From Torchlight Parades to Hot Springs: Colorado’s Winter Magic

Colorado transforms into a winter wonderland each December, with snow-covered mountains, twinkling holiday lights, and charming towns full of festive cheer. There’s much more to Colorado in December than skiing. Watch torchlight parades light up the slopes, ride festive trains through snowy canyons, soak in natural hot springs, or enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the Rockies. Whether you’re planning a family Christmas getaway, an active winter adventure, or a peaceful mountain escape, Colorado offers something for everyone. From holiday traditions and scenic drives to snowy trails and cozy mountain towns, here’s your local’s guide to the best things to do in Colorado in December.

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Top Things to Do in December in Colorado Contents

• Is it Worth Visiting Colorado in December?
• What’s the Weather Like in Colorado in December?
• Top Things to Do in December in Colorado
  • Skiing & Snowboarding
  • Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing
  • Soaking in Hot Springs
  • Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides
• Festive Events and Holiday Cheer
  • Holiday Lights & Festivals
  • Ski Torchlight Parades
  • Festive Train Rides
  • Cut Your Own Christmas Tree
• Scenic Winter Drives
• Driving Tips for Colorado in December
• Festive Places to Stay in December
• Top Things to Do in December in Colorado Wrap-Up

Is it Worth Visiting Colorado in December?

What’s the Weather Like in Colorado in December?

Colorado’s December weather varies widely, from sunny and mild days to snowy and freezing ones. Often you can choose between skiing in the mountains and biking, hiking, or golfing in front range cities like Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder and Fort Collins. The mountains see more frequent snowstorms. There are years with huge snow storms early in the season, resulting in incredible December skiing. In other years, the ski areas open using man-made snow, with limited ski run availability.

Top Things to Do in December in Colorado

Skiing & Snowboarding

Though some ski resorts open in October, December is the official start of ski season in Colorado. By mid-December, most resorts are fully operational. Ski resorts, especially those on the I-70 Corridor, are very crowded during the school vacation weeks.

Pro Tip: Many people travel to the mountains for vacation on December 26th. This is often a transition day, with the slopes getting progressively more crowded throughout the day.

Large Ski Resorts to Visit

Some of the top ski towns in Colorado for families we recommend are Breckenridge, Vail, Winter Park, Breckenridge, and Aspen. To avoid crowds, head further away from Denver to Crested Butte, Durango, Telluride, and Steamboat Springs. Most of these towns have a variety of non-skiing activities, such as ice skating, curling, sleigh rides, and hot springs.

Use our free quiz below to help you decide on the best Colorado ski destination for you.

Small, Family Friendly Ski Resorts in Colorado

Another option to avoid crowds is to visit smaller, family friendly resorts. We’ve skied every one of these, and enjoyed the ease of parking, smaller lift lines, and budget friendliness.

• Ski Loveland: right off of I-70, usually one of the first ski areas to open in Colorado.
• Arapahoe Basin: just over Loveland Pass, A-Basin opens early and stays open late.
• Granby Ranch: enjoy downhill and cross country skiing, with easy access to Hot Sulphur Springs, Grand Lake, and Rocky Mountain National Park.
• Ski Cooper: a short drive from Copper Mountain and Vail, enjoy downhill and cross country skiing at the former training site of the 10th mountain division.
• Ski Monarch: this downhill ski area is en route to Crested Butte on Monarch Pass.
• Sunlight Mountain Resort: combine downhill and cross country skiing with Glenwood Springs‘ incredible hot springs.
• Powderhorn: near Grand Junction, this little ski area is one of the least crowded we’ve found.
• Eldora: 30 minutes west of Boulder, Eldora has close-in alpine and nordic skiing, avoiding I-70 traffic.

Pro Tip: Be sure to check current year opening dates for ski resorts when planning your December holidays in Colorado.

Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing

Whether you prefer cross country skiing or snowshoeing, Colorado’s snowy landscapes are perfect for your adventures. Some of our favorite Colorado cross-country destinations are:

• Snow Mountain Ranch near Granby – Part of the YMCA of the Rockies, they offer cross country rentals & lessons, snow shoeing, tubing, and an ice skating rink.
• Frisco Nordic Center – groomed trails with views of Lake Dillon and stunning mountain views. Enjoy snowshoeing, lessons, and rentals (tubing hill and sleigh rides are next door).
• Devil’s Thumb Nordic Center – this spa and nordic center in Tabernash offers a true luxury experience. Though you can day trip, a weekend at Devil’s Thumb is the ultimate romantic getaway.
• Rocky Mountain National Park in winter is ideal for snowshoeing (or cross country skiing) through forests and frozen meadows.
• Crested Butte Nordic – our favorite destination cross country ski area, with beautiful trails. Don’t miss skiing or snowshoeing to the Magic Meadows Yurt for a meal.
• Vail Nordic Center – perfect for beginners (and more advanced), the Nordic center offers rentals and lessons on the Vail golf course.

