Colorado in December is a snowy paradise. Whether you’re skiing in Aspen, exploring Denver’s holiday charm, or hiking frosty trails, the state offers winter magic at every turn. But cold weather here isn’t just cold – it’s crisp, dry, and often extreme.
Packing right means preparing for mountain altitudes, snowfall, and après-ski style. You’ll need plenty of thermal wear, gear for winter sports, and layers you can peel off inside cozy lodges or restaurants.
📝Note: This article is all about what to pack for Colorado in December. Here you can find a huge and comprehensive list. Feel free to adapt to your needs, and share your tips in the comments!
Weather & Travel Context 🌦️
- Denver: -8°C to 7°C (18°F to 45°F)
- Colorado Springs: -9°C to 6°C (16°F to 43°F)
- Aspen/Vail: -14°C to 1°C (7°F to 33°F)
- High altitude = intense UV and dry air!
- Snowstorms common – bring gear for all conditions
What to Pack for Colorado in December
Packing smart will help you make the most of your trip. Here’s everything you need to bring for a comfortable and stylish adventure.
Carry-On Suitcase / Travel Bag Duffle / Portable Steamer / Packing cubes / Luggage scale / Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones / Speaker / Portable Charger / Universal Travel adapter / Compact Hair Dryer / Eye Mask / Waterproof Toiletry Bag Hanging / Zipper Pouch / Water BOTTLE / Liquid I.V. Hydration Vegan
🧳 Luggage & Packing Tools
If you want more options to have everything organized and well packed, take a look at these suggestions.
1. Rolling Backpack / 2. Luggage (large) / 3. Luggage (small) / 4. Toiletry Bag / 5. Beach Bag / 6. Backpack / 7. Packing Cubes
- Hard-shell suitcase – weatherproof your essentials 🧳
- Carry-on – insulated for electronics 🛄
- Daypack – ideal for ski or trail gear 🎒
- Packing cubes – sort base layers & accessories 📦
- Shoe bags – separate wet boots 👢
- Toiletry kit – keep things from freezing 🧴
- Document holder – ski passes, ID, tickets 📁
- Foldable tote – grocery runs in snowy towns 🛍️
- Portable laundry bag – for sweaty ski clothes 🧺
- Travel lock – secure your gear 🔒
- Dry towel – small & snow-lodge ready 🧻
- Neck pillow – comfy for long drives 💤
- Sleep mask – useful in lodges 😴
👗 Clothes
- Thermal tops & bottoms (3–4 sets) – ski base layers ❄️
- Wool sweaters (2–3) – stay warm après-ski 🧶
- Fleece zip-ups – breathable and cozy 🧥
- Heavy parka – insulated for below zero 🧊
- Down jacket – lightweight + heat locking 🧥
- Ski pants – waterproof + windproof 🎿
- Jeans – wear with thermal leggings 👖
- Snow leggings – perfect under skirts or solo 🩳
- Knit dress – cute and functional 👗
- Activewear – moisture-wicking for winter sports 🏃♀️
- Fleece pajamas – stay toasty at night 🛌
- Swimsuit – for hot tubs or indoor pools 👙
- Thermal socks (6–8 pairs) – key for ski boots 🧦
- Underwear and sports bras – moisture-wicking preferred 👙
💆 Skincare
- Hydrating cleanser – avoid flaking skin 🧼
- Alcohol-free toner – gentle on winter skin 💧
- Thick moisturizer – high-altitude dryness cure 🧴
- SPF 50 – strong sun even in snow 🌞
- Makeup remover balm – for dry air comfort 🧽
- Exfoliator – once/week to prevent build-up ✨
- Eye cream – banish puffiness and dryness 👁️
- Facial mist – use frequently 🧊
- Lip balm (with SPF) – chapped lips are inevitable 💋
- Sheet masks – post-ski hydration treat 🧖
- Spot treatment – cold can trigger breakouts 🔬
💄 Makeup
- Moisturizing foundation – keep skin dewy 💄
- Concealer – for post-hike redness 👁️
- Powder – anti-shine but hydrating 💨
- Cream blush – radiant and hydrating 🌸
