9 Charming Towns for Christmas in Colorado
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Christmas in Colorado is a blast, not just because it’s a winter wonderland with main streets all aglow, but because of all the fabulous outdoor winter activities and adventures that await you during your holiday break!
We’re here to dish out the best places to go in Colorado for Christmas, complete with Santa sightings, twinkling lights, sledding hills, sleigh rides, ice skating, snowmobiling tours, ski hills, and even dog sled tours. And naturally, we’re sharing our favorite spots for winter hikes, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and dipping into those sublime geothermic hot springs.
More than half of these mountain towns offer amazing hot springs for soaking, rejuvenating, and warming up after a day of playing in the Rockies.
So fill up your thermos with hot chocolate and let’s see where Colorado for the holidays takes us!
NOTE: All outdoor winter activities depend on road, trail, and weather conditions. Since activities like winter hiking and snow shoeing are usually self-guided, planning ahead is so important.
We recommend good hiking boots or snow boots, warm layered clothing, a hat, gloves, snacks, sunglasses, and water. If you're planning on hiking any of the hiking trails mentioned below in our favorite Christmas towns in Colorado, traction devices are recommended whenever snowy or icy conditions exist. Know your own physical abilities and know What to Wear Winter Hiking.
Best Colorado Christmas Towns
Aspen
Buena Vista (+ Leadville)
Ouray (+ Telluride)
What to wear hiking in Colorado
Here’s what keeps us going on our adventures while hiking in Colorado:
We love the Osprey Sirrus Hiking Daypack for women, or the Stratos version for men, for carrying water, layers, and snacks on Colorado day hikes
Lightweight, versatile Hiking Poles built for a full day’s send on the trail — hike longer and stronger
2L or 3L Water Reservoir — This affordable reservoir is easy to fill
Patagonia Torrentshell - a true waterproof rain jacket and fantastic layering piece
Nano Puff Jacket - our favorite for 3 seasons in Colorado
Sun hoodie - a must have in Colorado
Med kit
More on What to Wear Winter Hiking.
Aspen
Here’s why we believe Aspen is one of the best places to go for Christmas in Colorado:
Skiing is a popular choice in Colorado for Christmas
In the Aspen - Snowmass area, skiing and snowboard riding happens on all four mountains: Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk. Runs abound for everyone in one of the most iconic mountain destinations in Rocky Mountain ski country.
The annual 12 Days of Aspen (December 20–31) in festive downtown Aspen offers family and kid-friendly activities for locals and visitors. Holiday activities include ice skating, meeting Santa (and his reindeer), eating s’mores, enjoying art workshops, plus cookie, ornament, and stocking-decorating. The annual 12 Days of Aspen ends on New Year’s Eve with a light show or fireworks on Aspen Mountain.
Walk to see towering Christmas trees lit up for the holidays. There’s one in front of the Sardy House on Main Street, or head to the courtyard of Little Nell or over to St. Regis Aspen Resort to see more trees lit for Christmas.
Our top pick: don your beanie and snow goggles for the Breathtaker Alpine Coaster and Snowtubing at Snowmass with the whole gang. The Meadows at Elk Camp offer multiple tubing lanes, served by lifts! Bonus: Lit up at night during Ullr Nights!
Where to hike in Aspen
Strap on your snowshoes and head to Richmond Ridge Trail for an easy 4 mile trek. Or head to Smuggler Open Space for endless possibilities, like Lower Smuggler Mountain Rd. For a stroll in town, head to the Rio Grande Trail — start just behind the post office and go as far as you like towards Glenwood Springs.
Can I hike to Maroon Bells in winter? If you’re an avid cross country skier, winter hiker, snowshoer, snow biker, or snowmobiler, while Maroon Creek Road is closed to vehicles from late fall until late spring, you can still make the trek to see the famous bells. We’ve both done tons of hiking in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness area.
Where to Eat and Drink
Eat and drink at the Aspen Public House, our automatic go-to. This rustic pub in a historic location just a few blocks from Main Street, serves up seasonal global dishes alongside wine, craft cocktails & draft beer. Locals also highly recommend the Highlands Alehouse after your winter adventure.
Where to STAY
Aspen and Snowmass and the surrounding small mountain towns offer hundreds of idyllic, spacious retreats.
We especially like this modern spacious vacation home in Snowmass Village providing you with stunning views, a private sauna and hot tub, and your own balcony.
