7 Best Winter Vacations in Colorado for Families
If you are looking for both skiing and hot springs in Colorado, these first 4 options will make the perfect winter vacations in Colorado! Beyond those, you’ll find fun Colorado winter getaways with plenty of fun and unique activities in all these locations that will be perfect for the whole family.
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Try out mountain towns with some of the best skiing in the country, or take it easy with hot springs, snowshoeing, and other great activities. Your winter vacation is waiting to bless you with days filled with fun and memories!
Here are the best places to go in winter in Colorado!
1. Glenwood Springs
Glenwood Springs is conveniently located right off I-70 on the western half of Colorado. While this town is great for summer hiking and activities, winter brings a whole new adventure.
Start your trip with great snowshoe trails at Babbish Gulch. Head to Sunlight Mountain Resort, about 20 minutes south of Glenwood, to being your day on the nordic trails. The whole family will enjoy 29 kilometers of trails, with beginner trails for the youngest ones.
In the afternoon, head to the famous Glenwood Hot Springs where you’ll find the largest mineral hot springs pool in the world. This steamy area will feel great agains the crisp air, but isn’t too hot for kids to enjoy. The hot springs are an absolute MUST DO when visiting Glenwood Springs.
The rest of your days can be spent skiing at Sunlight Mountain Resort, checking out a more intimate soak at Iron Mountain Hot Springs (still has a family pool!), ice skating at the community center, and eating at local spots.
🏠 Where to Stay: Hotel Colorado – a beautiful hotel and 1 minute walk from the hot springs, right in the heart of town.
2. Buena Vista
Buena Vista is a more remote location, away from the busy ski resort area of I-70. You’ll find this town west of Colorado Springs in a beautiful and convenient location.
When you take you Colorado winter trip, consider Buena Vista as a landing spot.
Start your trip with a day of skiing. You’ll have plenty of options with 5 ski resorts all under 2 hours. Visit Crested Butte, a less popular but incredible ski area at just 1 hour and 45 minutes away.
If you want something closer, Monarch Mountain is a quick 45 minutes south. You can also access Breckenridge or Copper in 1 hour 15 minutes or less, or Ski Cooper in Leadville just under an hour away.
Then relax with a soak at Mount Princeton Hot Springs. This beautiful hot spring spot has multiple pools, including a zero entry for the kids.
Spend another day taking in winter scenery on the Leadville Winter Express. Climb aboard and enjoy cocoa or hot cider as you soak up Colorado wintertime in a heated lounge car.
See the best of Buena Vista in the snow on a family snowmobile ride. Sign up with White Mountain for the Prospector ride for a day the whole family will enjoy. Younger ones will even have a chance to drive kiddie snowmobiles around the meadow.
🏠 Where to stay: Mount Priceton Hot Springs Resort. Grab a room or a cabin for the family.
3. Steamboat Springs
Steamboat Springs is always a favorite anytime of year. We love seeing the town in fall and then checking it out in winter again.
On your winter vacation to Colorado, head from the airport to Steamboat Springs to begin an incredible adventure.
For a great day skiing, head to Steamboat Resort. With an average of almost 300″ of snow each year, chances are you’ll have a great day on some fresh powder.
Spend the next day in Rabbit Ears pass on the side nearest Steamboat. Here you’ll find great trails for snowshoeing. When we went, we also brought a sled to enjoy some backcountry sledding!
When you’re worn out from snowshoeing, head up the mountain to Strawberry hot springs. In order for the kids to come, you’ll have to get there before dark and some rules (and clothes) go away. (reservation required, cash only).
If you can’t make it up the mountain, you can still warm up in the hot springs at the rec center downtown.
Fill the rest of the time with snowmobiling in rabbit ears pass, ice skating at the bottom of the ski resort, local shopping in town, eating at Mambo Italiano for dinner, and checking out local events.
The holidays bring a tree lighting with Santa and hot cocoa. February bring the famous Winter Carnival with events and races down main street.
Everything about Steamboat makes it a bit of a bucket list town in winter. There is so much to enjoy.
🏠 Where to Stay: Steamboat Grand. Choose from a single room or multi-room apartment style. Plus, it’s quick access to the ski resort.
4. Ouray
For another great winter trip idea in Colorado, make the drive down to Ouray.
Ouray is considered the Switzerland of America. It’s nestled between some steep mountains, surrounded by waterfalls, and just a straight up fun place to go.
When you take you winter vacation, you’ll find plenty of fun in Ouray.
