Mid February Itinerary - Please Help!
Hello! Husband and I are fit/active with a 7 yo son flying from Upstate NY for a 9 day CO vacation with goals to experience mountain towns, views, hikes and ski 1-2 days. Love adventure travel, music and hiking. 7 yo can hike up to 5 miles. Loves animals, trains, wild west, history etc.
Here's the plan - looking for suggestions!
Day 1 - Fly into Denver Rent 4x4 stay in Golden at The Eddy to acclimate
Day 2 - Drive to Glenwood Springs via Leadville>Twin Lakes> Aspen>Carbondale (IS THIS PASS OPEN IN FEB? Google won't route this.) Stay at Denver Hotel.
Question: Is there somewhere nicer to stay? I am attracted to the lower elevation of Glenwood Springs as we acclimate.
Day 3 - Tour Redstone Castle, Visit Black Canyon South rim if accessible. Stay in Ouray at Beaumont OR Aspen at Hotel Jerome?? SUGGESTIONS? Open to other hotels and towns.
Day 4 - 6 Head to Telluride! Madeline or Lumiere? SUGGESTIONS? Rent a Jeep, Ranch tour, Sledding, tubing, hiking, museums! Need to fill in activities here
Day 6 - 7 Mountain Village - Stay at Mountain Lodge - Ski 2 Days
Day 8 - Fly from Telluride or Montrose > Denver. WHICH AIRPORT WOULD YOU CHOOSE? Stay near Denver airport.
Day 9 - Fly home to NY
We could also fly into Montrose with a connection in Chicago but the flight to Denver is direct so that is why I chose that route - just have to deal with lots of extra driving and mountain passes but at least we get to see the state!? Does that make sense?
Thanks in advance!!
Your itinerary looks ambitious but very scenic! I’ll break it down by days and give recommendations for accommodations, activities, and practical tips for February travel in Colorado, especially with a 7-year-old.
Day 1 – Denver / Golden
Flying into Denver and staying in Golden is a smart choice to acclimate to elevation before heading higher. The Eddy is a good option with a cozy, casual feel.
- Optionally, consider staying near Clear Creek in Golden for easy short walks along the creek and a relaxed mountain town vibe.
- Activities: Short hikes near Lookout Mountain, Coors Brewery tour if adults are interested, or a walk around downtown Golden.
Day 2 – Denver to Glenwood Springs via Leadville, Twin Lakes, Aspen, Carbondale
The route via Independence Pass (between Twin Lakes and Aspen) is closed in winter (generally late October through Memorial Day), so Google not routing it is correct. You’ll need to use I-70 to Glenwood Springs, which is lower elevation and safer in February.
- Stay in Glenwood Springs: Hotels like Hotel Colorado or Glenwood Hot Springs Resort provide good family-friendly options with easy access to hot springs for relaxation.
- Activities: Soak in the hot springs, short easy hikes, or explore downtown shops.
Day 3 – Glenwood Springs to Ouray / Aspen
Visiting Redstone Castle is great; confirm winter hours. Black Canyon South Rim may be partially snow-covered; check accessibility.
- Stay in Ouray: Beaumont Hotel is historic and charming, central to town, easy to explore on foot. If you prefer Aspen, Hotel Jerome is iconic, more upscale, with a lively town atmosphere.
- Activities: Hot springs in Ouray, snowshoeing or easy winter trails. In Aspen, explore town, short scenic walks, or indoor attractions if snowy.
Days 4-6 – Telluride / Mountain Village
Telluride is excellent for families, offering both adventure and scenic beauty. For lodging, Madeline and Lumiere are both good; Madeline has a more boutique feel, Lumiere is convenient for ski access and village amenities.
- Activities with your 7-year-old:
- Jeep or snowcat tours for a ranch or mountain adventure.
- Snow tubing at Telluride or Mountain Village tubing hills.
- Light hiking or snowshoeing on groomed trails suitable for kids.
- Telluride History Museum or a short village walking tour.
- Evening entertainment: local music events, festivals (check local calendar).
- Skiing: Ski 1-2 days in Mountain Village. Buy lift tickets in advance online for best pricing and skip lines.
Day 8 – Depart Telluride / Montrose
Montrose airport is closer to Telluride (about 1 hour drive), convenient for your family and reduces driving on mountain roads. Denver airport is ~6-7 hours drive and requires mountain pass travel, which can be challenging in February.
- Recommendation: Fly out of Montrose for convenience, especially with a child and winter conditions.
- Stay near Montrose airport or take early flights if heading back to Denver for connecting flights.
Other considerations
- Renting a 4x4 is essential for winter driving in mountain towns; roads can be icy and snow-covered.
- Keep flexibility in your schedule; mountain weather can change quickly.
- Bring layers and winter gear for your child; even with 7-year-old-friendly hikes, snow depth and temperature can be significant in February.
- Altitude acclimation: spending Day 1 in Golden (elevation ~5,675 ft) before heading higher helps avoid altitude sickness.
In summary, your plan makes sense if you want to see a variety of Colorado’s scenery. Adjust the route for February by avoiding Independence Pass and consider Montrose for departure to minimize driving risk. For accommodations, choose family-friendly options in Glenwood Springs, Ouray, and Telluride that have easy access to activities without long drives. Add kid-friendly adventure options like tubing, snowshoeing, or a ranch tour to balance hiking and skiing.
