Here are ten cool winter activities you can find off the slopes:
Unsplash / J G D
4751 East Roxborough Drive, Littleton
303-973-3959
Located a little over thirty minutes from downtown Denver, Roxborough State Park is one of the area’s best places to cross-country ski and snowshoe. (It's also great for hiking while you wait for the snow.) Rent gear from REI or cart your own to experience up to 5.8 miles of designated trails, including the easy Willow Creek Trail and more challenging Fountain Valley Loop. Take in views of dramatic red rock formations while gliding across the terrain, which is best experienced after heavy snowfall. Purchase a $10 daily vehicle pass to experience this winter activity, or display a Keep Colorado Wild Pass, included with in-state vehicle registrations.
Fat Tire Biking with Front Range Ride Guides
Various locations in metro Denver
720-470-1627
Pedal through the foothills with Front Range Ride Guides, the area’s only outfitter to offer winter fat-biking tours. All experiences are tailored to participants’ abilities and preferences, and those new to the sport are welcome. Half-day tours are limited to ten people and start at $129 per person. Expect a custom-tailored trail ride, tips from a professional guide, a sized and tuned fat-bike rental and, of course, post-ride beers.
Bridgestone Winter Driving School
2300 Mount Werner Circle, Steamboat Springs
970-879-6104
Winter driving safety classes with Bridgestone instructors will make you better prepared for slick lanes and ski traffic — skills that are sure to be valuable this season. But those who view their vehicles as more than a means of transport should opt for its performance driving classes. Tailored to aspiring racers and enthusiasts, these one- and two-day lessons overview tricks and techniques that guarantee fun. Pricing varies by class, and registration is available online.
Who doesn't love racing through the snowscapes?
Unsplash / Nate Johnston
78311 U.S. 40, Suite 100, Winter Park
970-726-9247
Grand Adventures guides snowmobilers to the top of the Continental Divide, offering panoramic views from nearly 12,000 feet above sea level. This two-hour tour is beginner-friendly and features single-track trails through forests and powder-covered meadows. Opt for the three-hour tour to see even more terrain, or rent a machine for an unguided experience in Winter Park or Grand Lake. View additional options, pricing and reservation availability on the website.
Base Village Ice Rink
49 Wood Road, Snowmass Village
970-924-6054
thecollectivesnowmass.com/ice-rink
Set beneath the slopes in the center of Snowmass Village, this family-friendly rink welcomes guests with free ice skating, rentals included. Collect your skates from a vintage Airstream and then circle laps under twinkling lights. Shops, restaurants and après ski cocktails are just steps from the rink, as are outdoor fireplaces for staying warm. Ice skate between 1 to 9 p.m. during the Aspen Snowmass ski season, through April 14; visit between 3 and 5 p.m. on select Thursdays from January 4 to February 22 to participate in the Game of Stones curling series.
WorldSprings at Iron Mountain Hot Springs features ten destination-inspired pools.
Iron Mountain Hot Springs
281 Centennial Street, Glenwood Springs
970-945-4766
ironmountainhotsprings.com
Skip the flights and leave your passport at home: Iron Mountain Hot Springs's new WorldSprings expansion features ten experience pools, each formulated with minerals found in famous hot springs around the globe. For example, the Blue Lagoon pool is rich in silica, potassium and boron, just as you would find in Iceland’s natural spring. Other destinations that inspired WorldSprings include Soda Springs, New Zealand; Kirsehir, Turkey; and Osaek Hot Springs in South Korea. Adult beverages from the new Sandbar Cafe are allowed in pools and complement the 21+ experience, available with reservations. Pricing starts at $46 for a three-hour soak and grants access to the resort’s 32 total pools.
Ouray Ice Park
280 County Road 361, Ouray
970-325-4288
ourayicepark.com
Ice climbing is certainly niche, but Ouray Ice Park serves more than just experts. The free park is open to the public, and several guide companies, such as Mountain Trip and San Juan Mountain Guides, teach courses for all ages and abilities. Half- and full-day classes are available, as are multi-day courses that vary in costs; pricing varies among outfitters. If this adrenaline-pumping experience isn’t quite your thing, visit as a spectator during the ice festival and climbing competition scheduled for January 18 to 21.
