Things to Do in Colorado In Winter

At Arapahoe Cafe, we are in love with winter in the Rockies. Snow falls, the sun shines, and all of the winter activities are right at our fingertips. As real Colorado locals, we can honestly say that we are in awe of the activities available and the beauty that surrounds us, even 30 years later. Each day we wake up and are thankful to live in the mountains and to be able to serve food in our restaurant on Lake Dillon. 

So, we want to share the tips and tricks about things to do in Colorado in the winter. Specifically, the things to do in Summit County in the winter. Some items will be obvious, but other winter activities may surprise you!

Summit County is called Colorado's Playground, and we can't argue with that! From skiing in Breckenridge to sledding in Silverthorne to watching fireworks in Keystone, there is such a wide array of activities to do when the snow is falling. 

Here are 20 of our favorite things to do in Summit County, Colorado, in the winter.

Skiing & Snowboarding at the resorts.

The obvious thing to do in Colorado in the winter is ski or snowboard! There are so many options within an hour of Summit County; you could ski at a different resort each day for a week!

• Breckenridge Ski Resort

• Keystone Ski Resort

• Arapahoe Basin Ski Resort

• Copper Mountain Ski Resort

• Loveland Ski Resort

• Vail Ski Resort

• Beaver Creek Ski Resort

We love skiing and snowboarding and recommend Copper Mountain or Arapahoe Basin for less busy and epic terrain!

Backcountry Skiing aka Ski Touring

Ski touring is making waves in Colorado and becoming a popular way to explore the mountains in the winter. Be careful to attain the appropriate gear, always wear a beacon, and even consider getting a guide to ensure avalanche safety. We recommend Colorado Adventure Guides!

Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing 

The Frisco Nordic Center offers incredible options for cross country skiing on their course and snowshoeing surrounded by Peak 1 and the rest of Summit County's mountains. 

Dillon Ice Castles

Right in our backyard are the Dillon Ice Castles, where you can explore beautiful castles made of ice and play in the snow! The Ice Castles are walking distance to and from the restaurant, so make sure to stop by and see us afterward!

International Snow Sculptures

In Breckenridge, each January, the International Snow Competition occurs! Teams from all over the world race against the clock to hand-carve 20-ton blocks of snow, and then you can ski their awesome artistic creations!

Ullr Fest

Ullr Fest is a festival where we celebrate the Norse god of snow! There is lots of drinking (aka the longest ski shot in the world), general merriment, a parade, and a bonfire in Breckenridge for this yearly event!

Adventure Point Tubing

Now, the tubing may sound like a kids-only activity, but we are here to vouch that it can be fun and exhilarating at any age. There is Tubing at Keystone Resort or in Frisco, and both are super fun-- no matter your age.

Wassail Days

Another annual festival here in Summit County is Wassail Days in Frisco. This event happens around Christmastime and is full of food and merriment. 

Ice Fishing

Another outdoor activity to partake in in Summit County is Ice Fishing on one of our beautiful rivers or lakes. Just make sure to dress warmly and bring snacks! 

Dew Tour

Usually held in Breckenridge, the Dew Tour is an annual snowboard competition and series of events related to snowboarding. It is a super fun event and a chance to see amazingly talented athletes. This year it's at Copper. 

Ice Skating

There are a few different options for ice skating in Summit County! In Breck, there's the Ice Arena and Maggie Pond. On the other side of the county, there's an option for ice skating in Silverthorne or the infamous ice rink at Keystone Resort.

Winter X Games

It's a bit of a drive, but it's worth it! The Winter x games at Aspen are a must-see exhibit of skiing and snowboarding! Plus there's lots of great skiing for yourself in that area too! 

Snow Biking

A new option for a way to get outside in the winter is Fat Biking! You can rent fat bikes and explore all the bike trails we know and love in the summer.

Snowmobiling

At Vail Pass or all around the backcountry, there are options for fun Snowmobiling! We recommend checking out Good Times Adventure Tours as a safe operation for getting out there on a sled!

Sledding

The other kind of sledding involves plastic disks and lots of hooting and hollering. The Best Sledding Hills in Summit County are unmanaged and free to use. Check them out!

Yoga

Warming up after a long day outside is essential in Summit County. There are some fantastic yoga studios for you to do just that and get a stretch in. We recommend Peak Yoga in Dillon.

Dogsledding

Crazily enough, Dogsledding is a fun way to get outside and love on some pups in the winter! It's gaining popularity, and the dogs are taken good care of, which we think is the essential part!

Full Moon Dinners

Every month during the full moon, Chef Rybak at Arapahoe Basins hosts a Full Moon Dinner at the Black Mountain Lodge. This event is a foodie paradise with amazing views, more food than you can imagine, and beautiful scenery surrounding you.

Sleigh Rides

A fun activity for the whole family, Scenic Sleigh Rides are available at a few places in Breckenridge and Keystone. Most include hot chocolate, lots of laughs, and some even offer a remote dinner experience. Worth checking out!

Ski Resort Events

So you ski or snowboard by day but what do you do at night? The ski resorts are well known for putting on fun events during the day and at night. Check out the Fireworks at Keystone and Events at the Basin for fun things to do when you're not on the hill. 

Tips & Tricks for Winter Activities

Our biggest tip and trick for winter activities is to ask your waiter or waitress at the Arapahoe Cafe, where they like to do winter activities. They are locals and know more than you think— plus can send you in the right direction for secret stashes of snow!

Thanks for reading about our 20 favorite things to do in Colorado in the winter! We hope you enjoyed our tips and tricks! Let us know if we should add anything to the list.