Breckenridge
Summit County Hikes near Breckenridge: Sawmill Reservoir
Kick off the holidays by running (or watching) the Race of the Santas in Breckenridge. Mark December 7, 2024 on your calendar for seeing hundreds of Santas race down Main Street. Cap it off with the Lighting of Breckenridge, where Santa flips the switch to light up Breck for Christmas.
Or ride in a horse-drawn mountain sleigh on Peak 9 or from the Gold Run Nordic Center. Breck Stables offers scenic dinner sleigh rides from two locations.
Go sledding in nearby Frisco at the Frisco Adventure Park or ice skating in Breckenridge at the Stephen C West Ice Arena.
You’ll find many Nordic Centers in the area for classic cross country skiing in Colorado. We suggest showing up early in the day for your best choice of rentals and to beat the after-brunch crowd. Find groomed trails here:
Frisco Nordic
Gold Run Nordic
Breckenridge Nordic
Keystone Nordic
Where to hike in Breck
Burro Trail hike - this hike connects up with a lot of other hiking trails and takes you through dense forests.
Little French Gulch
Sawmill Reservoir - an easy hike!
Read up on our 17 Iconic Hikes in Breckenridge
Where to Eat in Breckenridge
Mother Loaded Tavern - From cocktails to Breckenridge breweries’ finest beers, and their burgers are dynamite.
Get in line at Crépes à la Cart for over 20 different sweet or savory crepe options. You won’t be sorry!
The Breckenridge Brewery and Pub serves up traditional pub food, like yummy, hot French fries with a good beer. Local beers and Colorado famous ales are on tap, making this a fun stop.
Where to stay
Melody’s family makes Snowflake Drive homebase. This area of Breckenridge is within walking distance of their favorite hike in Breckenridge, Burro Trail, and about a half mile from the downtown restaurants and shops.
We are big fans of Breckenridge vacation rentals versus hotel stays. Access to a kitchen and washer and dryer makes late night snacks and clean hiking clothes easy peesy. Check out the top 20 homes.
Beautiful vacation homes like this one in Breckenridge are ideal for the whole crew
Buena Vista
Our family’s go-to destination is Buena Vista and it’s a sweet place for Christmas in Colorado.
Buena Vista’s Christmas Opening for 2024 will be on December 7. This fun holiday tradition unites Buena Vista’s small businesses, locals, and visitors as they kick off the holiday spirit.
Enjoy BV’s East Main Street all lit up for Christmas, as well as the Parade of Lights, a Mini-Blessings Holiday Light Show at McPhelemy Park, and other festive events. The ugly sweater 1-miler, chili cook off, and Christmas chorale all take place during the first weekend of December.
Skiing at Monarch at the top of the Continental Divide
Our favorite outdoor activities to do in winter and at Christmas time in Buena Vista include skiing at Monarch, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, hiking, and a good long soak at local hot springs.
Skiing and snowboarding at Monarch has been a family tradition for eight years now. We love this small, independent ski mountain and the affordable ski passes. The best is riding the lift to the top of the Continental Divide and swooshing all the way the down.
For snowmobile rentals and tours, check out White Mountain Snowmobile Tours in nearby Leadville or All Season ATV and Snowmobile in nearby Salida
The adult pool on the spa side at Mount Princeton Hot Springs
Our all time favorite hot springs in any season is Mount Princeton Hot Springs. The best bang for your buck is to just book a room here for at least one night; then you can dip into the hot springs on the day you arrive, as well as the day you leave.
We have yet to try Cottonwood Hot Springs and Charlotte Hot Springs, but have heard great things. We just love all of the options at Mount Princeton Hot Springs.
BONUS: Fat bike rentals are complimentary for overnight guests at Mount Princeton — and there are accessible trails for all levels of riders. Awesome!
Head to the Trailhead on East Main Street in Buena Vista for cross country ski rentals and the best recommendations on where to go.
Hiking the Interlaken Trail with spikes on our hiking boots
Where to hike
Our favorite hikes in winter are to Browns Creek Waterfall or Agnes Vaille Falls. Who doesn’t love the sound of trickling water hidden under a frozen over waterfall? I’ve hiked both of these trails in spring, summer, and winter.
In the winter, you’ll definitely want to bring spikes and poles, and sometimes snow shoes are required.
