Colorado Winter Retreats to Unplug and Find Solitude

After the whirlwind holiday season, it’s time to unplug with a winter retreat. Kick back and soak up some solitude in many different ways in Colorado’s mountain towns. No company, no parties. Just you and Colorado’s natural beauty and perhaps your favorite sidekick.

Here’s where to go to reconnect and recharge this winter. Take advantage of special winter lodging and travel deals on your journey. January is Learn to Ski Month in Colorado, as many resorts offer post-holiday lift ticket discounts or lodging deals.

Winter Retreat and Unplug in Ouray

Ouray, known as the “Switzerland of America,” is a quaint mountain town surrounded by the dramatic mountain peaks of the San Juan Mountains. With the chill of January settling in, there’s nothing more rejuvenating than relaxing in the soothing hot water of a natural hot spring, and Ouray has several to choose from.

Being a post-holiday month, January means you will find exceptional deals on some of the best lodgings, from exquisite hotels to inns and cozy cabins, and you will have a selection.

Ouray hosts the popular Ice Festival, a significant ice climbing event that includes competitions, clinics, and opportunities for climbers of all levels to participate. Spectating is also thrilling if you’re not quite up for a climb.

Before or after your day, take a stroll down Main Street Ouray. It’s inviting, with various stores to explore and several restaurants, pubs, and cafes to enjoy.

Winter Retreat and Unplug at RMNP

Make your way to Rocky Mountain National Park for a magnificent winter retreat surrounded by 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 Aspen Winds 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.

Grand Lake Winter Retreat

On the west side of the massive Rocky Mountain National Park lies Grand Lake, where a quiet Colorado village delivers winter amusement via 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.

The lakes are frozen at this time of year; you can ski across the beautiful vast expanse of snow or go ice fishing. For those who can’t get enough “on the water time,” try an Aqua Expeditions cruise somewhere else and return for the summer season.

Go deep into Colorado’s peaceful wintry wilderness on a snowmobile tour with Grand Adventure’s guided and unguided snowmobile rentals. The outfitter has locations in Winter Park, Fraser, and Grand Lake.

Unplug in Leadville

Head to sleepy Leadville, Colorado, for a winter retreat 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.

Winter retreat and Getaway in Steamboat Springs

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, soul-soothing day spas, secluded natural hot springs, or the downtown hot springs pool and fitness center. Explore Clark, Colorado, just north of town for vacation lodging in a rural mountain ranch setting. Fireplaces, hot tubs, cross-country skiing, ice fishing, resort spas, and the tranquil Elk River round out the postcard Colorado setting.

By Lisa Blake