Dreamy Things To Do In Colorado This Winter
Some places just have it all! Endless outdoor activities, amazing food, great coffee, beautiful nature, and Colorado is one of those places!
We’ve visited Colorado multiple times and we always find ourselves in complete awe of how much it has to offer all year long but there’s just something special about Colorado during the Winter season. It transforms into a winter wonderland paradise!
If you’re planning on visiting Colorado this Winter, we have some perfect activities to add to your itinerary to make your trip as memorable and unforgettable as ours. Trust us, you won’t be able to wait to come back for more.
How To Get There
We flew into Denver International Airport for our trip and it’s probably where your adventure will start as well. For this itinerary, you’ll base yourself in Breckenridge, which is only a 1 hour and 45 minute drive from Denver.
We strongly suggest renting an AWD or 4WD vehicle as you’ll be driving through some snowy and icy situations throughout your adventures!
Best Time To Visit for Winter
Starting around mid-November to March, Colorado turns into a winter wonderland with snow-capped peaks, cozy ski towns, scenic drives, and snowy pine forests.
So if you’re looking for a winter getaway, or a world-class skiing adventure Colorado is the place to visit.
Stay In A Cozy A-Frame Cabin in Breckenridge
Breckenridge in Winter is one of Colorado’s most magical experiences. With it’s historic charm, and snowy mountain backdrops feels like you’re living in a real life snow globe! If you’re planning a trip to Breckenridge, we recommend skipping the hotel or resort and booking a cozy A-frame cabin!
Our cabin had everything we needed for a cozy, romantic getaway. Some of our favorite moments were living out our childhood dreams and making the biggest snowman ever, relaxing in the hot tub, and watching the snow fall from our front door!
Find the Airbnb we stayed at HERE!
Tip: If you plan on visiting Breck in the Winter, we highly recommend renting a AWD or 4WD vehicle, Thank us later!
Snowmobile In A Winterland
A great way to experience and immerse yourself into the mystical snowy landscape and explore everything Colorado has to offer is riding snow mobiles! We had so much fun exploring while weaving through the powder dusted pine trees, it really felt like a frozen wonderland!
We even got to stop at the Hot Cocoa Cabin for hot chocolate to warm us up with some stunning views! We booked our excursion through High Country Tours and was definitely one of the highlights of our trip.
TIP: Bring extra layers! IT’S COLD!
Ride the BreckConnect Gondola
One of the most popular things to do while visiting Breckenridge and it’s completely FREE!
This scenic, 20-min gondola ride offers breathtaking views of the town of Breckenridge and surrounding snow covered mountains and even chances to see wildlife like moose and foxes!
Make sure to check out the different boutiques and restaurants at the top. Be prepared for long lines during peak season and make sure to check operating hours online before you go as they vary throughout the seasons.
Catch Sunrise at Sapphire Point Overlook
We’re obsessed with catching sunrises everywhere we visit and we caught the best sunrise of our trip at Sapphire Point Overlook!
The trail is a super easy 0.6 mile loop, with panoramic views that are straight out of a postcard is only 15 minutes from Breckenridge! It’s also a popular spot for engagements and stargazing.
Dinner at Blue River Bistro
We can’t recommend things to do without giving you some good food to try during your trip! Everything we ordered was delicious and I’m pretty sure we ate every bite.
We ordered the Tiger Shrimp (should have ordered two!), bison short-ribs and the pine-crusted salmon was some of the best we’ve ever had! Located in the heart of Breckenridge, Blue River Bistro also serves brunch and lunch, making it a great option for any time of the day.
TIP: We recommend making a reservation during peak seasons!
Ride The Royal Gorge Scenic Railway
Riding the Royal Gorge Railway was on Ashley’s Winter Pinterest board and it was one of our favorite things we did in Colorado! This Scenic Railway is located in Canon City, just 2 hours from Breckenridge and Denver, was voted top 10 scenic rides in the U.S. and we definitely see why. This 2 hour winter wonderland ride and takes you through snowy, towering granite walls alongside the icy blue Arkansas River! It felt like riding the Polar Express right in Colorado! The train offers different class seating, dining and drink options, and even has an open-air cart for amazing photos! We recommend booking the “vista dome” seats with large curve windows for the best views! Make sure to bring extra layers and book your tickets early because winter months can sell out weeks in advance!
Explore The Rocky Mountain National Park
If you truly want a winter wonderland experience then you can’t visit Colorado in winter without visiting Rocky Mountain National Park. We love exploring National Parks anytime we travel but there’s just something special about witnessing one of God’s most beautiful places on earth when it’s completely covered in snow.
Check out Bear Lake Loop and Many Parks Curve for some amazing views or if you’ve always wanted to walk on a frozen lake, check out Sprague Lake! One of the most picturesque places in the park with 360 degree views of majestic mountains and just a short walk from the parking lot. Rocky Mountain National Park is also a great place for spotting wildlife like Moose, Elk, and Deer!
The park is a scenic 3 hours drive from Breckenridge or a 2 hour drive from Denver. We actually visited the park as a day trip from Denver or you can always spend the night in Estes Park.
HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS Colorado Winter ITINERARY!
We hope this itinerary helps make your trip as unforgettable as ours! Have you been to Colorado or Breckenridge before? Let us know if we missed something so we can add it to our itinerary!