Pro Tip: For a true off-the-beaten path nordic experience with incredible views, head out to Grand Mesa Nordic, just east of Grand Junction.

Soaking in Hot Springs

After a day in the snow, there’s nothing better than relaxing in a natural hot spring. Top choices for December in Colorado:

• Glenwood Hot Springs and Iron Mountain Hot Springs – near Sunlight Mountain Resort and Aspen,
• Strawberry Park Hot Springs – rustic soaking surrounded by forest near Steamboat Springs,
• Ouray Hot Springs – a variety of hot springs including Box Cañon hot springs, near Telluride,
• Hot Sulphur Springs – near Granby Ranch and Winter Park Resort,
• Mt. Princeton Hot Springs – nestled against snowy peaks in Nathrop, near Ski Monarch and on the scenic route from Denver to Crested Butte,
• Pagosa Springs – multiple springs along the San Juan River, near Wolf Creek Ski Area.

Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides

Gliding through a snowy meadow on a horse-drawn sleigh is one of the top things to do in December in Colorado. Wrap-up in blankets, listen to the sleigh bells jingling, and enjoy the mountain views with a cup of hot cocoa.

Some great places to enjoy sleigh rides in December in Colorado:

• Golden Horseshoe Sleigh Rides (Breckenridge) – scenic sleigh rides through the forest with hot cocoa or dinner,
• Dashing Thru the Snow (Fraser) – family-friendly rides with views of the Continental Divide,
• Two Below Zero in Frisco – festive sleigh rides with themed dinner experiences,
• Bar Lazy L Ranch Steamboat Springs – sleigh rides with a delicious dinner,
• Telluride Sleighs and Wagons - enjoy afternoon or dinner sleigh rides to an authentic sheep camp.

Pro Tip: Be sure to make reservations early, especially around the holidays.

Festive Events and Holiday Cheer

Holiday Lights & Festivals

Colorado towns go all out with lights and decorations in December. Denver's holiday activities are excellent, including the wonderful Denver Botanic light displays. Be sure to venture beyond Denver too! A few of the top events to consider:

• Blossoms of Light – Denver Botanic Gardens’ dazzling display,
• Trail of Lights – at Denver Botanic Gardens' Chatfield Farms in Littleton,
• Denver Christkindlmarkt - traditional German-style Christmas market in the heart of Denver, reminiscent of Munich's Christkindlmarkt,
• Parade of Lights - Downtown Denver's lights parade,

• Lights of December Parade - Downtown Boulder's light parade,
• UllrFest - in Breckenridge, celebrating the Norse god of snow,
• Georgetown Christmas Market – European-style market, 2 weekends in December,
• Olde Golden Candlelight Walk – lantern-lit procession and downtown lit up for the holidays,
• Cripple Creek Christmas - enjoy the holiday spirit in this festive historic mountain mining town.

Torchlight Parades

Watch skiers carrying torches glide down the slopes—an unforgettable sight! Fireworks follow many of these parades. Some of Colorado's top Christmas and New Year's Eve ski downs are:

• Christmas Eve:
  • Winter Park (with Santa arriving on his sleigh)
  • Telluride
  • Copper Mountain
• New Year's Eve:
  • SnowMass (intermediate skiers and snowboarders ages 8 and up can participate)
  • Breckenridge
  • Purgatory Resort (Durango)
  • Crested Butte
  • Beaver Creek (New Year's Eve Circus, including torchlight parade)
  • Granby Ranch (and kids light stick ski down)

Festive Train Rides

These festive trains are perfect for kids of all ages:

• Georgetown Loop Railroad – Victorian holiday train ride through snowy canyons and lights with Santa,
• Royal Gorge Route Santa Express – meet Santa on this scenic ride through Royal Gorge and to the North Pole,
• Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden's Polar Express Ride – enjoy caroling and hot cocoa, a vintage train ride, and a visit with Santa,
• Durango & Silverton Railroad's Polar Express Train - to the North Pole to pick up Santa, who hands out the 1st gift of Christmas. Enjoy a light display, hot cocoa, and Polar Express story telling.

