Winter at Twin Lakes, Colorado: Snowshoeing Interlaken, Nordic Skiing, Sledding and Road Tips

Winter at Twin Lakes, Colorado, is quiet, snowy and simple: Independence Pass closes west of the village for the season, so Highway 82 becomes a dead end, and the lakes, the Interlaken ghost resort and the Mount Elbert skyline are yours to explore on snowshoes or skis. The signature outing is the Interlaken trail, an out-and-back of about 4.4 to 5 miles with only about 59 feet of elevation change. Leadville's groomed winter trails, the Tennessee Pass Nordic Center and Ski Cooper are all within a short drive.

Quick answer: Twin Lakes in winter

• Independence Pass (CO 82) closes for winter at gates near Twin Lakes and Aspen. It usually closes in late October or early November; CDOT typically reopens it the week before Memorial Day weekend.
• Interlaken trail: about 4.4–5 miles round trip, from 9,200 to 9,259 feet, listed for hiking, biking and snowshoeing, and for cross-country skiing on the resort's own listing.
• Tennessee Pass Nordic Center: open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Thanksgiving Day through the second weekend in April, with rentals and about 27 km of groomed trail.
• Sledding: Leadville's free Dutch Henry Tubing Hill opens December to March when snow allows. It did not open in 2025–26 because of low snow.
• Road conditions: check COtrip before every drive.

Snowshoeing the Interlaken trail

Interlaken was a resort on the south shore of Twin Lakes. Leadville mining magnate James V. Dexter expanded the original hotel, built in 1879, into one of Colorado's premier mountain resorts between 1883 and 1890. In winter, guests ice skated, skied and rode in sleighs. The resort closed in 1950 when the lakes were enlarged, and the U.S. Forest Service now maintains the site. You can walk among the buildings and step into Dexter's cupola-topped cabin.

Getting there: from Leadville, follow U.S. 24 south about 16 miles, turn right onto Highway 82, drive 0.8 mile, and turn left onto County Road 25, a dirt road. The tourism board recommends parking at the Twin Lakes Dam if your car has low clearance, which adds about half a mile each way. In winter, snow can make the dirt road rougher, so plan to park at the dam if in doubt. From the trailhead, the route follows the Colorado Trail along the shore to Interlaken and back the same way. There is no loop around both lakes without walking Highway 82.

The route is rolling rather than steep, which makes it a good first snowshoe for mixed-ability groups. It is still high-altitude winter travel, so carry water, layers and a headlamp, and turn around early on short days. In June 2024 the Interlaken Fire burned about 704 acres near the lakes. In August 2026, the tourism board's Know Before You Go page still listed the Interlaken trail among the areas open to visitors while Willow Fire closures remained elsewhere. Check that page before you go.

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing near Leadville

Leadville's winter trails are groomed regularly from late fall to early spring. The tourism board counts more than 60 miles of them:

• Tennessee Pass Nordic Center, next to Ski Cooper: set track and skate lanes, rentals of classic and skate skis, snowshoes and fat bikes, lessons, and a coffee bar by a wood stove. No reservations needed.
• Mineral Belt Trail: a 12-mile groomed loop around Leadville through the historic mining district and forest, open to Nordic skiers, snowshoers and fat bikers.
• Turquoise Lake Road: groomed regularly for winter travel, with views of the frozen lake and surrounding peaks.
• East Side Mining District: groomed county roads past old mining structures, with above-treeline views minutes from town.
• Leadville National Fish Hatchery: an ungroomed trail network for snowshoeing.

Rentals are also available in Leadville at shops including Alpine Ski & Sport. For overnight trips, the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association runs backcountry huts that need reservations.

If you head beyond groomed trails, check the Colorado Avalanche Information Center forecast first. Steep snow slopes in the surrounding mountains can slide, and cell service can be limited.

Sledding, tubing and ice skating

• Dutch Henry Tubing Hill, 999 S. Highway 24 in Leadville, is open dawn to dusk from December to March, weather permitting. Tubing is free with your own tube, and rentals run Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lake County says the hill did not open in 2025–26 because of the lack of snow, so check before you pack the kids in the car.
• Tennessee Pass Nordic Center also has a free walk-up tubing hill.
• Leadville's outdoor ice rink is about 30,000 square feet, with skate rentals, a snack bar and a warming hut. It opens from December to March, weather permitting.

Winter wildlife and the night sky

The marshy shores around Twin Lakes are good places to scan for wildlife, especially early and late in the day. Keep your distance, keep dogs leashed, and never approach or feed animals stressed by deep snow and cold. On clear nights the lack of town lights makes stargazing from the village a highlight. Dress for bitter cold after dark.

Winter roads: getting to Twin Lakes

In winter, Twin Lakes is reached from U.S. 24, from Leadville to the north or Buena Vista to the south. You cannot cross Independence Pass from Aspen; CDOT closed CO 82 over the pass for the 2025–26 season on November 17, 2025. Check Independence Pass closure status before relying on last year's dates. The summit is 18 miles west of Twin Lakes, and the closure gates keep the road shut from there until CDOT reopens it in spring. Carry a winter kit, use tires suited to snow, and check COtrip for U.S. 24 before you leave.

What's open in Twin Lakes village in winter?

Twin Lakes is a small historic village, originally called Dayton City, that once sat on the supply route between Leadville and Aspen. Services in the village are limited, and small-business hours change with the seasons, so don't count on anything being open when you arrive. Do your grocery shopping in Leadville or Buena Vista on the way in and plan to cook most meals.

Skiing nearby: Ski Cooper and Copper Mountain

Downhill days are easy to add. Ski Cooper, about 10 miles north of Leadville on Tennessee Pass, is the affordable, family-friendly option with 100% natural snow; our Ski Cooper day planning guide has 2026–27 prices and lesson details. For a big-resort day, see our Copper Mountain seasonal guide. If you want to see the lakes through the seasons, our Twin Lakes village and reservoir trails guide covers the summer version of these walks. For other winter activities nearby, see our guides to snowmobiling near Leadville and ice fishing at Twin Lakes and Turquoise Lake.

Where to stay for a winter trip

The Big Mack sits across the road from Twin Lakes at about 9,200 feet, so the Interlaken trail and the frozen lakes are minutes away. Inside there's a fireplace, a hot tub for après-snowshoe, a full kitchen for the meals you'll want to cook in a quiet winter village, and a washer and dryer for wet gear. With four bedrooms sleeping 12 (three king rooms plus a downstairs bunk room), it works for families or friends splitting a winter getaway.

Check your dates and book direct.