Royal Gorge Route Railroad
401 Water Street, Cañon City
719-276-4000
royalgorgeroute.com
This holiday season, climb aboard the Santa Express Train through the spectacular Royal Gorge. Marvel at the mighty Arkansas River and the icy granite walls reaching nearly 1,000 feet high, or book a night tour to see festive displays featuring over 50,000 twinkling lights. Hot cocoa, cookies and greetings from Santa add to the charming experience. Tours are ninety minutes in length, and up to four daily departures are available through December 30, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day excluded. Book tickets online, starting at $94 per adult and $84 per child ages one to twelve.
Two Below Zero Sleigh Rides
616 Recreation Way, Frisco
970-453-1520
dinnersleighrides.com
What fun it is to ride with Two Below Zero, a sleigh ride service that operates within Frisco Adventure Park. Pulled by teams of draft mules, its sleighs whisk bundled-up guests across the snowy landscape and arrive at the warm dinner tent after a scenic twenty-minute ride. The experience continues with a hearty three-course meal, accompanied by country, folk and rock-and-roll tunes by local musician David Peel. Beneath a blanket of stars, a return sleigh ride completes the evening. Priced at $109 per adult and $79 per child ages four to twelve; make reservations by calling 970-453-1520 or completing the online form.
Tennessee Pass Nordic Center
East Tennessee Road, Leadville
719-486-8114
tennesseepass.com
Set adjacent to the Ski Cooper base area, the Tennessee Pass Nordic Center offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing experiences, plus backcountry dining and warm sleeping yurts. It’s a rustic retreat, but with four-course dinners, down comforters and wood stoves; guests are by no means roughing it. Over sixteen miles of groomed trails are open to overnight and daytime visitors of all skill levels. Rentals and lessons are available on-site, and day passes start at just $25 per adult. Children ages seven to twelve are $18 each, and those under six years old receive free access during winter operating hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Visit the website for this year’s opening-day announcement.
and still to come:
Amtrak Winter Park Express
Denver to Winter Park
You don't need to ski to enjoy this ride to the slopes. On January 12, the Amtrak Winter Park Express will start its seventh season, offering forty round trips between Denver's Union Station and Winter Park, the ski resort owned by the city of Denver. Service will be provided every Friday, Saturday and Sunday starting the weekend of January 12-14 through the weekend of March 29-31. And new for 2024 and due to popular demand, additional holiday service will be offered on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, January 15) and Presidents’ Day (Monday, February19); there will also be “bonus Thursday” roundtrips on march 14 and March 21. Check prices and make reservations here.
Hoedown Hill
1775 RainDance National Drive, Windsor
970-686-5828
In addition to being Colorado’s newest ski area, Hoedown Hill is the state’s latest snow-tubing spot. Take a thrilling ride down the Bushwhacker, a 1,200-foot slope that claims fame as the longest hill in North America. Between it and the more mellow Greenhorn Hill, which has no restrictions on age and height, the attraction features eighteen groomed tubing lanes that can be experienced in two-hour time blocks. Hoedown Hill will be open Thursday to Monday during the winter season, and tube rentals are available on site; sign up for its newsletter to be the first to know about opening day and pricing.
280 County Road 361, Ouray
970-325-4288
ourayicepark.com
Ice climbing is certainly niche, but Ouray Ice Park serves more than just experts. The free park is open to the public, and several guide companies, such as Mountain Trip and San Juan Mountain Guides, teach courses for all ages and abilities. Half- and full-day classes are available, as are multi-day courses that vary in costs; pricing varies among outfitters. If this adrenaline-pumping experience isn’t quite your thing, visit as a spectator during the ice festival and climbing competition scheduled for January 18 to 21.
Royal Gorge Route Railroad
401 Water Street, Cañon City
719-276-4000
royalgorgeroute.com
This holiday season, climb aboard the Santa Express Train through the spectacular Royal Gorge. Marvel at the mighty Arkansas River and the icy granite walls reaching nearly 1,000 feet high, or book a night tour to see festive displays featuring over 50,000 twinkling lights. Hot cocoa, cookies and greetings from Santa add to the charming experience. Tours are ninety minutes in length, and up to four daily departures are available through December 30, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day excluded. Book tickets online, starting at $94 per adult and $84 per child ages one to twelve.
Embrace a new holiday tradition.
