforms into a stunning wonderland complete with dozens of family-friendly activities going on day in and day out to ensure you have the best season ever. With drive-thru (and walk-thru) light displays, a Polar Express train ride, festivals, lights, and so much more, you’ll never have reason to be bored during winter in Breckenridge, Colorado. This little slice of heaven nestled in the Colorado Rockies is home to incredibly unique breweries, the Breckenridge Nordic Center, a fun tubing hill, and more. This is one of those ski towns you might just want to live in someday.
7. Frisco
Known affectionately as the Main Street of the Rockies, Frisco is a short drive west from Denver and offers plenty of cold-weather delights each and every season that’ll surely make you want to keep coming back. Enjoy events like Wassail Days, a festival dedicated to the popular spiced cider of the same name, and then peruse the shops, which are always lit up and decorated to the nines. Breakfast with Santa, a winter bazaar, and more – what else could you hope for? Must-do outdoor attractions include Copper Mountain, which is home to the Copper Mountain Resort East Village ski area and other fun things. What is it about these mountain towns that’s so special? We’re not sure, but we sure are grateful for it.
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8. Manitou Springs
The adorable little town of Manitou Springs is another Colorado town that just gets better when it’s cold. With its downtown all lit up in sparkling lights, a tree lighting ceremony you’ll never forget, the Heritage Center Holiday Market, and more, there’s plenty to do, see, and experience while you’re in Manitou Springs for the winter. It’s photogenic, friendly, and everything you could ever hope for in a winter town. Best of all, it’s not far at all from Colorado Springs - so make it a two-in-one day! Travel less than two hours south and you’ll find yourself at some other wondrous places, like Royal Gorge - which looks awesome covered in a layer of snow. To the west is Pikes Peak. The adventure is only limited by your imagination, and Manitou Springs makes for a great starting point.
9. Durango
Looking like something out of a Normal Rockwell Painting, the town of Durango feels more like something you’d see in a movie than a place you can visit any time you’d like. It’s incredibly photogenic and truly is the essence of the word “idyllic”; the whole town seems to go all-in for an amazing experience this time of year. There’s the world-famous Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair at La Plata County Fairgrounds, a winter holiday market, decorations and lights galore, and so much more. You can’t possibly go wrong with a winter adventure in Durango!
Outdoor Activities
Colorado might just be at its all-time best in the winter. After all, there are a lot of amazing reasons tourism spikes in our little state at this time – it’s truly amazing! So, how do you know where to begin? Check out our favorite outdoor activities to do in Colorado during the winter – you’ll be amazed at just how many options you truly have, from ice skating and snow tubing to skiing, snowboarding, and so much more. There’s just something so perfectly idyllic about our landscapes covered in snow, so let’s go out and enjoy them.
10. Ice Skating: The Parker Ice Trail at Discovery Park
Now, you can go ice skating in Colorado… or you can really go ice skating in Colorado. The Parker Ice Trail is amazingly unique and something you can only find here – how lucky for us! Instead of a traditional round or rectangular rink, the Parker Ice Trail is pretty much what it sounds like it should be: a rink that meanders and flows on what looks to be a lazy river, allowing guests to explore the park on foot (or should we say “on skate”?). Opening day for the 2023 season is Friday, November 24 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. - come out and play! Ice skating is one of the best winter sports there is, and this little spot puts a whole new spin on it.
11. Snow Tubing: Keystone Ski Resort
The legendary longest snow tubing run in Colorado is found each and every winter at Keystone Ski Resort, which is truly some of the most fun you’ll ever have in the snow. Tubing goes from 10:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. and everyone must be at least three and a half feet tall and older than four years. Trust us, this is one incredible day trip you’ll never forget – and neither will the kids. Yee-haw! Visit the official Keystone Resort website to book your tickets ahead of time.
12. Winter Hikes: Everywhere!
Winter in Colorado is an amazing time to get outdoors – seriously! There’s a downright amazing number of idyllic winter hikes in Colorado that are sure to make you fall in love with the beauty of our state all over again. Best of all, no matter where you are, you’ll find some amazing cold-weather trails nearby. Check out some of our favorite winter hiking trails near Denver if you need a place to start! These are typically excellent trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing as well. Sometimes the backcountry is the best winter park of them all. Some hikes are excellent for beginners, and others are more suited for experts. Take your pick and enjoy!
Winter Getaways
Ah, yes: the winter getaway. Winter’s a pretty romantic time if you ask us; it’s the best possible time to steal away with your special someone or, in other circumstances, for a little self-care on a solo journey. In Colorado, the destination and the journey are what matters, and during autumn, this is especially apparent. From gorgeous cottages to snowy cabins, hot springs, and the good old-fashioned ski resort, the winter getaways in Colorado are only as limited as your imagination. If resorts aren’t your thing, maybe cabins are, and if can’t aren’t, perhaps a wonderfully unique Airbnb vacation home is in order. It’s up to you! Escape to Colorado ASAP.
13. Snowy Cabin: Pioneer Guest Cabins
Check out the luxurious escape from real life that was called the “coziest cabin in America” some time back – and for good reason! Truly, its warm and cozy atmosphere makes it ideal for an escape during the winter. Take your pick from a nice, cozy studio cabin to a gorgeous three-bedroom delight – it's up to you. There are eight total on ten acres – you don’t need to socialize if you don’t want to! Snowed in? No problem – and it’s not every day you can say that! If this one isn’t perfect (or isn’t available for the dates you’d like), no worries – there are tons of other amazing winter cabins in Colorado to fall in love with.
14. Hot Springs: The Springs Resort & Spa
What’s better than soaking in a pristine hot spring while snow gently falls around you? Very, very little. With 23 incredible pools all originating from the world’s deepest geothermal spring, temperatures at The Springs Resort and Spa vary from 87 degrees to 114 degrees. Find your perfect temperature and relax the whole day away at one of the best hot springs in Colorado. This is luxurious natural comfort at its best. There are plenty of other natural hot springs in Colorado, too, so if you fall madly in love with this one you’ll have plenty more to love, too.
15. Skiing/Snowboarding Resort: The Little Nell
Lovers of all things luxurious, The Little Nell (or more affectionately known as “The Nell” by the regulars) is probably one of the best ski resorts in Colorado - if not the nation! With so much more than “just” skiing to be done, this is an experience worthy of repeating at least once or twice. The views surrounding the lodge are incredible; it’s impossible to take a bad picture of it. There are wine tastings, villas to stay in, stunningly beautiful rooms, world-class dining, and so much more. Little Nell is not just a ski resort – it's an experience. Even if you and yours aren’t skiers, it’s fine - you’ll absolutely love this incredible bucket list escape from the real world. When visiting Colorado, why not go for the best? It’s something to shoot for, especially in the winter months.
Colorado really, truly is one of the single best winter escape destinations in the US, and if you live here, all the better! You’ll never get bored of this stunningly colorful, photogenic state no matter what time of year you visit, but winter really is something totally unique and special. Truly, what other states get more visitors when it’s cold and snowy out than anyone else? Colorful Colorado, as it turns out, is also beautiful when blanketed in a sheet of pure white – go outside and fall in love with the outdoors all over again!
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