Winter Park Archives - Winter Park & Granby HOA Management

Dec 23 2020

Avoid the Crowds with These Colorado Winter Activities

As much as we love the fantastic ski resorts in our neck of the woods, there is so much more to Grand County, Colorado, than carving down fresh powder with dozens of other people. Furthermore, we realize that some travelers are interested in experiencing some of the other Colorado winter activities, and let us tell you, there are plenty! As we mentioned in our previous post, there is a vast assortment of things to do in Colorado during the winter months. Today we’d like to focus on activities that will help you avoid crowds and enjoy open space while immersing you in the winter splendor of Grand County, Colorado.

Get Away from It All: Grand County Vacation Rentals

Whether you want an adrenaline-pumping snowmobiling tour or a quiet alpine cross country skiing expedition, you’re going to need a place to stay. With an elite collection of Grand County vacation rentals, Resort Management Group is ready to provide you with both a home away from home and a basecamp for adventure. Why stay at a ski resort or hotel when you can have a private vacation home? Some of our favorites are covered here in one of our previous posts.

Colorado Winter Activities: More Than Just Skiing

For many people, the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Colorado winter activities is skiing and snowboarding. As much as we appreciate those iconic winter sports, there is a lot more going on in The Centennial State than hitting the slopes. Planning your vacation highlights can sometimes be overwhelming, but having a broad idea of your options can go a long way in streamlining your planning process, as well as help you determine which vacation rental is right for you. As such, we’d like to give you a few ideas on things to do if you want to avoid crowds.

Snowshoeing and Cross Country Skiing

Sometimes overlooked, snowshoeing and cross country skiing are excellent winter sports for those who enjoy hiking. The alpine woodlands take on a new personality when covered in a layer of snow, creating a captivating world of discovery for those eager to learn what’s around the bend. Epic Mountain Sports in Winter Park has an extensive selection of high-quality winter sports rentals, including cross country skis and snowshoes. What’s more, groomed cross country skiing trails like the one at Fraser Valley Sports Complex are available for discovery.

Backcountry Skiing on the Berthoud Pass

Quite possibly the best backcountry skiing east of the Continental Divide, Berthoud Pass is a defunct ski area remnant and is reserved for only the most experienced riders. Berthoud Pass is an integral section of the Front Range and is the focal point of backcountry skiing in Grand County. We highly recommend taking a safety course before taking on this accessible yet volatile terrain.

Snowmobile Tours with Grand County Adventures

Grand County Adventures offers guided and unguided snowmobile tours that will get your adrenaline pumping while immersing you in the highlands. You’ll cruise by scenic vistas and sprawling panoramas as you explore Grand County and the Fraser Valley via hundreds of miles of trails and mountainside recreation areas. Snowmobiling in Colorado is something every winter enthusiast should experience!

Grand County Vacation Rentals and Things to Do in Colorado

Colorado winter activities don’t have to revolve around crowded resorts and stuffy hotel rooms. There is a lot of open space in our neck of the woods, and we’re happy to share it with those hoping to avoid large gatherings. One of our featured properties, Sunset Chalet, is the ideal location for tranquility and solitude. For more information about our other properties or to make a reservation, please visit us online or call 800-926-4386.

Aug 24 2020

A Grand County, Colorado, Fall Foliage Tour

While summer is surely an excellent time to visit the Rocky Mountains, we want to look slightly ahead to autumn for those of you planning fall getaways to Grand County, Colorado. With its stoic mountain peaks, expansive alpine forests, and elegant waterways, it’s not complicated to understand why our slice of four-season paradise has been long established as “Colorado’s Playground.” One of the most endearing attractions can be found almost anywhere you look; we refer to the Colorado fall foliage. Before starting, we recommend taking a look at this foliage prediction map provided by MentalFloss to give you an idea when the leaves are peaking.

Best Places in Grand County to Enjoy Colorado’s Fall Foliage

The scenic vantage points and serenity created by the Rocky Mountains present an unforgettable leisure activity for those fortunate to make the journey. Leaf peeping is a budget-friendly way to experience the area’s magnificent display of colors while immersing yourself in the treasured beauty present throughout our great state. The crisp, fall winds sing an autumn chorus that lends itself to comfortable hikes, scenic byways, and picturesque landscapes. To help acquaint you with some of the best locations for witnessing the Grand County, Colorado, fall foliage, we devised an easy guide for the best places to enjoy the autumn colors.

Jim Creek Trail

Jim Creek is a highly sought trail just three miles south of Winter Park. As the name suggests, it follows Jim Creek and leads patrons to the James Peak Protection Area. The babbling creek will accompany you as you jaunt through aspen stands and mountain meadows with stunning vistas of James peak. The Jim Creek Trail is considered a moderately difficult hike with a seven-mile round trip and elevation gains of just over 1,225 feet.