Another favorite winter hike is the Interlaken Trail. An easy 4.6 miles out-and-back hike (spikes optional) along the Twin Lakes leads you to the historic Interlaken lakeside resort that was popular in the 1870s. Check it out, off 82 Hwy between Buena Vista and Leadville.
Read up on more hikes we love around Buena Vista and Salida.
Where to eat in BV
While we love Buena Viking burgers in Buena Vista, Crave is our family’s go-to restaurant year-round.
Their delicious wood-fired pizza never disappoints, and their piping-hot pasta dishes are tantalizing. The Bee Sting is our favorite pizza made with New York sauce, mozzarella, sausage, soppressata, jalapenos, burrata, and drizzled honey. It’s the burrata and the sweet kick at the end, for me! Featuring a full bar, wine on tap, craft beer on tap, domestic and imported beers, classic cocktails, house-made iced tea, house-made lemonade, sodas & rootbeer.
Where to stay
For Christmas in Colorado, we love this fabulous Scenic Mountain Home that Sleeps 10, built in the Heart of the Colorado Rockies with breath-taking mountain views and a great view of the famous Chalk Cliffs. It’s also very close to two Buena Vista hikes and just up the road from Mount Princeton Hot Springs.
This charming Buena Vista Home with Hot Tub and Deck offers breathtaking Collegiate Peak views and is just a walk from Main Street.
Leadville - near Buena Vista
With Leadville being just a pretty 38 minute from Buena Vista, you kinda get a two-for-one deal with these Christmas towns in Colorado.
For starters, Leadville offers fantastic opportunities for cross country skiing and snowshoeing on the Mineral Belt Trail. Or head to the Mount Massive Golf Course for cross country skiing; they provide rentals too!
Cross Country skiing at Mount Massive Golf Course in Leadville
Go sledding at the Dutch Henry Tubing Hill near the Nordic center at Colorado Mountain College. The hill is open from dawn to dusk daily, December through March, and tubing is free if you bring your own tube. Rentals are available on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm. Located at 999 S Highway 24 in Leadville.
Skip the crowds and head to Ski Cooper in Leadville for some of the most affordable skiing in Colorado.
Alpine Adventures offers dog-sledding tours.
Visit the famous Melanzana Store, where they make high quality pullover fleece clothing and more, right on location. They are currently booked about 8 months out for shopping by appointment only. In the past, however, we have lucked out with an appointment the day before, when someone cancels, so it’s always worth checking their booking page.
Melody loves the Treeline Kitchen for dinner after an evening cocktail at Before & After, both in Leadville.
Colorado Springs
Take it from us two locals that Colorado Springs, home to fourteener Pikes Peak, is a fun city for Christmas in Colorado.
The historic Broadmoor Hotel is beautifully lit up at Christmas. Head to the second floor of the main building to check out this year’s giant gingerbread display. The theme is different each year. Public guests are welcome inside the lobby to take a look during mid-day until 4 pm. Otherwise, you’ll need a dinner or hotel reservation to be in the hotel.
Broadmoor Hotel lit up at Christmas
From the Broadmoor, take the shuttle to Seven Falls, gorgeous cascading waterfalls colorfully lit up for Christmas. Buy your ticket ahead of time and bundle up for this walking park where you’ll climb 224 stairs to the top of the falls.
What better way to celebrate the holidays in Christmas than by experiencing the city's stunning views while riding exhilarating Soaring Adventure zip lines? Open year-round. Receive 10% OFF the zip lines and most all Broadmoor Outfitters activities when you enter our PROMO CODE “COHIKES” while booking online.
The North Pole — Santa’s Workshop is open mid May through December 24. This enchanting vintage amusement park is nestled at the foot of Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Home to Santa and his village, the spirit of Christmas ramps up big-time for holiday season starting November 2nd.
Ice-Skating in Acacia Park! This downtown Colorado Springs ice rink, located on the west side of Acacia Park, is scheduled to open on November 15.
The Electric Safari at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is the only place in Colorado Springs where you can see over 85 one-of-a-kind light sculptures while celebrating the season with our animals at the same time. It’s ranked third in the nation for Best Zoo Lights.
Read up on more 2024 holiday events in Colorado Springs.
