There’s so much to do in Colorado, and Winter is definitely no exception! Colorado is known internationally for our snow and mountains, so take advantage of the novelty and bundle up the family and check out some of these “cool” Winter Festivals coming up!
1) URLLGRASS in GOLDEN – January 29-30
Put on your faux fur and Viking horns for this family-friendly winter music and beer fest in the Rocky Mountain foothills in Golden. Highlights include the UrllGrass Parade, live music and tons of local food and craft vendors.
2) BUDWEISER
SNOW SCULPTURE CHAMPIONSHIPS – January 16-30 (Viewing Jan 30 – Feb 7)
Master snow artists from around the world go to Breckenridge every year to take advantage of the spectacular snow with their intricate snow sculptures created from 20-ton blocks of snow! The kids will love seeing the creative process behind it!
3) ALAMOSA ICE FEST – January 29-31
Scavenger hunts, snowman-building contests, the RioFrio 5k and a fire-and-ice party celebrate winter in Alamosa.
Steamboat has reveled in their bounty of trademark Champagne Powder™ since 1914. The carnival features ski-jumping competitions, dog-sled pulls, cross-country obstacle races, a tubing party and a spectacular fireworks display!
5) WINTER PARK WINTER CARNIVAL – February 6-14
This fest is actually a “birthday party” for one of the area’s colorful early residents — a gal named Mary Jane. Enjoy live music, fireworks, ice-skating lessons, sled races, horse-drawn carriage rides and more in Winter Park!
6) CRIPPLE CREEK ICE FESTIVAL – February 12-14 and 20-21
The Cripple Creek Ice Festival is always fun! There are interactive ice sculptures, sculptures for kids to play on and plenty of other non- ice related activities, such as a beer garden, food and lots of live entertainment.
7) PAGOSA SPRINGS WINTERFEST – February 12-14
Are you brave enough to submerge yourself in the San Juan River’s Penguin Plunge? Test your cooking skills in the Anything Goes Chili Contest or sit back and watch the Nordic Club races in Pagosa Springs!
8) SKI JORING & CRYSTAL CARNIVAL in LEADVILLE- March 5-6
A fearless skier navigates an obstacle course connected by tow rope to a horse and rider galloping at top speed, and it all takes place in the middle of town, in addition to a winter carnival with other spectacular snowy activities!
9) FROZEN DEAD GUY DAYS – March 11-13
Nederland, near Boulder, celebrates winter in a creative way. Grandpa Bredo Morstoel died and was preserved in liquid nitrogen. His body is in Nederland. The festival celebrates with lots of music, numerous activities and frozen “Dead Poet Society” readings. frozendeadguydays.org