Looking for Free, Family-Friendly Fun? Explore Local Parks + Playgrounds!

Raising three kids here in the Fraser Valley gives me a little street cred when it comes to local parks. I was no stranger to making the rounds when our kids were younger, and each park has something different to offer: best slide, ample room to run, dog-friendly, good swings, you name it. So for those of you with young kids ready to play in this fresh mountain air (whether you're raising your family here or just in town for a visit), I've put together the rundown on all the parks + playgrounds from Winter Park to Grand Lake.

There's also plenty more to do for free with families in the Fraser Valley: think family-friendly events and live music, trail systems that meet all…

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Your Guide to Renting a Boat, Kayak, Canoe, or Paddle Board in Grand County (Plus a Few Insider Tips if You Already Own One!)

Summer on the lake here in Grand County is as good as it gets. Surrounded by the Indian Peaks, Mt. Baldy, the Never Summer Mountains, and the Gore Range, being out on the water in the Three Lakes Region takes mountain living summer vibes to the next level. Whether you're on Lake Granby, Shadow Mountain Reservoir, or Grand Lake, you can't help but stop and soak it all in. Fresh mountain air, a cool breeze, and views for days keep those "dog days of summer" off your radar.

And if you're looking to get out on the water (motor or no motor, pontoon or paddleboard), local rental companies have you covered. I've put together all…

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"Summer Starts Sooner" this Memorial Day with Early Openings, Live Outdoor Music + Special Events Kicking off the Summer Season

Aside from a handful of spring snowstorms, it’s felt like patio-sitting summertime for longer than usual this spring, thanks to a relatively dry, warm winter. Early-season trails have been hike and bike ready since March, the sun has been shining, aspens are already budding, and wildflowers are even starting to pop. So it definitely feels like TIME to kick off summer here in the mountains!

Grand County summers are as good as it gets: from exploring the three lakes region and soaking in the old-school charm of Grand Lake’s boardwalk, to hopping on hundreds of miles of singletrack, catching live outdoor music, golfing our…

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Take Advantage of Summer Day Camps, Specialty Programs, and Overnight Adventures for Kids in Grand County

While we’re still thinking about Spring Splash, the Jane Beach, and those slushy spring bumps, it might be time to do a little summer dreaming, too! Those of us with younger kids also know this season as the time to pull out the calendar and start signing up for summer camps! Whether you’ll be in town for part of the summer or here full time, Grand County summers are about as good as it gets. Hiking, biking, fishing, boating, camping, s’mores by the fire, and all the outdoor fun and adventure you can imagine can easily fill your days. But you also might be looking for activities to enrich your kids' summer while you work or head out on a…

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From Cheshire Cat Grins to Cannonball Bumps: My Favorite Names on the Winter Park Trail Map

What’s in a name? If you’ve skied Winter Park Resort, you’ve likely noticed that the names of the ski runs are (quite literally) all over the map. From Jabberwocky to Derailer to Balch, there’s a method to the madness - and they make for great lift conversations!

From runs in the Eagle Wind Territory paying homage to the Indigenous land the resort sits on, to silly, tongue-in-cheek names like Drunken Frenchman, to a host of runs inspired by Alice in Wonderland, there’s no shortage of names to talk about and speculate on their roots. At Winter Park, a run name might have come from a founder’s whim, have grown organically from ski patrol or die-hard skiers,…

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Wilds 360: Seamless Luxury in a Prime Location with Panoramic Views, High-End Design + the Best Amenities in Town

You may have noticed a flurry of activity and construction as you pull into downtown Winter Park these past few years, along with some homes that might have you thinking, "I'd love to soak in the sunset on one of those rooftop decks!" Homes in Winter Park proper have historically been few and far between. They tend to get snagged up almost as soon as they hit the market, especially single-family homes. One obvious solution? Build more. Enter: ROAM. 

The ROAM community is creating new opportunities to live close to the heart of town. It runs along the Fraser River on the east side of Highway 40, giving homeowners easy access to…

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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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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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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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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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