Colorado turns into a festive winter wonderland in December, making this a great place to enjoy the winter holidays. Charming small towns are transformed into festive destinations with twinkling lights, decorations, and holiday events. A visit to Colorado’s mountains will put you in the holiday spirit, whether you ski or just enjoy the snow covered mountain scenery, winter walks, sleigh rides, and hot springs. From holiday events to scenic drives, hot springs, and ski slopes, here’s your local’s guide to the top things to do in December in Colorado.
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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
- Festive Events and Holiday Cheer
- 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?
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Festive Spirit: Colorado comes to life with holiday lights, Christmas markets, and winter festivals. | High Holiday Prices for accommodations, lift tickets, and flights during the last 2 weeks of December (especially Christmas through New Year’s). |
| Snow: December often brings early-season snow, great for skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. | Inconsistent Snow during the early season.. January-March have more consistent snow pack. |
| Scenic Views: Snow-covered mountains create picture-perfect views. | Unpredictable Travel: Winter storms can cause airport and road closures or delays. |
| Hot Springs: Warm up in mountain hot springs or by the fire in festive lodges. | Busy Roadways: I-70 traffic is often very bad on winter Fridays, weekends, and school vacation weeks. |
| Fewer Crowds (Early December): The first 2 weeks of December are often cheaper and quieter than peak ski season. | Busy Ski Resorts: Expect crowds at popular resorts especially December 27th-31st.. |
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.
| Location | Average December High Temperatures | Average December Low Temperatures |
|---|---|---|
| Denver | 30–60°F (-1 to 16°C) | 6–39°F (-14 to 4°C) |
| Breckenridge | 17–43°F (-8 to 6°C) | 1-30°F (-17 to -1°C) |
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.
| Slopes are typically most crowded | December 27th-31st Saturdays (all day) Sunday mornings |
| Slopes are typically less crowded | Weekdays (before Christmas) Christmas Day, New Year’s Day |
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.
You Might Also Enjoy
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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Travel Resources
We recommend booking through our preferred travel booking sites below.
| Air Travel | SkyScanner |
| Lodging | Booking.com, VRBO.com, Expedia.com, Hostelworld |
| Tours and Activities | Viator.com, GetYourGuide.com, TakeWalks.com, Tinggly.com |
| Car rentals | Discovercars.com |
| Travel insurance | Squaremouth |
| Bike and scooter rentals | BikeBookings.com |
| Train tickets | RailEurope |
| Bus tickets | Busbud |
[…] Colorado is one of the most magical places to visit in the U.S. in December, if you’re dreaming of a snowy holiday filled with twinkling lights, festive charm, and outdoor adventure. Whether you’re skiing the slopes or strolling through a Christmas market, enjoy a winter wonderland in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. […]
Colorado in December seems absolutely magical! I love this list of all the things to do to celebrate the holiday- and the driving tips are much appreciated.
Thank you for the feedback!
I love how festive Colorado looks in December! Maybe Thinking about visiting this year!
Hope you can visit in December!
Winter is one of the only times I haven’t been to Colorado, but (despite the crowds and potential higher costs) it looks magical. I’ll take some festive train rides please, and maybe some fun light festivals. Not big into skiing and snowboarding, but I’ll happily take part in the apres ski traditions
There is so much to do over the holidays beyond skiing, it’s well worth a visit.
Colorado looks like the perfect spot for a winter visit. Especially with some good hot springs to warm up after cold weather fun. We are not really skiers anymore. But love the atmosphere and après ski!
The atmosphere and apres ski is indeed fun, even if you’re not skiing!
Such an informative post with so many great things to do in December in Colorado! I especially love the idea of cutting down your own Christmas tree, it’s something that is not very common here in Portugal.
It is a fun tradition in Colorado!
I wish I was a skier, but this is great info for my clients. Where i live some new direct flights are starting for the winter season for Colorado, so I will pass this info onto all soon to be winter travelers who ski.
Thank you! There is plenty to do for non-skiers too who’d like to enjoy the snow.
It seems that Colorado is a perfect December destination. I love the opportunity to cut down your own Christmas tree. Thanks for the detailed information and amazing pictures.
Thank you for the feedback!
I love how Colorado decorates for the holidays! You really can get into the mood when there is snow on the ground. A sleigh ride sounds magical!
A sleigh ride is a great way to get in the holiday spirit!
Colorado in December sounds absolutely magical! I can already picture the snowy landscapes and cozy mountain towns. Thanks for the inspiration, your blog makes me want to book a trip ASAP!!
Thank you for the feedback. Hope you have a chance to visit Colorado in December.
Love how you captured Colorado’s December magic with skiing, lights, and hot springs.
The tips on crowds and weather make it super helpful for planning!
Thank you for the feedback!
Visiting Colorado in December must be truly magical! All the snow and landscapes are so dreamy! And the lights look outstanding too! I love the hotel Boulderado too! I never heard about it! Fantastic guide, thanks for sharing it!
Thank you for the feedback!
I would love to go cross-country skiing again, after not having gone skiing for many years, and Colorado looks good for that! Thank you for sharing! You are definitely putting Colorado on my radar!
Glad to hear it. We love cross country skiing in Colorado, so many beautiful options.
Colorado in December looks magical! I’d love to experience winter there—soaking in hot springs surrounded by snow sounds incredible, and skiing in the Rockies must be unforgettable. The festive lights and scenic drives also make it such a perfect winter destination. This guide really makes me want to plan a trip!
Hope you can visit Colorado for the holidays!
Great post! I especially appreciate the driving tips. As I was reading, I kept thinking how awesome these experiences sounded but was terrified of winter driving in Colorado. Your tips are really helpful!
There are plenty of transfers you can take (or buses in some cases) to the ski areas and between large cities.
That all looks so lovely, but I have gotten so spoiled by warm weather, and I think the only thing I would be able to handle would be the hot springs. Colorado is a gorgeous state, and I loved visiting there in July.
Summer may be a better time for you then. Though we have warm and sunny days in winter, there is a decent amount of cold mixed in.
Colorado sounds like a wonderful destination during the Winter and especially throughout the holiday season. Even though I’m not a skier, I do love visiting ski resorts, as they are so lively. I do love to cross-country ski and the fact that some spots have rentals is a bonus for those of us who travel from out of Country.
There are some wonderful cross country ski areas near the major ski resorts, so it’s easy to combine some xc skiing with enjoying the resort’s amenities.
Goodness, this destination looks like a dream! While I don’t ski, I would love to try snowshoeing across those beautiful expanses of snow. Afterwards, I would hit the town and check out all the beautiful Christmassy decorations and events. It’s truly a magical place to visit in December.
Thank you for the feedback!