The Forgotten Winter Hotel In Colorado That Opens Only During Blizzards

Tucked away in the Colorado Rockies, between the twin lakes near Leadville, sits the haunting remains of what was once a grand mountain escape. The Interlaken Resort opened its doors in the late 1800s, welcoming wealthy travelers seeking fresh alpine air and stunning scenery.

For decades, it thrived as a beloved destination, but by the 1940s, the resort closed its doors forever, left to the mercy of time and harsh winters. Today, only weathered wooden structures and crumbling cabins remain, half-buried in snow and overtaken by nature.

The eerie silence is broken only by the wind howling through broken windows and sagging rooftops. Some say the resort comes alive only during the fiercest blizzards, when the snow piles high and the past seems to whisper through the pines.

A Luxurious Beginning in the Late 1800s

Back when Colorado was still wild frontier territory, the Interlaken Resort sprang to life as a haven for the wealthy and adventurous. Built in the 1880s, it catered to tourists arriving by stagecoach and later by rail, eager to escape city life. The resort boasted elegant dining rooms, cozy guest cabins, and sweeping views of the Twin Lakes below.

Guests could enjoy boating in summer and snowshoeing in winter, making it a year-round destination. The main lodge featured hand-carved woodwork and stone fireplaces that crackled with warmth. It was a place where families gathered, friendships formed, and memories were made under the vast Colorado sky.

The resort quickly became a symbol of mountain luxury and hospitality. People traveled from across the country just to experience its charm. Those early years were filled with laughter, music, and the kind of magic that only the mountains can provide, setting the stage for decades of unforgettable moments.

Prime Location Between Twin Lakes

Imagine standing on a narrow strip of land with crystal-clear alpine lakes stretching out on both sides. That’s exactly where Interlaken Resort was built, right between the two stunning Twin Lakes. This unique location offered guests unmatched views and easy access to water activities during the warmer months.

The lakes themselves are fed by snowmelt from the surrounding peaks, creating an icy-blue paradise. Fishermen cast lines hoping for trout, while others rowed boats across the glassy surface. The position also meant cooler breezes in summer and heavy snow in winter, making it a true four-season retreat.

Being nestled between the lakes gave the resort a sense of isolation and tranquility. Guests felt worlds away from their everyday worries. The mountain backdrop added drama and beauty to every sunrise and sunset, painting the sky in shades of pink, orange, and purple that reflected off the water like a mirror.

Accessible Only by Foot or Snowshoe Today

Roads don’t reach Interlaken anymore. Visitors who want to see the ghostly remains must hike about three miles from the nearest parking area, making it an adventure in itself. During winter, the trail becomes a snowy path best traveled on snowshoes or cross-country skis, adding to the sense of stepping back in time.

The journey takes you through dense pine forests and along the frozen lakeshore. Snow blankets everything in a thick, quiet layer that muffles sound and creates an almost dreamlike atmosphere. Many people find the hike peaceful, a chance to disconnect and enjoy nature’s raw beauty.

Reaching the resort feels like discovering a secret. The effort required to get there makes the experience even more rewarding. You’ll share the trail with deer, snowshoe hares, and the occasional curious fox, all navigating the same winter wonderland that once welcomed guests over a century ago.

Eerie Wooden Cabins Still Standing

Walking among the old cabins at Interlaken feels like stepping onto a movie set. Several structures still stand, though barely, their wooden walls weathered gray by decades of sun, wind, and snow. Windows are shattered, doors hang crooked, and roofs sag under the weight of countless winters.

Each cabin tells a silent story of the families who once stayed there. You can almost hear the echo of children’s laughter and smell the smoke from long-extinguished fireplaces. Nature has begun reclaiming the buildings, with vines creeping through cracks and small animals making nests in the rafters.

Despite their decay, the cabins hold a strange beauty. Photographers and history lovers are drawn to their haunting charm. Snowdrifts pile against their sides in winter, and icicles hang like frozen curtains from the eaves, creating a scene both melancholy and mesmerizing that captures the imagination of everyone who visits.

The Main Lodge Foundation and Fireplace Remains

At the heart of the resort site, you’ll find the skeletal remains of the main lodge. Only the stone foundation and a massive fireplace chimney still stand tall, like monuments to a bygone era. The rest has collapsed or been carried away by time, leaving behind a footprint of what was once the resort’s grand centerpiece.

