- Rob McGovern
Colorado Winter Bucket List
We've rounded up 20 great activities West of 105 you'll want to add to your Colorado winter bucket list. (Click on the page number to get more details!)
1. The Longest Run
#Ski Longshot at #Snowmass. At 5.3 miles, Longshot is the longest run in the state (and the fifth in the country). The blue run is accessed via a short hike from Elk Camp chair lift.
2. Visit a Fairytale (Ice) Castle
Returning to #Dillon for the second consecutive year, the Ice Castles are built using hundreds of thousands of icicles that are hand-placed by professional ice artists to create the #winter wonderland. Lights illuminate the castles at night.
3. Soak in a Hot Spring
Colorado is home to dozens of natural #hotsprings, some which are located in historic, century-old facilities and others which are literally off the side of the road, and winter is the ideal time to experience them.
4. Breck in a Day
Spend a whole day exploring #Breckenridge with our 24-hour guide. Find out what to do, eat and drink, as well as where to rest after a long day exploring.
5. Try a New Trend
#Uphillskiing is not entirely new, but it is gaining in popularity across Colorado, so expect to see more people skiing uphill this winter. In March, #Aspen hosts the annual America’s Uphill, a race that attracts #snowshoers, #runners and #Nordicskiers for a 2.5-mile and 3,000’+ vertical climb.
6. Après like a Legend
Aspen’s J Bar (inside Hotel Jerome) was a favorite hangout spot for gonzo journalist and novelist Hunter S. Thompson. Read about J Bar and nine other #aprés-ski spots.
7. Watch the Masters
Colorado will once again host some of the best winter athletes in the world when the X Games returns to Aspen from Jan. 24 - 27, 2019. There will also be musical performances from, among others, Lil Wayne. All of the competitions are free and open to the public; the games will also be aired on ESPN and ABC.
8. Dine in the Backcountry
Immerse yourself in Colorado’s spectacular natural landscape by having dinner at a secluded cabin. Ski, snowmobile, snowshoe or take a snowcat to one of several #backcountry #dining options this winter.
9. Spot Some Wildlife
We’ve teamed up with artist Todd Telander to present a guide to some of the wildlife you might spot in Colorado this winter. His magnificent illustrations bring the amazing diversity of #wildlife in the state to life.
10. #Snowmobile through Grand Lake
Claiming the title of Snowmobile Capital of Colorado, the area around #GrandLake has a lot of terrain for snowmobilers, but it is also legal to ride your snowmobile right through town.
11. Get High
Visit the highest #breweries in the state and taste some of their hoppy concoctions this winter. We round them up on Page 88
12. Explore Beyond the Beaten Track
Colorado is home to dozens of #huts, #cabins, #yurts and #lodges, many of which are so remote you have to snowshoe or Nordic ski to them. We rounded up over a dozen options for a winter adventure.
13. Celebrate Art
#Bauhaus, one of the most influential #art and design schools in history, is celebrating its centenary. Read about how it influenced and shaped Aspen into what it is today.
14. Say Cheese
Colorado is home to great artisan producers of all kinds of things. We spoke to a few #cheese producers about their products; they also suggested a few libations you can pair with their cheeses. Consider giving the gift of cheese this Xmas.
15. Heli Skiing
The San Juan Mountains offer some of the most incredible scenery anywhere, and the tens of thousands of acres of untouched terrain can be accessed in winter - for a price. There are a couple of operators in the state that offer everything, from single drops to day-long adventures.
16. Discover Aspen
Read our feature story on one of the world’s most well-known #skiresort towns and discover a few things you may not know.
17. Scale a Frozen Cliff Face
The quaint mountain community of #Ouray is home to the world’s first #iceclimbing park. With over 200 different routes, the park has some of the best winter climbing in the nation. Try to catch the four-day ice climbing festival from Jan. 24 - 27, 2019.
18. National Parks
Colorado’s four national parks offer a slew of activities in winter. From the snow-capped peaks of Rocky Mountain #NationalPark to the groomed Nordic ski trails of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, we’ve rounded up the best winter offerings at each.
19. Polish Your Skills
Buttermilk Mountain has several terrain parks. S3 Park has 20 or so beginner- and intermediate-level features that will test your skills.
20. Fat Tire Fest
The Fat Bike World Championships will be held in Crested Butte in January. The five-day celebration of everything fat bike includes the championship race, a 30-mile ride that will determine the world champion. The fourth installment of the event will be celebrated with an after party the evening of the race.
Read the whole winter issue of West of 105 for FREE here