5 Killer Winter Festivals That Prove Colorado Knows How to Keep the Party Going Year Round

2. Frozen Dead Guy Days

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Leave it to the hippiest town in a state full of hippie towns to throw a party celebrating Bredo Morstel, who sits frozen in a state of suspended animation on dry ice, tucked away in a Tuff Shed above the small town of Nederland. In celebration of his perma-smile, the town throws a three-day beer and music festival featuring coffin racing, over twenty bands, ice turkey bowling, and more. It all goes down March 11-13, 2016.

3. Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival

Steamboat residents and guests alike celebrate the town’s epic annual snowfall as well as the local party scene each February. The snow-covered streets fill with horses and cowboy ski racing, music, and general revelry as the town’s western heritage crashed head-on with its renowned ski culture. The party happens February 3-7, 2016.

4. Ouray Ice Festival

Sweet first day at the #OurayIceFestival bashing ice and scratching around with my dad @timnharrington and @wholesome71. Ready for the mixed climbing comp tomorrow! @thenorthface @petzl_official @lasportivana

A photo posted by Emily Harrington (@emilyaharrington) on Jan 9, 2015 at 2:42pm PST

The town of Ouray represents ice climbing like nowhere else in the state. The sport is a big attraction to the town throughout most of the winter, but climbers from all over the world descend upon the “Ice Climbing Capitol of the Worle” each January for an all-out celebration. Competitions, showcases, lessons, and spectator events run January 14-17.

5. Breckenridge ULLR Fest

Throw back to our Colorado trip 2011 and conveniently arriving on the same day as Ullr Fest in Breckenridge bc we’ve always been wickeddddd smahhht @emilywetenkamp #Colorado #breckenridge #ullrfest #snowboarding #guysincoloradoarekindaaaahot #waybetteratridingwithjameson

A photo posted by Nikki (@notreallynikki) on Dec 10, 2015 at 8:13pm PST

Celebrate Norse culture by gliding through town in a hot tub after wearing your Viking helmet on the slopes. Fat bike racing is your thing? They’ve got that too, and plenty of beer to go along with it. Also take park in the world’s longest shot ski. Two locals each year are crowned Ullr King and Queen, based on their service to the community. The festival takes over town January 13-16.