Sleigh Rides
2 Below Zero
Frisco
Dash through the snow on a buckboard sleigh pulled by the smiliest mules you’ve ever seen on the Scenic Hot Cocoa Sleigh Ride. (Peppermint schnapps optional and BYOBlanket.)
Dine: Spice things up with chilaquiles and Mexican pizza at Nuevo Vallarta or The Uptown on Main’s Inferno Burger — topped with pickled habanero, pepper jack and ghost-pepper aioli.
Recline: Frisco Lodge Bed & Breakfast — a former 1880s stagecoach stop — offers boardgames, adjoining rooms, free homemade breakfasts and daily happy hours.
Purgatory Resort
Durango
Majestic Belgian and Percheron draft horses from Bears Ranch whoosh you through frost-carpeted lands with breathtaking views of the Needles Mountain Range and its powder-filled crags.
Dine: Pop Sushi delights with poke bowls and maki rolls (pair ’em with a lemongrass mojito), plus ramen and wontons for pickier palates. Sustainably sourced Grassburger flips up patties (beef, turkey or black bean) dripping with green chilies and cheddar.
Recline: Thaw out in Durango Lodge’s hot tub, where you’ll have easy access to shops, restaurants, the historical downtown and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
Pine Creek Cookhouse
Aspen
Draft horses trot through Narnia-like scenery during a three-course lunch of locally sourced cheeses, meats or vegan-friendly fare. For extra magic, book the four-course dinner experience.
Dine: Oatmeal pancakes (a local fave) and pistachio sausage start the day at Poppycock’s Café. Kenichi’s hoisin-and-brown-sugar baby-back ribs and yuzu-orange-glazed duck are treats for adventurous eaters.
Recline: The Little Nell is big on extras. Kids will love in-room tents and pint-sized robes, while adults can enjoy babysitting and complimentary ski shuttles.
YMCA of the Rockies/Snow Mountain Ranch
Granby
Giddyup through the Rockies, marveling at mountain vistas and snow-flocked evergreens as you go. The best is saved for last: Your trip culminates with a cup o’ cocoa around a cheery campfire.
Dine: Find breakfast goodies like bagels and lox, skillets and hash browns at Java Lava Cafe. Debbie’s Drive In brings the nostalgia with carhops serving chicken Love Me Tenders, burgers and crinkle fries.
Recline: Stay where you play at Snow Mountain Ranch. Winter activities include skiing, climbing on an indoor or outdoor rock wall and ice skating.
Monarch Dog Sled Rides
Salida
Miniature horses whip you through alpine forests, past icy beaver ponds and an old miners’ cemetery. OK. They’re really dogs … your very own team of dogs! You’ll meet ’em, learn to harness ’em and mush with ’em on this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Dine: With chili-cheese fries, veggie fajitas and pork carnitas, Las Camelinas has something for everyone.
Recline: Recharge at the rustic and eco-conscious Creekside Chalets. Relax in a setting that makes you feel like you’re in the middle of nature, while knowing Salida’s lively downtown is just 12 miles away.
Winter Night Delights
Jackson Lake State Park
Orchard
The state’s newest International Dark Sky Park won’t disappoint. Enjoy star-studded indigo heavens reflected in the surface of the shimmering lake.
Dine: Choose from cheese-blanketed breakfast burritos or steak and eggs at Home Plate Restaurant (Fort Morgan). Mariana’s Family Restaurant (Wiggins) serves three hearty squares, whether you want fried chicken or steak ranchero.
Recline: Your home on the range is a campsite at Jackson Lake State Park. We recommend winter camping via RV or campervan for maximum comfort and minimum chilliness.
Night Skiing
Steamboat Springs
Make that sparkling Champagne Powder® fly on illuminated slopes, as you schuss through the wintry night. Five trails, ranging from beginner to advanced, make this primo terrain perfect for everyone.
Dine: Fuel up with bacon-avocado scrambles and Chocolate Chipper Pancakes at The Egg, where 10 percent of all kids’ meals purchased go to local youth charities. Savor ski-themed pizzas at Slopeside Grill, where you can nosh while watching powderhounds carve.
Recline: The gondolas at Trailhead Lodge take you straight to Steamboat’s base village, making it the perfect place to rest your pommed beanie at night.
WinterSkate
Louisville
Glide across the ice under strings of twinkling lights on the outdoor rink in historic downtown Louisville. Time your trip for sunset to catch the sky at its rosiest.
Dine: Farm-sourced latkes and chicken pot pie from The Huckleberry are A+ winter comfort foods. You’ll go crazy for griddled-cornmeal cakes packed with fillings at La Pupusa Loca — a one-woman food truck. (Tip: Bring cash and order ahead.)
Recline: Stay at the Omni Interlocken Hotel in Broomfield for spa treatments and heated outdoor pools that’ll keep your whole posse pleased.
Magic Meadows Yurt Dinner or Brunch
Crested Butte
Cross-country ski or snowshoe through a backdrop of moonlit peaks before enjoying a five-course, chef-curated dinner in a warmly lit yurt, or take a family trek to chow on a brunch menu of pastries, soups and juices.
Dine: Sherpa Cafe’s fresh tandoor-baked naan and ginger-rich curries hit just right after a powder day. The Notorious F.I.G. pizza — fig, prosciutto and bleu cheese — is a must-try at Secret Stash.
Recline: Slope-side Elevation Hotel & Spa has it all — from ski and bike rentals to an on-site tavern, with a few hot tubs tossed in for fun.