Published: Jan. 16, 2019

View of the CU Boulder engineering field, Koelbel building, C4C and Flatirons after snowfall.Hitting the slopes isn’t the only way to experience winter in Colorado. Here are a few ideas to share with your student.

Outdoor activities

  • Sledding is a fun winter activity to do right after a snowfall. This article has great information on local sledding hills in Boulder and suggestions for where to find the best hot chocolate afterwards.
  • Winters in Boulder can be mild, making for perfect hiking weather. Here are five winter hikes to do on a sunny winter day.
  • Your student can rent snowshoes from the Rec Center’s Outdoor Program and check out these spots in Boulder County to try them out.

Campus activities

Local events

  • Celestial Seasonings offers free behind-the-scenes tours of their tea factory. Your student can enjoy lunch at the Celestial Café and stock up on their favorite tea at the Celestial Tea Shop.
  • Frozen Dead Guy Days is a unique and quirky festival, taking place in the mountain town of Nederland in March. Students can easily get to Nederland by bus and enjoy three days of live music in heated tents and outrageous events like coffin racing and costumed polar plunging. 
  • Both the Denver Art Museum and Denver Museum of Nature & Science have days throughout the winter season where general admission is free for attendees, and students can easily get to both museums with their free bus pass.