Colorado in winter is not one experience, it is a dozen of them layered on top of each other. Depending on the day, you could carve fresh powder from a chairlift, throttle a snowmobile through a high alpine bowl, or soak in a natural hot spring while snow falls around you.
This guide rounds up the best winter activities across the state, with a local’s look at what makes the high country around Leadville, Colorado’s highest incorporated city, one of the best home bases for a winter trip.
Quick Answer: Colorado’s Best Winter Activities
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- Snowmobiling through Leadville’s high alpine backcountry
- Downhill skiing and snowboarding at resorts like Vail, Breckenridge, and Copper Mountain
- Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing around Turquoise Lake
- Ice skating at outdoor rinks in mountain towns
- Soaking in natural hot springs like Mount Princeton and Glenwood Springs
- Dog sledding near Breckenridge and Winter Park
- Zip lining through the snow at Top of the Rockies Zip Line
- Scenic winter drives through Colorado’s mountain corridors
Snowmobiling Colorado’s High Country
Few winter activities put you as close to the mountain as snowmobiling does. At White Mountain Snowmobile Tours in Leadville, guided rides run between 11,000 and 12,500 feet, higher than almost anywhere else in the state, across groomed trails and open backcountry bowls.
Families and first-time riders tend to gravitate toward the Prospector Tour, a two-hour ride on groomed terrain that welcomes riders ages 6 and up, with younger guests riding along as passengers. Guests who already know their way around a sled often step up to the Performance Tour or the High Adventure Tour, both built for faster-paced riding through steeper, more remote terrain above the treeline.
Tours run daily throughout the winter season, generally early December through early April depending on snowpack, with prices starting around $250 per driver. For full tour details, restrictions, and current pricing, the individual tour pages have everything you need to book.
Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding
Colorado’s ski resorts need little introduction. Vail, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, and Aspen anchor the state’s reputation as one of the best ski destinations in the country, with terrain for every skill level and some of the driest, lightest snow in North America thanks to the elevation and continental climate.
Leadville sits within easy striking distance of several of these resorts, along with the smaller, less crowded Ski Cooper just up the road, making it a practical base camp for guests who want to mix a day on the slopes with a day on the snowmobile trail.
Snowshoeing and Cross-Country Skiing
For a quieter pace, the trails around Turquoise Lake near Leadville offer some of the best snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the region. The lake’s shoreline trails wind through pine forest with views of the surrounding 14,000-foot peaks, and the terrain is gentle enough for beginners while still delivering the kind of scenery that draws visitors back year after year.
Ice Skating in the Mountains
Several Colorado mountain towns set up outdoor ice rinks each winter, often right in the middle of downtown. Breckenridge and Vail both run seasonal rinks that make for an easy, low-key afternoon activity, especially with kids in tow, and many stay lit for evening skating sessions.
Soaking in Colorado’s Hot Springs
After a day in the cold, Colorado’s natural hot springs are hard to beat. Mount Princeton Hot Springs, about an hour from Leadville, sits at the base of the Collegiate Peaks and offers naturally heated pools alongside a cold mountain creek. Further west, Glenwood Springs is home to one of the largest hot spring pools in the world, a popular stop for visitors driving between the mountains and the Western Slope.
Dog Sledding
Dog sledding tours run in several Colorado mountain towns, including operations near Breckenridge and Winter Park, and offer a completely different way to experience the backcountry, gliding silently behind a team of huskies rather than under engine power. It’s a memorable add-on for guests building a multi-activity winter itinerary.
Zip Lining Through the Snow
Not every zip line course closes for winter. White Mountain’s sister company, Top of the Rockies Zip Line, runs on the same course through the snow season, and guests looking to combine both experiences in a single day can book the Zip Line Combo Tour, which pairs a snowmobile ride with a zip line adventure at the same Leadville base camp.
Scenic Winter Drives
Colorado’s mountain highways are their own kind of winter activity, especially for visitors who want big views without leaving the car. Just know that some routes change with the season. Independence Pass between Leadville and Aspen, for example, closes for the winter months, so a summer or fall route looks different once the snow flies. For a full breakdown of that drive and when each season opens it up, the Leadville to Aspen scenic drive guide has the details.
