INDOORS & OUTDOORS | Tons of fun wintertime activities aside from skiing

Fun lurks around every corner in Grand County. Contrary to popular belief, there is far more to do here in the winter than go skiing and snowboarding. We’ve put together this list of fun wintertime activities in Grand County.

SLEDDING AND TUBING

Grand Lake: Grand Lake Nordic Center has a free tubing hill with 10 tubes shared between guests. While there is no tow rope, there is a maintained trail to the top of the hill. Outside tubes and sleds are allowed, as long as the sled does not have a sharp metal edge. The hill is available during daylight hours. Visit GrandLakeRecreation. com/nordiccenter/ for more.

Granby: Snow Mountain Ranch provides a sledding and tubing hill. There is no tow rope or moving platform to the top of the hill. A day pass must be purchased if you’re not staying at the ranch. A pass is $25 for adults and $10 for kids, and tubes are available at the Winter Pavilion, weather permitting. Only tubes provided by the ranch are allowed. Visit SnowMountainRanch.org or call 970-887-2152 for more.

Fraser: Colorado Adventure Park offers single tubing for one or two hours at $24 and $36 respectively. Double tubing is $38 for one hour and $64 for two. The park offers a variety of terrain and a Magic Carpet lift to the top. Kids interested in a bit more adventure can hop on a Snow Scoot, a Polaris 120 snowmobile for kids shorter than 5 feet and 90 pounds or under. The park is open every day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Call 970-726-5779 for more.

Winter Park: Hideaway Park features a free sledding hill in downtown Winter Park. Sleds are provided for free on this small but fun hill next to a new playground. Call 800-903-7275 for more. * Fraser: The Historic Fraser Tubing Hill offers first-come, first-serve tube rentals for 60 minutes or 90 minutes at $24 and $28 respectively. No outside tubes or sleds are permitted, but a rental is included with the cost of the ticket. The hill offers a lift to the top and is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Call 970-726-5954 for more information.

ICE-SKATING

Tabernash: Devil’s Thumb Ranch has an outdoor skating rink from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, weather permitting. Access the rink directly on weekends and visit the Nordic Center for access on weekdays. Those staying at the ranch have free access to the rink. Day visitors can purchase passes that include use of the ice rink for $25 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for children 6-12 and free for children 5 and under.

Granby: Snow Mountain Ranch offers a rink under a covered pavilion with the Continental Divide as the backdrop. Ice skates are free to rent and those staying at the ranch have free access. Day visitors can purchase passes that include use of the ice rink and ice skates for $25 for adults and $10 for children.

Fraser: IceBox Ice Rink is an NHL-sized, partially enclosed rink with skate rentals for $4. Non-resident fees are $6 for children 4-17, $7 for adults and $6 for seniors 60 and older. Children 3 and under are free. Check the ice rink schedule online at FraserValleyRec.org or call 970-726-5919.

FAT BIKING

Granby: Snow Mountain Ranch has fat bikes, the snowy version of mountain biking that features giant tires and heavy treads. Guests or day visitors can use the trail. Day passes are $25 for adults not staying at the ranch. The ranch provides more than 24 miles of trails reserved exclusively for fat biking. A bike rental that includes a helmet is $60 for a full day, $40 for a half-day or $20 an hour. The bikes come in four adult sizes.

Tabernash: Devil’s Thumb Ranch offers all-day fat bike rentals for $40 including a helmet. The ranch has 12 km of biking-dedicated trails. Riders not staying at the ranch will need to buy a trail pass, which is $25 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for children. Call 970-726-8231 in advance to check availability.

WINTER AIR RIFLE BIATHLON

Tabernash: Devil’s Thumb Ranch offers a sport that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting for $50 per person, excluding equipment rental and trail pass. The experience lasts one hour and you must be 12 or older. Call 970-726-8231 for details.

