Some of the most popular winter activities in Vail are skiing and snowboarding. Riding the scenic lifts and gondolas up the mountain then shredding fresh powder on the way down is the highlight of many people’s winter plans. While many enjoy these activities, they aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. Fortunately, there are plenty of winter activities and hobbies to keep you occupied all winter long that don’t involve “pizza”-ing or “french fry”-ing down the slopes.
So you’re interested in wildlife? Birding is a great activity that is perfect for all ages. While most wildlife hibernates, migrates, or hunkers down for the winter, there are many birds that remain active over the winter months. You can commonly find black-capped chickadees, nuthatches, or goldfinches near bird feeders or mixed woodlands (Mountain Plover, 2010). Bald eagles and woodpeckers can be easily spotted in trees after the leaves have fallen for the winter. Dippers can be found dipping into streams and rivers while looking for food. Another popular bird you may find around the Vail area, known for their black-and-blue tail feathers, is the black billed magpie. They become very social over the winter months so you will often see them hanging out in groups (Longwell, 2025). Grab your binoculars or camera, take a walk, and be surprised at how many birds are still out and about in the cold!
📷 Tessa Magner
So you’re interested in getting some exercise? If skiing or snowboarding isn’t your thing, but you still enjoy getting out in the snow, snowshoeing might be the perfect activity for you! The snowshoe spreads your body weight over a wider surface area which makes it much easier to walk through the snow. If you were a hiker over the summer, you may want to give snowshoeing a try over the winter! Many locations in Vail and Avon offer snowshoe rentals. Walking Mountains offers free-to-register snowshoe tours on Vail Mountain focused on the local ecology and stunning views. You can register for programs on the Walking Mountains website under the “Things to Do” tab and then “Winter Activities”. Snowshoe tours on Vail Mountain are available Wednesday-Saturday from 10:30am-12:00pm & 1:30pm-3:00pm.
So you’re interested in enjoying the winter indoors? Maybe the snow doesn’t interest you at all and you miss the greenery of the summer. House plants are a fun winter hobby that keep the promise of summer alive. Some houseplants that do well over the winter months are snakeplants, spiderplants, and pothos plants. If you are interested in aquatic plants, set up a small aquarium with anubias, duckweed, java fern, and marimo moss balls.
You don’t have to be a skier to enjoy snowy landscapes, snowshoeing is a great alternative!
📷 Licensed from Adobe Stock
So you’re interested in cooking up something tasty? Stoking a fire and perfecting your culinary skills over the winter months is a cosy and fun way to get outside. First, dig a small pit in the snow to protect your fire from the wind. Add your fire starter, wood, and a spark to set your fire ablaze. Dutch ovens are a great option for cooking chili, cobblers, chicken and dumplings and so much more. No Dutch oven? No problem! You can roast hotdogs, marshmallows, or fruits over the fire, or even make mixed veggies, quesadillas, or “s’macos” (s’more tacos) in a tinfoil wrap. If you enjoyed campfire cooking over the summer, or haven’t tried it before, give it a try over the winter!
Whether you are a skier/snowboarder who is looking for some new hobbies or someone who needs some winter inspiration, there are plenty of winter activities to keep you busy if you get creative!
Tessa Magner is a naturalist at Walking Mountains whose favorite winter activities include drinking hot cocoa, admiring the snow, and practicing photography.
