Grand County Life - Explore Grand County

Explore Fraser on Two Wheels: Take Advantage of the New Fraser Bike Park!

Check out Fraser Valley's Newest Addition: The Fraser Bike Park is Ready to Ride! 

If you've driven through Fraser lately, you've likely noticed an influx of dirt, heavy equipment, and activity near the Lion’s Ponds east of Highway 40. Crews have been hard at work all summer and into fall to bring the Town of Fraser's long-awaited vision to life - the new Fraser Bike Park is in the home stretch of completion and just recently celebrated the soft opening of the asphalt pump track!

With over 600 miles of cross-country trails, Trestle Bike Park's world-class downhill biking, and plenty of gravel riding opportunities, the Winter Park area is a biking mecca. So an innovative, all ages and abilities bike park is a natural addition to our…

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Take Advantage of Fall Events in Grand County!

Cooler Air, Colorful Leaves, and a Calendar Full of Fall Events!

The long, hot days of summer are coming to an end, but that just means there’s another season to enjoy here in Grand County! I’m reminded every year just what a gift fall in Grand County is – it truly is one of my favorite times of year. Smoke starts to drift out of chimneys, frosty green grass greets us in the mornings, snow settles on the tops of peaks, and aspens burst with vibrant gold, orange, and red. Life seems to slow down a little, making space to take advantage of outdoor adventure in cooler temps and soak in all the fall color. And weekend festivals and events don't stop just because school started! Take advantage of them as you enjoy this peaceful season before the lifts…

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A Mountain Living Game-Changer: Winter Park's Town Gondola Project Approved

From Main Street to the Mountain: Winter Park's Town-to-Resort Gondola Moves Forward 

It's easy to see why Winter Park’s prime location (a quick drive from Denver and nestled in the stunning Fraser Valley) makes it an ideal place to call home as well as a favorite for Front Range skiers and vacationers looking for a mountain getaway close to the airport. And if you’ve spent any time here lately, you know the secret’s out: Winter Park is one of the best places to ski (and recreate in all seasons) in Colorado and the country! With all the growth in all the places, our cozy mountain town has held onto its small-town charm and that “get-away-from-it-all” feeling despite an understandable surge in popularity.

Our community is partnering with Winter…

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A Taste of Summer: Explore Dining Options in Grand Lake

From Food Trucks to Fine Dining to Sweet Treats on the Boardwalk, Grand Lake Has It All! 

While Grand Lake brings plenty of winter wonderland fun (think Winter Carnivals, skijoring, Pond Hockey Classics, ice fishing, snowmobiling, and more!), it can feel like the whole town comes out of hibernation with new life breathed into it each summer as the waterfront opens, restaurants and shops extend their hours, the Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre kicks off summer shows, days get longer, and the hot summer mountain sun graces us with the warmth we've been looking forward to all winter long.

The Grand Lake summer vibe is unquestionably charming - the perfect mix of laid-back sunny days, rustic cabin-in-the-woods aesthetic, wildlife around every…

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Top 5 Spring Après Ski Spots in Winter Park

Après Ski in WP: Pull Up a Chair and Soak Up the Sun on a Patio this Spring! 

It can feel like everyone comes out of hibernation when warmer weather and longer days grace the mountains each year! Instead of curling up by the fire with a puzzle, good book, glass of wine, or cup of hot tea after a day at the mountain, enjoying après ski outside on a sunny patio brings those spring skiing vibes we've been waiting for all winter. Don't get me wrong - I love taking advantage of the mid-winter snows and prime conditions at the mountain, but there is something just magical that happens when the temperatures tick up and we turn back the clocks every spring. The lost hour of sleep is well worth the exchange for that extra hour of sunshine each day. 

And…

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Top 10 Winter Park Valentine's Day Date Ideas

Celebrate Valentine's Day in the Mountains: Top 10 Date Ideas

February in the mountains is a beautiful amalgamation of the thick of winter and the coming spring. Snow still blankets the ground while temperatures are heating up, making it an ideal time to take advantage of all the opportunities the snow brings. The abundance of winter adventure makes it easy to get creative with your Valentine's Day, coupling an outdoor adventure, day at the spa, or local experience with a decadent, cozy dinner out.  Whether you're looking for high adventure or a relaxing indulgence, the Winter Park area has it all and more. 

1. TAKE A HOT AIR BALLOON TOUR

There's something undeniably romantic about floating above the Fraser Valley with spectacular views of…

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Local Happenings: Check Out Grand County's January + February Events

Embrace the Adventure with a Wealth of Midwinter Events this Snowy Season

Our winter wonderland is at its peak in the midwinter months! The snow and lower temps have settled in for the season, making it easy to take advantage of all the winter adventure available here in Grand County. Whether you're snowmobiling, exploring on cross-country skis, ice fishing, earning your turns, backcountry skiing, or taking advantage of downhill adventures at Winter Park Resort and Granby Ranch, opportunities to enjoy our majestic Rocky Mountains are abundant. Add in a calendar full of local events, and you have even more options for embracing winter in the mountains! 

THREE LAKES ICE FISHING CONTEST: JANUARY 24 - 26

The longest running ice-fishing contest in…

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Local Look: Sleigh Rides

Soak in Grand County's Winter Wonderland on a Horse-Drawn Sleigh Ride

There's nothing like a horse-drawn sleigh ride complete with jingling bells to get you in the holiday spirit! It is a truly magical and festive experience - a unique way to take advantage of this winter wonderland we call home. Snuggle in under warm wool blankets as you tour through pristine alpine meadows and woodlands, drift through crisp pine-scented air, and soak in the beauty of the mountain scenery as snow blankets the ground. Most rides end with hot chocolate around the outdoor fire when you return to the stables, a quintessential way to  wrap up the winter fun. We love this family-friendly option for enjoying the snow at a different pace! 

And it isn't just a holiday…

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Take Advantage of Cross-Country Skiing in Grand County!

Explore Miles of Groomed and Single-Track Trails on Skate and Classic Skis Throughout Grand County's Rocky Mountains!

Cross-country skiing, also known as Nordic skiing, has deep roots in Grand County. Early settlers in the area used what many now refer to as "skinny skis" for transportation in the long winter months but soon developed a love of exploring the Rocky Mountains on skis, with reports of cross-country skiing for recreation dating back to the late 1800s. Hot Sulphur Spring's first Winter Carnival in 1911 included cross-country skiing as an event and marked what many deemed the beginning of the ski industry in Colorado. 

It's easy to see why Nordic skiing grew from simply a means of transport to a beloved pastime. If you're looking to…

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Thanksgiving Dinner Options in the Winter Park Area

Planning a Stress-free Thanksgiving Dinner? Dine-In or Order To-Go at One of Our Local Favorites!

Whether you're visiting or call the Fraser Valley your home, Thanksgiving week has so much to offer if you find yourself in Grand County for the laid-back holiday. With the ski area open and in full swing, tubing and sledding hills ready to welcome guests, and enough snow on the ground to get out for a cross-country ski or snowmobile ride, opportunities to play outside are around every corner. Events like the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot, Cooper Creek Square Celebration of Lights, Winter Park Resort's Holiday Tree Lighting, Granby's Parade of Lights and Christmas Tree Lighting, and Grand Lake's Annual Tree Lighting give off those festive vibes as…

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