Cut Your Own Christmas Tree

It's legal (with a permit) to cut down your own Christmas tree in designated areas. It can not only help with fire prevention, but has become one of our favorite Colorado family traditions. Be sure to purchase your permit in advance (links included below), and only cut trees in permitted areas:

• Arapahoe, San Juan, Roosevelt, Medicine Bow-Routt, and Grand Mesa, Umcompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests – see map on the permit website for detailed areas available (some of our favorite areas are in Grand County, near Ski Winter Park),
• Georgetown - limited permits are available, be sure to reserve these early,
• Bureau of Land Management Lands - see map on the BLM site for tree cutting areas.

Pro tip: combining the Georgetown Christmas market with a ride on the Georgetown Loop Railroad and Christmas tree cutting is a wonderful way to spend a holiday weekend.

Scenic Winter Drives

Driving through Colorado in December can be a mix of dry roads, snow roads, and a wintery mix. If conditions are clear, check out these beautiful routes:

• Berthoud Pass to Winter Park or beyond to Grand Lake and the west entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. Stop at the top (11,000+ ft. elevation) for stunning views. Combine this with skiing at Winter Park, or cross country skiing at Snow Mountain Ranch or Devil's Thumb Ranch.
• Rabbit Ears Pass - after Berthoud Pass, continue on Rt. 40 over Rabbit Ears pass (9,400+ ft. elevation) towards Steamboat Springs. On a clear day, you'll enjoy lovely views (and great cross country skiing and snowmobiling). This is part of our epic 7 day Colorado itinerary.
• Peak to Peak Scenic Byway – drive from Estes Park to Black Hawk for beautiful views. Stop at Mud Lake, Caribou Ranch, or Ouzel Falls for hikes or snowshoes, or at Eldora Ski Resort for downhill or cross country skiing.
• Million Dollar Highway – between Ouray and Silverton is simply stunning (if open). Be sure to stop in Ouray for a soak in the hot springs (or ice climbing) or at Telluride for incredible downhill skiing or a free gondola ride.

Tips for Driving in December in Colorado

If you choose to drive in December in Colorado, especially in the mountains, be sure to review our full set of Colorado winter car rental tips to prepare for winter driving. A few key points to consider:

• Check the weather forecasts regularly,
• Keep an emergency kit in your car,
• Understand the basics of winter driving,
• Ask the Car rental agency if they provide winter tires or chains for safety,
• Double-check that your rental car has a spare tire, emergency kit (including jumper cables, air compressor, safety triangle), and an ice scraper.

We highly recommended having these in your vehicle in winter (these likely won't be provided by the car rental agency):

• First aid kit;
• Flashlight or waterproof headlamp with extra batteries;
• Windshield washer fluid;
• Snow shovel (it's easiest to bring a collapsable snow shovel);
• Extra warm hat, socks, gloves, and blanket;
• Water and non-perishable food & snacks.

Festive Historic Places to Stay in December in Colorado

There are countless cozy and unique places to stay in Colorado for your visit. We've highlighted a few of our favorite historic hotels that are decked out for the holidays.

• Hotel Boulderado - Historic hotel in downtown Boulder, fully decked out for the holidays. Reserve early to enjoy their holiday tea's. This is one of the classic unique places to stay in Boulder.
• Brown Palace Hotel: Historic hotel in downtown Denver, beautifully decorated and offering a holiday high tea. This is an ideal spot to enjoy Denver's holiday activities.
• Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs is known for their incredible Christmas decorations, with a life size gingerbread house and 60+ Christmas trees. Spend a weekend in Glenwood Springs and enjoy the hot springs, skiing, and more.
• Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs has elaborate indoor and outdoor decorations, gingerbread displays, and scheduled holiday shows.

Pro Tip: Take the Amtrak train from Denver to Glenwood Springs to enjoy a car-free mountain weekend.

Top Things to Do in December in Colorado Wrap-Up

The top things to do in December in Colorado include ski slopes, sleigh rides, festive towns and events, and historic lodges. December weather can be unpredictable, bringing some travel challenges. The variety of festive winter activities make it more than worthwhile.

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Read more Colorado posts.

• Best Colorado Ski Towns for Families
• Car Rental Tips for Your Colorado Ski Vacation
• Denver Botanic Light Displays
• Denver German Christmas Market, a Festive Guide
• What to Do in Vail When You’re Not Skiing
• Crafting the Perfect Winter Park Ski Vacation
• What to Do in Crested Butte in Winter When You’re Not Skiing
• Essential Winter Hiking Gear
• Top Unique Places to Stay in Crested Butte
• What to Do in Breckenridge in Winter When You’re Not Skiing
• Best Unique Places to Stay in Breckenridge Colorado
• Top Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park in Winter
• Best Unique Places to Stay in Steamboat Springs
• Top Things to Do in Steamboat Springs Other Than Skiing

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