- Highlighter – glowy winter skin ✨
- Warm bronzer – adds depth in snowy settings 🌞
- Neutral eyeshadow – snowy-chic looks 🎨
- Waterproof eyeliner – for windy mountain eyes 💧
- Thick mascara – ski lodge glam 👁️
- Brow gel – define through ski goggles 🧴
- Matte lipstick – won’t melt or smear 💄
- Brushes – travel size 💼
💇 Hair Care
- Detangler comb – post-hat tangles 💇
- Hair ties – messy bun saviors 🌀
- Moisturizing shampoo & conditioner – travel set 🚿
- Dry shampoo – refresh after slopes 🌬️
- Heat protectant – daily styling aid 💥
- Frizz cream – static from scarves 💁
- Mini dryer – if cabins don’t supply 💨
- Straightener/curling wand – style for evenings 🔌
- Leave-in serum – repair winter breakage ✨
- Wool-friendly clips/headbands – winter glam 🎀
👟 Shoes & Accessories
- Snow boots – waterproof with grip ❄️
- Apres-ski boots – stylish & warm 👢
- Sneakers – indoor gym or errands 👟
- Wool socks – thick and cozy 🧦
- Warm belt – thermal belt bag option 🎒
- Thermal hat – fleece-lined preferred 🧢
- Infinity scarf – traps heat better 🧣
- Touch gloves – use phone in cold 🧤
- UV-blocking sunglasses – snow glare 🕶️
- Jewelry – keep it minimal 💍
- Crossbody or belt bag – ski-safe 👜
- Umbrella – if snow turns slushy ☂️
📑 Documents & Essentials
- Driver’s license or ID – must for ski rentals 🪪
- Insurance – winter activities require it 🧾
- Flight tickets & boarding passes 📄
- Health insurance cards 💳
- Printed itinerary – backup plan 🗺️
- Cash & cards – small-town ATMs vary 💵
- Lift tickets or passes – pre-purchase if possible 🎿
- Maps – offline if driving through mountains 🗺️
🚑 First Aid
- Blister pads – ski boot relief 🩹
- Gauze and tape – trail mishaps 🩺
- Wipes – freshen up after hikes 🧻
- Thermometer – high altitude flu risk 🌡️
- Tweezers – splinters or grooming 🧷
🧼 Health & Hygiene
- Prescription meds – high elevation can alter effects 💊
- Pain relievers – altitude = headaches 🤕
- Allergy meds – snow mold is real 🌨️
- Motion sickness pills – mountain roads 🚗
- Vitamins – immune boost 💪
- Feminine products – be prepared 🩸
- Hand sanitizer – ski gloves get dirty 🧴
- Toilet wipes – trail or cabin trips 🧻
- Contraceptives – always good to have 📦
- Eye drops – dry mountain air 👁️
- Toothbrush/paste – travel set 🪥
- Razor – optional 🪒
- Mini mirror – for lodges 🪞
- Deodorant – fresh under layers 👃
- Perfume – mountain musk 🌲
📱 Tech & Electronics
- Phone – with offline maps 📱
- Portable charger – battery dies fast in cold 🔋
- Camera – snow-capped photo ops 📸
- GoPro – ski cam! 🎥
- Headphones – travel & downtime 🎧
- Adapter – if you’re international 🌍
- Offline music & apps – no signal in mountains 🎶
🎧 Entertainment
- Book or Kindle – fireside reading 📚
- Podcasts – long drives or flights 🎙️
- Journal – reflect by the slopes 📝
- Board games – cabin fun 🎲
🎁 Extras
- Protein snacks – trail mix or bars 🍫
- Water bottle – prevent altitude dehydration 💧
- Grocery tote – eco option 🛍️
- Sewing kit – jacket emergencies 🧵
- Lint roller – snow = fuzz! 👔
- Footrest – for après-ski lounging 🦶
- Sleep aid – for time zone shift 🛌
🌍 Travel Tips
- Hydrate often – dry altitude air 💧
- Apply sunscreen daily – sun + snow = burn 🌞
- Download trail maps & ski apps 🏔️
- Book ski rentals early 🎿
🛂 Visa Tips
- Domestic travelers – no visa needed 🇺🇸
- ESTA required if from outside U.S. 🌐
⭐ Must-Haves
- Insurance 🧾
- Passport/ID 🛂
- Credit cards 💳
- Weather gear ❄️
- Thermals & layers 🧥
- Water bottle 💧
👍 Good-to-Have
- Foot warmers 🔥
- Ear muffs 🧣
- Blanket scarf 🧶
- Snow gaiters 👢
- Ski goggles 🥽