Where to hike
Some of our favorite winter hikes around Colorado Springs include La Deux Reservoirs in Palmer Lake, Seven Bridges to Loud’s Cabin, Mount Esther in Green Mountain Falls and Lovell Gulch in Woodland Park.
We cover all of our favorite hikes, breweries and things to do in Colorado Springs in full detail.
Hiking up to Loud's Cabin in Colorado Springs
Where to eat
Indulge in Brunch with Santa at the Mountain View Restaurant at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort. Reserve a table in advance. Locally renowned for a delicious breakfast, the Holiday Brunch buffet offers quite the spread of savory dishes and decadent desserts.
Skirted Heifer is a local favorite for amazing burgers and fries. Phantom Canyon Brewery downtown serves up a wide variety of Colorado beers and dishes, perfect for a crowd.
Where to stay
One of Colorado’s most popular vacation destinations, with so many choices, Colorado Springs is your ideal place for booking a sweet vacation home for Christmas. Get 20% OFF These Newly Listed Vacation Homes.
Durango
Soak up Christmas in Colorado by riding the Polar Express Train Ride to the North Pole on the Durango & Siverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Your magical holiday trip on a steam train is complete with hot cocoa, sweets and entertainment. The best part: on the way back, Santa visits each train car and shares the first gift of Christmas. Runs November 22, 2024 thru January 4, 2025.
After your wintry adventures, slip into wonderful hot springs in the newly renovated, family-friendly Durango Hot Springs Resort. Take your pick from 19 family-friendly pools or escape to one of the 13 adults-only retreats for a serene soak. For a touch of luxury, slip into a private Japanese-inspired cedar tub and let your worries melt away.
Durango Hot Springs is fantastic in every season!
Durango Dog Ranch runs year-round sled dog tours in Hesperus, CO, just outside Durango, CO. Learn more.
Skiers and snowboarders get their thrills at Hesperus or nearby Purgatory, affordable ski places for Colorado at Christmas.
Guided snowmobiling tours in Durango are also a big hit and high on our bucket list.
Head to Mesa Verde National Park for spectacular wonderland of winter hiking near Durango. Melody and I have each spent time hiking and exploring Mesa Verde and I’d love to go back in winter.
Free snowshoe rentals are available at the Mesa Verde visitor center and at the museum, with adult and child sizes both available. Note: they have to be returned the same day, sometimes as early as 2:30 pm, so plan for snowshoeing at the beginning of your day.
Groomed cross-country ski and snowshoe trails availability is updated each season on Mesa Verde nps.gov site. They report once there is a good amount of snow and the park has begun to groom the trails, so you know when it’s time to hit up the following trails:
Chapin Mesa – Cliff Palace Loop
Morefield Campground trails
Mesa Verde National Park
Where to Hike in Durango
Mesa Verde National Park is not far from Durango and the ancient Puebloan dwellings draped in snow are a sight to behold.
Winter hiking trails you might enjoy in Chapin Mesa: Petroglyph Point Trail, Spruce Canyon Trail, Cliff Palace Loop Trail, Soda Canyon Overlook Trail and Chapin Mesa Rim Trail. See the Chapin Mesa (map)
COHH PRO TIP: Mesa Verde National Park entrance is about 45 minutes drive from Durango; then the Chapin Mesa trails are located about a 45 minute drive from the park entrance. This is a full day trip, but such a fabulous way to experience the ancient Puebloan ruins without the crowds!
Snow is always possible in Mesa Verde in winter, where you’ll experience elevations from 7,000 to 8,500 feet, so your outdoor activities depend on road, trail, and weather conditions. Please check the weather forecast for the Mesa Verde area before you arrive and check with a park ranger at the entrance gate when you arrive for current road and trail conditions.
For more trekking ideas, read up on favorite Colorado hiking trails in Durango.
Where to Eat
Carver Brewing Company and the 11th Street Station Food Truck Collective are just a few best bets for great beer and good eats in Durango.
Where to stay
This lovely 3 bedroom condo is next door to East by Southwest restaurant, just one block from the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Depot and within walking distance to heart of downtown Durango.
Estes Park
For an unforgettable Christmas vacation in Colorado, Estes Park is a family treasure.
Always lit up for Christmas time, here are the best spots to take it all in:
Yuletide Lights Driving Tour takes you on a drive through beautiful Estes Park and enjoy the holiday lights displayed throughout town. Download the map — there are 20 different locations to see!
