From Tubing to Snowmobiling: The Best Places for Winter Fun in Colorado

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Downhill skiing might get all the attention when you think of winter activities in Colorado, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the best ways to keep yourself busy during the coldest months of the year. 

From sledding and snowshoeing in Colorado’s most iconic national park to snowmobiling through deep powder in picturesque meadows, taking in the mountain views, drinking beer while ice fishing on alpine lakes, and everything in between, here are our top recommendations for making this your best winter yet. 

Check out our roundup of the best places for snowshoeing, tubing, ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling in Colorado below. 

Best Places in Colorado for Snowshoeing 

Rocky Mountain National Park 

Estes Park 

Distance from Denver: 65 miles (about an hour and a half) 

There’s a reason why Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Colorado: It’s breathtakingly beautiful. But if summer crowds aren’t your thing, the park is equally lovely during the winter, making it one of the best places in Colorado to snowshoe. A blanket of snow usually covers the park from late October through early May, and most of the trails you know and love during the summer are also accessible during the winter. One-day park passes are $30, and be sure to check trail conditions before you go. 

St. Mary’s Glacier

Idaho Springs 

Distance from Denver: 45 miles (about an hour without traffic) 

This popular trail near Idaho Springs offers the perfect place to try out snowshoeing without too much commitment. The 1.6-mile out-and-back trail gains about 500 feet of elevation and ends at a beautiful alpine lake and glacier. From there, you can continue on — but the route is less obvious and avalanche gear is highly encouraged. 

Mayflower Gulch Traverse

Frisco 

Distance from Denver: 85 miles (about an hour and a half without traffic) 

Known for its amazing views of the surrounding mountains, the Mayflower Gulch Trail is frequently ranked one of the best places for snowshoeing in Colorado. This 6.4-mile out-and-back ascends some 1,700 feet before reaching the ruins of the Gold Crest Mine. The exertion is worth it, though, for the vistas of the Tenmile Range and Mt. Fletcher. 

Devil’s Thumb Ranch

Winter Park 

Distance from Denver: 80 miles (one hour and 45 minutes without traffic) 

You don’t have to actually stay at this cozy resort and spa to enjoy its 6,500 acres of scenic Colorado landscapes. Snowshoers can check out more than 20 kilometers of marked trails, which traverse everything from meadows to enchanting Colorado forests. Rentals and guided tours are available on-site, and day passes start at $30 for adults and $20 for kids.

Photo: via Shutterstock.com

Best Places in Colorado for Sledding or Tubing 

Copper Mountain

Summit County

Distance from Denver: 80 miles (about an hour and a half without traffic) 

With banked turns and the chance to “slide, spin, and send it” down this epic tubing hill, there’s no way you can possibly leave this Copper Mountain classic without a giant smile on your face. Given its proximity to the ski resort, this is a popular activity, so you’ll need to make a reservation online in advance. Sessions last for one hour and run around $60 per person. 

Frisco Adventure Park

Frisco 

Distance from Denver: 75 miles (about an hour and a half without traffic) 

If you’d like to be close to famous ski areas like Keystone and Breckenridge but don’t actually want to hit the slopes, this might be the perfect spot for an outdoor activity. The Frisco Adventure Park’s tubing hill has several lanes, offering experiences ranging from fairly mellow to rolling. Don’t worry: You can catch a surface lift to the top in between rides. This is a popular spot, so you have to make reservations in advance online. Tubing sessions run for $45 per person. 

Fraser Tubing Hill

Fraser 

Distance from Denver: 70 miles (about an hour and a half without traffic) 

The Fraser Tubing Hill has been one of the best spots for sledding in Colorado since 1971, and for good reason. This family-owned operation touts itself as offering thrills for everyone between the ages of 3 and 103. Enjoy amazing views of the Fraser Valley while you bomb down the hill and conveniently get a lift ride back to the top to do it again. This adventure costs $35 per hour, and admission includes a tube and helmet rental. Children between 3-6 must ride with an adult. 

Hidden Valley

Rocky Mountain National Park 

Distance from Denver: 75 miles (about one hour and 45 minutes without traffic) 

Yes, you can actually sled in Rocky Mountain National Park — and that fact alone easily makes Hidden Valley one of the best places for tubing in Colorado. Hidden Valley was formerly a ski area, and the sledding hill takes up what was once its bunny slope. Don’t let that fool you, though: Kids can definitely go fast! Unlike other spots on this list, you’ll need to bring your own equipment, though rentals are available in numerous locations throughout Estes Park. Find updates on the hill’s conditions here, and be ready to pay $30 per vehicle for entry into the national park. 

Best Places in Colorado for Cross-Country Skiing 

Crested Butte Nordic

Crested Butte

Distance from Denver: 228 miles (about 4.5 hours without traffic) 

Crested Butte is easily one of the coolest mountain towns in Colorado, and if downhill skiing isn’t your jam, it also happens to have one of the best Nordic trail systems in the state. Crested Butte’s 55 kilometers of trails originate from three unique trailheads near downtown. Regardless of where you choose to go, you’ll be rewarded with pristine groomed conditions and amazing views of the surrounding mountains. 