The fireplace is particularly striking. Built from river rock and mortar, it rises several feet into the air, defying gravity and weather. You can still see the blackened stones where countless fires once warmed guests on cold mountain nights, filling the lodge with light and comfort.

Standing before these ruins, it’s easy to imagine the bustling activity that once filled the space. Families gathering for meals, travelers swapping stories, and staff hurrying to keep everyone happy. The silence now is profound, broken only by the wind whistling through the empty shell of what was once the beating heart of Interlaken.

Closure in the 1940s Due to Declining Tourism

World War II changed everything for mountain resorts like Interlaken. Gas rationing made travel difficult, and many families couldn’t afford vacations anymore. The number of visitors dropped sharply throughout the early 1940s, leaving the resort struggling to stay open and pay its staff.

By the mid-1940s, the owners made the tough decision to close the doors permanently. The glory days were over, and maintaining the remote property no longer made financial sense. Workers packed up, guests stopped coming, and the buildings were left to face the elements alone.

Some locals say the closure happened almost overnight. One season the resort was open, and the next it was abandoned. Furniture, dishes, and personal items were reportedly left behind in the rush, adding to the eerie feeling that still lingers today, as if everyone simply vanished into thin air without warning.

Legends of Blizzard Sightings and Ghostly Activity

Local legends claim that Interlaken comes alive during the worst winter storms. Hikers and snowshoers have reported seeing faint lights flickering in the cabin windows during blizzards, even though there’s no electricity. Some say they’ve heard music drifting through the howling wind, like a distant piano playing old-fashioned tunes.

One popular story tells of a family who took shelter in one of the cabins during a whiteout. They swear they felt warmth from a fireplace that had no fire and heard footsteps above them in the attic. When the storm passed and they investigated, they found nothing but dust and cobwebs.

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, there’s no denying the spooky atmosphere. The combination of isolation, history, and harsh weather creates the perfect setting for such tales. Many visitors admit feeling watched or sensing a presence, especially when the snow falls thick and the visibility drops to just a few feet.

Popular Destination for Photographers and Explorers

Interlaken has become a magnet for photographers seeking the perfect shot of decay and natural beauty combined. The contrast between the crumbling man-made structures and the pristine wilderness surrounding them creates stunning compositions. Every season offers something different, from summer wildflowers to winter’s heavy snow blankets.

Urban explorers also flock to the site, carefully documenting the buildings and searching for artifacts left behind. It’s a chance to connect with history in a tangible way. Many share their photos online, spreading the word and inspiring others to make the trek themselves.

The lighting at Interlaken can be magical, especially during golden hour when the sun dips behind the peaks. Shadows stretch long across the snow, and the old wood glows warm against the cold landscape. For anyone with a camera and a love of forgotten places, this spot offers endless inspiration and unforgettable images.

Protected as a Historic Site

Recognizing its historical value, Interlaken has been designated as a protected site. This means visitors are welcome to explore and photograph, but removing artifacts or vandalizing the structures is strictly prohibited. The goal is to preserve what remains for future generations to appreciate and learn from.

Signs near the site explain the resort’s history and ask visitors to treat the area with respect. Volunteers and forest service workers occasionally check on the buildings and clear trails. Their efforts ensure that this piece of Colorado’s past doesn’t disappear entirely, even as nature slowly reclaims the land.

The protection status also helps educate people about early tourism in the Rockies. It’s a reminder of how people once traveled and vacationed, long before modern conveniences. By preserving Interlaken, we keep a window open to the past, allowing everyone to glimpse a time when mountain resorts were the height of luxury and adventure.

Best Visited During Winter for Full Atmosphere

While Interlaken can be visited year-round, winter truly brings out its haunting character. Deep snow transforms the site into a frozen time capsule, burying pathways and muffling all sound. The buildings look even more ghostly when draped in icicles and surrounded by towering snowdrifts that reach halfway up the walls.

Blizzards add an extra layer of mystery and danger. Visibility drops, temperatures plunge, and the resort seems to emerge from the storm like a phantom. It’s during these intense weather events that visitors report the strangest experiences, fueling the legends that have grown around the place.

If you’re brave enough to visit during a snowstorm, come prepared with proper gear and let someone know your plans. The experience is unforgettable, standing among the ruins as snow swirls around you and the wind howls through the empty cabins.

It’s the closest you’ll get to feeling what those final winters must have been like before the resort closed forever.