Colorado Winter Hiking Difficulty Levels
Winter Hiking in Colorado: Difficulty Levels
Whatever your goal, you’ll enjoy pristine winter beauty and uncrowded trails.
The national forests and mountains around the Breckenridge area boast some of the world’s best hiking, and that’s true even in winter when trails are much less busy. Hiking is an activity that almost everyone can do, and it’s great for groups. Most people vacationing in the area in summertime hike to at least one lake or peak, but hiking in wintertime allows you to experience the sparkling beauty of untracked, fresh fallen snow, snow-tipped pines, and soaring blue-white mountain peaks. Just choose the difficulty level that suits you and your group, and everyone will come home red-cheeked and happy with great memories.
Level One: Local walking trails – No Special Gear, No Guide Needed
The Towns of Breckenridge, Silverthorne, Dillon, and Frisco maintain paved, mostly flat, pathways beside the lovely rivers that run through town or alongside nearby reservoirs. In winter, lakes and streams are quiet, frozen, and often covered with snow, but ice on rocks and snow on trees make them so much nicer than sidewalks beside streets.
The pathways are often cleared during the winter months so that people can wend their way to restaurants and stores, but we recommend wearing warm boots with soles good for some ice and snow. Take a ski pole for extra stability. Learn about these trails at town information offices or through their webpages, like Silverthorne’s.
Level Two: Snowshoeing – Let us Guide Your Group and we Provide Snowshoes and Poles
Exploring Summit County’s backcountry routes on pillow-soft powder in winter is scenic, peaceful, and gives the illusion of having the mountains all to yourself. Snowshoeing is easy to learn, fun for everyone, and, if you choose a trail with some serious altitude gain, can be a great high-energy cardio workout. There are so many beautiful Colorado backcountry trails to choose from! Snowshoe a high, tranquil loop around a pristine mountain meadow, explore a shady canyon, or embark on a heart-pounding trek up a snow shrouded peak to witness spectacular winter views.
Nothing quite compares to the silence of walking through the woods and seeing the snow shimmer in the sun. Snowshoeing allows individuals and groups with varying levels of fitness to achieve this bliss. We recommend wearing layers, including a warm and a wind/waterproof layer, and bringing a small backpack with water, snacks, and extra clothes and gloves. If you don’t have suitable boots, we have some for rent. We provide snowshoes. Learn more and book a full or half-day trip here.
Level Three: Ascend One of Colorado’s 13 or 14,000 Foot Peaks
Most people think about hiking up Colorado’s highest peaks in the summertime, and, well, trails can be crowded if you don’t have the local knowledge to find other, less-used routes. In contrast, when you summit a peak in the winter, you and your guide might be the only people on the trail the whole day! That said, while summer peak bagging might seem more straightforward to some, wintertime ascents require careful planning and route-finding, but can be very rewarding and singularly beautiful. Our guides have years of experience climbing our mountains year round. There is no such thing as an easy fourteener, and our guides will help to minimize risk while maximizing enjoyment with an understanding of local weather patterns, snowpack conditions, a thorough knowledge of trail systems, and an ability to keep morale high. Choose from half a dozen very high peaks of Summit County, each with varying winter snow conditions, and all will give you exhilarating vistas after traversing pristine snow fields. Your guide will contact you in advance to discuss your group’s goals, fitness and ability levels, and current snow conditions; and together we’ll make a decision about routes. Whether you ascend in boots, snowshoes, or on skis and splitboards with skins, we’re game. Learn more about possible routes here.
Don’t hesitate to contact our accommodating booking staff, who are ready to assist you with any questions or issues related to guided winter hiking trips in the heart of Colorado. You can reserve your place either through our digital booking system or by reaching out to us directly to complete your reservation.
