Us true Coloradans do not complain when the snow starts to fall. We also don’t just tolerate through the winter we use it to all our advantages. This is our second summer and the time when we all sit around fires and fireplaces, at ski resorts, small towns and crazy enough concerts. It is a sentiment to our state to host diverse festivals all around the state.
Winterfest Dec. 8-10, Boulder,
Nestled at the base of the Flatirons Chautauqua park is gorgeous at any time of the year. But in winter, when its historic buildings and wide lawn are dusted with snow, it’s stunning. Winterfest offers a chance to spend time together as a family, with events like dreamy horse drawn carriage rides, a trip to Santa’s cottage, guided hikes, a tree lighting, crafts and more.
X games Jan 26-28, Aspen
The world-class athletes who compete in X Games Aspen at Buttermilk Ski Resort defy the laws of physics. Top skiers and snowboarders compete in adrenaline pumped events like SuperPipe, Big Air, Knuckle Huck and slopestyle. Live music and DJs help round out the fun. there’s no cost to enjoy the action on the mountain, and there are activities for kids, too.
International Snow Sculpture Championship, Jan 22-31
These brave sculptors choose to specialize in a 
chillier medium, snow. During the first part of this festival, you can watch teams of artists use hand tools to transform 25-ton blocks of snow into truly impressive works of art. After up to 94 hours of carving, they must walk away from their masterpieces. At this point in the festivities, downtown Breck turns into an outdoor sculpture garden that’s lovely to wander through, day and night.
Manitou Springs Carnival Weekend, Fed 3 – 10
If your missing Mardi Gras in February, head on over to Manitou springs, which celebrates Carnivale over
two weekends in February. First, on Feb. 3, there’s CarniBall, a masquerade ball with live music, Cajun-inspired food and the crowning of the Carnivale king and queen. Then, on Feb. 10, there’s the Mumbo Gumbo Jumbo Cook-Off and the Carnivale Parade.
Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival, Feb 8-11
This long-running festival is basically embedded in Steamboat’s DNA. It’s been going for more than a century, 111 years, to be exact. The Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, which hosts the carnival, goes all out to celebrate the Yampa Valley’s Western roots and its love of winter sports. Horses will pull skiers along Main Street, a man wearing a pyrotechnic suit will ski down Howelsen Hill and, most importantly, everyone will have a jolly time. Past events include ski jumping, ski ballet, snow biking, s’mores and live music.
Frozen Dead Guy Days March, 15-17
In case you missed it, Frozen Dead Guy Days moved from its longtime home in Nederland to Estes Park last year. Organizers are
still finalizing the schedule, but festivities are set to include coffin races, a polar plunge, a dance, Sunday brunch and tons of live music. This quirky festival pays homage to a man named Grandpa Bredo, whose frozen corpse has been on dry ice since 1989.
