Every season in Durango is one worth enjoying when you have time to spare in the name of a great vacation. That said, travelers who make their way in this direction in the wintertime will enjoy the added benefit of being able to add the annual Snowdown experience to their itineraries! Often touted as the local cure for cabin fever, Snowdown in Durango is a great way to unwind at the beginning of a new year when the fresh powder is falling, and temperatures are dropping. When you’re looking for fun to fill those long winter days, Snowdown is an event that has you covered.
Make the Most of the Snowdown in Durango
Snowdown is a 5 day festival that’s highly anticipated by locals and visitors alike in Durango each year with good reason! It’s an event that’s been delighting attendees for more than 45 years and was designed as a bright spot on the calendar when winter weather begins to get tiresome at the end of January and into early February. Snowdown is organized and presented by a non-profit committee and a board of directors in tandem with local businesses who enjoy adding their own tailored events into the festival lineup.
Planning this vibrant and exciting event is an impressive feat as it typically includes more than 100 activities and specialized events for guests to enjoy over the course of the five days of fun. Each year, Snowdown comes with a unique theme that activities and events revolve around and in years past, activities have included everything from beer plunges and light parades to outhouse stuffing, joke offs, hot wing eating contests, and beyond. The lineup is typically a balance of adult-friendly and family-friendly options for entertainment, making it an experience open to visitors of all ages. The festival events are hosted across town so participating means you get a good feeling for the entirety of Durango as you enjoy the entertainment in good company.
A Brief History of Snowdown
Snowdown was established in Durango back in 1979 purely out of the desire by locals to have something fun and festive to look forward to when winter got overwhelming. Since that time, Snowdown has only continued to grow in popularity and today, it’s earned its place as the largest annual seasonal celebration in Colorado. Having a new theme to enjoy each year keeps the experience fresh, even if you head here to enjoy Snowdown with every passing January.
Durango Snowdown Events to Enjoy
While each Durango Snowdown comes with a unique lineup of activities to experience, there are some events that tend to remain firmly in place thanks to how beloved they are by attendees year after year. The kickoff party is always a hit and is typically hosted the first day of Snowdown at 5:30 pm at Public House 701. It’s a chance for attendees to gather with the board of directors and enjoy board games, fantastic food, beer, and cocktails too.
It’s also where the official poster unveiling for the festival is held and you can learn more about the many volunteers whose hard work makes Snowdown happen. The Outlaw Josei Pete’s Golf Tournament is another Snowdown highlight event that invites golf enthusiasts to gather a team of four and enjoy participating in a whimsical mini-golf tournament that happens across downtown Durango! Local businesses host their own putting holes while up to 60 teams put their short game to work.
Prizes are awarded afterward at the Elks Club for those teams who stand out above the rest. Snowdown Follies is both the kick-off event and the finale to the multi-day festival and is a show put on by local theatrical talent. It’s funny, outlandish, and always entertaining and there are multiple performances you can attend when you want to make sure you don’t miss it—just make sure to purchase tickets in advance!
Snowdown also hosts an adult fashion show where models must wear clothing that reflects the year’s festival theme. The ticketed show is paired with a fun luncheon and is hosted at the La Plata County Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall each year. The Search for the Silver Bullet event has been on the Snowdown lineup since 1997 and is a favorite among treasure hunting enthusiasts who attend. With clues in hand, teams trek all over Durango looking to solve riddles and puzzles to find a prize before the festival comes to a close.
Book Your Winter Durango Journey Today
No matter when you arrive in Durango to enjoy a well-earned break, how many others you’re adventuring alongside or how long you plan to stay, the team at Durango Colorado Vacations has the accommodations in place that keep you close to the fun and enjoying time away in luxury, style, and comfort too. Reach out today to learn more about our exciting Durango cabin rentals available during Snowdown and how we can help you plan an unforgettable adventure to Colorado this year!