Stroll down Elkhorn Avenue to see all the trees decked out with lights from root to tip. Various fire pits help you stay warm on the way. Head to George Hix Riverside Plaza for more twinkling lights and even live music.
Castle Mountain Lodge serves up hot chocolate for the holidays
Walk along the covered bridge at Castle Mountain Lodge and then head to the lodge to ask where they are serving fresh cookies, mulled wine, and hot chocolate.
Drive through the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park for their Christmas Village through mid-January. The Flower Circle Area is the top attraction.
Estes Park’s FREE Snowman Scavenger Hunt is a hit with kids and it begins December 7 at Estes Park’s Catch the Glow Snowman Festival. Pick up a snowman punch card from a participating stores, then enjoy a stroll through town as you search for all the snowmen. Learn more here.
Check out Stanley hotel (from The Shining) and read up on more Estes Park holiday events in December.
Where to hike in Estes Park
For winter hiking and snowshoeing, head to Bear Lake Trailhead. The Bear Lake Corridor is your gateway to wonderful snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Perfect for beginners and avid snowshoers, Bear Lake Trailhead is a convenient spot begin your adventure in the park — just 10 miles from the Beaver Meadows entrance.
Read all about favorite RMNP snowshoe trails.
Where to Eat
Colorado craft beer is a thing, just ask a local. Favorite breweries in Estes Park are Estes Park Brewery, Lumpy Ridge, Rock Cut and Avant Garde Ale Works.
Bird and Jim is my favorite though. This casual, rustic restaurant dishes up locally sourced meats and veggies in their hearty mountain fare, plus they have a great wine list.
Winter hiking in Estes Park
Where to stay
We tend to book VRBO vacation homes because they offer all the amenities our teens enjoy, like hot tubs, Xbox, and Netflix. A kitchen and washing facilities are huge perks for family trips. Estes Park offers plenty of beautiful mountain cabins for your holiday vacation in Colorado.
The YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park offers a variety of lodging options from free standing cabins and family reunion lodges to dorm-room shared spaces. Plan ahead as this place is known to fill quickly.
Snowshoeing in Estes Park Colorado
Glenwood Springs
Bright lights strung along Grand Avenue will get you in the holiday spririt in Glenwood Springs while on Christmas vacation in Colorado.
Enjoy the trees and storefronts all lit up at night. Slip inside Grand Avenue coffee shops and art galleries to warm up from the cold or head to the Hotel Colorado.
Hotel Colorado hosts an annual post-Thanksgiving ceremony for their Christmas lights, including a special appearance from Santa Claus. Inside and out, the Hotel Colorado is lit up with hundreds of incredible lights all season long. Grab a hot cup of cocoa at the Legends cafe.
A visit to the hot springs in Glenwood Springs is one of this Colorado Christmas town’s biggest attractions and we’ve soaked in all of them.
Sitting along the Colorado River, folks and family loves the sprawling, historic Glenwood Hot Springs, where mineral-rich waters have been flowing for well over a century. The Yampa Spa Vapor Caves are nextdoor — Melody loved these natural underground hot mineral water steam baths.
Glenwood Hot Springs
Iron Mountain Hot Springs on the Colorado River
We also love the much newer Iron Mountain Hot Springs, also on the Colorado River with stunning views, but away from the sometimes noisy Interstate. Their 16 mineral pools offer different temperatures ranging from 99 to 108 degrees. My favorite place to soak in Glenwood Springs.
For an evening out after a day outside, head just down the interstate to the town of Rifle for the lovely Symphony in the Valley, which offers many holiday concerts. See the symphony’s upcoming events.
Where to hike
Our favorite hike in Glenwood Springs is Hanging Lake, but you need to reserve a permit to hike up there.
NOTE: Currently, Hanging Lake Trail is closed for bridge replacements and rockfall mitigation. Check back for trail reopening dates and permits. Spikes and poles are super helfpul when hiking in this area.
We also suggest the short trail to Mushroom Rock, outside of Glenwood Springs. You may need spikes, but likely not snowshoes. Dogs are welcome off leash here.
We dish all about hiking trails and hot springs in Glenwood Springs, so read up here.
Mama's Pierogi Food Truck in Glenwood Springs
Where to eat and drink
Casey Brewing Taproom on Grand Avenue serves award-winning sours along with our IPAs, Lagers, and Stouts. They don’t serve food, but you are welcome to bring in any food from the surrounding local restaurants. My husband loved this place.
