Boulder in December
Not the best time
December wraps Boulder in holiday quiet as students leave and snow settles in. The festive downtown decorations and rock-bottom hotel rates make it appealing for winter lovers.
Weather
December settles into winter patterns with regular light snow and subfreezing mornings. The dry air keeps humidity around 25%. Chinook winds bring sudden warm spells that melt snow within days.
8°C high-7°C low3 rain days
Crowds & Cost
low crowds
~$130/day average
Events & Festivals
- •Holiday lights displays
- •New Year celebrations
- •CU Boulder winter break
December Tips
- •Pearl Street Mall holiday decorations peak mid-month
- •Student exodus empties restaurants and bars
- •Skiing conditions improve in nearby mountains
All Months
May through October offers Boulder's best weather, with July and August bringing afternoon thunderstorms that clear quickly. Spring arrives late here – April can still see snow, but wildflowers bloom through June. Summer temperatures hit the 80s during the day and drop to the 50s at night. Perfect hiking weather, but book accommodations early as this is peak season. Fall delivers Boulder's most spectacular scenery. Aspen trees turn gold in the surrounding mountains, and September offers warm days with cool nights. October brings the first snow to high peaks but valley hiking remains excellent. Winter transforms Boulder into a different city. The town gets about 90 inches of snow annually, but sunny days melt it quickly on south-facing slopes. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing replace hiking, and hotel rates drop significantly. January through March see temperatures ranging from 20-50°F. Spring skiing at nearby resorts runs through April. Avoid major CU football weekends in fall when hotel prices triple and restaurants require reservations weeks in advance.
Boulder Scores
Solo
8/10
Couples
6/10
Families
7/10
Adventure
9/10
Budget
6/10
Luxury
5/10
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