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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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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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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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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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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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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Amtrak Winter Park Express: Expanded Routes, More Frequent Trips, and New Destinations This Season

An Extended Service with New Destinations and More Frequency WINTER PARK, Colo. — The Amtrak Winter Park Express is back with an expanded schedule to meet the increasing demand for train travel to Colorado’s mountains. Starting this December, the Express will offer special holiday runs, then ramp up to five-day-a-week service in January, providing 69 round trips this season—29 more than last year. The Winter Park Express connects Denver and the Fraser Valley, conveniently serving both skiers and non-skiers seeking a scenic and stress-free alternative to mountain driving.

Seasonal Schedule and Destinations

The Winter Park Express kicks off with…

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Take Advantage of Favorite Fall Activities in the Mountains of Grand County!

When cool, crisp days start to replace the heat of summer, we know winter is just around the corner. And as excited as we are for the snowy season and the lifts to start turning, fall in Grand County is truly one of our favorite times of year. Smoke drifts 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. So that you can truly get the most out of this beautiful time of year, we've put together ten of the best ways to experience autumn here in…

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Grand Adventure Hot Air Balloon Tours: Birds-Eye Views of the Continental Divide and Rocky Mountain National Park over the Fraser Valley 

It never gets old catching a glimpse of a hot air balloon floating over the Fraser Valley with Byers Peak or the Continental Divide in the background. If you're an early riser, you've likely seen one in flight as it rises up to catch the sunrise and meander around above our little Rocky Mountain towns here in Grand County. We know there's all the talk about views from mountain properties, but a 360-degree view from thousands of feet up in the sky? There's no home or vacant land on the market that can offer that genuinely special experience! 

You can get a birds-eye look at the beauty of the Fraser Valley with…

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Planning a Camping Trip in Grand County? Get to Know All the Best Campgrounds and Dispersed Camping in the Area!

Unobstructed stars filling the night sky, the dull glow of a campfire, and that connection to nature that only comes with a night spent camping in Grand County's Rocky Mountains - those are summer (and fall!) goals for mountain living. Pair that with access to lakes, rivers, forests, and trails steps from your campground, and life really doesn't get much better. 

Access to the best  "car camping" here in the Winter Park area is abundant. Whether you're looking to secure a coveted established campsite well in advance; roll in to take your chances on a first come, first served site at one of the many campgrounds; or set up camp in an…

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