After the whirlwind of festivities, the arrival of January can often feel like a sharp contrast—a quiet lull settling in after the chaos of the holidays. But fear not! This month is brimming with captivating events and activities that can whisk away those post-holiday blues. Let's explore a few of the events promising to invigorate your spirits and inject zest into the start of the year.
Bundle up and get outside to explore a magical world of castles built entirely of ice! “Ice Castles” is dedicated to bring joy, happiness, and unforgettable memories for everyone who visits this unique experience.
Event Overview:
- Dates and Times: January 3rd-February 3rd
- Location: 339 Irene Avenue Cripple Creek, CO 80813
- Activities: This event has lots of “ice” fun for all ages:
- Exhilarating ice slides to zoom down and tunnels to crawl through
- Ice caverns, archways, and frozen mazes to explore
- Elaborate ice sculptures hand carved by local and international artists
- Artic Alcove: Book a private area of the ice castle for a small group of 6 to celebrate a special occasion or to simply enjoy a quiet area for a more intimate experience.
Tips for Attending:
- Tickets: Tickets start at $22 for ages 4-11 and $27 for ages 12 and up. Each ticket will have a 30-minute arrival window and you can stay as long as you like.
- Parking: There are two parking lots located on 4th street, on the east and west side of the road.
- Plan Ahead: Since you are touring through castles made of ice, be sure to bundle up with layers to stay warm!
Saddle Up for the Ultimate Western Experience! Step into a world where the Old West meets modern-day enthusiasm—the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado. This iconic event is a celebration of Western heritage, showcasing the best of livestock, horsemanship, and Western culture. From thrilling rodeo competitions that keep audiences on the edge of their seats to livestock exhibits highlighting the finest breeds, this show is a vibrant tapestry of tradition and excitement.
Event Overview:
- Dates and Times: January 6th – 21st
- Location: 4655 Humboldt Street Denver, CO 80216
- Grounds Admission: There are hundreds of western vendors offering unique gifts, exhibits, delicious food, and a host of shows, competitions, and grounds to explore.
- Livestock and Horse Shows: Enjoy some of the country’s top rodeo, grand prix, freestyle, and dancing horse performers and competitors. And of course, this event is first and foremost a stock show! Visitors can watch traditional competitions including breeding, market, and showmanship where you can learn about raising and showing livestock.
- Coors Western Art Gallery: Tour a large exhibition of contemporary Western art featuring a mix of styles and mediums.
Tips for Attending:
- Tickets: The National Western Stock Show is a ticketed event, tickets can be purchased online for grounds admission, ticketed events, or group tickets. Prices vary per event and day. Check the official website for ticket pricing and availability.
- Parking: There is free parking at Coors Field, accessed at Park Avenue and Wazee Street. The lot opens at 8:00am daily and a complimentary shuttle runs every 20 minutes.
- Plan Ahead: Warm clothing and comfortable footwear is recommended and of course, Western wear is always welcome!
Prepare for an adrenaline-packed extravaganza as the world's most daring athletes descend upon Aspen, Colorado for the Winter X Games! This annual event transforms the snowy slopes into a playground for extreme sports, featuring jaw-dropping displays of skill, courage, and innovation.
Event Overview:
- Dates and Times: January 26th-28th
- Location: Buttermilk Mountain Aspen, Colorado
- Sports: Men’s and Women’s divisions in both Ski and Snowboard for:
- Slopestyle; these courses are comprised of 6-8 feature sections broken down into 3-4 rail gardens and 3-4 jumps (jumps usually cover 55-70 feet in distance!)
- Big Air; this course is a single jump off a high wide ramp, Athletes will make several attempts and receive a combined total score from their best two jumps
- SuperPipe; the SuperPipe is a long, U-shaped course with steep walls and tightly compacted snow. Athletes navigate back and forth across the pipe performing tricks, usually logging in 4-6 tricks per run
Tips for Attending:
- Tickets: “X-Fest” located at the base of Buttermilk Mountain is free admission. There are tickets options for corral viewing, Superpipe competitions, the VIP Chalet, and Super Fan passes available for purchase online.
- Parking: There are several parking options available with shuttle services, check the official X Games Aspen website for more information.
- Plan Ahead: Access to this event is primarily by shuttle, make sure you arrive with plenty of time to park and take a shuttle to the events. Wear layers to stay warm, Buttermilk Mountain is 9,900 feet in elevation, it will be cold!
From cultural celebrations to invigorating outdoor activities, this month can prove there's a remedy for the post-holiday blues in every corner.
