Colorado’s popularity as a skiing destination is deeply rooted in its breathtaking landscapes, boasting some of the most spectacular mountain ranges in the United States. Our state’s renowned ski resorts offer a perfect blend of powdery snow, extensive terrain, and unparalleled scenic beauty. Moreover, Colorado’s vibrant ski culture, coupled with charming mountain towns and a plethora of off-slope activities, contributes to making our winter season so epic. Check out these ski weekends that blend powder and parties for the perfect memory-making opportunities.
Aspen Gay Ski Week
When: 1/14 – 1/20, 2024
Where: Aspen Snowmass
The Aspen Gay Ski Week was established in 1977 and is one of the oldest gay ski events in the United States. It has since grown into a significant gathering for the LGBTQ+ community. This epic week offers a variety of activities for guests, including skiing and snowboarding on breathtaking terrain, apres-ski parties, film screenings, comedy shows, concerts, art exhibits, and other social events. This week invites people to celebrate diversity, practice inclusion, and build strong communities.
Telluride Gay Ski Week
When: 2/24 – 3/2, 2024
Where: Telluride, Colorado
This fantastic ski week offers so much more than opportunities to hit the slopes. From group snowshoeing classes to morning yoga to late night lounge sessions, Telluride Gay Ski Week is the place to meet and connect with people from the LGBTQ+ community. Spend the day learning about Telluride via a historical walking tour before dressing up for the famous White Party. There is so much to do that by the end of this week you’ll need a vacation from your vacation.
Ski Joring and Crystal Carnival
When: 3/1 – 3/3, 2024
Where: Downtown Leadville
The Leadville Ski Joring Festival is an annual event that combines elements of skiing and horseback riding. “Skijoring” is a competitive sport where a skier navigates a course while being pulled by a horse, typically maneuvering through obstacles and over jumps. At over 10,000 feet in elevation with stunning mountain backdrops, the town of Leadville provides the perfect setting for this special winter “ski” weekend. Witness amazing feats of athleticism and horsemanship, and cheer on truly astonishing athletes with a crowd of enthusiastic and rowdy spectators!
Boot Tan Fest
When: 3/29 – 30, 2024
Where: Sunlight Mountain, Glenwood Springs
What started as a group of 27 friends in 2021 doing a naked ski lap at a backcountry bowl has turned into a gaggle of 2,000+ women and femme folk coming together this year for Boot Tan Fest 2024. Spend this ski weekend getting to know like-minded ladies, shredding some epic terrain, listening to live music, and dining on delicious food. The event culminates in what will likely be the most awesome ski lap of your life – a naked ride down a gentle blue surrounded by brave, wild women. Tickets haven’t been released, but sign up for the mailing list to stay in the loop.
Spring Bash + Splash
When: Spring 2024
Where: Winter Park, Colorado
This Winter Park weekend ski festival marks the transition from winter to spring with two action packed days. Enjoy events both on and off the slopes like live music, costume contests, pond skimming, and more at the Spring Bash + Splash. Cap off a great ski season with this festival that usually happens in April. Dates and tickets for this year have yet to be announced and released, so stay tuned.
These ski events are about more than the sport – they are catalysts for fostering vibrant communities. From the exhilarating slopes to the cozy lodges, a shared passion for adventure and snow capped mountains unite all who partake. Don’t miss the chance to turn a typical ski season on its head with any of these incredible events.