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.
Sleigh the Games
Estes Park
Dec. 12-14
There’s a new holiday festival in Estes Park. Sleigh the Games offers a weekend of fun competitions that include a 4-mile glow race, Yule log hoisting, dog costumes, team sled pulling, a snowball battle, log throwing and more.
Ullr Fest
Dec. 18-21
Breckenridge
Winter worshippers, start your snowdances and put on your Viking horn helmets! Breck knows how to throw a street party, and Ullr Fest has a parade, a crowning of the annual Ullr King and Queen, a massive bonfire and attempt to reclaim the world’s longest ShotSki with 1,420 people. This year also coincides with the Rockstar Energy Open featuring world-class snowboarders.
Deck the Slopes
Through Dec. 31
Winter Park
Winter Park is hosting a series of weekend holiday celebrations, including Holiday Drone Shows and parties on Saturdays nights in December. On Christmas Eve the mountainside will glow with a torchlight parade as 100 skiers light up the night.
Santa Ski Day
Dec. 20
Crested Butte
After setting the world record for most skiing Santas in 2015, Santa Ski Day is returning to the slopes this December! Crested Butte never misses a chance to dress up, and this year everyone is invited to break out the full Santa attire.
Ice Castles
Jan. 3 – Feb. 21
Cripple Creek
The winter wonderland ice fortress is returning again to Cripple Creek. Explore its ice slides, frozen thrones and Polar Pub Ice Bar through February. It’s been a warm fall, so Ice Castles will open in early January. But you can reserve your tickets now.
International Snow Sculpture Championships
Jan. 23– Feb. 4
Breckenridge
Be wowed by massive snow sculptures created by the world’s best snow carvers. Read our previous article about the festival.
X Games Aspen
Jan. 23-25, 2026
Aspen
It’s the 25th year of the iconic X Games in Aspen. And it’s an Olympic year, so expect some boundary-pushing performances as the world’s best tune up for Milano Cortina.
UllrGrass
Jan. 30 – Feb. 1
Golden
Golden hosts three days of bluegrass, newgrass, funk and jam-band artists — and a crowd full of fans wearing Viking horns and furs.
Cripple Creek Ice Festival
Feb. 14-22
Cripple Creek
Watch head-to-head ice carving challenges and walk around the giant ice sculptures and street festival vendors. Read more from our archives about Cripple Creek’s “coolest” festival.
Subaru Winterfest
Feb. 20-22
Copper Mountain
The free mountain and lifestyle fest includes swag giveaways and live music at the base of the slopes. The lineup features The 502s, Horsehoes and Hand Grenades and Simba Sax.
WinterWonderGrass
Feb. 27 – March 1
Steamboat Springs
Yeah, it will probably snow, but you’ll be dancing to an A-list bluegrass lineup that includes The Devil Makes Three, Leftover Salmon, The Infamous Stringdusters and a whole lot more incredible artists.
Leadville Skijoring
March 7-8
Leadville
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.
