Best Colorado Winter Vacations For Non Skiers (From A Local)
Abby and Sam Price
Are you looking for the all time best Colorado winter vacations for non skiers?
Searching for the best Colorado winter vacations for non skiers to enjoy? The state of Colorado has so much to offer year-round.
Colorado is most commonly known for its phenomenal winter season and endless ski resorts but did you know that Colorado has endless things to do for non skiers too?
Having lived in Colorado, we know the best Colorado winter vacations for non skiers.
Keep reading below to find out ideas for Colorado winter vacations for non skiers to enjoy!
Colorado has 300 days of sunshine and you can catch locals and visitors alike taking advantage of these blue sky days!
Whether you come to Colorado in the summer, winter, fall, or spring… there truly is something for everyone to enjoy including endless activities and excursions for those that don’t like to ski or snowboard!
Before diving right into it, we wanted to answer a few popular questions we’ve received about winter vacations in the state of Colorado.
Can you go to ski resorts and not ski?
YES! Ski resorts are excellent for skiers and snowboarders but they are also incredible for non skiers and non snowboarders.
Ski resorts have incredible amenities which usually include delicious restaurants and bars, a charming mountain village full of shopping, and terrific slope-side accommodations… (typically) all within walking distance of one another!
We cannot recommend visiting a ski resort enough, whether you would like to hit the slopes or not.
PLUS, there are endless activities and excursions to embark on at ski resorts besides skiing and snowboarding.
Things to Do: Activities To Do For Colorado Winter Vacations For Non Skiers
There are endless activities to do in the winter for non skiers, especially in the state of Colorado.
It’s important to note that you may want to bring some of your own gear with you to perform some of these activities.
However, if you don’t feel like purchasing or bringing your own gear, many local shops offer day, multi-day, or week rentals of various pieces of equipment!
✅ Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is a popular activity to do in Colorado during the winter season.
Essentially, snowshoeing is hiking over snow during the winter time but you wear snowshoes for better traction and stability.
👉🏼 Grab your own pair of snowshoes here!
✅ Snowmobiling
Many ski resorts and tour companies offer snowmobiling in the winter. If you have never been, we highly recommend that you try it out.
It’s a fun alternative to skiing or snowboarding and allows you to take in the snowy mountains and surrounding winter landscape.
✅ Ice Fishing
Ice fishing is a unique winter activity to do and can be found throughout the state of Colorado!
If fishing is your thing, you must check out ice fishing for a truly memorable experience during Colorado’s winter months.
✅ Sledding
Sledding is an extremely popular activity to do in the winter.
Plus, sledding is very family friendly and is a great way for parents and children alike to spend time outside enjoying the snowy conditions.
👉🏼 Grab a sled for your next winter adventure here!
✅ Snow Tubing
Snow tubing can be found throughout the state of Colorado but is also a very popular activity to do at ski resorts.
If you are looking to give your legs a rest from the slopes, or if you would rather skip the slopes all together… think about trying out snow tubing.
It’s an excellent way to get a rush on the mountains without all the hassle, equipment, and work!
✅ Hot Springs
Sam and I recently hit our first hot springs in Glenwood Springs, Colorado and now we are hooked.
There is something so surreal about soaking in a pool that is naturally warm from the hot springs below it.
This is a great activity to do for couples, individuals, or families!
Be sure to pack a beach bag, towel (our favorite beach/pool towels ever!), beanie, sandals (our go-to sandals for water activities and camping), and sunglasses for the optimal hot springs experience!
Trust me, we have learned from past mistakes and now these items will come with us every time we check out a new hot spring!
✅ Shopping
Of course we would be remiss if we did not mention shopping as a winter activity to do in the state of Colorado!
Whether you are visiting one of Colorado’s major cities, a small town, or staying at a ski resort… shopping is usually just down the road!
✅ Explore Resort Villages
As I mentioned above, ski resort villages have so much to offer for everyone and you can explore their magical streets, pop in a quaint cafe, hit a small boutique shop, and so much more.
