The Scenic Route: A Colorado Springs & Ski Trip Guide

Thinking of skipping Denver and going to Colorado Springs? Well, I think you’ve made a great decision, because that’s exactly what I do when I come out to visit and snowboard. From Pike’s Peak to Manitou Springs and over to visit the great wolves, here are the top suggestions I have for you if you’re planning your trip to CS.

Colorado Springs feels a little less polished and a little more wild — in the best way. You’ve

got red rock formations that look outer worldly, mountain views in every direction, and just enough quirky charm to keep things interesting.

So whether you’re here for a weekend, passing through on a snowboard trip, or planning a full-on mountain escape, here’s exactly how I’d spend my time in Colorado Springs.

Iconic Colorado Springs Experience

Colorado Springs is one of those rare places where you don’t have to choose between adventure and charm – you get both. From summitting a 14er to soaking in a quirky mountain town or spotting wolves against a snowy backdrop, here are the stops that make skipping Denver completely worth it.

Pikes Peak

You can’t talk about Colorado Springs without talking about the iconic mountain that takes over the skyline.

At 14,115 feet, Pikes Peak is one of Colorado’s most accessible 14ers – and thankfully, you don’t have to hike it (unless you want to).

Here are your options for getting to the top:

• Drive the Pikes Peak Highway – A scenic, winding road with pull-offs and panoramic views the entire way up.

• Ride the Cog Railway – The historic train from manitou Springs that climbs straight to the summit (iconic and surprisingly relaxing)

• Hike Barr Trail – A 13-mile (one way) leg-burner for those who really want to earn it.

Pro tip: Go early. Afternoon storms roll in fast, and the summit weather is no joke – even in the summer.

Manitou Incline & Exploring Manitou Springs

If you’re feeling ambitious, the Manitou Springs Incline is your challenge.

Nearly 2,000 feet of elevation gain in under a mile – straight up old railroad ties. It’s brutal, iconic and totally worth it.

Afterward, wander through downtown Manitou Springs and explore

• Local coffee shops

• Mineral spring fountains

• Vintage arcades

• Funky art Galleries

It’s the perfect reward after the climb.

Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center

Just outside of town in Divide, this sanctuary offers guided tours where you can see rescued wolves up close and learn about conservation efforts.

If you visit in winter, seeing wolves against a snowy backdrop feels straight out of a documentary.

Make sure you book ahead because tours fill up quickly.

Woodland Park

On your way up to the resorts (or back down into town), woodland park is absolutely worth the stop.

Nicknamed “The City Above the Clouds,” it sits at 8,465 feet and has a quieter, pine-tree-lined mountain town energy feels a little removed from the busier parts of Colorado Springs.

Here are two spots you shouldn’t skip:

Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center

Yes, there’s a legit dinosaur museum up here. It’s surprisingly impressive, with full skeletal reconstructions, marine reptiles, and interactive exhibits. If you’re traveling with kids, or just a secretly nerdy adult, it’s a fun and unexpected stop.

The Donut Mill

Locals call it "The Donut Hole, and once you see the building, you’ll understand why. It’s iconic, over the top, and exactly the kind of roadside stop you hope to find in a mountain town. Grab a donut or two before heading toward the slopes – or make it your reward on the drive back down, but beware, they sell out fast.

Woodland Park feels slower, quieter, and a little more tucked into the forest. If you’re chasing that true mountain town vibe before hitting the resort, this is it.

Garden of the Gods

Free to enter, thanks to Charles Elliott Perkins, who donated the land to the city in 1909 with the condition that it would remain free and open to the public forever.

And honestly? That’s one of my favorite things about it.

Towering red rock formations rise dramatically from the earth with Pikes Peak standing tall in the background. It feels almost outerworldly – especially at sunrise or after a fresh snowfall.

You can:

• Take an easy scenic stroll along the paved paths

• Hike one of the moderate loop trails

• Go rock climbing (with a permit)

• Or simply pull over at one of the overlooks and soak it in

It’s accessible, it’s dramatic, and it doesn’t cost a thing – which makes it one of the best stops in Colorado Springs whether you have two hours or a full day.

Skiing and Snowboarding

When you’re ready to trade the red rock for some fresh snow and alpine air, point your car west and take Highway 24 toward the resorts. You’ll skip the terrible traffic that can pile up along I-70 and see some astounding things.

The drive alone is worth carving out time for.

As you climb out of Colorado Springs and into the mountains, the landscape slowly shifts – sandstone fades into pine forest, traffic thins, and the air feels just a bit crisper than it did.

One of the most scenic stretches is over Wilkerson Pass. Sitting at 9,507 feet, it offers sweeping views of South Park (yes, where the show is based from) and the surrounding peaks. It’s the kind of panoramic overlook that makes you instinctively pull over and step out of the car.

As you go down through the plains towards Hartsel, keep your eyes peeled for bison. There is a protected herd that roam the ranchlands along Highway 24, and it’s not uncommon to spot dozens grazing against the mountain backdrop – and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the rare white bison among them.

Seeing them framed by open prairie land and distant peaks feels like stepping into a completely different era of the great West.

From Hartsel, depending on which resort you go towards, will determine the views you gain – and honestly, that’s part of the fun.

Hartsel feels like a wide open reset. Big sky, rolling ranchland, distant peaks in every direction. And from here, the landscape shifts dramatically based on which way you turn.

Head Toward Leadville & Ski Cooper

If you continue northwest towards Leadville, the mountains slowly rise around you until you’re fully surrounded by giants.

You’ll pass beneath Colorado’s tallest peaks, including the Collegiate Peaks and then Mt. Elbert (Colorado’s tallest peak) closer to town.

This stretch feels expansive and dramatic – wide valleys with massive fourteeners towering straight above you.

From Leadville, it’s a short drive to Ski Cooper, a smaller local mountain, and to Copper Mountain, tucked into Summit County along I-70.

If you have the time after spending the day on the slopes, check out Leadville’s local legend of an outfitters, Melanzana, where you might just get lucky enough to grab one of their famous micro fleece pullovers or hoodies.

Head Toward Fairplay & Breckenridge

If instead you angle north toward Fairplay and climb over Hoosier pass, the drive becomes higher, windier, and more alpine.

At 11,539 feet, Hoosier Pass offers panoramic views before dropping into Summit County, where the Tenmile Range frames Breckenridge Ski Resort like a post card.

This route feels more dramatic and rugged – especially in winter when the pass is lined with backcountry skiable snowbanks.

Either way, the drive from Hartsel isn’t just about getting to the resort, it’s about watching Colorado unfold around you – prairies to pine forest to full alpine in under an hour.

Why Colorado Springs Just Makes Sense

Colorado Springs might not have the big-city buzz like Denver does, but that’s precisely the point. It’s wild in the right ways, grounded in history, and surrounded by landscapes that make you want to stay outside just a bit longer. Whether you’re climbing a 14er, wandering through the red rock formations, spotting bison on the plains, or chasing powder in Summit County, this corner of Colorado has a way of pulling you in.

So skip the traffic, take the scenic route, and let the mountains set the pace. You might just find that Colorado isn’t a second choice at all – it’s the better one.