Snow turns sand dunes in Colorado national park into ‘ethereal world.’ See transformation
A unique combination of sand and snow transformed a Colorado national park into an otherworldly winter wonderland, a stunning photo shows.
The phenomenon occurs about once a week in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, the park said on Facebook Feb. 5.
“Snowfall doesn’t just cover the dunes — it transforms them into an ethereal world of light and color,” the park said. “In winter, the park is quieter and the pace is slower, allowing more space for wonder.”
The photo shows morning light illuminating “a ridge of snowy, undulating dunes” while other ridges are shadowed in soft cornflower blue.
“Conifer and cottonwood trees are at the base of the huge dunes,” the park said.
Several people commented on the gorgeous scene.
“Have property very close to the sand dunes,” someone said. “The morning sun rays on the sand just glisten.”
Another person said they grew up near the sand dunes, but couldn’t remember whether they ever walked the park in the winter.
“Spring time is fantastic,” they said.
“I was there in a windy snowstorm in May, 2022,” someone said. “It was beautiful. Tent camping was a challenge though.”
Someone asked whether you can ski up and down the dunes in the winter.
“You can ski or snow sled on the dunes when it’s snowy,” the park said. “Snow falls about once per week, but it usually melts within a day or two. When the sand is dry, you can rent specially designed sand sleds and sandboards from area retailers to slide down the sand.”
This story was originally published February 6, 2025 at 6:48 AM with the headline "Snow turns sand dunes in Colorado national park into ‘ethereal world.’ See transformation."