Start with a day on the slopes at the nearby Telluride Ski Resort. It takes around an hour to get from Ouray to Telluride. Since it’s a bit more remote than the resorts off I-70, you’ll get less crowds and less time in lift lines.
Ouray is another Colorado town that offers both skiing and hot springs. After tearing up the slopes, you can head to Ouray’s city hot springs. This is a great, family-friendly hot springs location with plenty of space. We loved the extra toys and obstacles in the pool for the kids to enjoy.
Ouray is a great winter vacation spot in Colorado as well because it has an ice park! This is a great, unique activity that the whole family can enjoy.
Reserve a time to go ice climbing with instruction without having to leave town. Kids as young as 8 can join the fun in leaning to climb on a beginners area perfect for first-timers.
🏠 Where to Stay: Ouray Inn. Enjoy a rooftop terrace, playground, and easy access to town and hot springs.
5. Vail
There may not be hot springs in town, but Vail has always been my favorite place to ski. If you are looking for a ski vacation, this is the place.
Vail is the perfect place if you’d like to spend your Colorado winter vacation skiing. This resort is huge. I have skied from open to close and not hit the same run twice here.
Vail is the 2nd largest ski resort in North America at 5,317 skiable acres. They have 32 lifts, 278 runs, and average just over 350″ of snow each year.
When you vacation at Vail, skiing is the top priority. If you’ve worn yourself out at Vail (is that possible?) you can also check out Beaver Creek Ski resort, just a short drive up I-70. This is another favorite of mine.
If you need a day off from skiing, you can also snowshoe, ride the gondola, or visit the nature center for fun exhibits.
🏠 Where to Stay: The Sonnenalp. Be aware, nothing comes on a budget in Vail. The Sonnenalp is a beautiful property with an indoor pool and game room to keep the kids happy.
6. Aspen
Heading to Aspen is wonderful, beautiful, idea. But keep in mind, Aspen is not cheap. In fact, it was noted as the world’s most expensive ski town in 2022.
To make it more affordable, consider grabbing a rental in Snowmass and making your own meals.
Once you’re settled, you can spend ample time on the mountain. The Aspen lift tickets actually provides access to four ski resorts in the area: Aspen, Buttermilk, Aspen Highlands, and Snowmass.
If you’re not wanting to spend all vacation on the slopes, there are plenty of other winter activities around.
The kids will love zooming down the mountain coaster amid a snowy scene. Or head to The Meadows at Elk Camp for a fun day of snow tubing (kids 38″ and up can ride!)
For a truly unique experience, you can ride a snow cat up the mountain for dinner with a view at the top. You can choose from riding up for dinner at Snowmass or at Aspen Highlands for convenience.
🏠 Where to Stay: Grab a Rental in Snowmass to save on lodging!
7. Winter Park
Winter Park is a great area a bit removed from the main ski resort area. You’ll still get a ski resort, but it’s slightly less crowded.
Winter Park makes a great Colorado winter vacation thanks to not only its location, but array of activities available to families.
First, book your family sleigh ride. This magical experience will take you on a 45-minute sleigh ride through the forests and meadows. When the ride is over, warm up by the fire with some hot cocoa as you roast some marshmallows.
Winter Park is known for having some of the best tubing in Colorado. Make sure to bring warm gear to have an afternoon or evening on the tubing hill.
Kids will love attending glow night on the ice. Head to Winter Park Village to skate on the outdoor pond. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday bring it aglow in color for extra fun.
Winter Park brings all the typical winter activities like skiing, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and sledding. Enjoy each at your leisure and ability.
For a final, unique winter activity, try a tour on a snowcat. Devil’s Thumb Ranch in nearby Tabernash takes reservations for both sunrise and sunset. You can also book a snowcat tour through Winter Park resort. These take off throughout the day.
🏠Where to Stay: Gravity Haus can sleep up to 6 and is just a minute from the visitor center
Winter Vacations in Colorado
If you’re looking for some great winter trips in Colorado, these will give you 7 awesome ideas. Each town is filled with classic Colorado winter vacation activities that the whole family will enjoy.
Whether you are looking for simple skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding or you want something unique like riding a snowcat or riding a mountain coaster, Colorado is filled with fun during its colder months.
Ski families will love the selection of resorts. Non-skiers will fill their time with great snow or hot spring activities around the state.
Whatever you choose, rest assured there are some amazing places to go in Colorado for winter!
