Snowmobiling
Snowmobiling in the Winter Park area can be a custom fit experience - anything from a guided tour through meadows and over mountains, or explore hundreds of trails on your own!
Local Listings:
- Mini-snowmobiles (either snowscoots or Polaris 120cc) are available for kids at two separate locations in Winter Park.
- Most guided and unguided tours include the rental of helmets; check with each individual company regarding snow suits, boots, goggles and gloves.
- Grand Lake is considered the "Snowmobile Capital of Colorado".
Overview
Harness the power of a snowmobile and explore the forests and mountains of the Winter Park area as you've never seen them before! Guided or unguided opportunities await at several different locations throughout the county. Take a guided tour, rent snowmobiles or bring your own - Grand Lake is known as the 'Snowmobiling Capital of Colorado' with over 300 trails, and Grand County as a whole has over a thousand miles of snowmobile-friendly trails. Even kids have a chance to catch the thrill of snowmobiling by either riding on the back as a passenger, or as the driver of a mini-snowmobile, on which they can ride on designated, groomed trails for even just ten minutes at a time.
Locations
Grand Adventures (Three Winter Park offices and one in Grand Lake - 36 miles from Winter Park)
This is the only place in the Winter Park-Fraser Valley where you can ride to the top of the Continental Divide - witness unparalleled views from 12,000 ft.! This outfit has four convenient locations: one office is within the Winter Park Mountain Lodge, which is right across the highway from the Winter Park Ski Resort. Another office, called Powder Addiction, is within the Village at the Winter Park Base; they offer snowcat skiing/riding, but you can also arrange for a snowmobile tour (which would take place at the Winter Park Mountain Lodge location). The third office is at Beaver Village, which is on the right hand side as you're rolling into Winter Park proper; this is where your kids (ages 4-12) can join in the fun by riding their own Mini-snowmobiles (Polaris 120cc). The fourth office is in Grand Lake, right off of Main Street.
- Directions to Winter Park Mountain Lodge office: From Winter Park proper, drive east on US Highway 40 toward Berthoud Pass/Denver. Right after the stoplight (at Arrow Trail, at the Lakota Subdivision), you'll drive about a 1/4 mile until you'll turn left into the Winter Park Mountain Lodge. Follow signs to office.
- Directions to the Grand Lake office (36 miles from Winter Park): From Winter Park, drive west on US Highway 40 into Granby. At the intersection of US Highway 40 and US Highway 34, make a right onto US Highway 34 and drive about 14.5 miles into the town of Grand Lake. Once you're on Main Street (W. Portal Road) in Grand Lake, the office is the first business on the right (across from the Polaris dealership) on Main Street.
- Season/Hours: The season typically runs from mid-November into early April, snow permitting. Hours: 8:30 a.m to 5:30 p.m.
- Contact Info in Winter Park: 79303 US Highway 40, Winter Park, CO 80482. Phone: 970-726-9247 or 800-726-9247
- Contact Info in Grand Lake: 304 West Portal Road, Grand Lake, CO 80447. Phone: 970-627-3098
Trailblazer Snowmobile Tours (8.2 miles from Winter Park)
In operation since 1983, they have the largest permitted snowmobile trail system in Colorado, with over 100 miles of trails through the Arapahoe National Forest. They offer guided tours through every kind of terrain - from riding through meadows or cruising to peaks. They offer 2008-2011 Arctic Cat, Panthers (doubles) and Yamaha Phazers (high-performance) sleds. Guided tours only.
- Directions: From Winter Park, drive west on US Highway 40 into Fraser. As you're leaving Fraser, you'll see County Road 5 on the left (near the ball fields). Turn left onto County Rd. 5, and then the first left onto CO Hwy 50. Take the first right to stay on CO Hwy 50, and drive about 1.6 miles. Turn right onto County Rd. 50 and you'll see the establishment.
- Season/Hours: The season typically runs from mid-November until early April, snow permitting. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Last tour goes out at 3:30 p.m.)
