The days are short, the nights are long, and snow is starting to pile up in the Rockies, which is a sure sign that winter is officially here. Time to break out your puffy coat and your ice scraper.
You probably already have rad winter plans, like shredding the slopes with your Ikon or Epic pass or soaking in a hot spring under the stars.
But if your Colorado winter calendar isn’t completely booked, consider penciling in some of these beloved festivals around the state.
Ullr Fest
Dec. 12-14, Breckenridge
gobreck.com/event/ullr-fest
If you’ve ever prayed to the snow gods to bless Colorado’s mountains with fresh powder, this festival is for you. It’s held each December in honor of Ullr, the Norse god of snow. Break out your favorite horned helmet and join in the festivities, which include a parade down Main Street, a bonfire, a massive “shotski,” and more.
Wintersköl
Dec. 12-15, Aspen
aspenchamber.org/events/winterskol
Aspenites have been ushering in winter with Wintersköl since 1951. This year, the festival occurs about a month earlier than usual, before the busy tourism season ramps up. The dates may be new, but you can expect the same fun, community-centric vibes. The line-up includes a broomball tournament, a disco ice skating party, a torchlight parade down Aspen Mountain, fireworks, and the beloved “Soupsköl” soup-making contest, among other activities.
Aspen Gay Ski Week
Jan. 12-19, Aspen
gayskiweek.com
Is there anything more beautiful than a boldly colored rainbow flag waving against a snowy white backdrop? This inclusive event has been going strong for nearly five decades and has solidified its place as the longest-running LGBTQ+ ski event in the country. All are welcome at this festival, which includes daily group ski outings, drag queen bingo, dinners, parties and the most fabulous après ski scene you’ve ever seen. Proceeds from Aspen Gay Ski Week go to AspenOUT, a nonprofit supporting the LGBTQ+ community in the Roaring Fork Valley.
International Snow Sculpture Championships
Carving week is Jan. 20-24; viewing week is Jan. 24-29, Breckenridge
gobreck.com/event/international-snow-sculpture-championships
You already know snow can be beautiful. But wait until you see what artists at the International Snow Sculpture Championships in Breck can do with just a few simple hand tools. Over five days, teams will turn 25-ton blocks of the white stuff into sculptures that look like they belong in a museum (if, you know, it weren’t for the whole melting thing). Then, during the second half of this festival, you can wander through downtown Breckenridge to admire their work. It’s a treat for the eyes.
X Games Aspen
Jan. 23-25, Aspen
aspensnowmass.com/visit/events/x-games-aspen
More than 100 of the world’s best skiers and snowboarders will once again show off their gravity-defying skills in events like superpipe, slopestyle, big air and knuckle huck at Buttermilk Mountain. The event is now in its 24th winter season in Aspen, and, if you can’t make it up to the mountains to watch in person, there’s usually a live broadcast — stay tuned for more details.
Ouray Ice Festival
Jan. 23-25, Ouray
ourayicepark.com/ouray-ice-festival
If you’ve ever toyed with attending the Ouray Ice Festival, make this the year you finally do it. This beloved, multi-day event in the “Switzerland of America” is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, and it’s guaranteed to be a good time. Watch competitors use crampons and ice picks to skillfully climb up walls of ice in Uncompahgre Gorge (made each winter by talented “ice farmers” — yes, that’s a job). You can also enjoy climbing clinics, gear demos, presentations and dance parties.
Estes Park Skijor
Jan. 24-26, Estes Park
runningwildevents.com/skijor.html
You don’t have to go far to watch skijoring, the high-octane event that combines Colorado’s Wild West roots with the state’s love of skiing. This new festival brings horses and skiers to Estes Park, where they’ll race across the fairgrounds while competing for a $20,000 purse. You can also enjoy food trucks, kids’ activities, and a Western expo. Proceeds will help provide scholarships to Estes Valley students.
