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You haven’t actually skilled a Colorado winter till you’ve pulled off a freeway in January to take a photograph, stepped confidently into what you thought was a pleasant, packed-down patch of snow and instantly plunged crotch-deep right into a frozen abyss. One second you’re standing in your winter driving moccasins, the following you’re submerged to the hips, legs encased in 4 toes of crusty ice layers, questioning the way you’re going to clarify this to your chiropractor.
But you then lookup, and the mountains hit you with that snow-globe twinkle, and all of a sudden, it’s price each frozen toe — and the 30-minute extraction which will or might not render your shearling footwear a sacrifice to the Norse god of snow, Ullr.
At the chance of postholing this winter, Colorado’s high-country highways supply among the most arresting winter landscapes within the nation, and lots of of them are accessible with a easy car pull-off. Whether for a household picture, a fast self-portrait, or a quick session of primal screaming into the void, these roadside overlooks and mountain routes ship the type of views that make you neglect you may’t really feel your shins.
Boss of the byways
Of course, not each snowy highway is created equal. Some are clean and scenic, others are a quick observe to testing each your traction management and your relationship. That’s why it helps to know the place to drag over, or, higher but, to have somebody who really is aware of what they’re speaking about.
That somebody is Lenore Bates, Colorado’s Scenic and Historic Byways program supervisor, who spends her days interested by the drives the remainder of us take for enjoyable. Bates stated most of Colorado’s official byways supply loads of possibilities to soak in these snow-covered mountain views with out chaining up or getting caught.
“Most of our byways have access year-round,” Bates stated. “One exception is an unpaved section of the Gold Belt Tour, which isn’t recommended during inclement weather.”
Among her favorites are the Collegiate Peaks Byway, the place pull-offs like Zebulon Pike Historic Wayside and Collegiate Peaks Scenic Overlook supply panoramic views between Buena Vista and Salida, and the Highway of Legends, a winding stretch between Colorado’s La Veta and Cuchara with views of the Spanish Peaks that appear like they have been designed for postcards. On the Frontier Pathways Byway, the drive from Wetmore to Westcliffe rolls by way of snow-blanketed ranchlands that really feel a world away, whereas the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway offers drivers glimpses of Longs Peak and Mount Meeker shining above Lily Lake close to Estes Park.
“Don’t forget that visitors can stop by the communities and warm up with coffee, lunch, or other goodies during the winter,” Bates added. “Museums or galleries can also provide an indoor break.”
Before hitting the highway, Bates recommends checking COTrip.org, which provides real-time highway circumstances, the place customers can add a Scenic Byways layer for simple planning.
“It also includes safety recommendations, vehicle prep lists, and traction law information,” she stated. “And of course, buckle up.”
When it involves winter driving, it actually doesn’t get far more picturesque than the Million Dollar Highway. Climbing up and out of Ouray alongside the San Juan Skyway, this notorious stretch of U.S. 550 is beloved for its sweeping views, steep stomach-flipping drop-offs and full lack of guardrails: A call, locals will remind you, made for the good thing about snowplows, not your peace of thoughts.
“It’s pretty much one of the eight wonders of the world for me,” stated EmmaGrace Baugh, tourism coordinator for the Ouray Visitors Center. “You’re driving right along the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests she said, so in the fall, the spring, and, especially the winter, you get gorgeous views. But definitely everyone will need chains for the snow.”
Assuming you might be chained up and able to go, Baugh has some suggestions for locations to cease alongside the route. About 5 minutes south of Ouray, the “Switzerland of America” lookout provides a right-hand pull-off with an ideal view of the city, and when you’re feeling courageous, a household picture alternative in precise falling snow. Farther alongside, you’ll discover Bear Creek Falls frozen right into a towering column of ice which you could peer down on from the overlook simply previous the primary tunnel.
Around the 20-minute mark, Ironton townsite makes an incredible place to drag off, stretch your legs, and even cross-country ski by way of the previous mining grounds (simply be sure to’ve handed your avalanche security course first). Nearby, the Idarado Mine sits proper off the freeway, framed by the peaks you’ve simply pushed by way of.
