Colorado winter is legendary. Twenty-eight ski resorts receive an average of 300 inches of that famous champagne powder - dry, light snow that skis like nothing else. From massive destination resorts like Vail and Aspen to affordable local hills, there's terrain for every skill level.
But skiing is just the beginning. Winter in Colorado means ice castles rising from frozen lakes, holiday markets glowing in downtown Denver, New Year's Eve fireworks over mountain towns, and hot springs steaming against snowy backdrops. The state transforms into a postcard.
Denver stays surprisingly mild - snow falls but rarely sticks more than a day or two. You can catch an Avalanche hockey game, explore museums on free days, or take the train to Winter Park for day skiing. The mountains get buried; the city stays accessible.