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8 things to do in Pagosa Springs in the winter

Writer's picture: Danielle HovermanDanielle Hoverman

Known for geothermal hot springs and being surrounded by the San Juan Mountains and San Juan National Forest, Pagosa Springs, Colorado is nothing short of a magical winter wonderland from November to April.


Pagosa Springs is located in Southwest Colorado and is a great wintery destination for those looking to miss the crowds of Breckenridge, Vail, and other popular Colorado cities. Whether you want to ski, snowboard, go on a sleigh ride, do some shopping, or taste local craft brew, Pagosa Springs has a lot of activities that can be enjoyed by all - regardless of age.


If you’re planning a trip to Pagosa Springs in the winter, here are a few things to do to get the most out of your stay.



1/ soak in the Pagosa Hot Springs


Because of the variety of minerals in hot springs, like magnesium, potassium, sodium, and sulfur, soaking in hot springs provides many benefits. The geothermal aquifer under the town provides mineral-rich hot water to resorts and spa facilities located downtown Pagosa Springs.


If sprawling hot springs weren’t enough, Pagosa Springs is also home to the Guinness World Records certified World’s Deepest Measured Geothermal Hot Spring. On August 20, 2011, the Mother Spring was measured at 1,002 feet deep. The plumb line wasn’t able to reach the bottom so it’s still unknown how deep the hot spring really is.


The hot springs pools are terraced along the San Juan River so you can enjoy views of the river and mountains while you soak from three resorts and spas: The Springs Resort & Spa, Healing Waters Resort, and The Overlook Hot Springs and Spa.



2/ shop the historic downtown and uptown districts


With dozens of shops including antiques, arts and crafts, candy and fudge, clothing, decor, sportswear, souvenirs, and more, Pagosa Springs hosts two shopping districts to stroll through during your visit.


Looking for winter, ski, or snowboard gear? Ski and Row Back, Summit Ski and Sports, San Juan Trading Post, Alpen Haus Ski Center, and ReSport have you covered. Need to satisfy your sweet tooth? East Side Market, PS Chocolate, Made in Colorado Shoppe, and Choke Cherry Tree have you covered. Want to take home some souvenirs? Check out Colorado Christmas Shoppe, Coyote Jane’s Trading Post, Happy Trails Lady Boutique, Handcrafted Interiors, Treasures of the Rockies, and more.

For a full list of shops in the historic downtown and uptown districts visit the Pagosa Springs website.


3/ brewery hop through Pagosa Springs


Spend the afternoon warming up with local craft beer at one of three breweries or a locally-owned taphouse. Enjoy the cozy tap room at the award-winning Pagosa Brewing Company, taste the first-ever brew made using geothermal spring water at Riff Raff Brewing Company, and then head to The Break Room Brewing Company for even more local brews.



4/ skiing and snowboarding at Wolf Creek Ski Area


Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve done it your whole life, Wolf Creek Ski Area is the perfect place to ski and snowboard. It no frills amenities, lack of crowds, and quantity of snowfall make this ski area the perfect place to shred.


Known for its early season skiing and largest snowfall in Colorado, Wolf Creek Ski Area is every powder chaser's dream. Since Pagosa Springs and surrounding towns aren’t Colorado’s most sought after winter sport destinations for tourists, lift lines are manageable and the ski area is mostly frequented by locals.


Wolf Creek Ski Area is located on the Wolf Creek Pass between Pagosa Springs and South Fork and sees about 480 inches of snow per year. That’s more than any other resort in Colorado. The ski area boasts 1,600 acres of skiable acres with 7 lifts and 77 trails: 20% beginner, 35% intermediate, and 45% advanced/expert.


5/ cross country ski and snowshoe through the backcountry


Just because the snow is falling and the ground is snow-covered doesn’t mean you can’t still hike. The sprawling wintery backcountry in Pagosa Springs has thousands of acres to explore and multiple trails.


The Pagosa Nordic Club has provided 50km of well-marked, groomed trails - free and dog friendly. Cross country skiing or snowshoeing is the perfect way to enjoy the fresh powder, serenity, and picturesque views while exploring the backcountry on foot.


Stop by Pagosa Mountain Sports, Alpen Haus Ski Center, or Pagosa Ski and Snowboard Rentals to get fitted and rent the equipment you need to either cross country ski or snowshoe.


6/ snowmobile through the San Juan Mountains


Pagosa Springs is home to hundreds of miles of groomed and maintained trails both in the backcountry and the San Juan Mountains. Snowmobiling is a great way to explore the backcountry and explore areas only accessible by snowmobile.


Wolf Creek Snowmobile Tours and Third Generation Outfitters offer guided tours of the backcountry with multiple tour and trail options. By opting for a snowmobile adventure, you can easily cover hundreds of miles of remote and hard-to-reach areas offering some of the most picturesque views of the mountains, backcountry, and surrounding towns.



7/ see the wintery backcountry by way of a sleigh ride


Take a wintery ride through the meadows and forests to the sound of clopping hooves and jingle bells with a sleigh ride experience. Astraddle A Saddle offers a 40-minute sleigh ride pulled by draft horses and Majestic Sleigh Rides offers an hour-long sleigh ride pulled by two Belgian mules. On either sleigh ride adventure, you’ll stay warm with a blanket and hot drinks as you explore the snow-covered backcountry.


8/ go sledding or tubing


Renting a sled and finding a hill to sled down is easy in Pagosa Springs. All you need to do is rent a sled from Alpen Haus Ski Center, Pagosa Mountain Sports, or Ski and Row Back and find the nearest hill to enjoy whisking down. There are many free places to sled - like Reservoir Hill in downtown Pagosa - and the parking area near Lobo Overlook on Wolf Creek Pass. Or, if you’re looking for a tubing experience, check out High Country Tubing Park. The park has four tubing lanes that are open Wednesday through Sunday. For $12 per person (includes tube rental), the whole family can enjoy


Pagosa Springs has a lot more to offer outside of these 8 winter activities — like ice fishing and skating ponds. For more things to do in Pagosa Springs, check out the town website.

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