Colorado’s sun-soaked skies, powder-filled valleys and snowcapped peaks make it a winter wonderland filled with fun things to do, like snowmobiling, tubing, ice skating, snowshoeing, soaking in hot-springs pools and much more.
Hot Springs
What better way to warm up than with a soak in an all-natural, mineral-water hot spring? Here, you’ll have 30 to choose from, each with its own charms. At Ouray Hot Springs Pool, unwind in the soothing waters with striking views of hulking snowcapped peaks. Clothing-optional Orvis Hot Springs in Ridgway boasts massaging waterfalls and lithium-water springs said to enhance your feelings of relaxation. Meanwhile, Iron Mountain Hot Springs (which boasts a wheelchair designed for water, along with an accessible ramp) in Glenwood Springs has 16 pools of steaming natural mineral waters, all of which vary in temperature.
Read more about Colorado’s 30 hot springs.
Ice Skating
Enjoy some old-fashioned ice-skating fun at one of Colorado’s many outdoor rinks. For an urban setting, visit Old Town Square Rink in Fort Collins or Downtown Denver Rink. Both are located in lively pedestrian areas and are surrounded by charming shops and cafes. For a more mountainous venue, glide over to 40-acre Evergreen Lake, west of Denver, where you can spin on the ice and then cozy up to the fireplace in the rink’s warming hut. Keystone, Breckenridge, Beaver Creek, Vail, Lake City and Crested Butte are also favorite spots for a skate.
Read about more Colorado ice-skating rinks.
Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides
Warm, snuggle-ready blankets, crisp, winter air and the gentle jingle of bells tinkling to the rhythmic stride of strapping horses are hallmarks of Colorado sleigh rides.
So are elegant dinners, local Colorado wines, convivial conversation, roaring fires and decadent desserts. Sleigh rides in Colorado are much more than circling around a track; they’re fodder for vacation-defining moments and stories to share back home. Dude ranches, including those in Grand County and Steamboat Springs, are some of the best places to find fun sleigh rides.
Read more about Colorado sleigh rides.
Sledding/Tubing
Bundle up the kids in hats and mittens and head for the hills — that’s where you’ll find plenty of sled- and tube-friendly terrain. It’s hard for anyone not to emit a lighthearted giggle as you sail down the hill, catching a bit of air as you roll over gentle bumps. Try the hills at Vail, Keystone, Steamboat, Copper Mountain, Cuchara and Fraser. Lifts and tow ropes will lug your tube or sled to the top of the hills, giving you time for more runs.
Read more about Colorado tubing hills.
Ice Fishing
Sometimes the best parts of ice fishing have nothing to do with fish at all. Winter anglers reap some of the state’s most placid rewards: quiet landscapes, glimpses of early-morning light shimmering off a lake’s frozen ripples and solitary animal prints tracking across the surface. You can go the basic route and just cut a hole, set up a chair and wait for a bite. Or for a more sophisticated approach, you can rent an ice-fishing cabin. Get your Colorado fishing license.