Colorado's 5 Underrated Mountain Towns With Europe Vibes In Winter

There is no shortage of scenic alpine towns hidden amid the snow-slicked heights of Colorado's Rocky Mountains. The warm, golden lights peak between the vertiginous ridges carved through the state, gleaming signs of life still emanating under the seasonal freeze. Enticing millions of travelers each year to visit, Colorado's ski towns draw in visitors seeking adrenaline-pumping adventures on the slopes. We picked these five towns, though, not for their skiing but for their cozy vibes that mimic fairytale Alps villages that transform into winter wonderlands.

To achieve the perfect alpine-style winter trip, it's essential that you plan your Colorado vacation for the right time of year. The ideal skiing and snowboarding season runs from December through March, though snow remains on the slopes from late November to early April. It's possible to get more affordable rates and fewer seasonal crowds by visiting at the tail end of the season, but you'll need to analyze the snowfall and elevation in your desired destination before taking off. The peak winter sports conditions tend to be during January and February. For cozy seasonal vibes paired with Christmasy charm, opt for a December stay.

While not all of these European-style towns are close to major transport hubs, it's straightforward to reach Colorado itself and to plan your onward travel from one of its major airports. It's home to one of the U.S.'s busiest transit hubs, Denver International Airport, which has direct flight connections to nearly 200 cities across the country and even more across the world. The state's other smaller, regional airports also host non-stop flights from a wide range of U.S. destinations.

Though it's famed for its exhilarating ski slopes, travelers might also want to flock to the mountain town of Breckenridge for its seasonal transformation into a winter wonderland. With a stacked events calendar through the coldest season, visitors can experience old-school Scandinavian dedications to the Viking gods (Ullr Fest), peruse intricately crafted snow sculptures, or see the town twinkle with classic Christmas lights. Additional attractions draw visitors away from the slopes, including the world's highest distillery, Breckenridge Distillery, with as wide a selection of whiskeys as its counterparts in the Scottish Highlands. You can also find seasonal bites at Rootstalk, crafted by the James Beard Awards' pick for best chef in the mountain region.

Undoubtedly, however, most people are drawn to Breckenridge to venture out onto the mountain slopes. With 2,358 acres of skiable terrain on offer, you can find options ideal for experts and beginners alike. If you're not a skier, you could try out a new kind of winter sports adventure like dog sledding or Nordic snowshoeing. Sleigh rides and snowmobile tours also traverse the Rocky Mountain terrain through the winter season.

Accessing Breckenridge is easy — it's less than a two-hour drive away from Denver's busy international airport. If you're hoping to avoid navigating the frozen roads that wind through the Rocky Mountains, there's also a direct bus that transports travelers to the town. There's no need to have a rental car with you once you arrive, as Breckenridge is exceedingly walkable, and the local bus system can transport those not inclined to trek on foot during winter weather that can drop as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit.

The snow-doused main street of Frisco has traditionally been tramped by travelers using it as a jump-off point for wider regional destinations. However, the charming little mountain town has an array of outdoor activities and seasonal attractions of its own to boast about. Minutes from the center of the town and its cozy lodging options, you'll find the Frisco Adventure Park. Its tubing hill and beginner ski slopes offer a family-friendly outdoor adventure, while the nearby Nordic center has cross-country skiing tracks and snowshoeing excursions.

These active outdoor days can complement the sleepy alpine charms of the town itself. For a taste of Frisco's warming winter delicacies, sip on hot spiced cider that competes with Germany's best Christmas Markets' Glühwein at the early December Wassail Days, held in town. Alternatively, taste a fusion of Rocky Mountain feasts and classic European winter dishes at Tavern West, such as its signature Italian bolognese made with a blend of local lamb, bison, and elk.

Conveniently located at the intersection of six world-class ski resorts, Colorado's "main street to the Rockies" is an ideal destination for those looking for outdoor adventure without staying right in the heart of the winter sports action. It's only seven minutes from Copper Mountain, 15 from Breckenridge, 20 from Keystone and Loveland, 25 from Arapahoe Basin, and 30 from Vail, giving you an abundance of options for day trips out to the slopes. This town, right in the middle of the mountains and less than two hours from Denver's international airport, may be known as a convenient base from which to plan a Colorado ski trip, but it's also a worthy destination on its own.

High thrills and snow-doused slopes tend to sit at the top of travelers' priority list when visiting the Colorado ski town with the most winter Olympic athletes and "champagne powder" snow. While the pristine runs on offer in "Ski Town USA" draw visitors in, the old-school charm and calming springs of Steamboat Springs keep them there. The element that most distinguishes the mountain town from its Rocky Mountain counterparts is its abundance of natural thermal springs, reminiscent of towns in Switzerland and Austria. Visitors can stick close to downtown Steamboat by soaking in Old Town Hot Springs, or stay in a steam-side cabin at Strawberry Hot Springs, connected to town by a convenient shuttle service. 

