Warmest Month Guide Winter Park

So you are thinking about heading up to the mountains and you are wondering what is warmest month in Winter Park Colorado probably july but lets find out for sure because mountain weather can be kinda tricky sometimes. A lot of people only think about Winter Park when there is snow on the ground because obviously the name of the town has winter in it but the summer is actually one of the best times to visit if you ask me. The thing about Colorado is that the weather changes so fast that you really have to be prepared for anything but if you are looking for heat and sunshine then you are looking at the middle of summer for sure.

When you look at the historical data and just from being up there all the time we can pretty much say that July is definately the warmest month of the year in Winter Park. It is the time when the snow is finally gone from the high peaks mostly and the sun is high in the sky and the days are really long which gives the ground plenty of time to warm up. But just saying July is the warmest doesnt really tell you the whole story because warm in the mountains is way different then warm in the city or down in Denver.

If you are coming from sea level or a place that is really humid you might be surprized at how the heat feels up here at 9000 feet because it is a dry heat and the sun is way more intense. In July the average high tempratures usually sit around the mid 70s which sounds perfect and it usually is but it can get up into the 80s sometimes if we are having a heat wave. The thing you have to remember is that because the air is thinner the sun feels hotter on your skin so 75 degrees in Winter Park feels a lot warmer then 75 degrees somewhere else where it is cloudy or humid.

A Look At The Summer Tempratures

It helps to kinda visualize what the summer looks like so you can plan your trip better because nobody wants to pack the wrong clothes and be uncomfortable the whole time. Since we established that July is the king of heat lets look at how it compares to the months around it because June and August are pretty nice too and sometimes people prefer them because they might be a little less crowded or have different vibes.

As you can see from the little chart there July is sitting right at the top but August is not to far behind it. The biggest difference usually comes down to the thunderstorms because in July we start to get into what they call the monsoon season. This doesnt mean it rains all day every day like in the tropics but it means that in the afternoon the clouds build up and you might get a quick storm that cools things down fast.

One of the reasons July wins the title for the warmest month is because the overnight lows come up a little bit to. In June it can still freeze at night sometimes which is crazy to think about when you are trying to plan a summer vacation but up here at altitude anything is possible. By July the ground has warmed up enough that the nights are usually in the 40s which is honestly perfect sleeping weather because you can open the window and snuggle under a big blanket and be super cozy.

Why The Warmest Month Is The Best Time To Visit

There is a ton of stuff to do when the weather gets warm and that is why summer is becoming just as popular as the winter ski season. When you come up in July everything is fully open and accesible which is nice because in June sometimes the high elevation trails still have snow drifts on them and you get your socks wet. In July the trails are usually dry and dusty and ready for hiking or mountain biking which is huge in Winter Park.

The town is known as Mountain Bike Capital USA and when its the warmest month of the year everyone is out on their bikes riding the trails. If you are into downhill biking you have to check out Trestle Bike Park because it is world class and the lifts are running so you dont have to peddle up the hill if you dont want to. The warm weather makes the breeze feel good when you are flying down the mountain.

Hiking is another big one and since its warm you dont have to bundle up in a million layers although you should always bring a rain jacket just in case. You can hike up to some high alpine lakes or just walk along the Fraser River trail which is super flat and easy and great for families. The wildflowers are usually popping off in July to especially the columbines which are the state flower and they look amazing against the green grass and the blue sky.

And we cant forget about the water because even though we arent near the ocean there are lakes and rivers. You can go paddle boarding on Grand Lake which isnt to far away or just hang out by the river in town. The water is always pretty cold because it is snow melt but on a hot July day sticking your feet in the freezing cold river actually feels really good.

What To Wear When Its The Warmest Month

Packing for a trip to Winter Park in July can be kinda confusing if you have never been to the rockies before because you look at the forecast and see 75 degrees and think you only need shorts and tank tops. While you definately need those things you also need to pack for the swings in temprature that happen every single day.

Here is a quick list of what usually works best for me when I am up there in the summer:

• T-shirts and shorts: For the middle of the day when the sun is blasting this is all you need.
• A good hoodie or fleece: As soon as the sun goes down behind the mountains the temp drops like a rock and you will be shivering if you only have a t-shirt on.
• Rain jacket: Like I mentioned before those afternoon storms pop up out of nowhere and you dont want to be soaked and cold.
• Sunscreen and hat: The sun is no joke up here and you will burn way faster then you think so you have to protect your skin.
• Good shoes: Even if you are just walking around town the ground can be uneven and if you decide to jump on a trail you want some support.

People always make the mistake of not bringing warm clothes because they think its summer but trust me you will use that hoodie every single night and morning. Its funny watching tourists shivering on the patio at a restaurant because they only brought summer clothes and didnt realize that 40 degrees feels pretty chilly when you are eating dinner.

Getting To Winter Park In The Summer

Since you are planning a trip up here to enjoy the warmest month you are probably figuring out how to get here from the airport or from Denver. Driving I-70 can be a huge pain in the neck even in the summer because of all the construction and the traffic from everyone else trying to get to the mountains. Plus once you get to Winter Park you really dont need a car that much because there is a free bus system that takes you pretty much everywhere you need to go.

