For true Coloradans, snow doesn’t keep us indoors.
Just wear layers (The secret to being the right temperature with our ever-changing conditions)
Colorado is home to winter carnivals, ice-carving competitions and beautiful lighting ceremonies throughout the Rockies and the front range.
A fantastic list was just posted by Colorado.com and we’ve added a few of our own favorites as well.
WINTER CARNIVALS IN COLORADO
Coloradans consider winter our most privileged season, and we love to celebrate all that comes with it at winter carnivals across the state.
Vail Snow Daze
This bash welcomes the ski and snowboard season with a Dummy Demolition Derby, free concerts and a-rockin’ street fair in Vail Village. Last year’s headliners featured Weezer, O.A.R. and Dwight Yoakam.
12 Days of Aspen:
Downtown comes alive with a variety of free holiday activities, cookies, hot chocolate and much more to celebrate the holidays and the winter season.
Breckenridge ULLR Fest
Snow lovers celebrate Norse mythology dressed as Vikings with Ullympic competitions (such as frying-pan flinging), a downtown Breckenridge parade and bonfire, nighttime snowshoeing, ice-staking and pond hockey.
Breckenridge Ice Sculpture Competition
During the Breckenridge International Snow Sculpture Championships, 16 teams from around the world descend on Breckenridge, Colorado to hand-carve 20-ton blocks of snow into enormous, intricate works of art. Artists are only allowed to use hand tools, creativity and inspiration to bring their ideas to life. No power tools allowed! Teams sculpt countless hours across five days (totaling around 96 hours), resulting in a temporary outdoor art gallery in historic downtown Breckenridge!
This is and has always been a free event open to the general public.
Wintersköl in Aspen
Aspen‘s annual “toast to winter” dates back to January 1951 when locals began celebrating the town’s unique Nordic lifestyle. The four day fest features on-mountain activities, Soupsköl, a canine fashion show, Winterfest, fireworks and much more.
Estes Park Winter Festival
Downtown Estes Park glows with winter lights, and winter fun includes a chili cook-off, scavenger hunt, snowshoe event, igloo making, stargazing, carriage rides and tons of other family activities.
Winter Park Winter Carnival
This fest is a birthday party for one of the area’s colorful early residents — a gal named Mary Jane — with live music, fireworks, a snow-sculpture contest, sled races, snowshoe treks and more in Winter Park.
Steamboat Springs’ Winter Carnival
Steamboat has reveled in their bounty of trademark Champagne Powder since 1914. The carnival features ski-jumping competitions, dog-sled pulls, cross-country obstacle races, a tubing party and a spectacular fireworks display.
Pagosa Springs’ Winterfest
Are you brave enough to submerge yourself in the San Juan River’s Penguin Plunge? Test your sledding skills in the Anything Goes Downhill Sled Race or sit back and watch the Rail Jam competition in Pagosa Springs.
Ski Joring & Crystal Carnival in Leadville
A fearless skier navigates an obstacle course connected by towrope to a horse and rider galloping at top speed, and it all takes place in the middle of town, in addition to a winter carnival with other snowy activities.
Colorado Ice Festivals
Though they don’t linger too long during Colorado’s sunny winter months, frozen masterpieces created by gifted ice artisans leave a lasting impression.
Ouray Ice Festival
Though it’s an ice festival of a different sort, Ouray’s celebration is one of the most spectacular. Each year, 3,000 climbers descend on the town to ascend the Ouray Ice Park’s mile-long frozen gorge, while spectators watch in amazement.
Budweiser International Snow Sculpting Championship
Teams from around the world spend a week in Breckenridge gently coaxing intricate sculptures out of 20-ton blocks of snow.
Alamosa Ice Fest
Scavenger hunts, snowman-building contests, a 5k, and a fire-and-ice party celebrate winter in Alamosa.
Lake City Ice Climbing Festival
Top-roped and lead-speed climbing competitions take place on Lake City‘s beautiful blue wall of ice.
Cripple Creek Ice Festival
Artists deftly use chainsaws to carve clear creations along Cripple Creek’s main street, while families frolic through an ice maze and sip hot chocolate.
Ski & Snowboard Competitions
• USSA Grand Prix in Copper Mountain
• Winter Dew Tour in Breckenridge
• FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Vail & Beaver Creek
• Audi Power of Four Ski Mountaineer Race, Snowmass
Other Colorado Winter Events
• Denver Christkindle Market
• Downtown Boulder’s Switch on the Holidays
• Estes Park’s Catch the Glow Parade & Celebration
• Greeley Lights the Night Parade
• Olde Country Christmas in Elizabeth
• Olde Golden Christmas in Golden
• Denver Parade of Lights
• CU Presents: Boulder Holiday Festival
• 55th Annual Georgetown Christmas Market in Georgetown:
Noel A La Carte
5:30pm – 8:30pm
Join us for a magical evening at two of Georgetown’s historical museums, the Hamill House and the Hotel De Paris. The Evening will begin at the Hamill House, where guests will enjoy champagne and oysters, caroling, and the lighting of the Christmas tree. Next, guest will go to the Hotel De Paris, where they will have the rare opportunity to dine in the historic Hotel de Paris dining room. Menu items include Prime Rib, potatoes, bread, fresh vegetables, and wine.
Ticket prices: $100 non-member, $90 member
Space is limited, so RESERVE NOW
Annual Georgetown Christmas Market December
10:00am – 5:00pm
6th Street-Georgetown
• Winter Arts & Crafts Show in Craig