Snowdown
Jan. 24-Feb. 2, Durango
snowdown.org
Since 1979, Durango residents have been going all out for this quirky winter festival, which always has a different theme. This year, it’s “The Board Game Edition: It’s Your Move,” so expect lots of creative costumes with nods to table-top and video games. Per usual, the schedule is jam-packed and full of fun, with events ranging from a light parade to a chili cookoff.
Rio Frio Ice Fest
Jan 24-26, Alamosa
rioraces.com/rio-frio-home
Lace-up your sneakers and slap on some micro spikes for the Rio Frio 5K, a beloved annual race on the frozen Rio Grande River in Alamosa. Beyond the chilly fun run, this San Luis Valley festival includes other lively activities, like a polar plunge, a bonfire, a disc golf tournament, ice carving demonstrations, and more.
Toyota U.S. Grand Prix & Visa Big Air
Jan. 30-Feb. 6, Aspen
aspensnowmass.com/visit/events/toyota-us-grand-prix
Can’t get enough freeskiing and snowboarding? Head back to Aspen for another high-flying competition on Buttermilk’s slopestyle course, halfpipe and big air jump. This winter marks the beginning of a three-year partnership with U.S. Ski & Snowboard — next year, this event will be part of the athletic qualification and team naming for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
UllrGrass Music & Beer Festival
Jan. 31-Feb. 2, Golden
ullrgrass.com
Bluegrass isn’t exclusively a summer thing, as this Golden festival proves. Held in Parfet Park, this bash includes live music, craft beer, a costume contest for the best Viking regalia and more. Check back for the full line-up of performers.
Lake City Ice Festival
Feb. 1, Lake City
lakecityice.com/festival
Root for ice climbers as they try to scale giant ice walls as quickly as possible in Lake City. Competitors will face off in a wide array of events, from speed lead climbing to top rope speed climbing and more. It’s cold, but the stoke is high, and the ice is beautiful.
Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival
Feb. 5-9, Steamboat Springs
sswsc.org/events/winter-carnival
Most events can boast that they’ve been running for a few decades. But the good people of Steamboat Springs take their traditions seriously: The annual winter carnival is now in its 112th year. The Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club hosts this festival, which includes skijoring, shovel races, a parade, s’more parties, and many other family-friendly events.
High Plains Snow Goose Festival
Feb 6-9, Southeastern Colorado
highplainssnowgoose.com
You haven’t lived until you’ve seen (and heard) thousands of bright white snow geese congregating in southeastern Colorado as they migrate north to their breeding grounds. Whether or not you’re a birder, this annual natural spectacle is worth planning a trip around. Official festival events include birding excursions, lectures, raptor demonstrations and a trade show/craft fair.
Ouray Winter Wine Festival
Feb. 15, Ouray
ouraywinterwinefestival.com
Now in its third year, this one-day gathering spotlights Western Colorado’s grape growers, winemakers, distillers, cideries, and other local purveyors. Sip and sample while listening to live music, munching on small bites, and shopping for gifts and art.
Silverton Skijoring
Feb. 15-16, Silverton
silvertonskijoring.com
Spend President’s Day in Silverton, where horses and snowmobiles pull skiers at 35 to 45 mph to compete for bragging rights. Racers will careen down slippery Blair Street while spectators hoot and holler at the corner of 11th and Blair. If you’re 21, you can watch from the “party zone” on 12th Street in this historic mining town.
Cripple Creek Ice Festival
Feb. 15-23, Cripple Creek
visitcripplecreek.com
Every February, talented teams of ice carvers descend upon the Pike Peak region to create amazing sculptures out of ice. You can marvel at their artistic prowess during the Cripple Creek Ice Festival, which also features tasty food booths and local vendors. While you’re in town, also be sure to check out the Ice Castles in Cripple Creek, an immersive outdoor experience with tunnels, slides, fountains, sculptures and thrones illuminated by colorful LED lights.
Ice Climbing and Dry Tooling World Cup
Feb. 21-23, Longmont
climbingcollective.co/international-ice-climbing-world-cup
Make your way to Longmont to watch some of the world’s best athletes compete at the Ice Climbing and Dry Tooling World Cup. Governed by the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation, this international competition is back in the United States for the first time since 2019. And it looks like it will be sticking around: Longmont Climbing Collective, which built a brand new, state-of-the-art facility in 2023, has agreed to host it for the next five years.