Mama’s Pierogi (food truck) — take it to go and enjoy lots of amazing beer at Casey Brewing Taproom.
Sweet Coloradough — their donuts are insane!
Masala and Curry — the best Indian food!
Riviera Supper Club and Scratch Kitchen are are on my list to try in Glenwood, as I’ve heard fantastic things.
Where to stay
Plan your stay in a gorgeous mountain home for you and your crew. We like this one nestled on one private acre in the beautiful Rocky Mountains - a home with unparalleled view of Mt. Sopris.
Of course there’s always the Hotel Colorado, right in the middle of all the great restaurants and hot spots in Glenwood Springs, so you can walk to everything! You can even ride the train from Denver; the Hotel Colorado provides transportation to and from the Glenwood Springs train station, making this a fun way, even romantic, way to travel in Colorado at Christmas.
Read up on Romantic Getaways in Colorado.
Ouray
Ouray, Colorado, dubbed Switzerland of America, is a top Christmas town known for its scenic winter vistas and good ole’ holiday cheer.
Ouray’s Winterfest kicks off the season during Thanksgiving weekend with their seven-week-long Winterfest.
Take a stroll through Ouray’s historic downtown area, decorated with lights, and enjoy shopping and dining. Don’t forget to look up to the snowy peaks surrounding you in this box canyon.
Then relax in one of the town's natural hot springs. We love the Ouray Hot Springs Pool at 1220 Main Street.
Take a day to go ice climbing at the Ouray Ice Park, which features frozen waterfalls! If you’re a beginner, take a lesson from the San Juan Mountain Guides and have fun climbing the beginner route. It’s super fun to watch others climb too.
Ice Climbing
Head to Ironton Park for snowshoeing and cross country skiing just outside of Ouray. Buckle your seatbelt! You’ll drive over Red Mountain Pass and it’s so worth it. Once you reach Ironton Park, there are multiple beginner and intermediate trails with fabulous views and old historic mining sites.
Where to hike
Lower Cascade Falls is an easy walk from downtown Ouray and Box Canyon Falls are always a treat.
Read up on our favorite hikes in Ouray and along the Million Dollar Highway.
Where to eat
Colorado Boy Southwest Pub bakes up delicious pizzas in their brick oven, serves expertly crafted margaritas, and award winning craft beer.
The Thai Chili Restaurant offers fantastic views and locals love the food.
Ouray Meat and Cheese Market is a yummy place to grab a meal before or after your winter adventure.
Brickhouse 737 has a fireplace and serves up fabulous cocktails and eclectic American cuisine.
Taco Del Gnar in Ridgway is worth the 15 minute drive north for the sauciest tacos around. Try the Bulgogi Steak or Belly Up tacos.
Where to stay
We recommend staying in a cabin in Ridgway with your crew, so you’re situated nicely between Ouray and Telluride on your Christmas vacation in Colorado. Here are some of our favorite options:
Cannon Creek Cabin is private with scenic views and a hot tub. You’ll have amazing views of the Cimarron and Sneffles ranges, a beautiful (seasonal) mountain stream, lush aspen and ponderosa trees, meadows and end of the road seclusion. BONUS: You can rent a loaded 4 dr. Jeep Rubicon with a power "One Touch" convertable top from the property owner — an ideal way to tour this amazing area.
This custom-built mountain retreat right in the middle of Ridgway offers quick access to fantastic dining experiences, iconic mountain landscapes and endless outdoor adventures, no matter the season. This 3 bedroom home is great for families and pet-friendly!
The Ridgway Retreat is built for those who’d like to stay awhile and host large groups. Plop yourself here for a month, while friends and family come and go. This spacious, luxurious custom home sits on a 5-acre lot overlooking the Cimarrons, San Juans and Ouray Valley.
Many recommend staying at the Wiesbaden Hot Springs, and it’s high on our bucket list!
Telluride - near Ouray
Drive around Mount Sneffels and head to Telluride for the day, or stay a while. Just 50 miles from Ouray, you’ll drive right through Ridgway on your way to Telluride.
The towns of Mountain Village and Telluride are linked together by an unforgettable, scenic 12-minute ride on a free gondola—the only FREE public transportation of its kind anywhere in America. Even if you aren’t skiing, you can ride it.
