You’ll love visiting this Colorado town in winter

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — There’s no denying Grand Lake in the summertime. With the boardwalks connecting charming retailers and eateries, and with the state’s largest pure physique of water solely steps away, the city in Colorado’s central mountains feels one thing like a seaside getaway.

However within the chilly of winter, Grand Lake shines no much less.

The quaint hamlet typically is missed within the shadow of Winter Park Resort, that world-famous ski vacation spot to the south. There’s no chairlift in Grand Lake, however there’s no scarcity of powder-packed journey. There’s not the abundance of apres sit-downs, however you shouldn’t have an issue discovering a fireplace to cozy as much as along with your favourite drink.

And also you’ll discover one thing else right here that busy resorts can’t fairly declare. There’s a quiet that prevails. A sure sort of serenity. A way of calm and appreciation afforded by a real, genuine escape within the wintertime Rockies.

Grand Lake is the western portal of Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park. This aspect of the park doesn’t draw the crowds of the opposite aspect, through Estes Park. And the solitude is felt much more so within the winter.

Hire a pair of snowshoes or cross-country skis and see the majesty for your self. Or verify in with Kaiyote Excursions and permit specialists to indicate you round; they know the spots for moose viewing.

Grand Lake Nordic Middle maintains trails for snowshoeing by glistening forests and alongside the Colorado River, the place you may eye a bald eagle. The middle additionally grooms a 35-kilometer circuit for snowboarding. Youngsters will love the hill for sledding and tubing. Whenever you’re achieved, cool down with a bowl of chili.

Grand Lake is a base camp for ice fishing. Lovers dot the frozen water on the town in addition to Shadow Mountain Reservoir and Lake Granby close by.

Lately, a free ice skating rink has been arrange at City Park alongside Grand Avenue.

Grand Lake is dedicated to its self-proclaimed title: the Snowmobiling Capital of Colorado. That’s a dedication exemplified by the city sustaining snow-packed roads so riders can conveniently cross by and park the place they please.

However the boardwalk isn’t their vacation spot. Native ambassadors rely 300-plus miles of snowmobile trails within the neighborhood, with about half of these groomed. The encompassing Arapaho Nationwide Forest serves as an enormous playground.

Permit guides with On the Path Leases or Grand Adventures to indicate you round scenic meadows, forests and ridges.

The previous is all the time current round Grand Lake. Buildings nonetheless stand from the city’s early days, together with the flowery Kauffman Home. The 1892 house now homes a museum. It’s been open for excursions on choose dates over the winter.

The riverside Rapids Lodge & Restaurant is one other historic landmark. It’s a comfy, romantic cease for a night cocktail.

If not there, think about dinner at Sagebrush BBQ & Grill, with buckets of peanuts, gamey sausages and platters of smoked meats in an previous West setting.

You’ll have to return again in the summertime for a present at Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre. Nonetheless, the inventive city reveals itself at a number of artist-owned galleries.