At 7,200 feet, Laramie has a climate that surprises visitors expecting Wyoming to be like Colorado: it is windier, colder, and snowier than Denver, and summer thunderstorms can build over the mountains every afternoon. June through August offers the most reliable conditions for hiking in the Snowy Range, with the pass road typically open late May through October.
The university calendar shapes the town's rhythm: September and early October are lively, with events and a full student population. December through February are cold and sometimes ferociously windy — Laramie holds a weather record or two for sustained winds — but the ski area makes winter worthwhile for those who come prepared.