General Weather
- Snow is possible every month of the year at elevation
- Temperature swings of 30–40°F between morning and afternoon are common
- Dress in layers, never assume morning weather represents the afternoon
- Check weather.gov the morning of any outdoor activity
Summer Thunderstorms
- Storms arrive most afternoons between 1pm and 4pm in summer
- Plan outdoor activities to finish before noon when storms are forecast
- Hail is common, be aware if you have a rental car
- Lightning at altitude is serious. Get off ridges and out of open water immediately
Storms typically clear within an hour. They are intense but usually short-lived.
Winter Conditions
- Overnight lows regularly reach –10°F in January and February
- Fairplay averages over 100 inches of snow annually
- Never set the cabin thermostat below 60°F, pipes can freeze
- If snowed in, stay put and wait for roads to clear, typically 12–24 hours
Road Conditions
- 4WD or AWD is required for most Park County cabin locations in winter
- Check real-time conditions at cotrip.org before driving in
- Spring mud season (April–May) can make unpaved roads impassable
- Park County Road and Bridge: 719-836-4255
Sun and UV
- UV is 25–30% stronger at 10,000 feet than at sea level
- Use SPF 50+ on any exposed skin, even on cloudy days
- Apply sunscreen before going outside, not after you've already been out
- Dry air causes chapped lips and dry skin, bring lip balm and lotion
Drink more water than you think you need. Altitude dehydrates faster than most guests expect.
Emergency Contacts
- Emergency: 911
- Park County Sheriff: 719-836-2494
- Road conditions: cotrip.org or 511
- Nearest ER: St. Anthony Summit Medical, Frisco (~45 min north via Hwy 9)
- Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222