So, you’ve purchased your Sundance Film Festival tickets in Boulder, Colorado—now what? While the films may be the main event, there’s plenty to explore beyond the theater. Boulder is packed with classic Colorado experiences, from scenic hikes and rock climbing to great local food, breweries, and plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors.
Our Sundance Film Festival Travel Guide will help you make the most of your downtime and experience some of the best things Boulder and the surrounding area have to offer during your visit.
Just about an hour’s drive from Boulder through the scenic canyons of the Front Range, ice climbing in Rocky Mountain National Park is one of our top winter picks. With approachable terrain and options for a wide range of ages and ability levels, it’s a great way to experience a classic Colorado winter adventure.
We’ll meet you at the Hidden Valley parking area before making a short trek through the woods to Hidden Falls, one of the Park’s most popular ice climbing areas. With climbing options for beginners and experienced climbers alike, it’s an awesome place to try ice climbing for the first time. And don’t worry about bringing all the equipment—we provide the technical gear you’ll need! Check out our Intro to Ice Climbing Course as well!
Already have some ice climbing experience and looking for a bigger objective? We can venture deeper into the Park to tackle longer and more adventurous routes like Glacier Knob or Alexander’s Chimney.
Explore winter in the Rockies with a day of backcountry skiing! Chase powder turns, take in incredible mountain views, and explore some of the best winter terrain the Front Range has to offer. Don’t have backcountry skis? No problem! You can rent a setup for the day from our friends at Neptune Mountaineering. We’ll have you covered with the essential avalanche gear, including a backpack, beacon, probe, and shovel.
Every backcountry ski day is built around your experience, ability, and goals. Whether you’re new to the backcountry or an experienced skier looking to explore new terrain, your guide will help choose the right zone and objective for the day.
Yes, believe it or not, you can climb one of Boulder’s iconic Flatirons in the winter—weather and conditions permitting, of course! Choose from the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Flatiron and enjoy a unique winter climbing experience high above Boulder, with incredible views overlooking the city and surrounding foothills. As a bonus, the 2nd Flatiron offers an easy walk-off from the summit, making for a great winter climbing adventure without the need to rappel.
Yes, rock climbing in the winter in Colorado is a thing! Just outside of Golden, North Table Mountain is one of our favorite winter climbing destinations along the Front Range. Its south-facing cliffs soak up the Colorado sunshine throughout the day, often creating surprisingly comfortable climbing conditions even in the middle of winter.
North Table Mountain is known for its unique volcanic rock and offers a huge variety of sport, traditional, and top-rope climbing. With routes ranging from beginner-friendly climbs to more challenging terrain, we can build the day around your experience and how much climbing you want to get in.
One of the best-kept secrets of Rocky Mountain National Park is exploring it in the winter. With smaller crowds, snow-covered peaks, and frozen alpine lakes, some of the Park’s most popular summer destinations take on an entirely different feel once winter arrives. In our opinion, they might even be better this time of year!
Some of our favorite winter hikes include Bear Lake, Glacier Gorge, and, of course, the famous Emerald Lake. Whether you’re looking for a shorter walk through a snowy landscape or a longer day exploring deeper into the Park, there are plenty of options to choose from.
Will you need snowshoes? It depends! After a fresh snowfall, snowshoes can make getting around much easier, while well-packed trails may only require winter hiking boots and traction. If you need a pair, you can rent snowshoes from our friends at Estes Park Mountain Shop, where you can also pick up just about anything else you might need for a winter day in the mountains.
Looking for a more relaxed way to spend your downtime? Head to Pearl Street, the heart of downtown Boulder and one of the city’s most iconic destinations. Winter brings its own charm, crisp Colorado air, and plenty of places to duck inside and warm up.
Spend a few hours wandering the pedestrian mall, checking out local shops, outdoor retailers, restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, and street performers. Whether you’re looking to grab a bite between films, pick up some new outdoor gear, or simply explore downtown Boulder, Pearl Street has a little something for everyone.
The Sundance Film Festival may be what brings you to Boulder, but there’s so much more to experience while you’re here. We cannot wait for you to discover the beauty and uniqueness that Boulder and the surrounding area has to offer!
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