As a lifelong Texan, packing for the snowy peaks of Colorado in February required some extra research on my part. I was sure what to expect from the temperatures and precipitation since the coldest it typically gets in Dallas is approximately 40-50 degrees.
I wasn’t planning on skiing, but I did want to do some light hiking in the mountains on our Colorado weekend trip. Fortunately, I brought enough layers to stay nice and warm throughout our entire adventure. I wanted to put together the ideal Denver, CO packing list for any other cold weather novices like me.
Here’s everything I included or wished I had with me on my winter trip to Colorado.
Denver, CO Packing List – Clothes
- Hiking Boots – First and foremost, make sure you have a solid pair of comfortable hiking boots. I found some faux fur-lined boots on Amazon that kept my feet cushioned and toasty warm while hiking around the Rocky Mountains.
- Thick Winter Coat – Living in Dallas, most of my winter gear consists of cute pea coats or windbreaker jackets. For snowy colorado, it paid off to have a puffy winter coat that protected me from the wind chill.
- Layering T-Shirts – To keep your torso extra warm underneath sweaters and to give yourself more clothing options for indoor activities, make sure to include some simple long sleeve t-shirts for layering.
- Cozy Sweaters – I brought a suitcase full of my warmest sweaters, and I was grateful for them every day we were there!
- Athletic Leggings – Moisture-wicking athletic leggings were great for layering underneath my jeans, lounging around our Air BnB, or traveling on the plane.
- Straight Leg Jeans – Even though straight leg jeans are trendy right now, I still typically prefer the fit of high rise skinny jeans. But it’s sooo much easier to layer with straight legs! I used them on the days when we were hiking or playing in the snow.
- Patterned Scarves – I like to dress up sweaters and make them a little bit more fun and interesting by adding a patterned scarf on top. They keep your neck warm, make your outfit more fun, and take up almost no space in your suitcase!
- Thick Knitted Socks – I made the mistake of wearing my typical tiny ankle socks down inside my hiking boots one evening on our trip. The bottom halves of my calves were freezing! Stick to long, thick socks.
- Tennis Shoes – Some cute sneakers will come in handy if you plan on walking around the city as well as the mountains.
Denver, CO Packing List – Toiletries
- The Necessities – Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, makeup, etc.
- Hand Sanitizer – Even prior to Covid, I’ve always brought brought pocket-sized hand sanitizers with me wherever I go. There are so many people moving through airports and tourist destinations, so do yourself a favor and sanitize as frequently as possible!
- Lotion – The climate in Denver is much drier than what I’m used to in Dallas, and by the end of our trip my hands were looking and feeling rough. Make sure you have plenty of soothing lotion.
- Moisturizer – Same reason as above, but for your face.
- Anti-Nausea Medicine – Altitude sickness is a real thing! I didn’t know this until I started researching for our trip, but many people feel fatigued and nauseous when they’re exposed to higher altitudes for the first time. It takes a few days to adjust to the higher elevation in Denver, and especially in the surrounding mountains. I brought some medicine with me and took a little bit at the beginning of each day.
Denver, CO Packing List – Extras
- Sturdy Backpack – Perfect for bringing snacks and essentials along with you when you go hiking, or to use as a purse when you’re in the city. I invested in a Fjallraven Kanken this year, and I have loved everything about it! The weight is distributed so perfectly, it doesn’t even feel like I’m wearing a backpack most of the time.
- Reusable Water Bottle – Since the climate is so dry and the altitude causes fatigue, it’s really easy to get dehydrated. Make sure to carry a water bottle around with you.
- Snacks – We bought some granola bars, trail mix, and other snacks when we arrived in Denver. It helped to have some extra food around the Air BnB in the mornings, and we could take our food with us while driving around in the mountains and hiking just in case.
- Masks – Masks are mandated for all indoor spaces in Colorado during Covid. Make sure you remember to pack some.
- Backup Battery – Since you’ll be taking so many photos and using your phone to navigate, it’s a good idea to have an external battery for handy to recharge on the go.
Tips for Planning a Denver, CO Weekend Trip
We absolutely loved our time in the Colorado mountains, and I know we will treasure the snowy memories forever. If you’re inspired to plan your own Denver, CO weekend trip, check out the blog posts below.
The Perfect Colorado Weekend Itinerary 2021
The Boulder Dushanbe Tea House
My Denver Biscuit Company Review
X Instagrammable Places Around Denver, CO
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