HOT SPRINGS

Hot Sulphur Springs: Tired of the cold? The Hot Sulphur Springs Resort & Spa offers natural, hot, mineral-rich water in 21 pools and baths. Temperatures range from 95-112 degrees. The resort does not add chemicals, filter or recirculate the water. Rates start at $20 per adults (12+), $12.50 for children age 3-12 and $30.50 for a two-day pass. Adults can use private pools for $20 an hour and the resort offers towel rentals for $2 and robes for $6. The resort is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. year round. Call 970-725-3306 for more.

SLEIGH RIDES

Tabernash: While guests staying at Devil’s Thumb will be given sleigh ride priority, the ranch also takes reservations from the public. Sleigh rides are $50 for adults, $40 for children 6-12, and kids 5 and under are free. The rides are 45 minutes to an hour and end with hot drinks and s’mores around a campfire. Rides are subject to weather and trail conditions. Reservations are required. Call 970-726-3777 or email stables@devilsthumbranch.com for more.

Grand Lake: Winding River Resort gives sleigh rides from mid-December through Dec. 31. Group rides are $25 for adults, $20 for children (5-12) and 4 and younger are free. Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance. Call 970-627-3215 for more.

Fraser: Dashing Thru The Snow offers sleigh rides through secluded woods and meadows in old-fashioned sleighs. Group rides are $40 for adults, $35 for ages 5-11 and $5 for 4 and under. The company also offers private rides on a smaller sleigh. Both group and private rides leave four times daily, at 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Call 970-389-2966 for more.

HORSEBACK RIDING

Tabernash: Devil’s Thumb Ranch has horseback riding through the winter as long as trail conditions allow, often until mid-February. Rides are $85. Adults are preferred because of the winter trail conditions, but the ranch will take special requests into consideration. Rides end with hot drinks and s’mores around a campfire. Reservations are required. Call 970-726-3777 or email stables@devilsthumbranch.com for more.

INDOOR ACTIVITIES

The Foundry: The Foundry in Winter Park offers bowling lanes and movie screens to keep the whole family warm and entertained. Families can choose from eight bowling lanes and one or two movie options, as well as enjoy food and drinks at a table or in the theater. The theater and bowling alley is open 4-10 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Check foundry-wp.com for movie listings.

Headwaters River Journey: Winter Park is home to a one-of-a-kind museum that’s focused on water and sustainability by highlighting local waterways, such as the Fraser and Colorado Rivers. With over 31 exhibits, many interactive, the Headwaters River Journey engages visitors with games, real-world examples and creativity stations. Tickets are $8 for kids ages 5-15, $15 for adults and $12 for seniors over 65. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Cozens Ranch Museum: Learn about the pioneer days of the Fraser Valley and what it looked like to journey over Berthoud Pass on foot at the Cozens Ranch Museum. The first homestead, post office and stage stop in the Fraser Valley is now home to exhibits about the Cozens family, Doc Susie, President Eisenhower, Ute Native People and the discovery of Berthoud Pass. It also features a gallery of local artists and books on Grand County history. Tickets are $3 for children ages 6-17, $6 for adults and $5 for seniors. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

Wylie’s Paint and Games: From the outside, Wylie’s looks like nothing more than an unassuming paint shop, but step inside and you will find a world of traditional and modern games. Whether families are looking for a board game, a vintage video game or a role playing game, Wylie’s offers a selection to buy and play in-store. Not sure how to play or what the rules are? Ask a Wylie’s employee and they will be happy to teach it. The store also hosts game nights, typically on Thursdays and Fridays, for larger group games, like Magic: The Gathering or Dungeons and Dragons. Check out the store’s Facebook page for the latest events. The store is open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Grand Park Rec Center: Not just a gym, the Grand Park Recreation Center includes an indoor swimming pool, a rock climbing wall and gymnastics space complete with trampolines and foam pit for families that want to get active inside. Day passes are $9 for ages 3-17 and $11 for adults. Fitness classes can be added for $5. The rec center is open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. S

via:: Sky-Hi News