Grand: Downhill Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing and Winter Alternatives

Grand is a suitable search option if you do not want to plan your winter stay around just one downhill run. Granby Ranch offers downhill and cross-country skiing, while snowshoeing, guided snowmobile tours, Rocky Mountain National Park and the scenery around Lake Granby provide additional focal points. When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore first decide whether downhill skiing, a varied winter program, nature experiences or a combination of outdoor activities and culture is most important to you.

Key facts on the topic

- Granby Ranch offers both downhill and cross-country skiing. - Motorized and non-motorized boating are permitted on Lake Granby. - The Colorado River Trailhead provides access to numerous trails in the northwestern part of Rocky Mountain National Park. - Snowshoeing is possible on park trails above 9,000 feet, provided there is sufficient snow. - Trail Ridge Road connects the eastern and western sides of Rocky Mountain National Park, but is subject to seasonal restrictions. - Grand County encompasses more than 800,000 acres of accessible public land.

Winter options for different interests

Downhill and cross-country skiing represent different types of day plans. Downhill skiing focuses on the descent, while cross-country skiing involves traveling longer distances under your own power. Granby Ranch offers both forms. This does not imply anything about individual lifts, runs, elevation differences or specific snow reliability. For days away from the ski slopes, Grand offers several clearly defined alternatives. Snowshoeing is possible on trails in Rocky Mountain National Park above 9,000 feet when snow conditions permit. At nearby [Winter Park](Winter Park) Resort, a Nature Snowshoe Tour is also offered on the resort's snowshoe trails. Grand Adventures offers guided snowmobile tours on the Continental Divide. These activities differ significantly in their mode of travel and format: snowshoeing is a hiking activity, the Nature Snowshoe Tour is a guided offering, and the snowmobile tour is motorized.

Trails, the lake and seasonal roads

Lake Granby has 40 miles of shoreline. Fishing for kokanee salmon, rainbow trout, brook trout and lake trout is possible there, as are both of the aforementioned forms of boating. US 34 and County Highway 6 provide access to the trails and boat launches at Lake Granby. From the intersection of U.S. Highway 40 and 34 in [Granby](Granby), drive 12 miles north to the turnoff for Pine Beach Picnic Site. The site is located on the shore of Shadow Mountain Reservoir and offers views of its islands and Rocky Mountain National Park. Trail Ridge Road is important for regional orientation. The seasonal road reaches an elevation of more than 12,000 feet and connects the eastern and western sides of Rocky Mountain National Park. Depending on weather and road conditions, it is closed to through traffic from mid-October to the end of May. If your travel plans depend on this connection, you should take the seasonal restriction into account when choosing your route.

Natural surroundings and history

Grand County is home to the headwaters of the Colorado River and includes the western entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. Arapaho National Forest covers 723,744 acres and lies primarily in Grand and Clear Creek Counties. Lake Granby is surrounded by mountains and dense forests. Elk, mule deer, coyotes and foxes may be encountered at the Colorado River Trailhead; a 0.5-mile hike from there leads to the Colorado River, while a 3.7-mile trail leads to the site of Lulu City, a mining settlement from the 1880s. There are also specific destinations for days without winter sports. The Emily Warner Field Aviation Museum is located in a room of the former Rocky Mountain Airways terminal at Granby/Grand County Airport and tells the story of aviation in Grand County through exhibits, photographs and artifacts. The Kauffman House Museum is the only surviving log hotel in Grand Lake built before 1900. The Pioneer Village Museum includes the former Hot Sulphur Schoolhouse, the county courthouse with jail, a blacksmith shop, the Horseshoe Ranger Station and the 8 Mile School, among other exhibits. Grand County's culinary offerings also include local craft beers and spirits.

FAQ

Where can visitors get assistance in Rocky Mountain National Park?

Park rangers are available to assist visitors at the Kawuneeche Visitor Center.

What other offerings are available at Granby Ranch Golf Course?

Granby Ranch Golf Course is an 18-hole mountain golf course at an elevation of 8,000 feet, with views of the Fraser River, the Rocky Mountains and the local wildlife.

Which railway artifacts are displayed at the Moffat Road Railroad Museum?

The Interpretive Center includes a 1905 passenger car, a railroad handcar shed from around 1915 from Hot Sulphur Springs, and a fully wood-built red UP caboose from 1923.

What is Headwaters River Journey about?

Headwaters River Journey is an interactive museum about the waterways and ecology of Grand County.

What historical role did Cozens Ranch play?

Cozens Ranch was the site of the first ranch and post office in the Fraser Valley.

What activities are available on the Colorado River?

Rafting and kayaking trips are offered on the Colorado River in Grand County, including guided trips through Gore Canyon near Kremmling.

To the higher-level travel overview: Colorado.

More about the destination

Relevant information for planning your trip:

Alpe d’Huez Grand Domaine: ski resort in Isère, Le Grand-Bornand: ski resort in Haute-Savoie, Grand Massif: ski resort in Haute-Savoie.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Routt, Summit, San Juan County.