Night Skiing
Keystone Resort made a bold move when it introduced night skiing in 1985, but it was one of the reasons Keystone quickly became one of the country’s leading resort destinations. Keystone rocks and rolls with as many as 15 trails and 243 acres lit beneath the starry sky, including the A51 terrain park, which is the largest in Colorado to be lighted at night. All this acreage means the slopes are typically wide-open, allowing for a relaxing, free-wheeling atmosphere to the experience. Keystone night skiing is available most weekends and holidays throughout the season.
Granby Ranch, a long-time family favorite, keeps a handful of runs and three terrain parks fully lit for night skiing and snowboarding on select days during the ski season. The resort’s lift-served tubing hill is additionally open for under-the-lights merriment. Steamboat also offers night skiing on select runs.
Moonlight Snowshoe Tours
Purgatory Resort in Durango hosts Alpenglow Snowshoe + Charcuterie to see a shimmering sunset over the ski mountain, followed by snacks. Walking Mountain Science Center, based in Avon, offers full-moon snowshoeing, where guests tromp through fluffy powder to a warming backcountry bonfire. Reservations are required for both outings.
Ullr Nights
During the peak of winter at Aspen Snowmass, Elk Camp at Snowmass is transformed into a cozily lit, winter wonderland in honor of the Norse god of snow — Ullr. During Ullr Nights, you can board the gondola to Elk Camp for fun like tubing, riding the alpine coaster, snowbiking and indulging in s'mores and hot chocolate by the bonfire. And Breckenridge hosts its very own Ullr Festival in December, where folks dressed as vikings compete in Ullympic events, watch a parade, celebrate around a bonfire, ice skate and snowshoe under the stars and much more.
Night Ice Skating
Feel like a star as you swirl around Beaver Creek Village’s ice-skating rink under the lights and the indigo sky. The fire pits that surround the rink are a cozy place for hot cocoa, and you can even rent ice bikes to pedal around. You can also zip around Keystone's Dercum Square at night, where scenic views of snowcapped rooftops, powdery peaks and twinkling lights will make you feel like you're in a snow globe.
Torchlight Parades
Many Colorado ski resorts, including — Steamboat, Telluride, Powderhorn, Monarch Mountain, Crested Butte Mountain Resort, Winter Park Resort, Purgatory, Breckenridge Resort and Vail — have torchlight parades (where skiers or snow vehicles bedecked with lights stream down the mountain in creative formations) and fireworks on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve.
Want More?
Check out the event calendars for all 28 Colorado ski resorts, where holiday fests, themed ski days, concerts and other special events help complete winter vacations year after year, and see our list of fun Colorado après-ski bars and family-friendly ski resorts.
Visiting in the Summer?
Colorado's ski resorts offer summer activities and attractions — consider visiting them during the summer season!