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Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall?
That is the question....for there
are all types of things to do year around in the Fraser River
Valley, from summer Picnics in the Park, as pictured
here, to the listing that follows. The list should not limit
your imagination!
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| SKIING
- SNOWBOARDING - CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING
- All variations on a theme; riding on snow on a board (or boards)
to which your feet are attached. With great enthusiasm! Winter
Park and SolVista Resorts cater to both skiers and
snowboarders. Cross-country skiers can find groomed trails at
Snow Mountain Ranch, Devil's Thumb Ranch Resort, and SolVista
as well as ungroomed trails in the National Forest (see
Hiking trails listed below). Equipment can be rented at the above
resorts as well as at local businesses such as Ski Broker
at 970-726-8882 or 800-544-2431, Alpine Sun at 970-726-5107
or 800-752-3424, Powdertools at 970-726-1151 or 877-754-7627,
Ski Exchange Rentals 970-726-9240 or 800-726-9240, Ski
Depot Sports at 970-726-8055 or 800-525-6484, and Winter
Park Sport Shop at 970-726-5554 or 800-222-SKIS. Fraser
Tubing Hill (970)726-5954 (winter only) |
| HIKING
& SNOWSHOEING
- They are essentially the same, only
the hiking in winter is done with snowshoes! There are lots of
trails in the Arapaho National Forest, the Indian Peaks Wilderness
and in Rocky Mountain National Park. Popular trails in the Fraser
Valley are the Byers Peak Trail, Columbine Lake Trail, Caribou
Pass Trail, High Lonesome Trail (includes the Devil's Thumb Trail),
Jim Creek Trail, Rogers Pass Trail, James Peak Trail and the
St. Louis Lake Trail. Trail maps can be obtained at the Fraser
Visitor Center, the Sulphur Ranger District Office, and many
area sporting goods stores. |
| MOUNTAIN
BIKING - Pick up a trail map (see above,
Hiking and Snowshoeing) and head out for some serious mountain
biking. Or take a lift to the top of Winter Park Resort and ride
the bike trails down. Although you may see some folks on their
bikes in the winter, this is generally accepted to be a summertime
activity here in the mountains, for obvious reasons! For bike
rentals, see the companies listed above under the heading Skiing,
Snowboarding and Cross-Country Skiing. Most turn into mountain
bike shops in the summer. |
| SNOWMOBILING - There
are several companies which provide backcountry snowmobile experiences.
In Fraser, for guided tours, call Trailblazer Snowmobile Tours
at 970-726-8452 or 800-669-0134. In Winter Park, for guided tours
and unguided rentals, call Grand Adventures at 970-726-9247
or 800-726-9247. In Grand Lake, Spirit Lake Lodge and Snowmobile
Rentals has unguided snowmobile rentals. Call them at 970-627-3344
or 800-544-6593 for rates and reservations. |
| HORSEBACK
RIDING - HAY RIDES - SLEIGH RIDES - DOG SLED RIDES If it's
horseback riding you want, there are numerous stables just waiting
to take you along! Sombrero Ranch is Northern Colorado's
Largest Horse outfitters, with horses for all of your needs.
Call them at 970-887-1999. Dog
Sled Rides of Winter Park is your place for the thrill-of-a-lifetime
ride with the dawgs! Call 970-726-8326 for reservations. |
| FISHING - Mo Henry's Trout Shop is the definitive
authority on the best lake, river, pond, or stream to pitch your
bait as you whisper, "Here, fishy, fishy!", and wait
and hope. For the final word on fishing and expert advice on
fly fishing call them at 970-726-9754. Fishing licenses and equipment
can be purchased at Safeway and Alco in Fraser.
In Colorado, fishing licenses are required at age 16 and older. |
| RAFTING - Colorado
river rafting and float trips are an exciting activity served
by a number of tour companies in the Fraser Valley: Red Tail
Rafting 970-726-1197, Mad Adventures 970-726-5290
or 800-451-4844, Raven Adventure Trips 800-332-3381
and Colorado River Runs 800-826-1081, just to name
a few. |
| BALLOONING - Two
companies fulfill your desire to get above it all with a hot
air balloon ride! Both have qualified pilots and offer various
packages Most flights are early morning, to take advantage of
the best lift and tranquil weather conditions. Contact Blue
Sky Balloon Adventures at 970-887-3001 or Grand Adventures
Balloon Tours at 970-887-1340 or 888-887-1340. |
| HUNTING - Let Samuelson Outfitters be your guide
to the best elk hunting in Colorado. Located in the heart of
the elk and deer country, their main camp is remote, away from
road noise; just you and the elk out there! Call them for summer
and fall hunting trip dates and rates, as well as extended summer
pack trips and day rides, at 970-726-8221. |
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