Eldora Nordic Center

Nederland 

Distance from Denver: 50 miles (about an hour and 15 minutes) 

Whether you’re new to cross-country skiing or are an actual Olympian (there are lots of those near Boulder), there’s something to love at Eldora Nordic Center, which is hands down the best spot for cross-country skiing near Denver. This area has 40 kilometers of trails for classic and skate skiing, as well as complete rental services, lessons, and an on-site retail store. All of this luxury does come with a price: A one-day pass can run for up to $40 (there is, however, a discount if you buy online versus at the window). 

Grand Mesa Ski Trails

Mesa County 

Distance from Denver: 226 miles (about five hours without traffic) 

As the largest flat-topped mountain in the world (other than your mom — just kidding), the Grand Mesa offers scenery that you have to see to believe. It’s cool during the summer, but otherworldly during the winter — and luckily, there are 50 kilometers of groomed cross-country ski trails that offer perfect opportunities to enjoy all of its splendor. While it’s not required, a $20 donation is encouraged to help offset the cost of grooming and maintaining these incredible trails. 

Mineral Belt Trail

Leadville

Distance from Denver: 100 miles (about two hours without traffic) 

If you’re a fan of majestic mountain vistas, high altitudes, and unique mountain towns, then it’s hard to beat Leadville. And during the winter, the 11.7-mile Mineral Belt trail is easily one of the best places for cross-country skiing in Colorado and beyond. Skiers can tackle either direction of this famous loop, which also has mile markers and shelters every few miles. This trail is regularly groomed, and bonus: Pets are allowed! Just be sure to keep your pal on a leash. 

Photo: via Shutterstock.com

Best Places in Colorado for Snowmobiling 

Georgia Pass Road

Breckenridge 

Distance from Denver: 80 miles (about two hours) 

This gorgeous mountain pass connecting Breckenridge and Park County is relatively close to Denver — and, more importantly, is closed to motor vehicles during the winter, making it a prime spot for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. The 4.5-mile road to the summit starts at 9,840 before taking riders up to 11,596 feet and a saddle that offers incredible views of the surrounding mountains. 

Grand Lake

Grand County 

Distance from Denver: 102 miles (about two hours and 15 minutes without traffic) 

Grand Lake is a frequent flyer on lists of the best spots for snowmobiling in Colorado. Between the beginner-friendly, groomed trails along the shores of this frozen lake and nearby meadows to the more advanced routes through the “Idleglen Staging Area,” Grand Lake truly has something for everyone. A bonus? The town is an excellent place for a post-outdoor adventure drink. 

Meeker

Rio Blanco County 

Distance from Denver: 224 miles (about four hours without traffic) 

Sure, it’s a drive, but there’s a reason why Meeker is often considered one of the best places to snowmobile in Colorado. That’s because the White River Snowmobile Club maintains 178 miles of trails in Rio Blanco County. Of those, 78 miles are groomed, and the other 100 are left natural. Meanwhile, this isolated corner of the state offers incredible views with fewer crowds than spots closer to Denver. 

Rabbit Ears Pass

Routt County 

Distance from Denver: 134 miles (about 2.5 hours without traffic) 

Skiers might breeze through Rabbit Ears Pass on the way to Steamboat, but snowmobilers know that it’s a destination in and of itself. This winter playground is home to numerous groomed trails and wide-open spaces, with the potential to put together some loops of up to 15 miles.

Best Places in Colorado for Ice Fishing 

Lake Granby

Grand County 

Distance from Denver: 95 miles (about a two-hour drive without traffic)

As one of the largest bodies of water in Colorado, it’s no surprise that Lake Granby is a prime spot for ice fishing — in fact, it’s home to the highest density of lake trout in Colorado, as well as lots of other fish species, including rainbow trout, brown trout, and kokanee salmon. A heads up: Since Lake Granby is part of the Arapaho National Recreation Area, annual or day vehicle passes are required. You can pick those up at recreation.gov

Eleven Mile Reservoir

Lake George 

Distance from Denver: 128 miles (about two and a half hours without traffic) 

The experts at Ice Fish Colorado call Eleven Mile Reservoir one of the best spots for catching fish not just in the state, but in the Western U.S.! It has a population of everything from rainbow and brown trout to kokanee salmon, carp, and northern pike. Keep in mind Eleven Mile Reservoir is in a state park, so unless you have a pass, day use runs for $11 per vehicle. 

Harvey Gap State Park

Rifle

Distance from Denver: 182 miles (about a three-hour drive without traffic) 

Known for its clean water and proximity to the incredible Western Slope geographical feature that is the Grand Hogback, Harvey Gap is renowned as one of the best spots for ice fishing in Colorado. This reservoir is at an elevation of 6,400 feet and is home to an ample population of catfish, largemouth and smallmouth bass, perch, crappie, rainbow trout, and northern pike. As is the case with any ice fishing adventure, be sure to check the conditions before you go

Blue Mesa Reservoir

Gunnison

Distance from Denver: 220 miles (about a four-hour drive without traffic) 

With more than 100 miles of shoreline, Blue Mesa Reservoir is home to countless spots that make it a prime fishing spot regardless of the season. So, it’s no surprise that it happens to be one of the best spots for ice fishing in Colorado. In February, enough of the lake is frozen that anglers can expect to find mackinaw and salmon, as well as abundant opportunities for rainbow and brown trout. A heads up: Since the lake is so large, some spots might only be accessible via snowmobile. 

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