Dreaming of a Colorado winter vacation but not a fan of blasting down the slopes? Looking for a break but budget is tight? Grand Junction, Colorado checks both boxes for you! Due to the high desert climate, there is minimal snowfall in town during the winter. Trails stay dry, the golf courses remain open year-round and outdoor enthusiasts revel in a variety of free and affordable activities under clear blue skies with average temperatures in the mid-fifties during November and the 40-degree range in December.
If you would like to mix in a snow day during your winter getaway, there is plenty of powder on the world’s largest flat-top mountain, just 45 minutes east of Grand Junction. The Grand Mesa transforms into a winter wonderland, offering everything from snowshoeing and snowmobiling to cross-country skiing and sledding. It’s like two seasons in one!
7 Non-Skier Colorado Winter Activities
Snowmobiling on Grand Mesa & Uncompahgre Plateau
Grand Junction is one of the best areas in the world for snowmobiling, with hundreds of miles of scenic trails that weave through the Grand Mesa and the Uncompahgre Plateau. The Lands End Loop Snowmobile Trail #737 is 1.5 miles west of the Mesa Top Trailhead. From The Grand Mesa Visitor Center, follow Highway 65 north for 4.13 miles. The Mesa Top Snowmobile Trailhead is on the west side of the highway past the county line (parking – latitude: N39.0274, longitude: W108.0344). The loop is 25 miles long and weaves west of the Mesa Top Trailhead along HWY 65 to Lands End Road, FSR #100. The vast stretch of terrain includes wide open expanses and pockets of towering evergreen forests as you approach Lands End. The northern part of the loop brings you to the north rim of the Grand Mesa, past Crater View and Powderhorn Ski Resort. If you’re looking to spend a day exploring by snowmobile, Adrenaline Driven Adventure Rentals & Tours offers rentals.
Snowshoeing & Cross-country Skiing
Not many people can say that they have snowshoed or cross-country skied on the world’s largest flat-top mountain. Seize the moment and turn this adventure into a story worth sharing for yourself. There are hundreds of miles of snowshoe trails, three designated Nordic areas and over 31 miles of professionally groomed Nordic trails. If part of your group wants to downhill ski, drop them off at Powderhorn Mountain Resort. It’s super affordable, with day passes starting at only $89, Carhartts are celebrated (sorry North Face), and locals are super friendly and love getting to know guests who are visiting. It’s unlike any ski resort in Colorado, in a very good and humble way!
Sledding & Backcountry Skiing
Located just miles from Powderhorn Mountain Resort is Old Powderhorn Ski Hill, a fantastic spot for sledding with the kiddos and back-country skiing for those looking for an off-the-beaten path adventure. Take HWY 65 south ten miles past Powderhorn Ski Resort and park just past the Camp Kiwanis sign.
Ice Skating at the River City Sportsplex
Lace up your skates at Grand Junction’s only indoor ice rink, River City Sportsplex. As a family-friendly activity, this indoor rink offers public skating sessions throughout the week, inviting people of all ages to skate to various genres of music. It’s only $5 for an hour of skating! On the weekends, River City Sportsplex hosts Cosmic Skating nights, where the arena’s lights are replaced by a laser light show and glow sticks! They have party packages and you can also sign up for curling, figure skating and hockey sessions if that piques your interest.
Winter Hiking Places to Visit in Winter
Grand Junction is blessed with a high desert climate so there is minimal snowfall in town during the winter. For those looking to stick to dry trails, many of the Grand Junction’s favorites are only 10 minutes from Downtown. As one of the most scenic places to hike near Grand Junction, the Colorado National Monument is a popular hiking destination all year-round. There are over 43 miles of trails so you won’t run into crowds anywhere throughout the park. Enjoy colorful local flora and fauna, as well as the red rock sandstone landscapes. You will see why those who visit call it a mini Grand Canyon.
The McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area (NCA) is another great winter hiking spot in high desert canyon country. This NCA spans more than 75,000 acres, including the second-largest concentration of natural arches in the world, Rattlesnake Arches. With the natural beauty, pictographs, petroglyphs and fossils found in this area, McInnis Canyons NCA will enchant you no matter what the season.
Golfing Year Round
The beauty of visiting Grand Junction in the winter is that you can spend one day playing in the snow and the next hitting the green under the warm winter sun. There are four public golf courses around the Grand Junction area that stay open throughout the year, including Tiara Rado Golf Course, which is nestled at the base of the Colorado National Monument offering striking views. The Redlands Mesa Golf Course was recently ranked as Colorado’s best public golf course. The Lincoln Park Golf Course has an affordable 9-hole that is only $11! Chipeta Golf Course, a par 3, 18-hole course has stunning views of the diverse Colorado landscape. As an added bonus, X-Golf offers an indoor golf simulator experience complete with a full bar in case you don’t want to take your game outside.
Discovering Downtown Grand Junction
Downtown Grand Junction is famous for its art scene. There are over 115 outdoor murals and sculptures that frame the sidewalks and alleys, known as Art on the Corner. It is one of the largest outdoor displays of public art in the country. If you’re looking for something indoors, stop by the Museum of the West, where the whole family can experience the region’s history, hop aboard a stagecoach and belly up to the “local saloon.”
When your activities for the day are done, Grand Junction’s many dining options will satisfy everyone’s palate and dietary preference. Grand Junction has a thriving food scene, with farm-to-table restaurants, James Beard-nominated chefs, local breweries and cozy cafes perfect for warming up and refueling. Whether you prefer exploring snowy adventures or high desert exploring, Grand Junction offers a Colorado winter getaway that is unique, affordable and easy to plan for.
Grand Junction is perfect for a Colorado winter vacation that is fit for all ages. For more ways to experience Grand Junction this winter, check out the Official Grand Junction Visitor Guide.