Winter activities colorado — mountain tourism and hiking article illustration

More Than Skiing

While Summit County is famous for world-class skiing at Breckenridge, Keystone, and Copper Mountain, the area offers countless winter activities for non-skiers and those seeking variety.

Snowmobiling

Our specialty! Explore the Continental Divide backcountry on guided snowmobile tours ranging from family-friendly to extreme.

Cross-Country Skiing

Peaceful Nordic skiing on groomed trails:

Snowshoeing

Ice Skating

Snow Tubing

Dog Sledding

Experience the thrill of dog-powered adventure through the wilderness. Multiple operators in the area.

Fat Biking

Mountain biking on snow with oversized tires. Growing in popularity with trails throughout the county.

Indoor Activities

Planning Your Trip

Mix activities for the perfect winter vacation. Many visitors combine a day of snowmobiling with skiing or other adventures. If you're new to snowmobiling, check out our first time snowmobiling tips and our guide to snowmobiling costs in Colorado to help plan your trip.

Book Snowmobile Tour

Pairing activities for variety

A typical week in Summit County might include three days of skiing, one day of snowmobiling, one day of Nordic skiing or snowshoeing, and a rest day for hot springs or town activities. This rotation keeps muscle groups varied (skiing is quad-dominant, snowmobiling is core and shoulder, Nordic is full-body cardio) and prevents the kind of cumulative fatigue that hurts the second half of longer trips.

Underrated activities

Several activities don’t make most travel guides but offer real value. Ice fishing on Dillon Reservoir or Turquoise Lake near Leadville provides a quiet half-day with rentable gear and licenses available locally. Sleigh rides paired with dinner at backcountry yurts (operated by several local outfitters) offer evening atmosphere that ski resort villages can’t match. Heated outdoor pools at high-end lodging properties — a uniquely high-altitude experience — turn snow flurries and steam into a memorable contrast.