Grand County in a nutshell:
About 90 miles west of Denver and world famous among outdoor enthusiasts, Grand County is located along the Continental Divide and encompasses part of Rocky Mountain National Park. Like much of the Rocky Mountain region, Greater County’s quiet, friendly cities are fairly gay-friendly, though there’s no GLBT “scene” here to speak of. However, it’s perfect for a romantic, outdoor getaway, and for groups of friends looking for a beautiful, breathtaking destination to ski, mountain bike, raft, or hike, and with more reasonably priced accommodations than in Aspen, Vail or many other great outdoors. recreational meccas.
Seasons:
Grand County is a year-round destination, with lots of snowfall for winter sports and relatively cool temperatures in summer, making it popular with those looking to escape the heat. Winter Park receives between 350 and 400 inches of snow each year (Grand Lake receives about 150 inches). Summers are dry, with rainfall averaging 2 to 3 inches per month.
Winter Park’s average highs and lows in January are 30 and 7 degrees F; in July, highs average 68 degrees F, with lows a cool and crisp 42 degrees F. Grand Lake’s January highs and lows averages 32 and 4 degrees F; In July, highs average 76 degrees F, with lows of 39 degrees F.
Driving distances:
Driving distances to Winter Park from major cities and points of interest are:
- Aspen: 190 miles (3.5 to 4 hours)
- Boulder: 85 miles (2 to 2.5 hours)
- Breckinridge: 75 miles (90 min)
- Colorado Springs: 140 miles (2.5 hours)
- Denver: 75 miles (1.5 to 2 hours)
- Estes Park: 85 miles (1.5 to 2 hours)
- Fort Collins: 130 (2.5 hours)
- Grand Junction: 240 miles (4 hours)
- Grand Lake: 40 miles (1 hour)
- Salt Lake City: 435 miles (8 to 9 hours)
- Santa Fe, NM: 460 miles (7 hours)
- Steamboat Springs: 100 miles (2 hours)
- Telluride: 350 miles (7 to 7.5 hours)
- Vail: 90 miles (1.5 to 2 hours)
Rocky Mountain National Park Quiet Side, Grand Lake:
Rocky Mountain National Park, one of the most visited national parks in the country, draws most of its visitors from the more accessible but busier eastern side of Estes Park. You can avoid the crowds and still access the spectacular scenery of this park, from the abundant wildlife to the wildflower-covered meadows and rugged trails, approaching US 34 via Grand Lake (entering the Visitor Center of Kawuneeche), which is about 40 miles north of Winter Park
Grand Lake has a great little town center with lively restaurants and shops, as well as plenty of accommodations.
Skiing and Mountain Biking at Winter Park Resort and Grand County:
With around 3,000 acres of ski terrain that in the summer transforms into more than 50 miles of acclaimed mountain biking territory in the summer, Winter Park Resort has long been a premier destination for both casual and casual recreation enthusiasts. . It is also the closest major resort to Denver, which is only 70 miles away.
Just 15 miles northwest of Winter Park in Tabernash, Devil’s Thumb Ranch is one of the most acclaimed cross-country ski resorts in the nation.
Resources in Grand County and Winter Park:
For general visitor information, visit the Grand County Colorado tourism website, which covers all cities in the area. You can also get specific information about Winter Park from the Winter Park-Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce, and about Rocky Mountain National Park from the park’s official website.
How to get to Grand County, Colorado:
Although Grand County is less than 100 miles from Progressives Denver and Boulder, and is also fairly close to such popular ski towns as Vail, Breckenridge, and Aspen, there is little in the area specifically geared toward GLBT visitors, certainly not gay bars or events. However, the region, especially Grand Lake and Winter Park, is very popular with outdoor enthusiasts, and many gays and lesbians live in these cities, drawn by the generally accepted and progressive environment and fascinating natural beauty.
A handful of the top accommodations on the market in the area for GLBT travelers, including the Wild Horse Inn in Fraser, the Spirit Mountain Ranch in Grand Lake, and the Arapahoe Ski Lodge in Winter Park. But generally speaking, all the accommodations in the county are quite cozy.
The neighboring high-mountain towns of Winter Park and, just to the northwest, Fraser , draw most visitors to Greater County, are popular spots for outdoor recreation, from skiing and snowshoeing in winter to mountain biking (Winter Park aptly calls itself “Mountain Bike Capital, USA”), rafting and hiking in the summer. Winter Park also has some outstanding music festivals in the summer, and Fraser, with its rich cattle history, hosts the High Country Stampede Rodeo during the warmer months.
The county’s other great vacationer destination is Grand Lake , on the quieter southwest side of Rocky Mountain National Park. Bustling downtown Grand Lake is worth exploring, and like Winter Park and Fraser, makes an excellent base for outdoor recreation. The city also supports the Rocky Mountain Repertory Theater, which puts on various musicals during its summer and fall season.
Smaller communities in the county include Granby , which has a handful of inexpensive B & Bs and motels that are a good base for exploring either Winter Park or Grand Lake, as it is situated between them; and Kremmling , which is in the western end of the county.
Winter Park, Fraser, and Grand Lake have most of the best restaurants and shops in the area, from homemade barbecue grills to classic breweries.
