7 Estes Park Winter Activities

Do you want to have fun in Estes Park during the winter months? It’s one of the best times of year to visit the area because there are dozens of fun things to do and see. Check out this list of five winter activities that you can do with family and friends during your stay in Estes Park, Colorado.

Visit the Rocky Mountain National Park

Many people look forward to visiting the Rocky Mountains National Park, a beautiful park known for its incredible sights in the Estes Park area. If you decide to visit, you can enjoy a snowshoe hike that allows you to explore the area surrounding Bear Lake. Bundle up in warm, comfortable clothes to combat the cold weather while you’re exploring. You can make some great memories at this incredible tourist destination.

Insider Tip: This is the most popular of Colorado’s diverse national parks. The others are also well worth a visit.

Winter views of Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Check Out Downtown Estes Park

Escape the snow for a bit while checking out the Downtown Estes Park area. It’s home to shops, restaurants, and other excellent places to visit during your stay. You can grab a bite to eat, buy some souvenirs, and explore the area with its incredible scenery of the mountains in the background.

Cross Country Ski

A great way to see Rocky Mountain National Park, be sure to back country or cross country ski while visiting Estes Park. You won’t even need to worry about bringing your equipment with you! Instead, you can rent equipment and head out on the slopes with a tour guide who will show you how to stand and position yourself to make the most of the experience. It’s the perfect option for those who’ve never experienced what it’s like to ski before. However, even if you’ve gone skiing in the past, this is still an excellent opportunity to gain new skills in the snow.

Go On an Educational Winter Ecology Walk

Put on those snowshoes and head off on an adventure with a personal tour guide who will take you and your loved ones on an educational winter ecology walk. It’s a great way to explore the area, learn new things about the environment, and spend a few hours outside in the cold weather. Be sure to bundle up in preparation for spending several hours walking around during this lesson. You can have the time of your life while your guide teaches you new things!

Enjoy a Day of Sledding

Consider spending a day out in the snow while sledding! It’s a great way to travel through the snow, explore different park areas, and make memories with the family. Even if you’ve never gone on a sledding adventure, you’ll quickly get the hang of it and make the most of the experience. Equipment is available for rent, and guides can help visitors to ensure the experience is safe and enjoyable for all. Your children will love going on a sledding adventure with you!

mustang mountain coaster in estes park
Colorado’s newest alpine coaster, Mustang Mountain Coaster in Estes Park. Photo courtesy Mustang Mountain Coaster.

Ride an Alpine Coaster

The Mustang Mountain Coaster in Estes Park is the newest of Colorado’s thrilling alpine coasters. Opened May of 2021, the exhilarating ride consists of approximately 1,000 linear feet of cable-pulled uphill followed by 2,000 linear feet of gravity-fueled descent. It offers amazing views for sightseers and thrilling speed for adrenaline junkies, and all near the front range cities of Denver, Boulder and Ft. Collins.

Horseback Ride

Did you know that you can horseback ride in Estes Park in winter?! Sombrero Stables offers rides year round. This is certainly a unique way to see the surrounding alpine environment.

You won’t have to worry about feeling bored at any point while you’re visiting Estes Park in the winter. Whether you want to explore the Rocky Mountains National Park, learn how to ski, or even visit the city’s downtown section, you have plenty of great options. So what would you like to do when you get there?

7 Estes Park Winter Activities

Liana Moore

Liana Moore is a third-culture kid with a hangover from those days that is a severe case of wanderlust. She is more comfortable driving the cliffs of Amalfi, Italy or the dirt roads of Costa Rica or attempting to decipher the street signs of Osaka, Japan than navigating the theme parks of Disney World. But she loves it all. She doesn't believe a vacation is complete without an adventure. Her husband and kids know well that "adventure" often is code for mishap or challenge and it usually results in a good story. They seek outdoor experiences whether in the mountains, on a beach or in the jungle of a tropical country. Her favorite vacation is... all the ones she hasn't yet taken, as well as those she plans on taking again. And, that list is so, so long. But she continues to extensively explore her home state of Colorado, spends lots of time wandering Texas, California, New Mexico, Costa Rica, Mexico, Norway and has even explored Kazakhstan.

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