This is where we come in with Winter Wagon because we can pick you up from the airport or your house in Denver and drive you straight to your door in Winter Park. It is way more relaxing then fighting with traffic and worrying about navigating the mountain passes like Berthoud Pass which can be scary if you arent used to driving on mountain roads. Our vehicles are super nice and comfortable and we have plenty of room for all your gear whether you are bringing bikes or golf clubs or just a ton of luggage.

We focus on private rides so you aren’t crammed in with strangers and you can make the schedule work for you. It really starts your vacation off on the right foot when you can just sit back and look at the views instead of staring at the bumper of the car in front of you. And the drive over Berthoud Pass is actually really beautiful in July because everything is so green and you can see for miles from the top.

Other Things To Expect In July

Besides the weather being warm and nice there are usually a lot of events happening in town during the warmest month. They have free concerts in the park at the rendezvous event center which is a great place to hang out with a picnic and listen to music. The vibe is super chill and family friendly and everyone is just happy to be outside enjoying the summer.

There are also beer festivals and wine festivals and art shows that happen on the weekends so there is almost always something going on. It is a busy time of year so if you are planning on coming up you should definately book your place to stay way in advance because the best condos and hotels fill up fast.

One thing to keep in mind is that because it is the warmest month it can get a little dry and dusty so bring some lotion and chapstick and drink a ton of water. Altitude sickness can happen in the summer to not just the winter so staying hydrated is the best way to avoid getting a headache and feeling crummy.

Comparing July To Other Places

If you are trying to decide between Winter Park and maybe somewhere else for your summer trip it is worth noting that Winter Park is generally a little cooler then some other places because of the elevation. If you go to somewhere like Moab or even Grand Junction in July it is going to be scorching hot like over 100 degrees sometimes which makes it hard to do anything outside during the day.

Even Denver gets really hot in July with temps in the 90s a lot of the time and the concrete city holds onto the heat so it doesnt cool down as much at night. Winter Park is like a natural air conditioner because you go up in elevation and the air just feels better. It is the perfect escape from the heat of the city which is why so many people from Denver come up on the weekends.

Some other ski resorts might be a little warmer or colder depending on where they are but Winter Park has a really nice balance. It is not so high that you cant breathe but it is high enough to stay cool. Plus the Fraser Valley where the town is sits in a nice spot that catches a lot of sun so you get those long warm days that make summer feel endless.

The Wildlife Factor

Another cool thing about the warmest month is that the animals are all out and about doing their thing. You might see moose hanging out in the willows especially early in the morning or late in the evening when it is cooler. Moose are huge and amazing to see but you have to give them plenty of space because they can be grumpy.

There are also elk and deer and foxes and sometimes even bears so you have to be smart with your trash and not leave food out. Seeing wildlife is one of the best parts of coming to the mountains and in July they are active because there is plenty of food for them to eat. Just remember to take pictures from far away and dont try to get a selfie with a moose because that usually ends badly.

Dining Outside

Since July is the warmest month it is the prime time for patio season. Almost every restaurant in town opens up their patio and there is nothing better then sitting outside with a cold drink and some good food after a day of hiking or biking. The sun stays out late so you can have dinner at 8pm and it is still light out which is awesome.

Some places have fire pits for when the sun goes down so you can stay warm and keep hanging out. The atmosphere in town in July is just really happy and energetic and eating outside is a big part of that. You can watch the people walk by and enjoy the fresh mountain air while you eat.

Is It Too Hot?

Some people worry that it might get to hot in July but honestly it rarely gets uncomfortable. We dont have humidity like the east coast or the south so even when it is 80 degrees it feels manageable especially if you find some shade. And shade is easy to find because there are trees everywhere.

Most places in Winter Park dont even have air conditioning because usually you dont need it. You just open the windows at night and let the cool air in and then close them in the morning to trap the cool air inside. It works like a charm and it feels way more natural then blasting AC all day. If you are staying in a newer condo they might have AC but dont be surprised if your rental just has fans because that is pretty standard for the mountains.

Final Thoughts On The Warmest Month

So if you are asking what is warmest month in Winter Park Colorado probably july but lets find out well we pretty much found out that it is July. It is the time of year when the mountains are alive and green and the weather is as good as it gets. You get the best of both worlds with warm sunny days and cool crisp nights.

It is the perfect time to escape the real heat of the lower elevations and just enjoy nature without freezing your butt off. Whether you want to hike the highest peaks or just sit by the river and read a book July offers the best weather to do it. Just remember to pack layers and bring your sunscreen and drink water and you will have an amazing time.

And if you need a ride up here dont forget to check out Winter Wagon because we love driving people to the mountains and showing them how great Winter Park is in the summer. We can handle all the driving stress so you can just focus on having fun and enjoying the warmest month of the year in one of the coolest towns in Colorado. It really is a special place and once you visit in the summer you might find yourself coming back every year because it is just that good.