Your Ultimate Summit County Winter Guide: A Mountain Checklist + All the Best Non-Ski Adventures

There’s something magical about winter in Summit County. Maybe it’s the way the snow settles on the pines like powdered sugar, or how the air feels crisp enough to wake up every part of you yet cozy enough to make hot cocoa taste like a life necessity. Whatever it is, Summit isn’t just a destination… it’s a mood.

Sure, people flock here for Breckenridge, Keystone, and Copper’s legendary slopes. But what if you’re not here to ski? Or you’re the lone non-skier in a group of powder chasers? Or maybe you are a skier… but want more from your mountain trip than chairlifts and black diamonds? Good news: Summit County shines brightest beyond the ski runs, and this blog is your all-in winter cheat sheet.

Before You Wander: The Summit Mountain Checklist

Packing for Summit in winter is less “grab a jacket” and more “layer like your life depends on it.” You’ll want the essentials: warm base layers, waterproof boots, gloves you won’t lose on day one, sunscreen (yes, the altitude makes it a thing), and a daypack large enough to store extra layers when the sun surprises you.

Think of it as preparing for an unpredictable yet delightful adventure, because that’s exactly what Summit is.

When You’re Not Skiing: Summit’s Winter Playground Comes Alive

Let’s get this out of the way: Summit County is a dreamland for non-skiers, and honestly, skiers should be jealous. While the rest of your group is chasing fresh snow on Peak 8, you could be…

Flying Down a Tubing Hill Like a Big Kid

Head to Frisco Adventure Park where the tubing lanes send you flying in that perfect mix of “this is thrilling” and “I swear I’m still in control.” Copper Mountain is working on the tubing hill, and will open it up ASAP!

Turning a Frozen Lake Into Your Personal Ice Rink

When Keystone Lake freezes over, it transforms into a glistening outdoor skating paradise. You can glide, wobble, or cling desperately to the railing, Summit doesn’t judge. 

Guided Snowshoe & Nordic Tours

If you want to explore Summit’s quiet winter forests with a guide, check out options through the Breckenridge Nordic Center or Gold Run Nordic Center, which both offer guided snowshoe walks that take you deeper into trails you might otherwise miss. 

Revving Up a Snowmobile for a Backcountry Cruise

There’s no better way to feel the wild, open country than from the seat of a heated sled. For professionally guided tours through alpine terrain, consider Good Times Adventure Tours, a local favorite just minutes from downtown Breckenridge. Or High Country Snowmobile Tours and Rentals, which offers guided snowmobile trails for all skill levels. 

If you’re near Keystone, Keystone Snowmobile – ATV Tours and Rentals by HCT is another excellent option for scenic guided rides that bring the high country to life. 

The Bucket-List Experience: Dog Sledding Through Snow-Dusted Forests

If there’s one thing that makes Summit County feel like a page from a winter novel, it’s dog sledding.

Imagine this: You’re bundled under the trees, your breath visible in the cold morning air. Suddenly, your team of dogs — all energy, excitement, and personality, launch forward pulling you into a world of deep snow and soft light. The rhythm of paws on powder becomes your soundtrack.

For unforgettable guided mushing, Colorado Dog Sledding delivers an intimate experience that blends local charm with expert handling. It’s perfect for families, couples, and solo adventurers alike. 

Colorado Dogsledding

True dog sledding purists might also consider a scenic ride with Alpine Adventures Dogsledding, an option that lets you immerse yourself in traditional sledding (though it’s a bit farther afield). 

It’s peaceful, exhilarating, and honestly a little emotional. It’s the kind of experience that stays with you long after the snow melts.

A Frozen Gem Next Door: Winter Adventures on Dillon Reservoir

And if you want even more winter magic without going far, Summit County has a secret weapon: Dillon Reservoir, a frozen oasis just minutes from Breckenridge, Frisco, Keystone, and Silverthorne. It’s the kind of place locals head to on a whim, a quick drive, a quick walk, and suddenly you’re standing at the edge of a huge, glassy lake transformed into a winter playground.

In the summer, it’s all sailboats and sunshine, but in winter the reservoir becomes something entirely different: wide, quiet, and shimmering, with snow-covered peaks circling the shoreline like a natural amphitheater.

Ice fishing here feels shockingly accessible. One of the few places where you can finish breakfast in town and be dropping a line for trout or kokanee salmon fifteen minutes later. Outfitters provide gear, heated huts, and expert guidance so you can focus on the thrill of the catch rather than the logistics. 

When the ice is thick, people snowshoe and wander right across the surface, soaking in views you can’t get from any ski lift. And on windy days, you might catch snowkiters or ice boats sailing in graceful arcs across the frozen expanse. It’s a surreal sight you’ll talk about for the rest of your trip. 

Colorado Mountain Rentals

And then there are the sunsets. Even though it’s close to everything, Dillon Reservoir sunsets feel like stumbling into a hidden world: pastel skies, glowing peaks, and reflections stretching across the ice like painted glass.

It’s Summit’s easiest winter escape! Steps away from town, but miles away from ordinary.

And If You’re Still Not Tired…

Summit has a way of stacking your winter itinerary with “just one more thing.”

Maybe you’re craving a slower pace: take a heated scenic snowcat tour through forest trails with hot cocoa and s’mores at a historic mining cabin. A cozy guided experience offered by tours from the Breckenridge Nordic Center. 

Cozy sleigh rides where the jingling harnesses echo through the trees. Ice fishing on frozen alpine lakes, which somehow manages to be both relaxing and intense. Brewery hopping in Breckenridge or Frisco, warm mugs in hand. Evening strolls through snow-covered Main Streets that look straight out of a movie set. Hot tubs under the stars which is a Summit County rite of passage.

Each moment feels like a postcard you’ll want to send your future self.

Summit, in One Line?

You don’t have to ski to fall in love with Summit County. You just have to show up,  layered, curious, and ready to wander.

SkyRun offers a curated collection of vacation rentals throughout Summit County, from upscale homes in Summit to family-friendly retreats near Keystone and Copper, to lakeside stays right by Dillon Reservoir.