Grand County, 2 hours from Denver in the Rocky Mountains, promises great outdoor adventures in the Colorado snow. Let the snowventures begin!

This winter I decided to embrace the snow. So when I was invited to experience the chilly thrills of Grand County, Colorado, I packed up my warmest clothes and flew to Denver to meet up with my little group of four snow friends. A two-hour shuttle ride later, we were in the Rocky Mountains. And boy, was there a lot of snow – more than twice the annual amount for late January. Grand County promised some of the best outdoor adventures in the Colorado snow. Let the snowventures begin!

Snowshoeing in Grand County

Rocky Mountain National Park offers beginning and intermediate guided snowshoe tours each week. Volunteer Sam Crane led our expedition of 24 on the intermediate level hike. We only gained about 300 feet of elevation, but starting at 9,000 feet, my heart could feel every inch!

On the snowshoeing tour. Photo by Jenny Willden

Fortunately, Sam stopped frequently to tell us about the flora, fauna, and geology of the area, and to let us catch our breath.  As we gazed out over a frozen lake and dozens of white peaks, he narrated Colorado’s water wars. “You’re standing on white gold,” he said of the 120-inch snowfall.

Rocky Mountain National Park covered in snow. Photo by Teresa Bergen

We were especially intrigued by an aspen grove gashed by black bears. The deep and massive marks alerted us to the size of the resident bears. Luckily for us, they sleep in January.

Aspen with bear claw marks. Photo by Teresa Bergen

Participants must bring their own gear. We rented snowshoes and poles at Never Summer Mountain Products in Grand Lake.

Dogsledding in Grand County

I’ve heard people question whether it’s cruel to make a dog pull a sled. But based on my observations at the Snow Mountain Ranch YMCA of the Rockies, these dogs were raring to go. Barking, pawing at the ground, saying, “What’s taking you guys so long?”

I fell in love with Glacier, Jr. Photo by Teresa Bergen

This isn’t your city Y. The enormous ranch offers all kinds of fun family activities, plus food and lodging. The dogsled program is run by Steve Peterson, chaplain, and head musher. Steve has 17 Alaskan huskies, a mixture of Siberian husky and various hound dogs not recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club. But perfect for pulling sleds

Dogsledding at the YMCA. Photo by John Poimiroo

Before experiencing the dogsledding, participants attend a 45-minute program about the sport. Tim Anderson regaled us with tales of wipeouts on his way to becoming a musher and told us about the quirks of each dog. “They live to run. If they’re not running, they go nuts,” he said. One wall of the presentation room is covered by a family tree of sled dogs, with the late Yukon at the top.

These dogs love to run. Photo by Teresa Bergen

The musher that day, Liv Kohnen, took us on sled rides one at a time. When it was my turn, I stood behind her on the sled, holding onto the handles – tightly. Those dogs took off like they’d caught sight of the world’s biggest Milk-Bone. Wiping out seemed like a real possibility. Tim’s words came back to me: “You never want to underestimate the dogs and their power.” Liv, however, was completely at ease, chitchatting with me while controlling nine dogs tearing down a path of gleaming snow. Originally from Saint Louis, the young musher has been working with dogs for two and a half years now. She plans to eventually have her own team of six. “I take care of Steve’s dogs now,” she said. “Seventeen is too much work!”

Nordic Skiing in Grand County

A complete ski newbie, I turned to ski instructor Sarai Reed of Devil’s Thumb Ranch for guidance. She belongs to a local family who is renowned for their Nordic skiing (aka cross country) prowess.

Nordic skiing at Devil’s Thumb Ranch. Photo by Teresa Bergen

Devil’s Thumb Ranch is a knock-out property with 125 miles of trails. Winter brings skiers and snowshoers, while hikers and mountain bikers dominate the summer. The ranch’s image is luxurious but unpretentious and environmentally friendly. Indeed, Devil’s Thumb is one of the leading solar energy producers in the state.

Lodge room at Devil’s Thumb Ranch. Photo by Teresa Bergen

I was a little nervous about trying to ski, especially since I was with three experienced skiers and didn’t want to hold them back. But Sarai was very patient and experienced. We went out on a fairly flat trail and she conscientiously split her time between us, skiing back and forth to instruct at our various levels. With her basic instructions on classic style Nordic skiing – knees bent, weight forward, push off with one foot, then the other – I managed to move along the snow like a jerky robot. But an upright robot, so I felt very successful. My more experienced comrades said she gave them excellent tips, too.

The best thing after skiing? A visit to Devil’s Thumb Spa for a massage or facial and some sauna time.

Ride a Snow Cat in Grand County

Should a non-downhill skier bother to visit a major ski resort? Winter Park Resort offers the chance to take a snowcat tour for those of us more comfortable with skiing as a spectator sport.

Behold, the snowcat. Photo by Gaylene Ore

Snowcats are tracked vehicles with enclosed cabs that are designed to move snow. Winter Park has 25 of them used to groom trails. While I’d seen one in The Shining, I’d never ridden in a snowcat.

A red dot flying down the hill at Winter Park. Photo by Teresa Bergen.

My two favorite things about the tour were the chance to get an overview of a major ski resort’s layout, and the chance to watch skiers and snowboarders up close. At Winter Park, which opened in 1940, even the beginner slopes looked impossibly steep. Skiers ranged from tiny tots who didn’t have far to fall, to experts who flew down the slopes. Both skiers and snowboarders took extra chances with their lives and bones in several terrain parks featuring jumps and miscellaneous hazards. The tour also provides a crash course in ski fashions.

Snowmobiling in Grand County

I’m more of a quiet-in-the-woods type of person, and I don’t love driving, so snowmobiling wouldn’t be my first choice of activities. But I took a tour up the Continental Divide and saw views I’ll never forget. Grand Adventures snowmobile tours has two-seater snowmobiles.

Snowmobiling the Continental Divide with Grand Adventures. Photo by Teresa Bergen.

The machines are fairly easy to operate, but if you prefer being a passenger, opt for the backseat.

At the top of the Continental Divide. Photo by Teresa Bergen.

We climbed a couple of thousand feet to an elevation of 11,800, where we were pelted by ice pellets that stung our foreheads like needles. Grand Adventures had fitted us out in hideous, saggy-crotched one-piece suits and helmets, but at that elevation, in January I prized warmth over fashion. If you prefer to bring your own snowmobile helmet, there are some great options available so you can be stylish and safe.

In our snowmobile suits. Photo by Teresa Bergen.

There we stood, wind zinging, postcard-perfect Colorado mountains everywhere we looked, laughing at the stinging ice and posing for cheesy photos in our stupid suits.

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5 Snow Adventures in Grand County, Colorado

Embracing winter. It was joyous. Wander has more great ideas for what to see and do when you visit Colorado. Be sure to check out Susan’s article on her visit to Grand County for a stay at Drowsy Water Ranch.