BONUS: The free gondola is your gateway to Telluride’s ski slopes in the winter. Travel + Leisure recently claimed it may be “Colorado’s most idyllic ski town in North America.”
You can hop on the gondola in Mountain Village or Telluride and ride to the midway point: Station St. Sophia. From St. Sophia, you can head out hiking and skiing (and mountain biking in summer too!) as well as continue on to the other side. The gondola runs daily from 6:30 a.m. to midnight during summer and winter. Check summer and winter dates.
Our pick for a wintry hike in Telluride over Christmas break is Bear Creek Trail to Bear Creek Falls. In the winter, hikers should bring microspikes, poles, or snowshoes to complete this trail. The waterfall will likely be frozen over, but frozen falls are still a treat!
Refuel after the hike with delicious burgers and brews at Smuggler’s Union Restaurant and Brewery in Telluride.
Steamboat Springs
One of the best places to go in Colorado for Christmas — the snow piles up early on — Steamboat Springs is a great destination for holiday trips in December.
For starters, twinkly lights adorn Lincoln Avenue, a lovey Main Street for walking and shopping.
Howelsen Hill in downtown Steamboat Springs offers free skiing every Sunday, beginning December 5th. For more ski runs, head to Steamboat Ski Resort.
In Steamboat, Santa Saddles Up at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 14th in 2024. This annual tradition highlights Santa riding into the resort from the Torian Plum Area right down the slopes into the heart of Steamboat Square, escorted by legendary locals Bob Dapper and Dean Vogelaar.
Visit Santa while sipping on free hot chocolate and cupcakes. Steamboat Stage is at 2305 Mt. Werner Circle. Then take a spin around Skeeters ice rink.
Learn how to MUSH a team of Alaskan Husky in the backcountry! Grizzle T Dog & Sled Works promises an adventure your whole family or crew of friends will remember forever.
Snowmobiling is another high-adrenaline adventure waiting for you in Steamboat Springs. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly scenic trail tour or you want to dive into the powder on a backcountry tour, head out with Thunderstruck Adventures for amazing snowmobile tours.
Adults ages 21 and older love the Brew Trail. Bundle up and walk the 2.7 miles along the Steamboat Brew Trail, from downtown Steamboat to the West end of town. The Brew Trail is made up of three local breweries serving yummy Colorado beers, plus one distillery offering up small-batch whiskey, vodka, gin, and moonshine.
Where to hike
Wintry hikes and snowshoeing is a hit on the Zirkel Circle. A nearly eleven mile loop, Zirkel Circle from the Slavonia Trailhead is one of our favorite hikes in Steamboat. You could go as far in as you like and turn around when you’ve hit your limit. We hiked the loop in fall and loved it.
Dog sledding
Where to eat in Steamboat Spring
Mambo — nothing fills an empty hiker’s stomach like a big plate of Italian pasta. Mambo is known for its homemade pastas. Have a big appetite when you head here!
Laundry, an upscale restaurant, where you can’t go wrong with anything on this menu. Make sure to reserve a table on busy summer nights. With options for small plates, sample many of their quintessential dishes.
Storm Peak Brewery, is a hit, where you can sample one of the 20 barrel brewed beers. Also a great place to visit for a quick pint.
Salt & Lime delivers a boisterous and exuberant atmosphere with high tops and long tables. This joint quickly became one of our favorite stops every time we are in Steamboat. Happy hour is a great way to sample custom cocktails at a lower price point.
Smell That Break Bakery serves fresh baked goods and hot sandwiches, plus coffee to go, before or after your adventure. Follow your nose. Open at the crack of dawn. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Where to stay
Check out these these three we love for bigger families or groups:
Beautiful, cozy townhome that sleeps seven
River condos with views of the Yampa River and historic Howelsen Hill ski mountain
Christmas Vacation in Colorado
We’ve wrapped up our favorite towns in Colorado for Christmas in the Rockies. As you can see, spending the holidays in the mountains gives you a wide variety of adventurous winter activities to experience with the ones you love the most.
From skiing to dog sledding, snowshoeing to ice climbing, and so much more — be sure to bundle up with the right gear so you can make the most of your time outside together.
Thinking of a Colorado Family Vacation for summer 2025? We’ve rounded up 13 spots we love for summertime with your crew in the Rockies.
