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12 Festivals and Fun Things to Do in the Mountains This Winter

You don’t have to ski to enjoy snow season in the Rockies, but Colorado ski towns throw some great festivals and concerts.

Looking for fun things to do in the Colorado mountains? You don’t have to ski or snowboard to have a good time in the high country. Activities like snow tubing and sleigh rides are always a blast. But here are 12 events, concerts and festivals happening in Colorado’s mountain towns and ski resorts through this winter and ski season. These are definitely worth a day trip or weekend getaway.

Ice Castles

Dec. 19 – Feb. 23
Cripple Creek

The winter wonderland ice fortress is now open in Cripple Creek. Explore its ice slides, frozen thrones and Polar Pub Ice Bar through February.

icecastles.com

Taking a selfie at night with a snow god sculpture at the International Snow Sculpture Championship at Breckenridge.
A selfie with the snow god at the International Snow Sculpture Championship. Photo courtesy of Breckenridge Tourism Office.

International Snow Sculpture Championships

Jan. 20-29
Breckenridge

Be wowed by massive snow sculptures created by the world’s best snow carvers. Read our previous article about the festival. 

gobreck.com

X Games Aspen 

Jan. 23-25
Aspen

The X Games is modifying its format next year, but you can still catch the legendary competition in Aspen. 

xgames.com

Alpine Table Cabin Chef Series

Jan. 26-27, Feb. 23-24, March 27-28
Beaver Creek

Take a sleigh ride to a grand mountaintop cabin to enjoy a dinner prepared by Michelin-recognized chefs. Culinary magic. Read more in our Beaver Creek Alpine Table Takes Michelin Dining to the Mountaintop. 

beavercreek.com

UllrGrass

Jan. 31 – Feb. 2
Golden

Golden hosts three days of bluegrass, newgrass, funk and jam-band artists — and a crowd full of fans wearing Viking horns and furs. 

ullrgrass.com

Cripple Creek Ice Festival

Feb. 15-23
Cripple Creek

Watch head-to-head ice carving challenges and walk around the giant ice sculptures and street festival vendors. 

visitcripplecreek.com

Subaru Winterfest 

Feb. 21-23
Copper Mountain

The free mountain and lifestyle fest includes swag giveaways and live music at the base of the slopes. The lineup features the National Parks, High Lonesome and more.

subaru.com

WinterWonderGrass

Feb. 28 – March 2
Steamboat Springs

Yeah, it will probably snow, but you’ll be dancing to an A-list bluegrass lineup that includes Trampled by Turtles, the California Honeydrops, Leftover Salmon and a whole lot more incredible artists. 

winterwondergrass.com

A horseback rider tows a skier over a jump at the Leadville Skijoring, one of the best fun things to do in Colorado mountain towns in winter.
Leadville Skijoring is a Colorado tradition where cowboys and skiers have some fun. Photo courtesy of Leadville Skijoring.

Leadville Skijoring

March 1-2

Since 1949, horses have been pulling skiers down the center of Leadville in this Colorado classic. It’s cowboys meet skiers for some wintertime fun. 

leadvilleskijoring.com 

Snow League

March 7-8
Aspen Snowmass

Shaun White has launched a new year-round pro league for halfpipe snowboarders and freeskiers, and it all gets started in Aspen this year. 

thesnowleague.com

Frozen Dead Guy Days

March 14-16
Estes Park

Estes Park hosts three days of frigid fun, including live music, coffin races and more weird celebration. The Frozen Dead Guy Festival is the main event on Saturday.

rozendeadguydays.com

Après at the Amp

April 4-5
Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Vail

Vail celebrates the end of the ski season with this weekend music festival, featuring a Jungle DJ set, Goth Babe, L’Imperatrice and more. 

grfavail.com


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Jeremy Jones
Jeremy Jones
Jeremy Jones is Springs’ co-founder, editorial director and chief outdoor officer. He loves building community by telling stories about all the people, places and culture that make Colorado Springs an amazing place to live. And he’s especially stoked when exploring new places in the Springs, Colorado and beyond. Watch for him hiking, running or mountain biking the local trails with his wife and kids.

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