Winter
Winter Activities Near Buena Vista
An hour to a genuine ski mountain with no lift line crowds. Miles of snowshoe terrain. And two hot springs that are better in winter than any other season.
BV is a legitimate four-season destination, and winter is underrated. The town sits at the base of the Sawatch Range, which generates substantial snowfall. Monarch Mountain, about an hour southwest, averages 350 inches of snowfall per season. The surrounding national forest fills in with snowshoe and Nordic terrain. And the hot springs a few miles away are noticeably more enjoyable when it is 20 degrees outside.
Winter in Colorado can mean anything from bluebird 55-degree days to a genuine cold snap. Pack layers and check road conditions before heading into the mountains.
⛷️ Monarch Mountain
"Keeping It Real Since 1939" · ~1 hour from BV · No resort crowds or resort prices
Monarch Mountain is the closest ski area to BV and the one locals actually go to. It operates on a special use permit in the San Isabel and Gunnison National Forests at elevations between 10,727 and 11,952 feet. The resort has been running since 1939 and has stayed intentionally independent, keeping prices reasonable and crowds manageable.
The terrain covers 1,146 skiable acres across 80 trails. The breakdown is fairly even across difficulty levels, with a strong selection of intermediate and expert terrain. The average annual snowfall of 350 inches is well above what the larger destination resorts receive. Cat skiing on an additional 1,635 acres of guided backcountry terrain is available when conditions are right.
Day tickets, lessons, and rentals are all available on-site. Weekend crowds are manageable compared to I-70 corridor resorts. If you ski mid-week, you may find yourself on runs by yourself.
Monarch By the Numbers
- Season: Late November through early April
- Avg snowfall: 350" per season
- Trails: 80 total (72 lift-served, 8 hike-to)
- Skiable acres: 1,146 (+ 1,635 guided backcountry)
- Vertical: 1,225 ft
- Base elevation: 10,727 ft
- Summit: 11,952 ft
- Lifts: 9 total
- Phone: (719) 530-5000
In-Season Operating Hours
- Lifts: 9AM–4PM daily
- Tubing Park: Fri/Sat/Sun + holidays 10AM–4PM
- Lodge: 7:30AM–5:30PM
- Rentals: 8AM–4:30PM
🥾 Snowshoeing & Nordic Skiing
No ticket required · Equipment rentals available locally
Cottonwood Pass Area
County Road 306 (the Cottonwood Pass road) closes to vehicles above the Cottonwood Lake area in winter and becomes a Nordic and snowshoe corridor. The packed snow surface through aspen and spruce forest with open views of the Collegiate Peaks makes this one of the best free Nordic options in the area. Access is free and the road is packed down by other users within the first days of snow.
Collegiate Peaks Wilderness in Winter
The lower sections of the Collegiate Peaks trails make excellent snowshoe terrain in winter. The Denny Creek trail to Mount Yale is a popular winter approach for snowshoers who have no intention of summiting, just enjoying the forest and creek without summer crowds.
♨️ Hot Springs in Winter
Both open year-round
Mt. Princeton Hot Springs
Open daily 9AM–9PM year-round. The riverside pools in winter are the attraction: sitting in 100-degree hot spring water while snow covers the banks around you. The Chalk Cliffs above are especially dramatic in winter light. Day passes available.
Mt. Princeton Info ↗Cottonwood Hot Springs
Open daily 8AM–10:30PM. The quieter, more rustic option. In winter, the setting feels more remote and private than it does in summer. Walk-ins welcome. Ideal for an evening soak after a day at Monarch.
Cottonwood Info ↗What to Pack for a BV Winter Trip
- ✓Layered clothing. BV itself is relatively mild (7,900 ft), but ski area base is over 10,700 ft. The temperature difference can be 20+ degrees.
- ✓All-wheel or four-wheel drive is recommended but not always required. Check road conditions before driving to Monarch or higher elevation trailheads.
- ✓Swimsuits and towels for hot springs. Our property has a washer and dryer to deal with wet gear.
- ✓Sunscreen. Colorado sun at altitude in winter is intense, especially on the ski mountain. Reflective snow makes it worse.
- ✓Boots with real traction for town. Sidewalks in BV get packed snow and ice in cold snaps.
- ✓Book Monarch tickets in advance online. The resort sells out on powder days and holiday weekends.
A Great Base for a Colorado Winter Trip
Close to Monarch, close to the hot springs, and significantly quieter than Breckenridge or Vail in peak season.