It’s no secret that Colorado is beautiful in the winter months. So beautiful, in fact, that there are nearly countless winter festivals in Colorado to celebrate it. The world seems to fold over onto the Rockies for skiing and snowboarding season – understandably so with over 30 ski resorts available to choose from. But there’s more to the frosty beauty that inspires the many winter festivals in Colorado.

At Windermere, we want you to get the most out of your stay. If your stay has you in this wonderful state during the winter months, then that means incorporating one to some of these events and winter festivals in Colorado into your itinerary. With no further ado.

Events and Winter Festivals in Colorado

There are numerous ways to enjoy the winter wonder to its fullest, and the good people of Colorado have perfected the extraction of said wonder. We’ve taken the liberty of organizing the many options into easily digestible categories – no matter your tastes or comfort level, we’ve got an event or winter festival in Colorado to make your stay a memorable one.

Colorado Winter Carnivals

It’s not just the beauty of Colorado in the winter that draws millions of people in during the winter months, but how Coloradoans hold nothing back in celebrating it. Here are three of our most highly recommended Colorado winter celebrations you won’t want to miss.

• Wintersköl in Aspen | Jan. 12-16, 2023 – Dating back to 1951, this event stands as a “toast to winter” for the people of Aspen and their rich Nordic lifestyle.
• UllrGrass in Golden | Jan. 27–29, 2023 – This Viking-themed beer and music festival is family-friendly and a lot of fun. Don your best faux fur and take in the beauty of the Rockies.
• Skijoring & Crystal Carnival in Leadville | March 3–5, 2023 – ski·jor·ing /ˌskēˈjôriNG,ˈskēˌjôriNG/; the action of being pulled over snow or ice on skis by a horse or dog or a motor vehicle, as a sport or recreation activity. No more need be said.

Colorado Snow & Ice Festivals

The Colorado winter can be tricky. Fluctuating temperatures and the unrelenting Colorado sun can make some parts of winter difficult to enjoy. You’ll want to act quickly to appreciate these frigid masterpieces to their fullest.

• Ouray Ice Festival | Jan. 19-22, 2023 – Not your traditional ice festival. The wonder of this event is in watching thousands of climbers ascend Ouray Ice Park’s mile-long frozen gorge. Don’t forget the popcorn.
• Rio Frio Ice Fest in Alamosa | Jan. 27-29, 2023 – This event is complete with a snowman building contest and a scavenger hunt, plus, you can run a 5k to work off those holiday lbs.
• Cripple Creek Ice Festival in Cripple Creek | Feb. 26, 2023 – Chainsaw sculpted ice blocks, frosty ice mazes, sipping the hot chocolate warmth, all right on main street. Surely an event for the whole family.

Bonus Colorado Winter Events

Though not technically winter festivals in Colorado, these events are staples in getting the most out of your Colorado winter excursions. 

• Olde Golden Christmas in Golden | Nov. 5–Dec. 24, 2022  – Sometimes it’s the simple things that make a season magical. And sometimes it’s a free horse and carriage ride.
• X Games Aspen | Jan. 27-29, 2023 – Arguably the biggest snow sport event of the year, and you can witness it.
• Audi Power of Four Ski Mountaineer Race in Snowmass | Feb. 25, 2023 – Consider yourself an elite athlete? This cross-country ski race will put your skill and endurance to the test.