Mountain Living · Winter Park & Grand County
The lifts are only the beginning. From 120 kilometers of Nordic trails to 112-degree hot springs, here is how to fill a Grand County winter, whether you ski or not.
Winter Park Resort gets most of the attention each winter, and it deserves it. But some of the best days in the Fraser Valley happen away from the chairlifts. Maybe you are traveling with a non-skier, giving your legs a rest day, or simply curious about what the rest of the county offers once the snow flies.
I put this list together from the operators and agencies that run each activity, with real locations so you know exactly where you are headed. One tip before you start: The Lift, the area's free transit service, runs year-round between Winter Park Resort, downtown Winter Park, Fraser and Granby, so several of these are an easy ride from your door.
Ten ways to enjoy winter off the slopes
1. Cross-country ski or fat bike at Devil's Thumb Ranch, Tabernash
Tucked into the Ranch Creek Valley near Tabernash, Devil's Thumb Ranch grooms nearly 120 kilometers of trails for cross-country skiing. The same trail system is open for snowshoeing and fat biking, and the ranch also offers scenic snowcat tours for guests who would rather ride than glide. You'll find it at 3530 County Road 83 in Tabernash.
2. Explore Snow Mountain Ranch, between Tabernash and Granby
The YMCA of the Rockies' Snow Mountain Ranch sits on 5,100 acres off U.S. Highway 40. Its Nordic Center grooms 82.5 kilometers of track and trail, with routes for first-timers through advanced skiers, plus rentals and lessons on site. Traveling with your dog? About 40 kilometers of its Nordic and snowshoe trails are pet-friendly.
3. Go snow tubing at Fraser Tubing Hill
Right in the heart of Fraser at 455 County Road 72, the historic Fraser Tubing Hill is the easiest win for families. No special skill or equipment is needed, and a lift carries you back to the top so you can spend your energy on the ride down. The hill lists walk-in hours of 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily with no reservations needed, so check its site for the current season before you go.
4. Ride behind a dog team
On a dog sled ride, you relax in the sled while an experienced musher guides the team down a snowy trail. Rides in the Winter Park area typically run 2 to 5 miles, according to the Winter Park and Fraser Chamber. Redemption Dog Sled Tours, for example, offers musher-guided 2-mile and 4-mile rides and has already announced its 2026-27 winter season. Book early, since reservations are required and holiday weeks fill fast.
5. Take a horse-drawn sleigh ride in Fraser
Few things feel more like a mountain winter than jingling across a snowy meadow behind a team of horses. Dashing Thru The Snow Sleigh Rides, at 85 County Road 5101 in Fraser, runs rides at various times daily starting at 11 a.m. Several local outfitters also offer private rides and dinner sleigh rides, so ask about those if you're planning a special night out.
6. Ride the Gondola to Sunspot for the views
You don't need skis to enjoy the top of Winter Park Resort. Scenic Gondola tickets are sold for foot passengers, and the ride climbs to about 10,700 feet, where you can warm up and grab a bite at The Lodge at Sunspot. The resort notes that both the Gondola and the lodge are wheelchair accessible, which makes this a great outing for every generation.
7. Lace up your skates
For skating under the open sky, head to the Village Pond in the heart of the Village at Winter Park, at the base of the resort, where skate rentals are walk-up only. If you'd rather skate indoors, the IceBox rink at the Fraser Valley Sports Complex in Fraser offers public skating sessions too.
8. Snowmobile out of Grand Lake
The Grand Lake Trail Groomers call Grand Lake the snowmobiling capital of Colorado, and the numbers make a strong case. The Grand Lake Trail Groomers report 63,000 acres of riding terrain around town, and Visit Grand County counts more than 1,000 miles of snowmobile trails across Grand Lake, Kremmling and the Winter Park and Fraser area. Several local outfitters offer guided tours, which are a good way to start if you've never ridden.
9. Soak at Hot Sulphur Springs
After a cold day, nothing beats natural hot water. Hot Sulphur Springs Resort and Spa, west of Granby at 5609 Spring Road in the town of Hot Sulphur Springs, lists 20 mineral pools ranging from 98 to 112 degrees. It's open 365 days a year from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., with the last walk-in at 9:15 p.m.
10. Try ice fishing, or join the 3 Lakes contest
Once Grand County's big lakes freeze, anglers head out onto the ice. If you want a reason to try it, Destination Granby hosts the 39th annual 3 Lakes Ice Fishing Contest on January 29 to 31, 2027, on Lake Granby, Shadow Mountain Reservoir and Grand Lake. Contest rules require anglers to drill through the ice, so open-water fishing doesn't count. Check ice conditions and Colorado fishing license requirements before you head out.
The best part of a Grand County winter is that a rest day from skiing is never a day with nothing to do.
A bonus for nature lovers
Rocky Mountain National Park's west entrance sits just one mile north of the town of Grand Lake on U.S. Highway 34, at the Kawuneeche Visitor Center. In past winters, rangers have led west-side snowshoe walks with snowshoes provided and reservations required by calling 970-627-3471. Those programs depend on snow, and last season's were canceled in March because of conditions, so check the National Park Service's west side winter programs page before you plan around one.
Why it matters if you own here
If you're thinking about buying a home in Winter Park, Fraser or anywhere in Grand County, this list is part of the value. A place with this much to do in winter is a place guests want to visit and families want to come back to. That variety helps make the Fraser Valley a year-round home, not just a ski-week stop.
For owners who rent their homes, it gives you more to share with guests, and more reasons for them to book again. For buyers, it's worth noticing which activities are closest to the neighborhoods you're considering. A short ride to the tubing hill or the Nordic trails can matter as much as distance to the lifts.
If you'd like to talk about which part of the valley fits the way you want to spend your winters, I'm always happy to help.
Chad Chapel
Mountain Property Specialist
The Real Estate Company -- Mountain Division · Winter Park, Colorado
Colorado's #1 Real Estate Team
MOBILE 970-363-9770 · OFFICE 970-426-5500
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