Colorado is a snowy wonderland during the winter months. Skiing and snowboarding may be the first things to come to mind when you think of Colorado in the winter and while these activities are pure bliss, there are also other activities you should consider as well.
You can even visit one of the many dispensaries in Colorado to add even more of an interesting perspective on some or all of the many winter activities Colorado has to offer.
Here are some fun Colorado winter activities that you won’t want to miss out on:
1. Heli-Skiing
Why ride a ski lift to the top of a mountain when you can be airlifted by helicopter? If you’re into an adrenaline rush, take a helicopter to the top of a mountain, leap out of a perfectly good helicopter, land on a downward slope, and shred your way down the mountain through the untouched natural terrain.
2. Snowkiting
Enjoy kite surfing on the water? Why not switch out the surfboard for skis or a snowboard and sail down a snowy mountain? Kite power is used to glide over the snow and ice and for jumps in the air. Snowkiting offers an experience that most other alpine sports don’t. Snow Kiters can travel uphill depending on the direction of the wind.
3. Snowcat Skiing
Go where no man has gone before. A heated snowcat machine takes skiers and snowboarders to a remote mountain site to enjoy a pristine setting. Unload at the top of the mountain, ski or snowboard to the bottom, and the snowcat will pick you up and take you back up again. In between runs, you can enjoy some heat and a comfortable ride.
4. Hut Hopping
Trek through the snowy abyss on snowshoes or cross country skis. Then when nighttime arrives, take a break and stay at one of the many huts or yurts along the way. These huts are dotted throughout the state of Colorado and are furnished with cooking supplies, personal care items, and heat. Be sure to make a reservation ahead of time.
5. Snow Boating
Venture across icy ponds and snowy banks in a kayak or boat. Use oars to steer and maneuver your way down the slope and over the ice instead of thrashing about in whitewater rapids. Snow boating is usually carried out in the backcountry and sometimes in ski areas. No need for personal flotation devices with this boating adventure.
6. Ice Fishing
The fish aren’t even safe hidden under a barrier of ice and snow in Colorado. Ice fishing is a popular activity in the winter and it even comes with a few of its own amenities. You can hang out in fishing huts, keep your knees warm and dry with thermal knee pads, warm up with a portable heater, and use a drill to open up a hole in the ice.
7. Ice Climbing
The only time you can scale a waterfall in Colorado is in the winter. If you’re not afraid of heights, climb a vertical ice wall or a frozen waterfall. Enjoy the majestic scenery along the way. Colorado is known as one of the top ice climbing destinations in the world. The canyon walls are sprayed with water sprinklers to make them a challenging and slippery vertical slope.
8. Snowmobiling
Escape into Colorado’s beautiful backcountry and national forest on a snowmobile for an adventure of a lifetime. You will have access to remote trails through the forest and wide-open meadows. Be sure to stop along the way and enjoy the views of some of the highest peaks in the nation.
9. Dog Sledding
A dog, or in this case 6 to 8 dogs, is definitely man’s best friend on this snowy adventure. Enjoy an endearing ride and mush through the snow-capped pines. End the ride by spending time playing with the beautiful husky pups.
10. Hot Springs
Not all winter activities in Colorado involve snow and cold temperatures. Warm-up in one of the natural hot springs located around the state. Shake off the winter chill or relax those tired muscles from all of the other winter activities. Colorado is known for having one of the deepest hot springs in the world.
11. Sleigh Rides
Crawl up under a blanket with a cup of hot chocolate while making your way through Colorado’s countryside in a horse-drawn sleigh. Gliding through the winter landscape in a sleigh pulled by such majestic and beautiful horses is an experience you will never forget. Some sleigh rides even include a home-cooked dinner.
12. Ice Castles
Check out the ice castles with their intricate details. These are castles that include fountains, slides, tunnels, towers, and crawl spaces. Add color-changing LED lights and music and the ice display transforms into an enchanted and magical fairy tale.
13. Bumper Cars on Ice
Ice bumper cars are one of Colorado’s newest winter sports. The bumper cars are inflatable tubes on wheels. The object is to spin and crash into as many tubes as possible.
Colorado is a beautiful state year-round but its beauty is unmatched when its peaks and valleys are covered in a blanket of snow. While you may enjoy staying inside by the fire, nature is going to take you back to your childhood and beckon you outside to play in the snow.