✅ Ice Skating
Another activity to do on Colorado winter vacations for non skiers is go ice skating.
There are countless ice skating rinks and options around the beautiful state of Colorado and it’s an excellent activity for couples, individuals, and families alike!
Can you go to Aspen if you don’t ski?
Again, YES! Aspen is such a phenomenal destination to visit whether you ski or don’t ski.
For those that would rather skip the slopes, Aspen has some of the best shopping in the world when it comes to ski resort shopping.
Additionally, there are countless restaurants, bars, and accommodations to choose from.
Personally, I believe that Aspen is one of the prettiest mountain towns in Colorado and you should check it out no matter if you ski or don’t ski!
Where is the best place to visit in Colorado in the winter?
There are countless destinations in Colorado to visit during the winter season.
Some of which are more popular “touristy destinations” and others that are considered hidden gems!
Some of our favorites include Steamboat Springs, Ouray, Aspen, and Vail.
However, be sure to check out our ultimate list of Colorado winter vacations for non skiers destinations below!
Best Snow Vacations for Non Skiers:
There are countless destinations for the best snow vacations for non skiers throughout Colorado. Below you’ll find a list of our favorites!
1. Aspen
As I mentioned earlier, Aspen is a terrific destination for skiers and non skiers alike.
Aspen is home to some of the most beautiful mountain views in the state of Colorado and has endless shopping, restaurants and bars, accommodations, and excursions to choose from.
It’s one of our favorite places to visit in Colorado during the winter months because the town comes to life with a snowy atmosphere and countless vibrant events.
📍 Book your stay at the St. Regis Aspen Resort today!
2. Breckenridge
Breck is one of the most popular ski resorts in the state of Colorado and is a phenomenal destination for non skiers to check out.
The town of Breckenridge boasts some of the best dining and shops and is an excellent option for families looking to go on a winter vacation.
We spend tons of time in Breckenridge thanks to its close proximity to Denver and manyt things to do.
📍 Check out our favorite hotel in the area Marriott’s Mountain Valley Lodge at Breckenridge!
3. Crested Butte
One of Colorado’s lesser known ski resorts is Crested Butte. This ski resort is home to one of the prettiest mountain villages, local shops, and quaint dining options in Colorado.
This town is all about its charm and local feel. There are no stop lights and no high rise buildings so you can take in the mountain village feel without all the traffic, noise, and commotion.
Whether you just want to take in the stunning views from the village or you want to check out one of their many winter events… Crested Butte is the place to be for a great time and less crowds!
📍 Check out the Grand Lodge at Crested Butte today!
4. Durango
Durango is another one of Colorado’s “hidden gems.” This mountain town is in southwest Colorado and due to it being a lesser known town, there are usually few crowds.
There are endless winter activity options to participate in such as tubing, sleigh riding, winter hiking, and much more.
📍 Be sure to check out the DoubleTree by Hilton Durango for a great stay in the area!
5. Keystone
Keystone is just down the road from the popular Breckenridge Ski Resort and Vail Resorts but is one of our favorite resorts to visit because it tends to have less crowds than the big name resorts!
Keystone is an excellent option for families looking to participate in activities other than skiing and snowboarding.
In fact, Keystone is home to the largest mountain top snow fort in the world.
Besides exploring the snow fort, there are endless activities to do too such as tubing, ice skating, sleigh riding, and more!
📍 Make sure to look at The Keystone Lodge and Spa by Keystone Resort for a phenomenal place to stay and incredible location!
6. Pagosa Springs
Whether you want to relax at the Pagosa Hot Springs, go ice fishing, or indulge in a few pints of beer at one of the many breweries… Pagosa Springs has something for everyone to enjoy.
Plus, the town of Pagosa Springs is a lesser known Colorado town so you can expect less crowds then some of the bigger name places like Vail and Breckenridge.
📍 Be sure to check out the Club Wyndham Pagosa for a great getaway!
7. Steamboat Springs
One of our favorite winter vacation destinations in Colorado is Steamboat Springs! Home to one of the cutest mountain towns in the state with delicious restaurants and bustling bars… Steamboat Springs in winter is absolutely magical.