Unsplash / Andrea Stark
616 Recreation Way, Frisco
970-453-1520
dinnersleighrides.com
What fun it is to ride with Two Below Zero, a sleigh ride service that operates within Frisco Adventure Park. Pulled by teams of draft mules, its sleighs whisk bundled-up guests across the snowy landscape and arrive at the warm dinner tent after a scenic twenty-minute ride. The experience continues with a hearty three-course meal, accompanied by country, folk and rock-and-roll tunes by local musician David Peel. Beneath a blanket of stars, a return sleigh ride completes the evening. Priced at $109 per adult and $79 per child ages four to twelve; make reservations by calling 970-453-1520 or completing the online form.
Tennessee Pass Nordic Center
East Tennessee Road, Leadville
719-486-8114
tennesseepass.com
Set adjacent to the Ski Cooper base area, the Tennessee Pass Nordic Center offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing experiences, plus backcountry dining and warm sleeping yurts. It’s a rustic retreat, but with four-course dinners, down comforters and wood stoves; guests are by no means roughing it. Over sixteen miles of groomed trails are open to overnight and daytime visitors of all skill levels. Rentals and lessons are available on-site, and day passes start at just $25 per adult. Children ages seven to twelve are $18 each, and those under six years old receive free access during winter operating hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Visit the website for this year’s opening-day announcement.
and still to come:
Amtrak Winter Park Express
Denver to Winter Park
You don't need to ski to enjoy this ride to the slopes. On January 12, the Amtrak Winter Park Express will start its seventh season, offering forty round trips between Denver's Union Station and Winter Park, the ski resort owned by the city of Denver. Service will be provided every Friday, Saturday and Sunday starting the weekend of January 12-14 through the weekend of March 29-31. And new for 2024 and due to popular demand, additional holiday service will be offered on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, January 15) and Presidents’ Day (Monday, February19); there will also be “bonus Thursday” roundtrips on march 14 and March 21. Check prices and make reservations here.
Hoedown Hill
1775 RainDance National Drive, Windsor
970-686-5828
In addition to being Colorado’s newest ski area, Hoedown Hill is the state’s latest snow-tubing spot. Take a thrilling ride down the Bushwhacker, a 1,200-foot slope that claims fame as the longest hill in North America. Between it and the more mellow Greenhorn Hill, which has no restrictions on age and height, the attraction features eighteen groomed tubing lanes that can be experienced in two-hour time blocks. Hoedown Hill will be open Thursday to Monday during the winter season, and tube rentals are available on site; sign up for its newsletter to be the first to know about opening day and pricing.
Ice Castles
339 East Irene Avenue, Cripple Creek
icecastles.com/colorado
After disappearing for two seasons, Ice Castles will return to Colorado and draw crowds to its new location in Cripple Creek, which is known for its annual ice festival (February 17-25). This dream-like attraction will dazzle guests with its intricate ice-carved caverns, tunnels, archways and all-ages slides, which glow vibrant colors in the night. The frozen fairytale experience aims to open by late December or early January, weather permitting. On Mondays to Thursdays, admission will be $21 per adult and $16 per child ages four to eleven; Fridays to Sundays and dates around the holidays are priced at $27 per adult and $22 per child.
Ruby Hill Rail Yard
Ruby Hill Park, 1200 West Florida Avenue
720-913-1311
The country’s first free urban terrain park, Ruby Hill Rail Yard makes freestyle skiing and riding accessible and affordable for all skill levels. In previous years, on-site gear rentals were $20 and free on select dates. The season is weather-dependent, but the park has opened as early as January and closed as late as March. Check its Facebook page for updates and look forward to gliding across its boxes and rails later in the season.
339 East Irene Avenue, Cripple Creek
icecastles.com/colorado
After disappearing for two seasons, Ice Castles will return to Colorado and draw crowds to its new location in Cripple Creek, which is known for its annual ice festival (February 17-25). This dream-like attraction will dazzle guests with its intricate ice-carved caverns, tunnels, archways and all-ages slides, which glow vibrant colors in the night. The frozen fairytale experience aims to open by late December or early January, weather permitting. On Mondays to Thursdays, admission will be $21 per adult and $16 per child ages four to eleven; Fridays to Sundays and dates around the holidays are priced at $27 per adult and $22 per child.
Ruby Hill Rail Yard
Ruby Hill Park, 1200 West Florida Avenue
720-913-1311
The country’s first free urban terrain park, Ruby Hill Rail Yard makes freestyle skiing and riding accessible and affordable for all skill levels. In previous years, on-site gear rentals were $20 and free on select dates. The season is weather-dependent, but the park has opened as early as January and closed as late as March. Check its Facebook page for updates and look forward to gliding across its boxes and rails later in the season.
