5 Reasons to Visit Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in the Winter.
Winter in the Colorado mountains transforms our snow-covered botanical garden into a magical, almost fairytale environment. It offers a special and memorable experience for those who venture into its wintry embrace!
Gardens Open Daily Dawn – Dusk
Education Center Open Daily 10A – 4P
- Explore the Transformed Landscape on Snowshoes – Snow transforms the familiar paths of Betty Ford Alpine Gardens into something entirely different. Trees, plants, and waterfalls are draped in white, making the garden seem like a magical winter wonderland. Rent a pair of snowshoes at the Education Center and explore the trails through the Gardens and along Gore Creek for a quiet winter wonderland experience. (Ages 5+) Rentals $15/person, including poles. Guided Snowshoe Experiences available Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:30am.
- Dinosaurs Among us– Come see our current exhibit, Dinosaurs Among Us and explore the link between birds – living dinosaurs – and their extinct ancestors. With fossils on loan from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and vibrant exhibit panels featuring large-scale color illustrations of familiar and newly discovered extinct dinosaur species as they would have looked in life–this exhibit is sure to excite the dinosaur lovers in your family! Made possible by the American Museum of Natural History and through funding from Discover Vail.
- Cozy up and Learn – What if the most dramatic story ever told wasn’t fiction, but the epic tale of life on Earth? Life on Our Planet takes you on a breathtaking journey through 4 billion years of evolution, revealing the rise and fall of species in ways you’ve never seen before. Have a hot cup of tea or hot chocolate on us while watching this exciting documentary.
- Opportunity for Reflection– The winter garden provides an opportunity for reflection and introspection. The stillness and quietness invite visitors to slow down, appreciate the moment, and connect with the natural world in a profound way. Whether you pick up the Winter Tree Tour guide at the Education Center or go on your own path of discovery, the quiet trails throughout the Gardens are a serene backdrop as you connect with the magic of the natural world.
- Travel the world– The plants of the Alpine House, connected to the main Education Center, are a ticket to travel around the alpine areas of the world. Discover rare plants from Turkey, Afghanistan, South Africa and beyond with a trip inside the Alpine House. If you look closely, you can find some of the largest collections of these plants housed anywhere in North America.
