Estes Park is a wonderful winter vacationland.  When you visit Colorado in the winter time, the low humidity and abundant sunshine makes winter activities warmer and more enjoyable than what you may have experienced in other areas of the country.  Winter activities in Estes Park go far beyond skiing and snowboarding.  Outfitters, guides and local businesses offer winter activities to keep you busy during your stay. There are also winter festivals, events and parades .

Winter Activities in Estes Park

SLEDDING

As snow permits, the Hidden Valley area of Rocky Mountain National Park is open to sledding.  The sledding area is open once the snow is deep enough to cover vegetation.  It typically closes by late April.  Visit the NPS web site to check on conditions and closures. A warming hut is open on the weekends; heated restrooms are open the rest of the season. Sledders must bring their own sleds or tubes. Visitors may purchase or rent a sled from Backbone Adventures located at 1851 North Lake Ave. in Estes Park.  No need to make a reservation.  Just stop by and rent one for $10 per day.

Hidden Valley is located along Trail Ridge Road/U.S. Highway 34, 7 miles from the Beaver Meadows Entrance and the Fall River Entrance on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park.

WINTER JEEP RENTALS

Photo Courtesy of Backbone Adventures

Estes Park is surrounded by amazing trails that are accessible in winter if you have the right equipment.  A Jeep Rental at Backbone Adventures is a unique experience!  You do run the risk of getting stuck and having to use the winch. For some, this challenge equates to fun! You don’t have to take risks, though. You can opt to stay on trails and roads with less snow.

WNTER ATV RENTALS

A unique way to explore Estes in winter is to rent a 4-passenger UTV for a family and friends adventure!  You can cruise mountain routes with sweeping vistas and possible moose sightings.  A GPS trail guidance keeps your group confidently on track.  This is an ideal adventure for families or small groups wanting a flexible, unguided Colorado off-road outing.

SNOWSHOEING

When fresh snow has landed in the area, being the first to break tracks on a trail is exhilarating.  Similar to hiking, snowshoes help you stay on top of the powder and avoid “post holing” which is when your leg plummets into the snow, usually beyond your ankles… could even be beyond your knee!

Photo Courtesy of Backbone Adventures

FAT TIRE E-BIKE RENTALS

The bike path around Estes Park is open all year.  So enjoy the snow with a Fat Tire E-Bike rental.   You can also load the bike and head out to one of the many trail systems we have in the area.

HIKING

Hiking in the winter?  Of course!  Our bluebird, winter days offer an enjoyable outdoor experience.  The trails around Estes Park are hike-able and not always covered in snow. Rocky Mountain National Park is a fun place to hike.  The Bear Mountain Lake area is open and hikes to Emerald Lake are breathtaking!  Take your crampons to help you grip into the snow to prevent sliding.  They can be rented in numerous places in town.

CROSS COUNTRY SKIING

Cross Country Skiing is a free winter activity in Estes Park. The best time to cross country ski is December – April.   There are trails found in Rocky Mountain National Park and down the road at neighboring Brainard Lake.  There are no groomed trails, so choose your skis accordingly.

SNOWMOBILING

There are no rental places or guides who offer snowmobiling in or around Estes Park.  Stay tuned, as that may change in 2026.  There are many outfitters in Grand Lake who do offer rentals and guided trips.

RELAX & UNWIND

• Spend a day at the spa
• Morning yoga
• Stroll the shops in town
• Wildlife Viewing – the elk are still here!

WINTER FESTIVALS

Catch the Glow Parade November 28, 2025

The Annual Catch the Glow Parade brightens Estes Park at 5:30 p.m. the day after Thanksgiving!

Each year as many as 20,000 people line Elkhorn Avenue to “Catch the Glow” of this whimsical holiday parade, as well as spend the afternoon visiting Santa and strolling through downtown Estes Park. The parade features more than 40 units, including hand-crafted floats from the Town of Estes Park and nonprofits, marching bands, fire trucks and other specialty vehicles.

Estes Park Holiday Wine Festival Saturday, November 29, 2025

Get ready to unwind and sip your way into the holiday spirit at the annual Estes Park Holiday Wine Festival! Join us at the Estes Park Events Complex for unlimited wine samplings from Colorado wineries, visit holiday vendors, food vendors and Santa selfies! Your ticket includes a wine glass, wine tote, and unlimited tastings.  MUST BE 21 TO DRINK.  

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Estes Park Skijor January 23-25, 2026

What is Skijor? Estes Park Skijor is a thrilling contest in which skiers are towed at high speeds by a horse and rider team, navigating a challenging course that features gates, jumps, and various obstacles. It’s an event that uniquely blends Colorado’s rich skiing tradition with its cowboy heritage, showcasing the best aspects of both worlds. Throughout the weekend, participants compete for cash rewards and prizes.

Where?  The Estes Park Events Complex for the skijor competitions and the Warming Hut Expo sponsored by the Estes Park Mountain Shop. Watch your kids as they go through a mini “skijor” course in the Estes Park Education Foundation’s Fun Zone and refuel at one of the delicious local food trucks.

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Frozen Dead Guy Days March 27-29, 2026

The craziest three day festival honoring Grandpa Bredo Morstoel who died in 1989 and came to Nederland, Colorado after he was placed in liquid nitrogen for almost four years in Oakland, California. Then, he was moved to Colorado in 1993 to stay with his daughter Aud Morstoel and his grandson Trygve Bauge.  There he stayed for years under cold cover, in a shed, near his grandson’s home. For years, he was the resident of a Tuff Shed in the hills above Nederland, Colorado, just 40 miles south of Estes Park, where he remained very, very, very cold. While it is now illegal to store a frozen human or animal (or any body part thereof) in your home in Nederland, Grandpa Bredo was, well, grandfathered in!

This crazy, frozen dead guy has been honored for years in this crazy way in the dead of winter in the Colorado Mountain.  So, come out and pay homage to Grandpa Bredo with festivities, coffin races, music, beer and a polar plunge!

Where?  This three day event has multiple locations for the events.  Check out the website for up to date events, performers and venues.

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KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!

Don’t let the sunshine fool you.  Our winters can be fierce and weather can change in a moment.  Follow the safety tips below to make your adventure that much more.

• Check conditions: Always check trail conditions and avalanche risk before you go. If in RMNP, you can check with park rangers before heading out.
• Gear and rentals: Having the right gear can make your experience more enjoyable and safer.  If you don’t own equipment, rentals are readily available in town.
• Safety: Be prepared with proper gear, clothing, and navigation tools, especially for backcountry skiing and snowshoeing.
  

  Elk travel down main street

• Tours and lessons: Guided tours and lessons are available from local outfitters.