Plan the Perfect Winter Getaway to Fort Collins
The winters in Fort Collins, Colorado, are often quite mild, offering a great mix of picturesque, snowy days as well as warm, sunny days. With average winter temperatures ranging from 19°F to 49°F throughout the winter (sometimes reaching as high as 70 degrees!), visitors can enjoy a variety of activities during this time of year. It’s very common to have snow one day, and warm sunshine the next, making Fort Collins perfect for a winter getaway. The city receives about 48 inches of snow annually, so if you’re looking for traditional winter activities, there will be plenty of opportunities to get out in the surrounding mountains. However, the mild winter climate also makes it easy to explore downtown Fort Collins, and enjoy breweries, shopping, live music, and great dining. Whether you're visiting a student at Colorado State University or seeking a charming mountain town escape with a loved one, Fort Collins offers an array of activities to make your winter visit fun.
Outdoor Winter Activities
Snowshoeing and Cross-Country Skiing: The Poudre Canyon to the Northwest of Fort Collins is a great winter recreation area, with trails like the Zimmerman Lake Loop providing a fun and scenic winter experience. Cameron Pass, situated approximately 65 miles west of Fort Collins along Highway 14, also offers abundant winter recreation opportunities, including snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The area features a variety of trails catering to different skill levels, providing scenic views of the surrounding Rocky Mountains. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful winter landscape while engaging in these activities.
Ice Skating: Ice Skating at the Old Town Square Skate Rink is a festive winter activity if you’re visiting Fort Collins when it’s open, although it's quite small and probably best suited for small children. If you're really looking to get your skate on, we recommend the indoor rink at Edora Pool Ice Center (EPIC), an ice skating and aquatics center, and where the CSU hockey team plays.
Skiing/Tubing: Hoedown Hill in Windsor, Colorado, is a fun winter sports area offering skiing and snowboarding, a terrain park, and a tubing area. Hoedown Hill features skiing and snowboarding suitable for various skill levels, as well as the Bushwhacker tubing hill, the longest in North America, featuring 10 lanes that stretch 1,200 feet, providing thrilling tubing experiences for all ages. For those seeking a milder activity, the Greenhorn Hill offers a calmer tubing experience with six lanes. Hoedown Hill is only 30 minutes from Fort Collins, so it's a quick and easy trip there for some wintertime fun.
For those wanting to get in a bit more vertical on their ski day, Eldora Mountain Resort or Snowy Range are good day trip options for skiing from Fort Collins. Both are about 1 hour, 40 minutes away (Eldora is south of Fort Collins and Snowy Range is northwest in Wyoming) and offer a charming, laid back approach to skiing. Eldora offers 680 acres of skiable terrain, Snowy Range has 250 acres.
Indoor Winter Activities
Brewery Tours: Fort Collins is home to over 20 craft breweries. Many offer tours and tastings, allowing visitors to sample seasonal brews and learn about the brewing process. Visiting some of the local breweries is a great activity year-round, but it’s a fun way to spend a winter afternoon. And with the elevation and warm sunshine Colorado experiences, very often our brewery patios and outdoor spaces are inviting even in the winter!
Art Galleries and Museums: Fort Collins boasts a vibrant arts scene, with numerous galleries to peruse, as well as the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, which offers engaging exhibits for all ages to enjoy.
Culinary Workshops: For those visiting Fort Collins during the winter , The Teaching Kitchen at Ginger and Baker is a fun indoor activity. This inviting space provides a variety of classes, including cooking, baking, cocktails, and crafting, and you'll have the choice of joining a scheduled class or arranging a private session. Whether you're interested in mastering new recipes or enjoying a unique hands-on activity, The Teaching Kitchen is the perfect winter activity!
Fort Collins Seasonal Events
Downtown Holiday Lights: From early November through Valentine's Day, Old Town Fort Collins is adorned with thousands of twinkling lights, creating a festive atmosphere perfect for evening strolls.
First Friday Art Walk: A self-guided tour held on the first Friday of each month, showcasing local artists and their work in various galleries and venues.
Cozy Vacation Rentals
After a day of winter exploration, retreat to one of our inviting Fort Collins vacation rentals. Mountain Time offers vacation rentals in Fort Collins and the Northern Colorado area in a variety of sizes and price points, all perfect for a winter getaway. To really make your winter visit cozy, browse our selection of Fort Collins rentals with a hot tub. Consider properties like Spirit of the Rockies with a private backyard, hot tub and firepit, or Couples Retreat, an apartment nestled along the shore of Warren Lake, featuring a private hot tub, steam room, and an infrared dry sauna.
For a more traditional ambiance, Elegant Oasis features a fireplace as well as a rooftop deck with mountain views and an outdoor fireplace. These Fort Collins rentals and many more from the Mountain Time collection will ensure a restful and cozy stay, allowing you to recharge for another day of adventure.
Plan Your Fort Collins Visit
Fort Collins offers a delightful blend of outdoor activities, cultural experiences, and cozy lodging options that are perfect for a winter escape. We look forward to helping you plan the best Fort Collins winter visit!
Posted on 02/28/2025 in
