When the snow finally starts to stick around, Denver locals can take full advantage of all the awesome winter activities that this colorful state offers. From powdery slopes to romantic horse-drawn carriage rides, Colorado boasts a bevy of snow-themed activities for city dwellers and mountain enthusiasts.
That said, here are some of our favorite Denver winter activities.
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Related: A Guide to Denver’s Neighborhoods
Denver’s Most Exciting Winter Activities
Search for the Perfect Powder
Fortunately for residents, Colorado is home to some of the world’s best terrain, ready to welcome novices and experts alike. Affordable season passes let powder hounds ski all season long for a much cheaper price than buying multiple day passes. So, load up the gang and head to your favorite resort. When your toes get a little too cold, warm up in the lodge with a Bloody Mary or Irish Coffee.
Hot Tip: Get on the highway early if you plan to hit the slopes for the day. Coloradans love a good ‘pow’ day and traffic turns bumper-to-bumper real fast.
Snowshoe in the Shadow of the Rockies
Rocky Mountain National Park showcases spectacular beauty and fewer crowds during the snowier months. Rent snowshoes from an outdoor store and pack a picnic lunch. Hike along cross country ski trails through snow-blanketed trees. Take in the silence of a wintery forest and the cold, crisp air during a gentle, picturesque mountain excursion.
Hot Tip: Bring lots of water! Colorado is very dry, and you may not realize how much water you need at this altitude, especially when active in the cold outdoors.
Après Skiing
For those of us who don’t enjoy ripping down the mountain, we can still enjoy Colorado’s charming mountain towns. Bundle up and bar hop along snowy main streets with tired skiers ready to kick back. Better yet, book a stay at one of the many elegant resorts, and watch the snowfall from the comfort of a gorgeous outdoor hot tub.
Throughout ski season, many mountain towns host winter festivals, carnivals, and outdoor concerts. Check out your favorite locale’s event calendar, and plan to stay the weekend to enjoy a full Colorado ski-town experience.
Our Ski-Town Picks:
Breckenridge, CO: International Snow Sculpture Championships
Vail, CO: Burton U.S. Open Championships
Aspen, CO: X Games
Hot Tip: Head out on the town before the lifts close, so you guarantee yourself a spot at the local favorite bars.
Hot Springs
Not far from Denver, numerous hot springs offer healing and replenishment within their mineral-laden waters. If the winter weather gets you down, head to Indian Hot Springs in Idaho Springs for a unique experience. Book a private tub, or soak in the communal, indoor hot springs.
If you want to make a vacation out of it, head to Steamboat Springs and dip yourself in the natural outdoor pools of Strawberry Hot Springs. Stay in the warmth of the pools while watching snow fall all around you in the colder months. For those really seeking adventure, head to Joyful Journey Hot Springs just outside of Alamosa. Natural, outdoor pools speckle the mountainside, and clothing is optional.
Hot Tip: Most hot springs sit within driving distance of Denver, and many also offer a hiking option, so you can get some exercise in before relaxing in the naturally heated pools.
Take a Tour
Can’t fathom taking to the streets just after a snow storm? Stick around town and book an indoor tour. Denver’s winter activities include numerous educational experiences. From microbrewery excursions to history tours, our city’s tour groups run the gamut. Interested in learning more about Denver’s haunted past? Book a ghost tour. Feeling hungry? Pamper your inner chef with a food tour that hits some of Denver’s hottest restaurants.
Venture a little further and partake in a snowmobile or dog-sledding tour in one of Colorado’s many ski towns. Winterpark, Aspen, Vail, and Breckenridge deliver amazing winter tour options that take guests outdoors to enjoy nature and make lasting memories.
Hot Tip: Tours can be expensive, but don’t worry. Denver offers some free excursions, including a behind-the-scenes walkthrough of Hammond’s Candy Factory to satisfy your sweet tooth, or learn about the history and architecture of some of Denver’s most famous attractions with a self-guided audio tour. If you’re more of a DIY kind of person, read up on Denver’s up-and-coming neighborhoods and explore them for yourself.
Ice Skate around Town
Bring out your inner child with an evening of ice skating at Skyline Park. Glide gracefully, or plod along, under pretty lights with a full view of Denver’s growing skyline. To escape the city for a short while, get out of town and enjoy ice skating in Old Town Fort Collins or at Evergreen Lake. Both of these locations have awesome dive bars, unique restaurants, and picturesque scenery. Plus, each is only an hour’s drive from Denver.
Hot Tip: Skyline Park offers free music on the ice on Friday nights from 7pm to 9pm, so come ready to ice skate to Denver’s top DJs.
Museums
As Denver continues to grow, it attracts plenty of artists, makers, and musicians who add to its colorful cultural tapestry. The Denver Art Museum consistently puts on fantastic exhibits on a rotating basis. The Museum of Contemporary Art is not only interesting to look at, but also houses some truly inspiring works by modern artists.
Hot Tip: For a different take on the traditional museum, head to the Denver Botanic Gardens and warm up in the greenhouse. With the amount of humidity and numerous tropical plants, you’ll feel like you’re in the tropics. Sort of.
Cold weather never slows folks down in the Mile-High City. Whether you crave some new scenery, want to learn something new, or simply wish to kick back with friends and enjoy a beer (psst… here are our top Denver brewery picks), Denver’s got you covered this winter.
Hit the Slopes from Your New Luxury Apartment
Now that you sorted out your Denver winter activities, let AptAmigo help you find your dream apartment. Reach out and let us know your preferences and lifestyle, and we will coordinate your tours to make your apartment hunt stress-free, and maybe even a little fun.
Up Next: Seattle Vs. Denver
* The original version of this article was first published on February 11, 2020.
Abigail is a freelance writer who loves exploring new places, especially in the Southwest, and lived in her van during the Covid-19 pandemic. When she's not working on writing gigs to support her #vanlife endeavors, she loves packrafting alpine lakes, floating lazy rivers, and trail running.
