Colorado Winter Bucket List

The Longest Run

At 5.3 miles, Longshot at Snowmass is the longest run in the state (and the fifth in the country). The blue run is accessed via a short hike from Elk Camp chair lift.

Visit a Fairytale (Ice) Castle

The Ice Castles are built using hundreds of thousands of icicles that are hand-placed by professional ice artists to create a winter wonderland. Lights illuminate the castles at night. This year the Castles will make an appearance in Cripple Creek, Colorado.

Soak in a Hot Spring

Colorado is home to dozens of natural hotsprings, some which are located in historic, century-old facilities and others which are literally off the side of the road, and winter is the ideal time to experience them.

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Try a New Trend

Uphillskiing is not entirely new, but it is gaining in popularity across Colorado, so expect to see more people skiing uphill this winter. In March, Aspen hosts the annual America’s Uphill, a race that attracts snowshoers, runners and Nordic skiers for a 2.5-mile and 3,000’+ vertical climb.

Après like a Legend

Aspen’s J Bar (inside Hotel Jerome) was a favorite hangout spot for gonzo journalist and novelist Hunter S. Thompson. It also happens to be a great spot for some aprés indulgence.

Watch the Masters

Colorado will once again host some of the best winter athletes in the world when the X Games returns to Aspen from Jan. 26. There will also be musical performances, interactive experiences, and cultural events,.X Games Aspen 2024 will feature free admission to X Fest, located at the base of Buttermilk, and include sponsor activations, athlete autograph signings, concessions, beer & wine garden, and free spectator competition viewing of Big Air, Knuckle Huck, and Slopestyle.

Spot Some Wildlife

We’ve teamed up with artist Todd Telander to present a guide to some of the wildlife you might spot in Colorado this winter. His magnificent illustrations bring the amazing diversity of wildlife in the state to life.

Snowmobile through Grand Lake

Claiming the title of Snowmobile Capital of Colorado, the area around Grand Lake has a lot of terrain for snowmobilers, but it is also legal to ride your snowmobile right through town.

Explore Beyond the Beaten Track

Colorado is home to dozens of huts, cabins, yurts and lodges, many of which are so remote you have to snowshoe or Nordic ski to them. We rounded up over a dozen options for a winter adventure.

Celebrate Art

Bauhaus, one of the most influential art and design schools in history, is over 100 years old. Read about how it influenced and shaped Aspen into what it is today.

Say Cheese

Colorado is home to great artisan producers of all kinds of things. We spoke to a few cheese producers about their products; they also suggested a few libations you can pair with their cheeses. Consider giving the gift of cheese this Xmas.

Heli Skiing

The San Juan Mountains offer some of the most incredible scenery anywhere, and the tens of thousands of acres of untouched terrain can be accessed in winter - for a price. There are a couple of operators in the state, including one in Silverton (read our 24-hour guide to Silverton here) that offer everything, from single drops to day-long adventures.

Discover Aspen

Read our feature story on one of the world’s most well-known ski resort towns and discover a few things you may not know.

Scale a Frozen Cliff Face

The quaint mountain community of Ouray is home to the world’s first ice climbing park. With over 200 different routes, the park has some of the best winter climbing in the nation. Try to catch the four-day ice climbing festival from Jan. 18 - 21.

National Parks

Colorado’s four national parks offer a slew of activities in winter, from the snow-capped peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park to the groomed Nordic ski trails of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Click here for even more ideas for the Black Canyon.

Fat Tire Fest

The 2024 Fat Bike World Championships will be held in Leadville in January. The three-day celebration of everything fat bike includes a four-lap race of the 5.5 mile course that has a total of 447 feet of climbing per lap. The fun race will consist of three laps while the enduro race is a multi-stage timed descent of Leadville's Historic East Side Mining District.

Montly T Shirt Club

Picture this: a fresh, high-quality T-shirt delivered to your doorstep each month, featuring the coolest logos from iconic Colorado destinations. From the majestic peaks of Aspen to the vibrant streets of Denver, our monthly subscription brings the spirit of the Centennial State right to your wardrobe. Elevate your fashion game, showcase your love for the Rockies, and collect a unique piece of Colorado charm with every delivery. Join the Tee Subscription and wear your Rocky Mountain pride wherever life takes you!