COME TO LIFE / Winter Park, Grand Lake, Granby, Kremmling, Fraser, Hot Sulphur Springs T WINTER FUN Winter Park Resort’s diverse terrain, a new adventure concierge service and the Winter Park Express Amtrak route from Denver right to the slopes make it a top ski, snowboard and fat-bike destination with beginners and experts alike. Nearby, the smaller Granby Ranch is known as a long-time family favorite. All the Grand County towns pack in plenty of fun beyond the slopes, with groomed trails for snowsho-ers and cross-country skiers, six area snow-tubing hills, sleigh and dogsled rides, as well as snowmobiling routes with epic Continental Divide views. In Grand Lake you can even ride your snowmobile through town and right up to your favorite Grand Avenue lunch spot. In the afternoon, go north to the laid-back county seat of Grand Lake (1) , where hints of the vill age’s Western character are revealed in its historic boardwalks and hitching posts alongside parking spots. As Colorado’s deepest and largest natural lake, Grand Lake attracts summer fun-seekers looking to water ski, fish, sail or relax on the beach. Rent a boat and watch for eagles. This area is the western entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park and one of the state’s most pop-ular for viewing moose and other wildlife. Pedal along a new 2-mile stretch of the East Shore Trail , the first-ever route in the national park open to mountain bikers. Links lovers can tee off amid inspiring scenery (and watch their balls fly farther through our thin air) at four mountain golf courses. The Grand Lake Metropolitan Recreation District also has miles of dog-friendly hiking trails that weave through wetlands, pine forests and aspen groves. Cap your evening in one of the state’s newest Certified Creative Districts with a Broadway musical at Grand Lake’s Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre (4) or grab a pic of Granby’s 300-foot Main Street mural during the golden hour. 4 drops for mellow floats; outfitters can be found throughout the county. The sleepy town of Granby offers Western hospitality, an idyllic main street of restaurants and antique shops, and easy access to out-door pursuits, including boating and fishing on Lake Granby . Expect nothing but the best at Grand County’s many dude ranches, including Colorado’s oldest continuously operating ranch: Bar Lazy J (3) in Parshall . Proprietors roll out the country hospitality to those seeking an authentic Old West experience, offering activities like horseback riding, hiking and square danc-ing, and not-so-cowboy tennis, yoga and volleyball. Some even have luxurious spas, miles of trails and fishing. A sportsman’s paradise, Kremmling has some of the state’s finest fishing waters and elk-hunting grounds, as well as miles of ATV and OHV trails. Head to Rusty Spurr Ranch for trail rides and cattle drives; hike to Radium Hot Springs on the Colorado River; and journey to the top of Kremmling Cliffs for panoramic views of the area and fishing access along Muddy Creek. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: ROCKY MOUNTAIN REPERTORY THEATRE, IAN MCMORRAN; BAR LAZY J GUEST RANCH, KERRICK JAMES; SNOW MOUNTAIN RANCH NEAR WINTER PARK, LISA SEAMAN. DAY 2 As the Colorado River carves its way from the Continental Divide on its journey to the Pacific Ocean, it treats Grand County visitors to some of the best rafting and Gold Medal fishing around. Jagged red canyons and green valleys provide stunning back-Fraser is another ideally situated homebase for exploring the area’s outdoors (and is perhaps best known for its convenient lift-served snowtubing hill in winter). Pop into Fraser Valley Distilling, Camber Brewing and Fraser Tap Room for local flavor. Retreat to Hot Sulphur Springs to do what visitors have done since the time of the Ute Indians: Soak in mineral-rich pools. Volcanic rock 35,000 feet below the earth’s surface heats the water that fills the pools at the town’s namesake resort and spa. 3 DAY 3 Choose one of the county’s other three towns for your last day — or choose to stay a spell longer! STAY & PLAY OPTIONS Fraser (page 198), Granby (page 199), Grand Lake (page 200), Hot Sulphur Springs , Kremmling (page 201), Parshall , Tabernash , Winter Park (page 205) 120 / 1-800-COLORADO
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2020: Page 120
