When you plan a winter vacation for your family, it is no secret that you want to make sure that it is an experience you will all enjoy. You want everyone from the littles to the grandparents to make the best memories, which is why even non-skiers choose our Colorado town for their winter break. Offering a plethora of outdoor winter activities in Telluride that don’t have to include the ski slopes, this family getaway will be one you never want to end.
Planning a Family Winter Trip to Telluride
Planning a family vacation anywhere, during any time of the year, can be a bit overwhelming, but when you start by choosing our downtown Telluride, Colorado winter rentals, it all falls into place. We’ve created many guides to all the different adventures you can enjoy, but this guide to winter activities in Telluride will make the planning easier.
What Winter Weather Is Like in Telluride
Knowing the winter forecast makes it easier to travel and participate in outdoor winter activities in Telluride, especially since you can expect it to be cold, snowy, and sunny. Temperatures frequently drop below freezing at night, but average in the mid-30s during the day, and the sun will often be shining quite cheerily.
Go Sledding and Play in the Snow
Sledding, tubing, or just building a snowman are just some of the Telluride, Colorado winter activities that may bring the most joy to your family. Firecracker Hill in Telluride Town Park is our town’s official sledding hill, offering a descent that is just steep enough to make you laugh out loud as you fly down the hill.
- Address: 500 E Colorado Ave, Telluride, CO 81435
Sledding is free, but you will need to bring your own sled. You can rent one from Telluride Nordic Center for just $15 a day. You can also purchase an inexpensive plastic shed, one that you won’t mind leaving behind at our local hardware store, Timberline Ace Hardware of Telluride. Prices range from $14 to $60, with the less expensive ones being popular with visitors.
Family Snow Play Areas Around Telluride
Firecracker Hill is THE spot for Telluride, Colorado, winter activities, but for a true snow adventure, you may want to visit Idarado Sled Dog Adventures. Offering one half-day tour a day, groups of 4-5 people can take a ride on the sleds (two at a time), and children of all ages, even babies, are invited to join in on the experience. The tours are led by teams of fluffy, friendly Alaskan huskies, all of whom are comfortable around children.
- Phone: (970) 729-2083
- FAQ
Explore Telluride’s Holiday Events and Winter Festivals
The winter months in Telluride are a time to celebrate, not to cocoon inside (although you are welcome to do both), and the festivals may end up being your favorite part about visiting Telluride.
Mountain Village Holiday Prelude
Mountain Village might be considered the center of seasonal celebrations for those who visit in December. The Holiday Prelude, scheduled for December 12th & 13th, 2026, turns Telluride into a western North Pole village, featuring ice skating, visits with Santa, a tree-lighting ceremony, and a holiday train.
Telluride Holiday Events
Downtown is no slacker when it comes to holiday winter activities in Telluride. Noel Night kicks off the season on the first Wednesday of the month, offering store discounts, holiday snacks, and carols performed by the Telluride Chorale Society. The Torchlight Parade, a procession of skiers gliding down the mountain with torches, is held on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve and is a holiday tradition that simply has to be experienced.
Discover Telluride’s Shops, Treats, and Cozy Indoor Activities
Shopping Along Historic Colorado Avenue
Colorado Avenue runs straight through the town’s historic district, and its modern shops are often housed in historic buildings that enhance their charm. Telluride Toggery will offer any clothing you might need for your outdoor winter activities in Telluride and also sells Telluride merchandise.
- Address: 109 E Colorado Ave, Telluride, CO 81435
- Hours: 9 AM to 6 PM Sunday-Thursday
- 9 AM to 7 PM Friday-Saturday
Life Is Sweet
Life is sweet, but it can be even sweeter when you visit Telluride Truffle Artisan Chocolate, also found on historic Colorado Avenue in the downtown area.
- Address: 135 E Colorado Ave, Telluride, CO 81435
- Hours: 10 AM to 9 PM
Because there is no such thing as too much sweetness, Mountain Village has its own chocolate shop, Dolce Telluride. Famed for its hot chocolate and its sinfully decadent bourbon chocolate ganache tarts, it’s also a great spot to buy gifts.
- Address: 567 Mountain Village Blvd #106d, Mountain Village, CO 81435
- Hours: 11 AM to 5 PM (Seasonal)
Cozy Indoor Activities
Some guests are surprised by how spacious and amenity-rich our Telluride winter condos are, but providing the best is just another day on the job here at Accommodations in Telluride. Your vacation will be filled with fun and excitement, but your favorite moments may be the Telluride, Colorado, winter activities you enjoy “at home.” Sitting by the fireplace sipping hot chocolate as the snow falls outside, playing board games while gathered round the table in the dining room, and watching holiday movies on state-of-the-art televisions are just a few examples of cozy indoor fun.
Experience Telluride’s Wildlife and Scenic Winter Landscapes
Wildlife watching is always exciting and fun, and is one of our top winter activities in Telluride, a fact that surprises many. There will be opportunities to see elk, mule deer, snowshoe hares, and occasionally, birds of prey (golden eagles, bald eagles, and hawks). The Valley Floor, a preserved space located just outside of town, is where you may find elk and small predators, while Trout Lake is ideal for spotting otters and snowshoe hares.
Book Your Family Winter Getaway in Telluride
Our families are filled with the people we love best, and they deserve a vacation that offers all the outdoor winter activities in Telluride, as well as all the comforts of home. Contact us to reserve your favorite today and discover why our Telluride vacation rentals will be an integral part of your vacation experience.
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