11 Great Winter Festivals in the State of Colorado in 2018
It's the best place to ski in the World with 27 ski areas and resorts. Colorado also provides visitors with winter vacation experiences through a variety of unique events and cold weather activities including dog sledding, snow biking, snow shoeing, ice climbing and more. Half of the ski season is left to enjoy, and the snowiest months in Colorado are February and March. Below are a few upcoming winter events.
Colorado Winter Festivals
- Arapahoe Basin’s 16th Annual Beacon Bowl and Après Party, February 3: Arapahoe Basin hosts a day of backcountry safety awareness and practice at the 16th Annual Beacon Bowl. Participants will compete in a beacon search competition, be part of an avy dog demonstration and test out the latest backcountry gear from beacons to boards. Live music, pizza, beer and a silent auction are all included at the après party.
- Breckenridge Pass Holder Appreciation, Through February 2: Valid pass holders can enjoy demo days, First Tracks, free EpicMix Racing, parties, live music, giveaways and more.
- Breckenridge International Snow Sculpture Championships, January 22 - 29: Watch as snow sculpture artists from around the world create creative masterpieces out 12-foot-tall, 25-ton blocks of snow using only hand tools.
- Copper Mountain Winterbike, February 3: Ride into the night at the 7th Annual WinterBike race. No wheels? Guests can demo or use a rental fat bike from Reeb or Proudfoot Cycles for the race. Make it a family affair with JuniorBike, a free fun-ride for the kids.
- Cripple Creek Ice Festival, February 9 – 18: Artists deftly use chainsaws to carve clear ice creations along Cripple Creek’s main street, while families frolic through an ice maze and sip hot chocolate.
- Lake City Ice Climbing Festival, February 10: Top-rope and lead-speed climbing competitions take place on Lake City's beautiful blue wall of ice.
- Loveland Fire and Ice Festival, February 9-11: celebrate the passion of the season where fire, ice, entertainment and fun collide.
- Pagosa Springs' Winterfest, February 3 - 4: Visitors test their skills in the Anything Goes Downhill Sled Race, Penguin Plunge or sit back and watch the mass ascension of hot-air balloons in Pagosa Springs.
- Ski Joring & Crystal Carnival in Leadville, March 3 - 4: A fearless skier navigates an obstacle course connected by towrope 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 snowy activities.
- Steamboat Springs' Winter Carnival, February 7 - 11: 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 and a spectacular fireworks display.
- Winter Park Uphill Battle Debut, February 10: Experience the first ever Uphill Battle at Winter Park Resort. Earn your turns and win some incredible prizes on blue and green trails with the whole family.