Winterfest Weather Forecast!

A schedule of all the events and of course, a detailed weather forecast!

Sunday – 12 Jan 2025 – 7:00pm

Winterfest is brought to you by The Pagosa Springs Area Chamber of Commerce. This is an activity-packed weekend for the whole family here in Pagosa! The Hot-Air Balloon Mass Ascensions, Bonfire, Penguin Plunge, BB Gun Biathlon, and Cross Country Ski Clinic keep the family busy for days with even time left to enjoy the hot springs, restaurants, shops and snow-covered hills and mountains.

Events!

2025 Bonfire: January 17th , 5-8 pm at the Fairgrounds

Come enjoy live music, food trucks, hot and cold drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and of course, the giant bonfire! 

Need to get rid of your Christmas tree? Drop it off to be burned in the bonfire! Live Christmas trees can be dropped off at the Fairgrounds starting Thursday, December 26. The tree drop is just inside the entrance from Hwy 84. Look for signs.

Featuring Tyler Brandon – LIVE Music

Location: Fairgrounds

Hot Air Balloon Mass Ascensions: Jan 18th & 19th ~ 8am – 9am, Uptown in the Pagosa Lakes Area

Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. See the balloons fill the winter sky over the Pagosa Lakes area. Grab a cup of coffee or cocoa, and come enjoy the spectacular view!

Parking is NOT permitted on Hwy 160 to view the balloons.

The hot air balloon mass ascension is weather dependent.

14th Annual Penguin Plunge: Saturday, January 18 at 1:00 PM. (registration at noon)

Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.

Support your favorite non-profits by raising money and plunging into the freezing cold San Juan River, or enjoy the view from the San Juan River Walk. These brave souls don’t just jump in and get out, we make them REALLY plunge into the river!

As a plunger enjoy a free soaking pass to one of Pagosa’s hot mineral spa facilities along with other participant goodies and prizes.

Registration to plunge required along with raising money for a community non-profit organization.

We also have a SPECIAL GUEST at this event! Your kids will love it!

Remember, Pagosa Weather’s Arleen is taking the plunge to support the puppies at the Humane Society. Please help support her! Follow the link to donate. Select Arleen’s name at the bottom of the page after filling in contact info & selecting payment method: Penguin Plunge Donation Link

Huge thanks to everyone who has already sponsored her!

Skijoring Returning in 2025

Location: Fairgrounds

Saturday, January 18, 2025
10:00 AM | Opening Ceremony
10:15 AM | Races Begin
6:00 PM | Awards & Calcutta
8:00 PM | Live Band

Sunday, January 19, 2025
Contestant Costume Contest
10:00 AM | Opening Ceremony
10:15 AM | Races Begin
4:00 PM | Awards

Tickets: $10 per day or $15 for a Weekend Pass

Skijor Pagosa is an exhilarating adventure competition where horse and rider team up to pull a skier or snowboarder at high speeds through an obstacle course packed with jumps, gates, and rings. This thrilling event blends Pagosa Country’s rich skiing heritage with its cowboy roots, creating a fast-paced spectacle that’s sure to captivate the crowd. Competitors race for cash prizes, with winners determined by the quickest times.

Pagosa Nordic Club BB Gun Biathlon 

BB Gun Biathlon & Costume Contest (optional)

Saturday, January 18th, 2025 – 9:15 AM to ~11:45 AM – MOVED to Alberta Park at the Wolf Creek Ski Area.

A unique, super-fun freestyle ski event in which participants can either classic or skate ski while target shooting with Red Ryder BB guns provided by the Pagosa Nordic Club. 10 seconds added for each shot missed during the race but no gun or shooting experience is needed. Parents can help the young ones cock and shoot. Kids really love this race!

Prizes for the top finishers and best costumes along with participant drawing giveaways. Great fun for all ages!
While not a requirement, costumes for this race are highly encouraged! Prizes will be given for the best costumes. Start planning your outfit now!

Learn to Cross Country Ski Clinic 

Sunday, January 19th – Check-in at 9:45 AM, Location TBD

These great introductory clinics for adults are held throughout the season. Skate ski and classic cross country ski basics will be shared by some of Pagosa Springs’ best Nordic skiers.

For adult never-evers, beginners and intermediates. Learn how to make these outdoor winter activities even more enjoyable!

8th Annual Barkus Parade

Registration begins at 10:30 AM. Suggested donation of $10 to benefit Rugby’s Rescue House
Bring your costumed pet and parade with us! Prizes for best costumes!

Presented by San Juan Eatery! January 18, Town Park, 11 AM

Sledz on Rez was cancelled due to the lack of snow.

Weather Forecast

Friday Night Bonfire

Partly to Mostly Cloudy. Snowshowers over the mountains. Winds Southwest at 7 G15mph. Temperature at 5pm: Low 30s, cooling to mid-teens by 9pm.

Saturday

Mostly Cloudy with occasional snowshowers in Pagosa. Temperature near 10 to mid teens for balloon launch. Bundle up! Temperature will increase to low 20s for the start of skijoring at 10am. Temperature will be low to mid 30s for penguin plunge. For the live band at the fairgrounds the temperature will be in the upper teens. Winds will be out of the southwest, 5mph to start the day and increase to 12 with gusts to 20mph by afternoon.

Up at Wolf Creek: Mostly Cloudy to Cloudy with snowshowers. Temps for the biathlon will start in single digits and increase to mid-teens. Winds will be out of the southwest at 15 gusting to 25mph, gusting to 35 mph by noon.

Sunday

Cloudy with occasional snowshowers. Temperature mid teens for balloon launch increasing to low 20s. Winds will be out of the southwest at 5mph.

– Arleen