“The Million Dollar Highway views are worth a million dollars a mile,” Baugh stated. “The quiet stillness of the snowcapped mountains brings a sense of warmth to our town. The alpenglow brushing the peaks feels like a warm kiss in the colder weather.”
Baugh recommends beginning smaller for many who are not sure about tackling the total route.
“We definitely have a ton of smaller county roads if you’re not too sure about driving the Million Dollar Highway right away,” she stated. “County Road 361 is a little wider, and, even though it’s dirt, it gives you the same kind of feeling — not quite as intense. Usually, what I recommend is to start with some backroads around Ridgway or here in Ouray, before driving Million Dollar Highway.”
And for these undeterred by heights, however maybe vulnerable to panic-squeezing the steering wheel, Baugh provided this bit of recommendation: “Drive slow. The biggest mistake people make is trying to stay in the middle of the road, which actually makes it more dangerous. And if you don’t feel comfortable looking over the edge, I definitely don’t recommend being the one driving.”
If you handle to not drive over the sting (Just kidding! You’ll be effective!), the payoff is rewarding.
“The best way I can describe it is like a sheet of snow draped over the mountains,” Baugh stated. “In the evenings, you get this alpine glow, like the pinks and purples lighting up the peaks.”
You don’t have to drive a snowplow or personal crampons to fall in love with a Colorado snow scene. Sometimes you simply want somebody to inform you the place to face — ideally knowledgeable who’s spent years yelling “just a little to the left!” at folks within the nice outdoor.
Picture-perfect panoramas
Longmont-based photographer Emily Carter has lived in Colorado her complete life, which mainly makes her fluent in intermittent climate and golden-hour timing — and the particular person you need in your passenger seat when the panorama all of a sudden requires documentation.
When it involves taking photographs in Colorado, she has a mushy spot in her coronary heart for the mountains.
“I go to other places and I’m like, ‘Everywhere else is boring. I love my mountains,’” she stated. “There are so many places in the mountains that all look so unique. I definitely think the mountains look prettier when they have snow on them — there’s just something a little extra magical.”
Her favourite easy-to-reach winter spots are Lily Lake close to Estes Park, Cottonwood Pass outdoors of Buena Vista, and Lost Gulch Overlook in Boulder. Carter found the magic that’s Cottonwood Pass throughout a highway journey to Crested Butte one June when there was nonetheless snow on the mountain.
“You’re so high up that there’s still snow, even in summer,” she stated. “I remember thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, I feel like I’m in another world, like I’m re-entering winter again.’”
Carter stated that, whereas chilly, moist and type of annoying, snow acts like a pure lighting prop in terms of taking pictures photographs. She stated that it modifications the properties of sunshine.
“People always associate snow with the holiday season, so there’s something a little extra magical about it,” she stated. “But it also adds contrast. If someone’s wearing white or ivory, the snow on the mountains almost makes it look like the mountains are dressed to match them. The whiteness of the snow tends to reflect light upward, which softens faces and sharpens colors, giving an ordinary overcast afternoon into a kind of cinematic glow.”
And whereas she spends most weekends photographing {couples}, households and elopements within the mountains, her recommendation for anybody chasing that good snowy shot is straightforward: Dress in layers, watch the climate and don’t underestimate a dawn.
“As far as logistics, Colorado weather is unpredictable, so I always tell clients to wear layers,” she stated. “We can throw a coat off for a few photos and put it right back on while walking to a new spot. Definitely check the weather beforehand, even the morning of, because it can change quickly, especially above 9,000 feet. It gets windy fast. To avoid crazy weather, I recommend morning sessions, which also have really pretty light. But if they want the best lighting, sunset is always stunning.”
Her ultimate tip may additionally apply to highway journeys basically, and that’s to decide on locations that imply one thing to you.
“If the location has personal meaning, that’s even better,” she stated. “There’s a little more sentimentality when you pick a spot that means something to you.”
So this winter, decide a great spot, pull over, take the picture and fake you meant to sink half of your physique within the snow. It’s all a part of the expertise.
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you may go to the hyperlink bellow:
https://www.denverpost.com/2026/01/22/how-to-photograph-colorado-snowy-mountains/
and if you wish to take away this text from our website please contact us
