The best Colorado winter festivals for 2022-23

Festivals add a special sparkle to Colorado’s already dazzling winters. With jubilant live music, soul-warming food and drinks, colorful parades and only-in-winter activities like snow carving and ice climbing, these events have become beloved cold-weather traditions in the Centennial State. Here are some of Colorado’s best winter festivals to attend this season.

Fire Festival

Dec. 2-4, Telluride

If you’re looking for something exciting and different this winter, look no further. This weekend in idyllic Telluride celebrates fire arts and performance. There are free shows, live music, firey art cars and hands-on workshops in aerial acrobatics, partner hooping/juggling and the basics of propane and steel fire art. It’s altogether unlike your usual weekend fest, for sure.

Ullr Festival

Dec. 8-11, Breckenridge

If you’ve never formally acquainted yourself with Ullr, the Norse god of snow and skiing, this is your chance. Breck’s annual 10-day shindig, hosted by the residents and businesses of this charming mountain town since 1963, is a celebration of all the things that make winter in Colorado so great: fresh powder, ice skating, curling, bonfires, parades, Viking-inspired costumes and, yes, even shot skis.

Wintersköl

Jan. 12-15, Aspen

Back in 1951, when skiing was still in its infancy in Aspen, a group of locals got together to usher in the winter season and, thus, Wintersköl was born. Over the last 70-plus years, this once-small gathering has grown to become one of the Roaring Fork Valley’s most cherished traditions. Though the schedule is still being finalized, past festivals have included snow sculptures, fireworks, a torchlight ski parade on Aspen Mountain, contests, races, historical experiences and so much more.

Aspen Gay Ski Week

Jan. 15-22, Aspen

As the longest-running and largest gay ski week in the country, Aspen Gay Ski Week has been promoting inclusivity — and, perhaps just as importantly, fun — in the sport of skiing for more than 40 years. There are over-the-top parties, ski meet-ups, dinners, games of drag bingo, comedy shows and tons of other lively events that are open to all.

Ouray Ice Festival

Jan 19-22, Ouray

Pull out your puffy coat and make your way to the “Switzerland of America” for this small mountain community’s annual ice climbing festival. For four days every January, ice climbers from around the world descend upon Ouray to test their mettle on the icy waterfalls and manmade climbing structures of the Ouray Ice Park. There are also film screenings, happy hours, gear expos and other chances to mix and mingle with fellow outdoorspeople. Oh, and much-needed soaks in the town’s inviting hot springs.

International Snow Sculpture Championships

Carving week is Jan. 23-27, viewing week is Jan. 27-Feb.1, Breckenridge

Watch in amazement as teams from around the world carve 25-ton blocks of snow standing 12 feet tall into detailed sculptures — all with just elbow grease and hand tools. No power tools are allowed at this whimsical competition! Carvers spend up to 94 hours perfecting their frosty masterpieces, which turn downtown Breck into a temporary outdoor art gallery that’s perfect for strolling through with a steaming cup of cocoa in your hands.