As Colorado makes its shift from golden trees to snow-covered mountains, a new world of exciting activities and stunning places to visit opens up. From early season markets and shopping to catching the first ski tracks of the season, the Centennial State has plenty of thrilling offerings as the snow starts to fall.

Here’s a list of some of the best destinations to visit in Colorado during the early winter:

1. Breckenridge

Yes, Breckenridge is a hugely popular Colorado ski town, but is also offers a plethora of great activities off the slopes. Visitors can enjoy their time strolling down the town’s historic Main Street with its architecture, boutiques, restaurants, and more before the true winter bite of January and February rears its head. This charming small town is the perfect place to get excited for winter. Ullr Fest in mid-December is a great time to plan a trip.

2. Vail

As one of Colorado’s most well-known ski towns, Vail has a reputation for its high-end experiences, including luxury shopping and spas. For those who aren’t quite ready to hit the slopes yet, the village has plenty of great restaurants, shops, bars, and more.

3. Keystone

Keystone Ski Resort tends to get its lifts spinning early, so if you’re eager to get on the mountain, it’s the place to go. There are also other activities to enjoy, like the Dercum Ice Skating Rink and mountain tubing, that are great for the period before Colorado’s ski season hits its stride.

4. Beaver Creek

Beaver Creek is wonderfully charming and quaint town near Vail, and it has has an excellent village to match. As well as being a great ski destination, Beaver Creek provides guests with activities like ice skating and snowshoeing, which are great early winter things to do.

5. Rocky Mountain National Park

For those searching for scenic beauty and a serene, snow-covered landscape, Rocky Mountain National Park is the perfect spot. Visitors can participate in great early winter activities like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing before massive amounts of snow makes travel within the park a little less convenient.

6. Estes Park

As the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park is a great stop to make on your way to the park or by itself. The town has plenty of shops, cafes, and scenic drives like the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway.

7. Ouray

This Colorado town earns its nickname as the “Switzerland of America” thanks to its dramatic mountain scenery. The town is also home to plenty of great hot springs and Ouray Ice Park for ice climbing for those seeking an adventure. Ouray Ice Park doesn’t tend to open until mid-to-late December, so an early visit can help you miss those crowds – the perfect time to soak in one of the local hot springs.

8. Steamboat Springs

Steamboat Springs markets itself as “Ski Town USA,” so naturally its a great place to kick off the winter season. As well as great skiing and snowboarding, this mountain city welcomes visitors with lots of hot springs to stay warm (including Strawberry Park Natural Hot Springs, Old Town Hot Springs, and the Iron Mountain Hot Springs). It’s also worth noting that Steamboat is significantly larger than many other mountain towns known for skiing, so expect expanded things to do and amenities.

9. Pagosa Springs

Pagosa Springs offers the perfect combination of staying warm and enjoying winter activities. Home to the Springs Resort and Spa (which includes the world’s deepest geothermal hot springs), Pagosa Springs is also near Wolf Creek Ski Area, located about 25 miles away. While Wolf Creek Pass can get a bit bogged down by weather once heavier snow rolls in, that’s not typically the case during early winter, thus it’s a great time to visit.

10. Arapahoe Basin

A-Basin is known for its high elevation and snowmaking capabilities, making it a prime choice for early season skiing. The resort is often one of the first to open in Colorado, so it’s the place to be for skiers hoping to the get the first tracks of the season.