CELEBRATE LEADVILLE’S IRISH HISTORY

If you’re looking for St. Patrick’s Day fun in Leadville, Colorado, check out these happenings:


ST. PATRICK’S DAY, THURSDAY, MARCH 17

Ski Cooper: Spend the day skiing or riding Cooper’s slopes. Take a run through family friendly Leprechaun Lane, new this season! Can you find all six of the wooden shamrocks? They were made by Leadville local and Cooper board member Howard Tritz. For apres ski, toast St. Patrick’s Day at Katie O’Rourke’s Irish Pub!

Ski Cooper, Colorado


St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Come see this short but spirited parade. The Mount Massive pipe band will play festive Irish music. Join us again in September for our annual Practice St. Patrick’s Day Parade (pictured below), when the weather is a bit warmer!
4:30 p.m.
Harrison Avenue (the main street), Leadville

After the parade, say slainte at these celebrations:


Corned Beef and Cabbage at the Silver Dollar Saloon: Cooked and served by the Leadville Lions Club
4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
315 Harrison Avenue, Leadville

@breckmountains


Irish Red Ale at Two Mile Brewing Company: Raise a glass at America’s highest brewery
101 Harrison Avenue, Leadville


Live Music at the Golden Burro: Join Local Revelers Dean, Ryan, Lucas and James and the Oro City String Band
5 p.m.
710 Harrison Avenue, Leadville

LEADVILLE’S IRISH MINERS

In the Silver Rush days of the late 1800s, Irish immigrants came to Leadville to work the mines. Historians estimate more than 3,000 Irish lived in Leadville during that time period, making them the largest ethnic group.


They set the basis for the labor movement in Colorado. They asked for a pay raise from $3 to $4 per day for the dangerous work they did underground. Many are buried in unmarked graves at Leadville’s Evergreen Cemetery. Now, an effort is underway to honor them.


COMING SOON: IRISH MINERS MEMORIAL

This fall, an Irish Miners Memorial is expected to be unveiled in the cemetery. To learn more, watch Embracing Our Heritage: Colorado’s Irish Miners Memorial. Speaker Jim Walsh shares fascinating history. He is an associate professor in the Political Science Department of Colorado University Denver specializing in labor and the Irish diaspora.

IRISH TWIN CITY

You can also read about the effort to make Leadville a sister city of Ireland’s Allihies, a copper mining community that many of Leadville’s Irish immigrants came from.


FREE ONLINE PROGRAM ON LEADVILLE’S LEGENDARY COUPLES

The Irish Network of Colorado is also presenting a free program, “Leadville’s Legendary Couples – Love in the Cloud City,” on Zoom on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at 6:30 p.m.


Be sure to join us to learn about and celebrate the luck of the Irish!

February 20, 2025
No matter when you visit Leadville and Twin Lakes, you’ll find yourself two miles above sea level (ok, technically 1.9 miles, but who’s counting?). When you visit in March, you’ll be even closer to the glorious Colorado sun because by this time of year, Leadville and Twin Lakes have typically received around two meters of snow! Yes, meters. Here are some great ways you can enjoy the abundant snow and sun! 1) HIT THE SLOPES AT SKI COOPER Like to ski or ride? Check out Ski Cooper for affordable access to uncrowded slopes. Cooper is open seven days a week through Sunday, April 13, 2025. To learn to ski or board or to improve your skills, sign up for lessons for the whole family. 2) RIDE THE TRAIN Hop aboard the Leadville Railroad Winter Express for a 2-hour train ride through some of the area’s most spectacular scenery. The Winter Express runs until April 13th, departing Thursdays through Saturdays at 1:00 p.m plus daily at 1:00pm during spring break from March 9th through March 29th. This is a popular attraction and reservations are required! Book your seats here . 3) GO SNOWMOBILING Snowmobile and ATV tours are a great way to explore Leadville’s historic East Side Mining District, Turquoise Lake Recreation Area and the surrounding hills. A variety of tour styles are available with options for experienced adventure seekers to beginners and families. Vroom, vroom! 4) GO DOGSLEDDING Want a spring break story that’ll make your friends jealous? Hop on a sled and let a team of energetic, tail-wagging huskies whisk you across the snow! You'll glide through stunning mountain scenery with your new four-legged crew leading the way. Dogsledding is a thrilling, unforgettable adventure—and fun for the whole family! 5) GO SNOW ZIPPING Have you ever wanted to zipline in the winter? Now’s your chance! Experience the thrill of our 2-hour Winter Mountain Zip Line Tour , where you’ll descend not one but six exhilarating zip lines, spanning over 8,000 feet of fun. Extend your adventure with the Zip Line and Snowmobile Combo Tour . Get the full scoop on rates, reservations, and restrictions here !
February 20, 2025
If you love deep snow, bluebird skies, and zero lift lines, the first two weeks of March in Leadville and Twin Lakes are calling your name. While other Colorado ski towns are packed this time of year, this high-altitude haven stays refreshingly quiet—meaning more powder, more solitude, and more space to explore safely. Whether you’re carving fresh turns at Ski Cooper, venturing into the pristine backcountry, or enjoying a peaceful après-ski with no wait at the bar, this is your chance to experience winter without the chaos.  But with all that extra room comes extra responsibility—so before you head into the untouched snow, let’s talk backcountry safety tips.
February 5, 2025
GIDDY UP! March 1-2, 2025 Every winter, Leadville transforms into a high-octane winter wonderland with the annual Leadville Ski Joring & Crystal Carnival Weekend . This two-day event is packed with adrenaline-pumping sports, winter races, and community fun. Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast, a thrill-seeker, or simply looking for a unique winter experience, Leadville is the place to be! This weekend always draws a crowd! Book a place to stay today .
February 5, 2025
In Leadville and Twin Lakes, we want to help you fall head over heels (hopefully not literally) with winter in the mountains. Whether you’re exploring solo, surrounded by family and friends, or with your special someone, come to Leadville-Twin Lakes to spark or rekindle your love of winter.
February 5, 2025
Ah, February. That special time of year when you can’t remember what it feels like to be warm outdoors and spring is still oh so far away. It’s the worst, right?  At Leadville and Twin Lakes, we invite you to turn that February frown upside down and experience how amazing winter in Colorado can be (yes, even in February).
January 2, 2025
Fun in the Snow at Ski Cooper If you're searching for an authentic mountain experience filled with fun in the snow, Ski Cooper near Leadville, Colorado, is your perfect winter destination. Here's why this hidden gem stands out among Colorado's ski areas.
January 2, 2025
Fat biking has surged in popularity over the past decade, and nowhere is this more evident than in Leadville. With stunning mountain landscapes and groomed winter trails, Leadville has become a premier destination for fat biking enthusiasts. Its growing reputation helped bring the Fat Bike World Championships back to Colorado in 2024. This year, the event is staying in Colorado for a second year in a row, returning to Crested Butte (where it all started), marking its 10th anniversary. 
January 2, 2025
Hello outdoor adventurers! Winter fun in Leadville and Twin Lakes starts with knowledge and preparation—let’s make your adventures safe, enjoyable, and unforgettable.
December 23, 2024
While Leadville-Twin Lakes, Colorado, is known for abundant winter activities, it also offers plenty of great things to do inside. When you need a winter warmup, explore these off-the-beaten-path indoors options!
December 22, 2024
This year, be sure to visit Leadville and Twin Lakes, Colorado ! Here at the top of the Rockies, you’ll find a wide breadth of things to do outdoors and in our genuine and historic downtowns. While the list of possibilities is nearly endless, here are our top 12 reasons to visit in 2025!
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