Cottonwood Pass/County Road 55/Highway 40

A short, yet gorgeous pass connecting Granby and Hot Sulphur Springs, Cottonwood Pass is a must-see route in the fall. With an abundance of aspens, this is a quintessential leaf-peeping destination. On the other hand, County Road 55, just north of Winter Park, has been designated as a Colorado Scenic Byway and features a few historic ranches and free-range cattle along the way. County Road 55 will bring you back to Highway 40, which happens to be the Colorado River Headwaters National Scenic Byway.

Rocky Mountain National Park

With more than 60 peaks towering over 12,000 feet and over 415 square miles of preserved mountain terrain, leaf-peeping at Rocky Mountain National Park is kind of a no-brainer on your fall getaway. If you enter from the north, near Grand Lake, you’ll step into one of the park’s most elegant foyers, the Kawuneeche Valley. However, if you are entering a different location, you may undoubtedly be welcomed by miles of trails among the dancing aspen groves, meandering rivers, and beloved wildlife.

Fall Getaways in the Rocky Mountains with RMG

With Colorado’s fall foliage peaking around mid-September, there’s no better time than now to book a vacation rental. For over 20 years, Resort Management Group has provided comfortable vacation lodging for visitors to Grand County, no matter the time of year. With a large selection of rental properties in Winter Park, Fraser, and Granby, there’s no doubt you’ll find a location that’s right for you. For more information on planning your Colorado vacation, please visit us online or call 800-926-4386.

May 16 2020

Road and Mountain Biking in Colorado: The Ultimate Adrenaline Rush

Grand County, Colorado may just be the best place for mountain biking in the country. The mountain bike trails near Winter Park, Colorado alone span over 600 miles of berms, drop-ins, rock gardens, and grinders. And that’s just one town! With trails that span the spectrum from novice to expert and bike parks to hone your skills, there is no reason you shouldn’t be able to get out and shred some of the best Colorado mountain bike trails in the state. Each trail and park offers a unique experience as you immerse yourself in the stunning beauty offered by this alpine region. There’s a reason the Winter Park area has been titled, “Mountain Bike Capital USA,” and we’ll tell you why mountain biking in Colorado is second to none.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Perhaps the most obvious reason the Winter Park area is so popular with cyclists is its proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park. The park is only 36 miles from Winter Park proper, so you may choose to bike your way there. What’s more, there are several towns on the way that you can stop to rest, have lunch, or perform maintenance checks on your bike.

The trails at Rocky Mountain National Park are closed to mountain biking. However, the paved roads offer stunning views and challenging uphill rides for beginner and expert road bikers alike. Several guide companies will drive you to the top if grunting up the hill isn’t your idea of fun. Due to the heavy traffic experienced during peak times, it is advised that you plan your outing for the early morning.

Mountain Bike Trails Near Winter Park, Colorado

Besides Rocky Mountain National Park, there are other trails and parks near Winter Park for you to explore and conquer. One of the most critical aspects of mountain biking in Colorado is knowing which trails are best suited for your skill level. We’ve put together a shortlist of three of our favorite trails with a brief description to give you a better idea of where to go.

Fraser River Trail

Perhaps best suited for beginners, the Fraser River Trail is a simplistic, five-mile ride that requires the least effort from all the area’s trails. Perfect for families, children, and novices, this trail is a straight shot from Fraser to Winter Park Resort. The paved trail allows for a stable ride for beginners and provides peace of mind for those with small children. Be sure to bring your camera as this trail is known for frequent moose sightings! !

Idlewild Trail System

Idlewild is a local favorite, mostly single track loop that is 8.7 miles and starts at the Winter Park Information Center. You’ll undoubtedly be challenged with an elevation gain of nearly 1500 feet, but this trail isn’t too intimidating for intermediate riders. The Idlewild Trail System offers gorgeous vistas that showcase the alpine beauty that is the Fraser Valley.

Trestle Bike Park

Trestle Bike Park is the unofficial “crown jewel” of the Winter Park mountain biking scene and is considered an epicenter for mountain biking in Colorado, if not the country. Trestle boasts over 40 miles of trails that are appropriate for every skill level. In addition to their matrix of bike trails, Trestle Bike Park is home to the largest demo/rental fleet in the U.S., and they also provide a repair shop, guides, and coaching.

Resort Management Group

The parks and trails listed above merely scratch the surface of the seemingly limitless mountain biking options near Winter Park. With several cabins throughout Grand County, Colorado, you’ll have a place to relax after a long day on the trails no matter where you are. For more information on how we may facilitate your mountain biking adventure in Colorado, please contact us online or call 800-926-4386. Be sure to ask about our extended stay discount and other specials!