- Contact Info: 22800 County Road 50, Fraser, CO 80442. Phone: 970-726-8452 or 800-669-0134.
Colorado Adventure Park (2 miles from Winter Park)
In addition to tubing adventures, this fun park has a snowscoot trail for the snowscoots (mini-snowmobiles) that kids, ages 6-13 and under 130 pounds, can ride!
- Directions: From Winter Park, drive west on US Highway 40 until you reach the traffic light in Fraser (across from the Safeway). Turn left onto County Road 72 and drive past the Alco Shopping Center; once you pass the underpass and the road forks, stay to the right (County Road 721/Fraser Valley Parkway). You'll see the parking lot on the left side of the road.
- Season/Hours: The 2010/2011 season runs from mid-November through April, snow permitting. Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., open seven days a week.
- Contact Information: 566 Country Road 721, Fraser, CO 80442. Phone: 970-726-5779.
Power World (19.6 miles from Winter Park)
Rent top-of-the-line snowmobiles from this authorized dealer of Arctic Cat, Ski Doo and Kawasaki snowmobiles; a full-day rental includes gas, a helmet, a trailer and snowsuit. Bring gloves and boots, or purchase from their wide array of clothing and accessories. If you're unable to pull a trailer with the sleds, they can arrange to drop them off at the trailhead for you.
- Directions: From Winter Park, drive west on US Highway 40 to Granby. Just as you're entering town, you'll see Power World on the left hand side.
- Season/Hours: The season typically runs from mid-November until early April, snow permitting. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Contact Info: 6100 US Highway 40, Granby, CO 80446. Phone: 970-887-9337.
Lone Eagle Lodge and Snowmobiles Rentals (36.4 miles from Winter Park)
You can rent 2009/2010 SKI-DOO sleds and usually, you can ride them right from the door onto trails, or if the snow is light, this outfit will drop the sleds off at the nearest trail. Rental prices include the use of a helmet, snowmobile suit and boots, but you're encouraged to bring your own gloves, sunglasses, a neck warmer, and sunscreen.
- Directions: From Winter Park, drive west on US Highway 40 into Granby, driving through town. At the intersection of US Highway 40 and US Highway 34, turn right onto US-34 and drive about 14.4 miles. You'll see the sign "Welcome to Grand Lake" - make that right and drive another mile and a half. You'll see the establishment on the right hand side.
- Season/Hours: The season runs from mid-November through April, snow permitting. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Rentals must be back by 5 p.m.)
- Contact Info: 712-720 Grand Avenue, Grand Lake, CO 80447. Phone: 970-627-3310 or 800-282-3311.
On The Trail Snowmobile Rentals/Winding River Resort (39.9 miles from Winter Park)
Rent the newest (and high performance!) snowmobiles - 2011 Arctic Cat, Ski-Doo and Polaris - from this rental outfit just outside of Grand Lake proper. Rev the engines right at their door, and explore the 130 miles of groomed trails on your own through the Arapaho National Forest. Cost of rental includes snowmobile suit, boots and helmet.
- Directions: From Winter Park, drive west on US Highway 40 into Granby. At the intersection of US Highway 40 and US Highway 34, turn right onto US-34 and drive about 16 miles. Turn left across from the Rocky Mountain National Park Kawuneeche Visitor's Center, on County Rd. 491. Drive 1.5 miles to Winding River Resort. Turn left and follow the signs 1/2 mile to the rental location - they are located at the west end of the property.
- Season/Hours: The season typically runs from mid-November through early April, snow permitting. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Rentals must be back by 5 p.m.)
- Contact Info: 1447 County Road 491, Grand Lake, CO 80447. Phone: 970-627-0171.
Backcountry Snowmobiling in Public Lands (about 49.9 miles from Winter Park)
Looking for some backcountry panache? Snowmobile enthusiasts often gravitate to the ungroomed trails near Kremmling, especially on Rabbit Ears Pass, Gore Pass and Spring Creek. Contact the Kremmling Chamber of Commerce for maps and other information: 877-573-4301.