For an epic non skier winter activity, be sure to check out the Strawberry Hot Springs just down the road for a truly memorable and relaxing experience.
Additionally, Steamboat Springs hosts one of the biggest winter carnivals in the United States that you cannot miss.
The Steamboat Winter Carnival is full of activities, entertainment, and so much more. This year, the carnival takes place on February 7th-11th of 2024.
📍 Click here to book your stay at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Steamboat Springs today!
8. Telluride
Another excellent destination for snow vacations for non skiers is Telluride.
This ski resort town has endless options for shopping and dining, amazing views of the mountains, and countless winter excursions to embark on.
You can go winter hiking (but be sure to bring your crampons or microspikes), fat bike riding, dog sledding and so much more. For more details, be sure to check out Telluride’s website.
📍 Check out The Hotel Telluride for a great place to stay and an incredible location!
9. Vail
Vail Resort is an excellent option for those looking for a Colorado winter vacation with endless things to do including relaxation and excursions.
Vail has an extraordinary mountain village for everyone to enjoy and the village has plenty of shopping and restaurants to choose from.
When it comes to winter activities, you can relax at one of their many spas, take the scenic gondola tour to the top of the mountain, or go on one of their many mountain tours.
📍 Make sure to check out the Four Seasons Resort Vail for a memorable vacation!
10. Winter Park
Winter Park is a phenomenal ski resort for those looking for Colorado winter vacations for non skiers.
Not only does Winter Park have incredible ski terrain but they have a handful of excursions and activities for non skiers to enjoy!
Some of which include snowshoe tours, ice skating, and a s’mores snowcat tour!
For more information, be sure to check out Winter Park’s website.
📍 Be sure to book Beaver Village by Stay WinterPark for your winter getaway!
⭐️ Overall: Best Colorado Resorts for Non-Skiers
The best Colorado resorts for non-skiers have to be Aspen, Vail, Breckenridge, and Steamboat Springs.
All of these resorts offer incredible amenities, countless adventures and excursions for non skiers and skiers alike, and they all have terrific places to eat and drink!
Things to Know Before Planning Your Colorado Winter Vacations for Non Skiers:
✅ Transportation
Traveling throughout Colorado in the winter can come with a few obstacles because of the amount of snow the state gets.
However, this should definitely not deter you from going on a Colorado winter vacation.
When it comes to transportation, be sure that you book a 4WD vehicle in advance.
This will provide you with extra safety and allow you to drive up some of the steep terrain and roads within Colorado.
Additionally, many of the highways require that you drive a 4WD vehicle in the winter or they make you put chains on your wheels.
Lastly, be sure to download Google Maps for your destination beforehand.
Many Colorado mountain roads don’t have service or have slow service so instead make sure you have your maps downloaded so that you know where you are going at all times!
✅ Book in Advance
Colorado is quickly becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States, especially during the winter months!
So make sure that you book your flights, accommodations, car rental, and dinner reservations in advance for the optimal Colorado winter vacation experience.
✅ Think About Holidays and Weekends
Another tip that goes with booking in advance is to think about holidays and weekends.
Oftentimes, holidays and weekends can be more expensive to travel and they can bring out more crowds!
Final Thoughts: Best Colorado Winter Vacations for Non Skiers
When picking the best Colorado winter vacations for non skiers we cannot recommend Steamboat Springs, Breckenridge, Aspen, and Vail enough.
These resorts truly have something for everyone to enjoy and the views at each resort are incredible.
We highly recommend that you check out tubing, ice skating, and snowmobiling.
These are some of our favorite winter activities to participate in besides snowboarding and skiing.
Plus, they are sure to make for a memorable experience on your next winter getaway!
We hope this list of the best Colorado winter vacations for non skiers including destinations and activities helps you plan your next getaway!
For similar posts, be sure to check out 11 of the Best Hikes in Southern Colorado and 25 Resorts for the Best Snowboarding in the US. Happy Exploring!