Best Time of Year for Winter Activities in Colorado
Colorado’s winter activity season generally runs from early December through early April, with the exact window depending on snowpack and the specific activity. Late December through early January, including the holiday weeks, is the busiest and most expensive stretch across the state, from lift tickets to guided tours. January and February tend to be quieter with reliably deep snow, while March often brings warmer days without sacrificing much snow quality, a good window for visitors who want a more relaxed pace.
Where to Stay and Plan Your Trip
Leadville and the surrounding Twin Lakes area offer everything from cozy cabins to historic downtown hotels, along with a food scene that punches above its weight for a town this size. For lodging recommendations, shuttle options from Denver and the surrounding resort towns, and more on what makes the area worth a visit, the Trip Planning page is the best place to start.
| Acclimating to the Altitude
Leadville sits above 10,000 feet, and several of the activities on this list, especially snowmobiling and skiing, push guests even higher. If this is your first trip to elevation, the Leadville Altitude Guide covers what to expect and how to acclimate before you hit the trails. |
What to Pack for a Colorado Winter Trip
Winter Adventure Packing List
Helmets are provided for snowmobile and zip line tours, so guests only need to arrive dressed for the weather. |
The Short Answer
Colorado does not run out of ways to spend a winter day. Skiing and snowboarding get most of the attention, but snowmobiling through Leadville’s high country, hot springs soaks, snowshoeing around Turquoise Lake, and even a snowy zip line ride all belong on the list.
If snowmobiling is the adventure you want to check off, White Mountain Snowmobile Tours has been guiding guests through Colorado’s high country since 1991, with tours built for both first-timers and experienced riders.
FAQ: Leadville Altitude
What is the best winter activity to do in Colorado?
Colorado offers a huge range of winter activities, from downhill skiing at major resorts to snowmobiling through high alpine backcountry, ice skating in mountain towns, and soaking in natural hot springs. There is no single best activity, it depends on how much adrenaline you’re after, but snowmobiling stands out because it puts riders directly into terrain that skiing and driving cannot reach, at elevations above 11,000 feet in places like Leadville.
Is snowmobiling a good winter activity for beginners in Colorado?
Yes. Family-friendly options like White Mountain’s Prospector Tour run on groomed trails at a comfortable pace and welcome first-time riders ages 6 and up, with younger guests riding along as passengers. No prior snowmobiling experience is required for guided tours like this one, and helmets are provided. More advanced options such as the Performance and High Adventure Tours are built for guests who already have riding experience or want a faster-paced backcountry route.
What winter activities are available near Leadville, Colorado?
Leadville sits above 10,000 feet and is surrounded by winter activities, including guided snowmobile tours through the high country, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing around Turquoise Lake, and quick access to downhill skiing at nearby resorts like Copper Mountain, Ski Cooper, and Vail. The town’s historic Main Street also has local restaurants and shops worth a stop between adventures.
How cold does it get during winter activities in Colorado’s high country?
Temperatures at elevations above 11,000 feet typically run 10 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter months, with wind chill making it feel colder while moving on a snowmobile or chairlift. Dressing in full winter layers, similar to what you’d wear on a ski day, including a warm jacket, snow pants, insulated boots, and gloves, is essential no matter which activity you choose.
Do I need to book winter activities in Colorado in advance?
It’s a good idea, especially for weekend slots and holiday weeks like Christmas through New Year’s, when demand for guided tours and ski lift tickets is highest. Booking one to two weeks ahead is a good rule of thumb for weekends, while weekday tours often have more last-minute availability.
Are winter activities in Colorado good for families?
Many of Colorado’s winter activities are built with families in mind. White Mountain’s Prospector Tour allows children as young as 6 to ride along as passengers, and towns like Leadville and Breckenridge offer gentler options like ice skating alongside more advanced adventures for older kids and adults.
| Ready to Ride?
White Mountain Snowmobile Tours runs daily throughout the winter season. Check availability and book your Colorado snowmobile tour before the season’s best slots fill up. |
