Colorado Winter Retreats to Unplug and Recharge
Seek out solitude (and save big) on these Colorado winter getaways.
After the whirlwind holiday season, sometimes all you want to do is kick back and soak up some solitude. No company, no parties. Just you and Colorado’s natural beauty. And maybe a few select immediate family members. Maybe.
Here’s where to go to reconnect and recharge this winter. Be sure to take advantage of special winter lodging and activity deals on your journey.
Make your way to Rocky Mountain National Park for magnificent snowy Colorado peaks, frozen alpine lakes and untracked powdery trails. One of the nation’s top-visited parks in the summer enjoys a slower stream of guests in the winter, leaving plenty of room (414 square miles) to roam and relax. Make home base The Evergreens on Fall River in Estes Park, just outside of the national park’s east entrance. Secluded riverfront cabins put you in the middle of nature’s finest with the convenience of Estes Park dining and shopping just down the road.
On the west side of massive Rocky Mountain National Park lies Grand Lake, where a quiet Colorado village delivers winter amusement in the form of snowshoeing, wildlife viewing, ice fishing and free ice skating behind Town Hall. Cross country ski at the groomed Nordic Center (there’s even a dog loop for Fido) or take a guided snowshoe tour in the national park.
Go deep into Colorado’s peaceful wintry wilderness on a snowmobile tour with Grand Adventure’s guided and unguided snowmobile rentals. The outfitter has Winter Park, Fraser and Grand Lake locations.
Head to sleepy Leadville, Colorado for a stay and play with more mountains and trees than people and cars. Check in to the Delaware Hotel and cozy up to the 1886 Victorian Inn in the heart of the legendary mining town’s National Historic District.
Ice fish Turquoise Lake or drink in lungfuls of crisp Colorado mountain air on the 12-mile groomed Mineral Belt Trail, best enjoyed on cross country skis or snowshoes. For a refreshing downhill skiing experience, visit nearby Ski Cooper. Colorado’s fifth oldest ski area is family friendly, quaint (read: free parking) and rich in all-natural snow.
There’s more to Steamboat Springs than world-class skiing and their trademark Champagne Powder®. Colorado’s famous western-charmed mountain town is the ideal winter getaway destination with horse-drawn sleigh rides, year-round fly-fishing and soul-soothing day spas and hot springs. Seek out Glen Eden Resort north of town for vacation lodging in a rural mountain ranch setting. Fireplaces, hot tubs and the tranquil Elk River round out the postcard Colorado setting.
Want more ideas? Visit coloradoinfo.com/colorado-winter. Save up to 50 percent on your Colorado vacation and discover lodging specials and activity discounts with these Trip’s On deals.
