Unwrap a Peaceful Christmas and Ring in the New Year at Hotel Palomino
Key Takeaways
• Ridgway and Ouray transform into a peaceful winter wonderland during Christmas and New Year, offering quiet beauty, glowing peaks, and small town charm.
• Holiday visitors enjoy hot springs, snowy walks, scenic drives, cozy restaurants, and the unique magic of the San Juan Mountains.
• Guests of Hotel Palomino can enjoy discounted Orvis Hot Springs passes, making winter soaking even more inviting during the holidays.
• Ouray offers dramatic winter scenery with the Box Canyon Waterfall, the world renowned Ice Park, and soothing mineral soaking at the Ouray Hot Springs.
• Ridgway provides a slower paced, restorative holiday environment with winter trails, local art, and peaceful mountain scenery.
• Hotel Palomino serves as the perfect modern western home base, giving guests comfort, calm, and easy access to both towns.
Christmas in the San Juan Mountains feels like stepping into a snow globe. Snow covered peaks surround the towns, the air carries a refreshing stillness, and life moves at a gentler pace. If you dream of spending the holidays surrounded by mountains, quiet mornings, and warm mineral springs, Ridgway and Ouray create a holiday season you will never forget.
Hotel Palomino sits at the center of this winter magic, offering a warm, modern western retreat for guests exploring two of Colorado’s most charming mountain towns. Whether you are planning a peaceful Christmas, a romantic New Year’s escape, or a family adventure, this corner of the San Juans offers beauty and calm in every direction.
Ridgway at Christmas: Quiet Magic and Mountain Stillness
Ridgway is small in size and huge in mountain scenery. As December settles in, the entire valley slows down in a way that feels peaceful and restorative. Snow settles across open landscapes, the Cimarron Mountains glow pink at sunrise, and the whole town feels calm.
Guests staying at Hotel Palomino wake up to soft winter light, warm bedding, and an atmosphere that makes it easy to relax and reconnect with the season.
Here are just a few of the experiences Ridgway welcomes you into during the holidays.
Snowy Walks at Ridgway State Park
Ridgway State Park remains open year-round and offers serene walking and snowshoeing trails. You can explore more here:
Ridgway State Park
https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/ridgway
The quiet shoreline and frozen reservoir create a soothing winter scene perfect for slow holiday mornings.
Local Coffee Shops and Creative Spaces
Ridgway has a thriving creative community. You can browse local art studios, pick up handmade gifts, or settle into a café while snow falls outside. The slower pace of the holidays makes the town feel warm and welcoming.
Warm Up with Discounted Orvis Hot Springs Passes
One of the best winter traditions in Ridgway is soaking in the natural mineral pools at Orvis Hot Springs. With steam rising into the cold air and snowy trees all around, it is one of the most relaxing things you can do on a winter day.
Learn more here:
Orvis Hot Springs
https://www.orvishotsprings.com
Hotel Palomino guests receive discounted Orvis Hot Springs passes, making it easier to add this rejuvenating ritual to your holiday plans. Whether you visit on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Day, the warm mineral water surrounded by mountain scenery creates a moment of pure calm.
Ouray at Christmas: A Victorian Snow Globe in the Mountains
Just ten minutes from Ridgway, Ouray sits tucked in a dramatic box canyon and becomes one of the most spectacular winter destinations in the state.
Box Canyon Waterfall in Winter
The Box Canyon Waterfall takes on an entirely different personality in winter. Ice formations surround the canyon walls while the waterfall continues to thunder through the gorge.
Visit the falls here:
https://ouraycolorado.com/box-canyon-falls-park
Ouray Ice Park
Late December usually brings the opening of the world famous Ouray Ice Park, a human made climbing park where athletes from around the world come to climb towering frozen walls.
Explore the park here:
https://ourayicepark.com
Even if you are not climbing, watching the climbers in action is thrilling and totally unique.
Ouray Hot Springs Pool
Visitors also love relaxing in the Ouray Hot Springs Pool, especially during Christmas week.
Learn more:
https://ourayhotsprings.com
The warm water surrounded by winter scenery creates a perfect holiday moment.
New Year in the San Juans: A Fresh, Peaceful Start
New Year’s in Ridgway and Ouray is not loud or chaotic. It is quiet, refreshing, and deeply peaceful. Many travelers choose this region to reset, recharge, and start their year with intention.
Cozy New Year’s Eve Dinners
Instead of noisy clubs, you will find warm local restaurants offering intimate meals and a relaxed atmosphere. It is the perfect way to welcome the new year.
Midnight Under the Stars
The night sky in the San Juans feels enormous and clear. At midnight many visitors step outside to take in the stars. It is simple, grounding, and memorable.
New Year’s Day Adventures
New Year’s Day invites you to begin the year with beauty. You can
• drive scenic winter roads
• snowshoe at Ridgway State Park
• soak in Orvis Hot Springs or the Ouray Hot Springs
• enjoy quiet winter walks
• explore photography spots around both towns
It is the perfect way to start a new year with intention and calm.
Why Hotel Palomino Is the Ideal Home Base for the Holidays
Hotel Palomino sits perfectly between Ridgway and Ouray, giving you easy access to everything while offering a peaceful and beautifully designed retreat.
Explore our rooms here:
Hotel Palomino Stay Page
https://www.hotelpalomino.com/stay
Learn more about the region here:
Hotel Palomino Explore Page
https://www.hotelpalomino.com/explore
Guests love
• the modern western design
• the intimate twelve room setting
• the easy, contactless check in
• pet friendly accommodations
• the outdoor firepit for stargazing
• the close access to Orvis, Ouray, and Telluride
It is the perfect blend of style, simplicity, and comfort.
A Holiday Season You Will Not Forget
If you want a Christmas or New Year that feels peaceful, meaningful, and surrounded by natural beauty, Ridgway and Ouray are the perfect destination. Ridgway offers quiet mornings and creative charm, Ouray delivers dramatic winter scenery and adventure, and Hotel Palomino brings it all together with warmth and comfort.
We would love to welcome you for the holidays.
Book your stay here:
Hotel Palomino Booking Page
https://www.hotelpalomino.com