A luxuriant soak in the soothing pools is best earned by an active excursion onto Steamboat Ski Resort's exceptional slopes. You could also schedule your trip around the annual Cowboy Downhill, in January, to watch skiers decked out in Stetsons and chaps race down a dual slalom course, tackling jumps, lassoing a person, and saddling a horse before zipping over the finish line. For more traditional winter festivities back in town, warm up at the Steamboat Winter Carnival, which is the oldest winter carnival west of the Mississippi, and watch races, skijoring, and fireworks in February.

The bustling ski destination with soothing hot springs is a little further away from Denver and its international airport, and for that reason, doesn't get as much attention as other front-range destinations. However, the three-hour drive takes travelers on a spectacular route through the Rockies. Along the Interstate 70 corridor and Rabbit Ears Pass, keep your eyes peeled for trooping elk, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep sharing the highway with winter drivers.

Perched on the western slopes of the Colorado Rockies, a snowy stay in Winter Park comes with two nearby ski areas, a cozy downtown to explore, and astonishing views out over the mighty mountain range. Glide over the ice on Winter Park's skating rink, whizz down the hills on the snow tubes of Colorado Adventure Park, or venture straight out onto the slopes surrounding Winter Park Resort. Beginners can work their way down the family-friendly runs of the Winter Park Territory, and backcountry pros can traverse the terrain of the nearby Cirque Territory.

Away from the resort and its pristine slopes, you can look for souvenir trinkets or signature art pieces in Cooper Creek Square, or warm your bones in one of the mountain town's traditional pubs. Après-ski through snowy towns was invented in the Alps, and Winter Park has plenty of options for it. If you haven't satiated your winter sports-fueled appetite in town, catch the Prospector Lift up to the mountainside eatery of Snoasis to dine with high-altitude views over the slopes.

It's exceedingly easy to access Winter Park from Denver — a direct train runs each weekend between the base of the ski resort and the city's Union Station, reminiscent of ski trains in the Alps. Relieved of the stress of driving over the Rocky Mountains' winter roads, you can spend two and a half hours cruising through glorious snow-soaked scenery instead. The central train station is connected to the airport by a quick trip on the A-line. Weekday shuttles also transport travelers, and the local bus service makes it easy to be car-free for the duration of your stay.

Once better known for its discount shopping and outlet malls, the town of Silverthorne has developed rapidly over the past few years. Today, art meets adventure in this scenic Colorado basecamp situated between three mountain resorts, drawing adventurous travelers away from the slopes with its distinct downtown charm. Wedged between pristine forests and dedicated wilderness areas, the small mountain town cradled in the Lower Blue Valley has long been outshone by its famous Rocky Mountain neighbors.

Though it serves as a highly effective basecamp for active adventures in the peaks, with the Summit Stage bus connecting visitors to Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, Keystone Resort, Copper Mountain, and Breckenridge Ski Resort, Silverthorne has an array of attractions that keep travelers closer to town. Today it feels very much like a convenient, snowy European village. The burgeoning culinary scene in the small mountain town brings international flavors into the heart of the Rockies — visitors can cozy up in one of Silverthorne's inviting craft breweries, dine on hearty European treats at Italian eateries, or indulge in fresh-baked goods at the high-end Enza's Delicatessen. Paired with public art displays and seasonal festivities, there's plenty to see before setting out on a cross-country excursion at The Nordic Center at the Raven at Three Peaks or a strenuous snowshoe excursion up to the summit of Ute Peak.

A little over an hour outside of Denver, it's an easy journey from the international airport to sleepy Silverthorne. While you always have the option to rent a car and take the trip yourself or book a private shuttle for ease, there are regularly running shared shuttles and buses that take the same route up from the city.

While some of these towns are not necessarily "underrated" in the eyes of expert Colorado locals and Rocky Mountain regulars, each destination was chosen for its relatively low profile among overseas and out-of-state travelers. In some cases, their ski resorts may attract visitors, but the surrounding towns receive less attention. For example, in 2024, Forbes put together their list of the top six ski resorts in Colorado, and of our choices, only Breckenridge made the cut. And while Breckenridge Ski Resort may draw quite a few ski travelers, the town itself has less name recognition than nearby Vail, legendary Aspen, and the celebrity haven of Telluride. Along those lines, the famous people who call Breckenridge home are Olympic athletes. Steamboat Springs shares that distinction.

Our list was determined through an analysis of expert recommendations from authoritative outlets such as Outdoor and Travel+Leisure, as well as local opinions on social media sites like Reddit. These choices were narrowed from an extensive selection of towns where outdoor winter recreation is paired with a cozy mountain town atmosphere. These were then compared to endlessly popular European alpine towns, particularly those hidden in the continent's Alps mountain range and Scandinavian heights, to find stateside options that mimic their inviting comfort and snowy charm. We also made sure each town had some distinctive European mountain town activities, from winter festivals celebrating Nordic roots and Glühwein to cross-country skiing, hot spring soaking, and, of course, great downhill skiing.