“Do you ski?”
Itap the question that almost always comes up when you meet someone new in Colorado. And if you aren’t into shreddin’ some gnar every weekend of winter, it can be awkward. Do you admit the truth and potentially stop the conversation dead in its tracks? Say that you’re still deciding which pass to buy? Change the subject entirely?
Skiing and riding are great — they’re the reason a lot of people move to Colorado. But letap be honest: They can also be a hassle. The gear can cost a small fortune and the passes aren’t cheap, either. There’s the traffic — oh, the traffic — and the sometimes perilous winter mountain driving. And hey, maybe you just hate being cold. Thatap OK.
So instead of feeling weird about the fact that you don’t ski or ride, embrace it. You can still enjoy all that Colorado has to offer outdoors, even if you never take a run. For inspiration, here are some of our top picks for winter destinations that don’t (necessarily) involve skiing.
Estes Park
Though Estes Park can get a little crazy during the warmer months, winter is literally and figuratively a breath of fresh air here. You’ll avoid I-70 traffic, and you’ll get to experience Rocky Mountain National Park without the crowds — itap a winner all around.
Estes Park is the perfect destination for trying something new. There are tons of skilled guides and outfitters here who can help you learn (seemingly) intimidating sports like ice climbing and backcountry skiing. Estes Park is also home to an epic sledding hill and lots of peaceful snowshoeing trails. There’s even a through Rocky Mountain National Park that ends with a catered lunch and whisky drinks from local .
is a tasty spot to warm up with a margarita and some chips and queso before heading back to your rustic cabin — there are tons to choose from here, including an array of affordable options at .
Cañon City
Head south for a sunny winter weekend in Cañon City, where the weather is mild enough for . No long lift lines here — just flowy trails that you’ll have mostly to yourself.
After you spend the day outdoors, visit the and grab a bottle of wine to sip in front of the fireplace at — they’re cozy, and have huge windows so you can still bask in the mountain views while you warm up.
If you want to sit back and enjoy the scenery of the impressive Royal Gorge in comfort, hop aboard the , which offers a Santa Express Train through the end of December and a fun “Spirits Through the Gorge” trip, during which you’ll taste Colorado craft spirits paired with a four-course lunch, through the end of February.
Boulder
The morning after it snows in Boulder, the Flatirons look like they’ve been dusted with powdered sugar. This serene scene can serve as the backdrop for your weekend away in Boulder, which is pretty magical this time of year. While everyone else makes the 45-minute trek to the lifts at Eldora, you’ll have the city all to yourself.
With its cozy lobby fireplace and mountain views, the is the perfect home base for your time in Boulder. Book a treatment at the Spa at St Julien, which is luxurious without being pretentious, before heading out to browse the shops on Pearl Street under the twinkly holiday lights. For dinner head to , with its Southern-inspired menu, on the west end of Walnut Street for a locally sourced, inventive dish before catching a laser show at on the University of Colorado Boulder campus.
Winter is also the perfect time to explore some of Boulder County’s hiking trails — they’re less crowded than in spring and summer, and many get enough sun that you won’t even notice the cold temperatures. To cap off the weekend, warm up with tea at the intricately decorated .
Glenwood Springs
If you’re not digging the winter weather, you can really warm up in Glenwood Springs. (Consider taking Amtrak’s California Zephyr if you don’t feel like driving I-70.) Take your pick of the various hot springs and vapor caves, the biggest being (billed as the largest mineral outdoor hot springs in the world), which recently finished a massive renovation project. For a different vibe, head to , which has 16 geothermal soaking pools instead of one large pool. The are also worth visiting for a natural geothermal steam session in an underground rock chamber.
Winter is also a less-crowded time to visit the uber-popular — in the off-season, you can even purchase a day pass and park at the trailhead (just make sure you’re prepared for winter hiking conditions). Glenwood’s quaint downtown area is also great for taking a leisurely winter stroll.
If there’s a skier or rider in your party, there’s a hill here — . Sunlight doesn’t draw the same crowds as other mountains along the I-70 corridor. If you want to try your hand at cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, Sunlight is a great option — all you have to do is pay for gear rental (or bring your own stuff), as trail use is free.
Denver
When was the last time you played tourist in the city? There’s so much to do and see here, but most of us simply don’t make time to enjoy it all.
Check out one of the workshops at (in the past, they’ve included sessions like bourbon tasting and wreath building), then wander over to the cozy venues at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts for a show. Or, get a soothing massage at before exploring the shops and restaurants at the . Explore the half-dozen world class museums in the Golden Triangle neighborhood before grabbing a CBD cocktail at the .
Even if you don’t have a whole weekend to spare, there are tons of around Denver that make for a fun afternoon — and you’ll have something you’ve created yourself to take home or give as a gift.
Want to really get out of town? Here are some warm(er) places you can easily visit over a long winter weekend for a quick getaway.
Steamboat
No skis? No problem. Since itap so far away from, well, everything, Steamboat has everything an off-the-beaten-path town needs to thrive, which makes it a great winter vacation spot, even if you don’t shred.
For one, Steamboat is a great place to work up a sweat. There are some awesome here, plus a massive thatap seriously impressive. You’ll also want to check out the , an indoor ice rink where you can do all the normal ice skating stuff, or try something totally different: bumper cars on ice.
Of course, as the name suggests, Steamboat is also home to several hot springs. always gets a lot of buzz, with its natural, mostly undeveloped vibe, but you’ll need to have the right vehicle to get up here in the winter (or take a shuttle). If you’d rather stay in town, head to , a family-friendly spot with eight pools fed by mineral hot springs.
Sterling
Whatap that you say? You’ve never ventured east except to head to DIA or Kansas? Well, we’ve got news for you: There are some cool towns on the Eastern Plains, including Sterling.
Sterling is an artsy town northeast of Denver with tons of history. When you arrive, go on a of Sterling’s many tree sculptures, carved by world-renowned artist Bradford Rhea out of cottonwood trees (some have been replicated in bronze). The good news? Many of the sculptures have been moved indoors, so winter weather is no excuse not to see them. A map is available online, or ask about the sculptures at the Sterling Rest Area. There are also several art galleries here, including one thatap attached to an art cooperative.#facebook_ad {float: right;width: 40%;padding: 0.5em;margin-bottom: .2em;margin-left: .5em;}@media (max-width:416px){#newsletter_ad {width:100%;}
No visit to Sterling would be complete without a stop at the , which tells the story of pioneers and gold seekers who traveled west along the Overland Trail Stage Route, a branch of the Oregon Trail. There’s a main museum building, as well as an adjacent village with historic structures you can visit, including a one-room schoolhouse, a granary barn and a blacksmith shop.
To warm up on a cold day, or just take a break from your walking tour, head to — the beer and food are tasty, but the building and decor are worth the visit alone. This Instagrammable brewery is located inside a renovated 1920s Cadillac dealership repair shop that was once called Bill’s Motor Co., and there are vintage, transportation-related objects everywhere here.
