Winter Adventures: Tubing + Sledding from Winter Park to Grand Lake
There's no question we live in a year-round playground, but this time of year makes it clear why the Winter Park area gets its name from all the snowy-season outdoor fun to be had here in Grand County. Big winter storms followed by crisp, bluebird days highlight the sheer beauty of the Rocky Mountains, and we're all ready to get outside and play in the snow! Opportunities for winter adventure abound: whether you're skiing or riding one of our world class resorts, hitting the trails on cross-country skis, snowmobiling through the backcountry, ice fishing on the three lakes, or tubing down a mountainside, it's hard not to enjoy a day well spent in the mountains of Grand County.
Colorado Adventure Park
One of two tubing hills located just west of Highway 40 in Fraser, Colorado Adventure Park makes your tubing adventure fun and easy. Its magic carpet hauls you and your tube up the hill, so you can easily run hot laps on their varied terrain (even after a long day of skiing)! They blow their own snow, giving you optimal conditions all season long. Its pick-your-adventure terrain is fun for the whole family - their groomed runs vary from slow and easy to fast and wild. They've installed even more lights this year, making tubing after dark even more enjoyable.
They also offer concessions. Grab a drink or s'mores kit and cozy up by the outdoor fire pit when you're finished tubing (or if you're waiting for your crew).
Colorado Adventure Park offers single tubing at $25 per hour. Double tubing (required for kids aged 3-5) is $40 per hour. The park is currently open 9am-7pm every day of the week. Call 970-726-5779 to confirm hours and availability.
One of our favorite things about Colorado Adventure Park is their support of the community. They offer free tubing to any kids enrolled in East Grand School District; students just need to show their school ID, and they're all set. The tubing hill's name even comes from a local contest for elementary students - a fourth-grader at Fraser Valley Elementary gave Colorado Adventure Park its name!
Fraser Historic Tubing Hill
Family owned and operated since 1971, The Historic Fraser Tubing Hill is the oldest snow tubing operation in the county and has been bringing the family fun for decades!
They're also located just west of Highway 40 in Fraser: be sure to veer left after you pass under the railroad bridge before you head on up the hill to the parking lot for The Historic Fraser Tubing Hill.
They offer first-come, first-serve tube rentals for 60 minutes or 90 minutes at $30 and $35 respectively. Leave you own tubes at home; a rental is included with the cost of the ticket. The hill is open seven days a week 10am-10pm. Ages three to six can ride with an adult, and ages seven and up ride their own tube. No need to trek back up the hill - you can hook on to the rope tow lift for a ride back up. Call 970-726-5954 to learn more.
Grand Lake Nordic Center Tubing Hill
At Grand Lake Nordic Center you soak in the beautiful views of Rocky Mountain Park from their miles of trails, and you can also sled and tube free. An earn your turns adventure, you can hike back up on the packed trail from the bottom of the hill up to the top. Bring your own tube, or borrow one of theirs. (Note: the supply is limited, so you might have to wait for tubes to become available if you're hoping to snag one of theirs). A no frills, pure fun adventure with views that don't stop, tubing at the Grand Lake Nordic Center is worth the drive out.
YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch Tubing Hill
Snow Mountain Ranch packs in the winter fun. Famous for its Nordic ski trails and little-known for the outdoor ice skating rink and winter tubing hill, the YMCA of the Rockies' over 5,000 acres offers a groomed portion of their property with another opportunity to earn your turns. A packed trail makes it fun and easy to hike back up to the top for another spin on one of the four lanes of groomed runs.
The winter sledding and tubing hill sits adjacent to the Nordic Center. Tubing is complimentary for guests staying at the ranch and YMCA members; otherwise, you'll need to purchase a day pass at the Program Building. They ask that you use one of their provided tubes, available at the Winter Pavilion. Call 970-887-2152 ex. 4135 for more information.
Coca-Cola Tubing Hill
Winter Park Resort's Coca-Cola Tubing Hill sits at the top of the Village Cabriolet, a quick ride up from the base of the ski area. Take a break from skiing or end your day on the mountain by taking advantage of this state-of the-art hill, complete with a covered conveyor for the ride back up, warming huts, and the four lanes boasting banked curves.
The hill is open Sunday-Wednesday 10am to 5pm and Thursday-Saturday 10am-7pm. You don't want to miss the neon glow of the lanes on those evenings they're open a little later. "Glow night tubing" runs from 5-7pm Thursday - Saturday. Prices are $44-49 for an hour time slot. We'd recommend making advance reservations, especially during the holiday season!
Hideaway Park Tubing + Sledding
Looking for a low-key, free sledding hill? The Winter Park + Fraser Chamber of Commerce has you covered. They provide complimentary sleds and tubes at the Hideaway Park sledding hill. Right in the heart of Winter Park's Main Street, this local favorite makes it easy to enjoy as many runs as you'd like. Kids toes cold out the gate? No problem. Grab some hot chocolate at a nearby coffee shop and warm up by the outdoor gas fire pit at the top of hill. Can't get enough of it? There's no time limit on this hill! Tube slides, climbing walls, and a playground are open year-round as well. Make a day of it, or swing by for a few quick runs. This is one of our favorite hills for the whole family, especially those with young children!
READY TO LIVE THE MOUNTAIN LIFE?
There's no shortage of winter fun here, and Grand County property owners make taking advantage of it a lifestyle rather than a vacation. Are you in the market for a mountain home? We're here to support you every step of the way. We'd love to learn more about you, your goals, and the type of property that best suits your lifestyle. Thinking about listing? We have all the resources to help you get top dollar for your mountain home? Connect with us today so we can share our decades of knowledge and expertise (and love of this county!) to help you move toward your real estate goals!
Posted by Leah Bishop on
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