Top Winter Activities in Colorado

Winter Activities in Colorado

When there’s a chill in the air and the first snowflakes begin to fall, many people have the urge to begin hibernation, snuggle up under heavy blankets on the loveseat and binge watch Netflix. However, that gets boring fast, and there is so much to do in Colorado, even during the winter! So get up, revel in the start of a joyous season and head outside for one of these winter activities!

Skiing/Slopes

Would this even be a list of winter activities without mentioning the abundance of ski slopes in our backyard? Colorado’s sun-filled skies, and powder filled valleys create a winter wonderland for skiers and snowboarders. There are 25 ski resorts to choose from, but everyone has their personal favorite for different reasons.

Lexi loves Keystone, because of their night skiing and firework shows. Lauren personally prefers Winter Park because it’s not quite as touristy as many of the others ski resorts in proximity to the front range area. Obviously, while hitting the slopes are often times the first thing people think of, there are a multitude of winter activities beyond skiing and boarding.

Snowshoeing
Just because there’s snow on the ground doesn’t mean hiking isn’t an option! Strapping on a pair of snowshoes gives you access to backcountry trails filled with the beautiful scenery of snow covered valleys and peaceful evergreen trees. Rocky Mountain National Park offers numerous well developed, but serene trails, and Copper Mountain offers free snowshoeing tours if you want to get a feel for this snowy activity. Lexi just recently went snowshoeing at Heart Lake and loved every second of it! Feral Wilderness offers $12 snowshoe rentals, and frequently organizes community outdoor events, so check out their website for more winter activities from them.

Ice Skating

For a less physically strenuous day, ice-skating is a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors. Denver, Fort Collins & Boulder all have rinks that are located in lively pedestrian areas filled with cafes and shops. There’s nothing better than a cup of hot chocolate and a blanket after a brisk skating session, check out our top recommendations for hot chocolate in Denver! For a less urban venue, head over to the 40 acre, Evergreen Lake, where you can take a spin on the ice, and then relax in the rink’s warming hut.

Hot Springs

If none of these are up your alley, then no worries! Another option is to run off to the hot springs to soak the cold away. Sometimes spending a steamy day relaxing in the soothing waters is better than freezing in the snow. Colorado has an abundance of springs, from Strawberry Park Hot Springs in Steamboat, to Glenwood Springs, to the Pagosa Springs.