How to max out warm days this year around Winter Park

By Kyle Kirves

The Highway 40 corridor that serpentines up from I-70, through Empire and over Berthoud Pass to Winter Park and other parts of Grand County, certainly sees its fair share of traffic when the weather turns colder and the snow falls. And while Grand Lake and Lake Granby attract a boatload of summertime visitors, Grand County has a thousand attractions on land as well as water when the sun is high. That is to say, Winter Park (and Tabernash and Frazier and Ski Granby Ranch) have a lot to offer in the summer … and longer days in which to enjoy them.

The good news is that the mountains don’t close down after spring thaw – no secret there. Hiking, biking, and running trails for all levels of ability exist – whether you’re an out-of-towner just looking for a leisurely pedal or a local elite athlete getting in some summertime training. Simple web searching will result in great recommendations for peak-peeking, wildflower strolling, trail bumping, or heading up 13,000-foot mountains. We’ll save you the web crawl and highlight a few favorites.

If you have just one day in Grand County
… and you’re coming into Winter Park from I-70 and Empire

Ride the gondola and hike the Lower Roof of the Rockies trail to Fantasy Meadow
Your kids will love you, and your legs will thank you for choosing to ride the lift to Roof of the Rockies. From there, walk or hike the Fantasy Meadow loop through alpine forest and meadows, where you’ll find flora and fauna in full display. Broad, striking vistas will be a feast for the eyes without taxing the body. The trail hits all the beats in its two-mile loop, including a picnic table to take a break before heading back.

Have lunch along U.S. 40
Choosing a lunch spot from among the many great places in Winter Park is a challenge – and there really is no accounting for taste. Fortunately, several authentically local places cater to just about any food mood that might strike. You really can’t go wrong, and any list will inevitably leave someone’s favorite off – advance apologies to the overlooked gems. Personal and family favorites include Pepe Osaka’s for fish tacos and Hernado’s Pizza Pub for a pie. Casa Mexico ranks among our all-time favorite Mexican restaurants, in Winter Park or anywhere. And Randi’s Grill & Pub never fails to deliver – whether for breakfast, burgers or beer and cocktails.

…but if you’re coming into Grand Lake from Rocky Mountain National Park

Walk Grand Avenue end-to-end and back again
Appropriately enough, the main drag in town is Grand Avenue. Consider stretching your legs and checking out the town’s history, scenery, galleries, and shops along this pedestrian-friendly street. There’s no shortage of great places to eat, which cater to all cravings. But for me, in the summer months, nothing beats dipping into an ice cream cone during the stroll. Jumpstart Ice Cream, Ceaira’s Sweet Shop, and Miyauchi’s Snack Bar are great options for indulging your sweet tooth.

Rent watercraft and tour the headwaters of the Colorado River
If you only have a single day in the town of Grand Lake, rent a canoe, open-top kayak, or stand-up paddleboard and cruise the village’s clear, cold namesake body of water. At right around four miles in circumference, Grand Lake makes for a spellbinding afternoon paddle in the shadow of, well, Shadow Mountain. The Grand Lake Marina, Rocky Mountain SUPs, or the Mountain Paddlers Kayak Shak rent all manner of boats, depending on your preference.

If you have three days in Grand County
…and you’re in Winter Park

Have breakfast at Sharkey’s Eatery
Sharkey’s Eatery in Fraser is a go-to no matter the time of year. In summer, though, you have a chance to eat breakfast outside in the Colorado sun and take in the splendor of the mountains – like you are sitting in a giant cereal bowl. Famous for their pancakes, my favorite remains the eggs benedict … and a bloody mary.

Enjoy the ride…slide
When you’re near the longest, fastest alpine slide in Colorado, how can you pass it up? Kids will love riding Winter Park’s grand summertime adventure, with 3,000 feet of slide top-to-bottom. Heck, even the ride up the Arrow Lift to the top is a treat. Discount prices are available for advance online bookings.

Visit a Distillery
Local hooch is in something of a renaissance period not seen since maybe prohibition times and there are two great choices to explore. In Winter Park, no place captures that spirit like Idlewild Spirits Distillery, home of the grain-to-glass ethic. Elixirs run the full gamut – bourbons, ryes, and single malts to gin and vodka. Just north, Fraser Valley Distilling offers mountain-crafted spirits and food to cap off the perfect day. Pair a Colorado Fashion with brisket and savor the taste of the Rockies.

Explore Devil’s Thumb
It doesn’t get any more Colorado than Devil’s Thumb Ranch. Located in nearby Tabernash, Devil’s Thumb has summertime activities that seem cut right from a summer camp brochure: archery, zip-lining, mountain biking, fly-fishing, hatchet throwing and much more. Stay at the ranch and you get discounted tickets to any of the activities. Staying elsewhere? Consider a la carte pricing and mix-and-match what you want to do. Pricing and availability vary, so best to book in advance.

Hike to the Shadow Mountain Lookout
Ambitious outdoor folks up for a good ascent with a great payoff will want to make sure the Shadow Mountain Lookout hike is on the list. This nearly 10-mile hike with 1,500 feet of elevation gain is an “all dayer” for sure (so pack a lunch), but it’s worth it, with spectacular postcard-worthy views down into Grand Lake and also the mountains beyond. The trail ends at Shadow Mountain Lookout Tower. Built in 1930, the tower is one of the last memorials to the fire lookout stations of the past and makes for great photo ops. Fair warnings - the tower is closed to entry so, please, no trespassing; and alas, Fido isn’t allowed on the trail.

Eat at Debbie’s in Granby
If nostalgia is your bag – or if you’ve just recently seen “Grease” again – hit Debbie’s in Granby. Serving up traditional American diner food like hot dogs, chili dogs, hamburgers and fries, Debbie’s is a throwback to a bygone era of carhops, drive-ins, and jukeboxes. If you don’t get one of the handmade milkshakes made in over a dozen flavors before you head “back to the future,” you’re missing out.

This story is in our March-April print issue. Click here to read the full magazine.