The magical holidays are here at last – Hanukah, Christmas, New Year and people are feeling their love for the out-of-doors. In Grand County we have a fantastic outdoor playground for individuals and families alike with a multitude of activities for all mindsets. Whether it’s Alpine skiing, Nordic resort skiing, free trails for skiing or walking, backcountry adventures, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice skating, or sledding, we have it all. These can be individual, just with friends, or organized group activities. For the visitor, the best part is we often have lessons available like those held at Devils Thumb and Snow Mtn Ranch last weekend. Bring the little ones for a Candy Cane Ski (much like an Easter Egg Hunt) at Snow Mtn Ranch on Christmas Day.
Fun social events like Full Moon skiing with a lively party, hot chocolate and maybe even a bonfire afterwards are always a highlight. Pole Creek Golf Course “grooms” their cart paths mainly for winter access to greens and tees but invites skiers to use these paths for Nordic skiing or snowshoeing. Furry friends are welcome. Tiki torches mark the path. The Bistro 28 restaurant on site is the perfect spot for a beer or cocktail and, best of all, dinner after skiing. They are offering a full moon ski and snowshoe 30December, 27January and 24February.
Grand Lake Touring Center has opened this week with low snowpack and warnings to bring your rock skis! Snowshoe trails are also opening. They have actually shoveled snow onto the thin spots on trails to open Winters Way and half of Columbine. The Tubing Hill opens Friday as well – bring your own tube! Known for its fabulous soups and now a bigger menu, the Sly Fox restaurant will be open Fridays and Saturdays 9a-3p. They will again offer their Valentines Day 2for1 trail pass special and an evening March 23rd Pink Moon Bonfire ski.
Devils Thumb Ranch opened 9December with their annual Tommelfest celebration. They will offer skijoring clinics twice in January, February and March for you and your dog. Call the activities center at 970-726-8231 or email [email protected] for details. The Devils Thumb 2024 Stagecoach Classic 30k race/15k race and tour /free 3k kids race on 20January starts and finishes at Devils Thumb Ranch with food and beer included. Special rates apply for High School Students. The Women’s Ski, Sip and Yoga on Feb 4 is a day full of female comradery, cross country skiing clinics, healthy eating and restoring your body. A Ranch favorite, there is plenty of time for relaxation and a glass of wine!
The Stagecoach Classic is the third race in the Grand County Nordic Race Series, six races – 3 classic and 3 skate – offering a long course, short course and free family event for kids 1-3k with special pricing for kids 18 and under. Registration is currently open at www.skigrandnordic.org with pricing discounts for the whole series. The race series starts 7January at Granby Ranch with a 15k/7.5k/3k skate race on the golf course groomed trails. The Snow Mtn Ranch Classic 15k/7.5kkids races is the second in the series 13January. The distance then increases to 30k/15k for the Stagecoach Classic and the Grand Nordic 30k/15k Skate race at Snow Mtn Ranch 27January. Then you have time to get ready for grand finale – the Snow Mtn Stampede weekend 9-10March with the 50k/25k/10k/3k kids Skate on Saturday and the 50k/25k/10k./3k kids Classic on Sunday. Prizes are awarded for the series. For complete details and to sign up, visit the Race Series page on the SkiGrandNordic.org.
Snow Mountain Ranch is a family friendly YMCA resort that offers everything a family could want – basic lodge rooms to cabin lodging, great Nordic skiing, sleigh rides, ice skating, sledding, the most trails in Grand County to ski with your dog, and the traditional moonlight skiing and snowshoeing complete with bonfire and hot chocolate 26January and 23February. Check with the program department about upcoming snowshoe tours scheduled all winter.
At the end of January, Grand Nordic is offering their second day of free ski lessons at Snow Mtn Ranch with instructors from Grand Nordic, Winter Park Competition Center and Colorado Nordic Masters. Sign up will be available after the holidays.
Then the best social event of all, The 11th Annual Ranch2Ranch Trek returns Feb 10 and 11 starting at Snow Mtn Ranch, via Fraser-to-Granby Trail to Granby Ranch and back if you want, with aid stations, medical patrol, and door prizes from Swix and Fischer. It’s our primary fundraiser for scholarships to Nordic kids in the Fraser Valley. It’s a social trek – not a race! – through some of the most beautiful scenery we have.
Whether a serious Nordic skier or one who loves fun with the family, Grand County has something for you this winter…Pray for snow!
