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 Colorado 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.
Colorado 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. If you’re an experienced hiker, you might want to invest in some expensive boots. But for a casual traveler, just check out the reviews and make sure the soles are thick and sturdy.
Examples:
Waterproof Hiking Boots for Women
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.
Examples:
Women’s Heavyweight Long-Sleeve Hooded Puffer Coat
Women’s Heavyweight Puffer Jacket
Women’s Hooded Packable Ultra Light Weight Short Down Jacket
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.
Examples:
Women’s Turtleneck Long Sleeve Shirt
Women’s Ribbed Long Sleeve Crewneck
Cozy Sweaters
I brought a suitcase full of my warmest sweaters, and I was grateful for them every day we were there!
Examples:
High Neck Balloon Long Sleeve Sweater
Women’s Turtleneck Oversized Sweater
Athletic Leggings
Moisture-wicking athletic leggings were great for layering underneath my jeans, lounging around our Air BnB, or traveling on the plane.
Examples:
High Waisted Leggings for Women
Thick High Waist Yoga Pants with Pockets
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 over a pair of leggings.
Examples:
Lee Women’s Legendary Mid Rise Straight Leg Jean
Levi’s Women’s Ribcage Straight Ankle Jeans
Colorful 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!
Examples:
Lightweight Scarves for Women Elegant Floral Pattern
Jacquard Paisley Pattern Pashmina Scarf
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! Make sure you stick to long, thick socks.
Examples:
Soft Thick Warm Crew Winter Socks
Women’s Pretty Vintage Wool Socks
Tennis Shoes
Some cute sneakers will come in handy if you plan on walking around the city as well as the mountains.
Examples:
Nike Women’s Roshe One Running Shoes
Adidas Women’s Grand Court 2.0 Tennis Shoe
Colorado Packing List – Toiletries
The Necessities
Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, makeup, etc.
Hand Sanitizer
There are so many people (and germs) moving through airports and tourist destinations, so do yourself a favor and sanitize as frequently as possible! I love the mini pocket-sized hand sanitizers that I can drop into my purse or clip onto a backpack.
Examples:
Champagne Toast PocketBac Hand Sanitizers
Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer Gel Infused with Essential Oils
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.
Examples:
Dahlia Daily Nourishing Body Lotion
Moisturizer
Same reason as above, but for your face.
Examples:
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion with SPF 30
CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
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.
Colorado Packing List – Extras
Backpack
Perfect for bringing snacks and essentials along with you when you go hiking, or to use as a purse when you’re exploring the city or boarding a plane. I invested in a Fjällräven Kanken specifically for this trip, and I loved it so much I eventually bought one in another color. The weight is distributed so perfectly, it doesn’t even feel like I’m wearing a backpack most of the time. Since there’s a Fjällräven store in Denver, you could even buy one as a souvenir from your trip! Or you can find a similar option at a variety of price points before you leave.
Examples:
MATEIN Expandable Travel Backpack
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.
Examples:
Hyeta 32oz Water Bottle with Straw
20 Oz Borosilicate Glass Water Bottle with Bamboo Lid
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 handy to recharge on the go.
Examples:
Ultra Slim Built in Cables Power Bank
VEGER Mini Portable Charger for iPhone
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.
Tips for Planning a Colorado 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 Colorado weekend trip, check out the blog posts below.
The Ultimate Colorado Weekend Trip
Colorado Weekend Trip Itinerary
15 Fun Things to Do in Denver, CO
If you want to learn more details about some of our favorite trips, check out our Blog. If you’re looking for more travel inspo and photography, follow along on our Instagram page.