If you’d like to take advantage of the Thanksgiving holiday by enjoying a fun getaway there are few better places to go than the Rocky Mountain State. Colorado is home to a wealth of exciting destinations that can be enjoyed with family, friends, or on a solo trip, while creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Keystone Lodge and Spa - Keystone
Colorado is internationally renowned for its idyllic powdery slopes and abundance of sunshine that makes for some of the best skiing, sledding, and tubing. Thanksgiving is an exciting time for this mountain community because it means the start of the ski season. Bring your whole family because if you book more than two nights of lodging, kids ski for free. On holiday, wake up early and head to the slopes where there are typically wide-open runs and pretty much non-existent lines, with so many others spending the day cooking and watching sports inside. Keystone Lodge and Spa is situated within Keystone Resort, surrounded by mountains. You’ll find rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows for gazing at the mountains an on-site restaurant with lake vistas, plus a spa, hot tubs, and a steam room.
Key Amenities:
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Rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows
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Kids ski free with more than two night stays
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Spa with hot tubs and steam room
The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs
The historic Broadmoor has become an iconic landmark in Colorado Springs, set along the shores of Cheyenne Lake at the edge of town. Constructed in the late 19th century, this massive resort includes just about everything you could ever want in a getaway, no matter what time of year you stay, with multiple on-site restaurants, a spa, two championship golf courses and all sorts of other outdoor activities. Enjoy cocktails while taking in breathtaking views of the lake and the jagged peaks of the Rockies. There’s also an outdoor heated lap pool and whirlpool for swimming year-round. There are a number of options for dining on holiday cuisine as well, including the Lake Terrace Dining Room, which features its annual Thanksgiving Champagne Brunch along with entertainment, as well as Thanksgiving specials at the majority of the property’s other eateries.
Key Amenities:
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Annual Thanksgiving Champagne Brunch
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Outdoor heated lap pool and whirlpool
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Two championship golf courses
1 Lake Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, USA— +1 800-755-5011
Stanley Hotel - Estes Park
Estes Park, which serves as the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, kicks off its holiday season on the Friday after Thanksgiving, which means if you’re here for the holiday, you can enjoy the Catch the Glow parade, family hayrides, visits with Santa, holiday tunes and more. On the holiday, the famous Stanley Hotel that inspired Stephen King’s novel The Shining typically hosts its annual gourmet buffet lunch featuring traditional holiday fare.
Key Amenities:
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Thanksgiving gourmet buffet lunch
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Holiday events in Estes Park
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Located near Rocky Mountain National Park
333 E Wonderview Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517, USA— +1 970-577-4000
Arrabelle at Vail Square - Vail
Vail is one of the state’s most beautiful mountain towns, and it’s especially fun around the holidays. The ski season begins in November, so you’ll be able to enjoy its legendary slopes with fewer crowds and lower early-season lift ticket prices. Stay at beautiful resorts like The Arrabelle at Vail Square, which sits at the base of the Eagle Bahn Gondola, and dine at one of the many local restaurants that offer a wide array of Thanksgiving menus, buffet dinners, prix fixe options, and more. On Black Friday, you can shop ’til you drop, with world-class options that include everything from high-end local boutiques to national retail chains.
Key Amenities:
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Located at base of gondola
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Numerous shopping and dining options
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Lower early-season lift ticket prices
The Little Nell - Aspen
Aspen is spectacular year-round but especially gorgeous this time of year, often already blanketed with fresh powder – and, even if it’s not, snow-making operations assist Mother Nature in allowing the ski season to begin on Thanksgiving Day. This is the time when the slopes are blissfully crowd-free, and you can explore the town without bumping elbows with tourists or waiting for tables at restaurants and bars. It enjoys more of a family atmosphere rather than the party atmosphere that Christmas and New Year’s bring, but you’ll still be able to enjoy all of the decked-out trees and holiday lights. Enjoy ski-in and ski-out access from The Little Nell, which is a luxury Aspen lodging option. One of the best ski resorts in Colorado, The Little Nell offers great rooms, award-winning restaurants and well-stocked bars.
Key Amenities:
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Ski-in/ski-out access
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Award-winning restaurant
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Concierge services and pet-friendly rooms
The Peaks Resort & Spa - Telluride
Telluride also kicks its ski season off at Thanksgiving, giving visitors something to be especially grateful for, immersed in this stunning wonderland of powdery snow. Along with skiing and snowboarding, there are all sorts of family-friendly activities, including snowmobiling, dog sledding, horseback riding and ice skating. Multiple fine dining and casual eateries serve Thanksgiving lunch or dinner, but if you’d like to cook up your own feast, there are a host of lodging options. Mountain Village, the picturesque ski village connected to the town of Telluride by a free gondola, is a great place to head for Black Friday shopping as well as evening entertainment. The Peaks Resort & Spa is full of great amenities along with a slopeside location. You can enjoy the spa, game room, tennis courts, fitness center, and incredible views of the surrounding mountains.
Key Amenities:
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Lodging options with kitchens
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Free gondola to and from downtown Telluride
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Spa and fitness center
136 Country Club Dr, Telluride, CO 81435, USA— +1 888-696-6734
Vista Verde Ranch, Steamboat Springs
Steamboat Springs is not only a great place for Thanksgiving skiing and boarding, but you can also enjoy soaking in the soothing natural hot springs at nearby Strawberry Park Hot Springs or right in town at the Old Town Hot Springs. Thanksgiving feasts abound, along with a host of restaurants serving holiday meals. If you’re worried about all of those calories, start your day by running the Turkey Trot 5K and you’ll be set. Escape to the mountains north of Steamboat Springs to enjoy Vista Verde Ranch, an all-inclusive dude ranch. Enjoy the mountain vistas and explore the outdoors via horseback riding, climbing and hiking. The knowledgeable guides at this top-rated dude ranch in Colorado will make sure your stay is unforgettable.
Key Amenities:
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All-inclusive dude ranch
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Horseback riding, climbing and hiking
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Holiday activities and feasts in Steamboat Springs
Strater Hotel - Durango
Thanksgiving in Durango is fantastic too. The famous Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad begins its Polar Express train ride in November, and it’s one of the most memorable ways to celebrate the season. Just north of town is Purgatory Resort, which opens up in mid-November and is renowned for its outstanding skiing and a host of other winter activities. Durango’s historic Strater Hotel is one of the best hotels in town and a perfect place for a holiday retreat. It features beautiful, uniquely furnished rooms with amenities like bathrobes, small sitting areas with dining tables, and elaborate decor. You can enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner at The Mahogany Grille, which is sourced from local and family-owned farms, or enjoy a glass of wine at the Office Spiritorium.
Key Amenities:
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Historic hotel with elaborate decor
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Farm-to-table Thanksgiving Dinner
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Access to Durango & Silverton Railroad