WinterWonderGrass
Feb. 28-March 2, Steamboat Springs
winterwondergrass.com/steamboat
Treat yourself to some of Steamboat’s trademarked “Champagne Powder,” then rock out to live music at this popular winter bash. This year’s performers haven’t been announced, but you can expect big names in bluegrass, roots, folk, rock, and country music. Kids’ activities, beer tastings, food trucks, and more are also included.
Manitou Springs Carnivale Weekend
March 1-2, Manitou Springs
manitousprings.org/carnivale-weekend
Pretend you’re in New Orleans for Mardi Gras without all the hassle of hopping on a flight. This annual event includes a masquerade ball called CarniBall (date still TBD), plus a parade (March 1) and a gumbo cook-off (March 2). Break out your beads and feathered masks, then head to Manitou Springs to eat, drink and be merry.
Leadville Ski Joring
March 1-2, Leadville
leadvilleskijoring.com
Everything in Leadville is extreme, from its 100-mile ultramarathon to its elevation of 10,158 feet above sea level. The same is true for Leadville Ski Joring, an annual event that’s been taking place since 1949. Watch as horses pull talented (and gutsy) skiers down Harrison Avenue, which is set up like a frosty obstacle course. Cheer on the competitors as they navigate jumps, gates, and rings while trying to go as fast as possible.
Frozen Dead Guy Days
Dates TBD, Estes Park
frozendeadguydays.org
After moving out of Nederland in 2023, Frozen Dead Guy Days is settling into its new home in Estes Park. This “only-in-Colorado” festival celebrates Grandpa Bredo, whose frozen corpse has been preserved since 1989. The 2025 schedule is still being finalized, but Frozen Dead Guy Days usually include a polar plunge, a fashion show, coffin races, Sunday brunch, and live music.
The Snow League
March 7-8, Aspen
aspensnowmass.com/visit/events/the-snow-league
Legendary athlete Shaun White has decided to create his own professional winter sports league dedicated to snowboarding and freeskiing — and he’s opted to hold the league’s inaugural competition at Buttermilk. From there, athletes will compete in three other competitions at resorts around the globe. Follow along to see who gets crowned the Snow League world champion.
Monte Vista Crane Festival
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Sandhill cranes take to the skies above the Sangre de Cristo mountain range on March 10, 2021, near Monte Vista, Colorado. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
March 7-9, Monte Vista
mvcranefest.org
Sandhill cranes are long, lanky birds that have been around for millions of years (the oldest sandhill crane fossil is some 2.5 million years old). Every spring, these gangly creatures migrate north to their nesting grounds in Canada and Alaska — and some make a pitstop to rest and refuel in Monte Vista. Now in its 42nd year, this festival celebrates the cranes with birding tours, a craft and nature fair, speakers, art exhibits and more.
Aspen Laugh Festival
March 12-15, Aspen
wheeleroperahouse.com
The organizers of this festival, held at the beautiful 135-year-old Wheeler Opera House, have one goal and one goal only — and that’s to make you laugh. Make your way up to the Roaring Fork Valley for idyllic spring skiing, and treat yourself to a few hours of smiles and guffaws. The line-up of comedians hasn’t been announced yet, so bookmark the Wheeler’s website for more details to come later.
Boulder International Film Festival
March 13-16, Boulder
biff1.com
The Boulder International Film Festival — or “BIFF” for short — has celebrated the art of cinema for over two decades. You can enjoy film screenings, workshops, live music, parties, talkbacks, podcast recordings and other events. And be sure to keep your eyes peeled for celebrities, as BIFF always brings in a big name or two.
Taste of Vail
April 2-5, Vail
tasteofvail.com
Prepare your tastebuds for a magical weekend filled with more food and wine than ever imagined. Between events — from tastings to seminars to wine dinners – you can hit the slopes for spring skiing at Vail Ski Resort.
