Winter Park Resort: 66 Miles from Denver

Welll - seeing as though most things are closed this week and into the foreseeable future - mark "Winter Park" as a place to visit soon! OR - if you want - they are allowing some uphill access on limited terrain - I guess if you are that into getting a workout!

Winter park was one of my first ski resorts visited when I moved here 10 years ago - WOW - ten years! I went up with friends in March - and didn't ski - just watched from the bar/logde and listened to music! Did we go because it's the closest "major mountain destination to Denver?" Nope - passes were a bit different back then - and I think it all depended on that!

Nobody really liked "stats" class in college - but these stats will make any mountain lover smile!

• WP is CO's longest continually operated ski resort - it has an 80 year history!

• Over 300 inches of snow each year!

• Base elev is 9,000 - Summit elev is 12,060!

• 1,246 hectares - or in English - 3,081 total skiable acreage on 166 trails + even more off trail sking and "glade skiing"

• They make their own snow - when needed - which the promise to open by Thanksgiving each year!

• 8% of trails belong to beginners, 3% are "expert only".. and 52% are "most-difficult" - that laves 18% intermediate + 19% Advanced!

One of the nicest things about Winter Park is getting there on the "WINTER PARK EXPRESS"! It is a train directly from Denver's Union Station. You can plan a day trip or weekend trip as typically the train runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday! Snack and Beverages are available - AND you don't have to sit in ski traffic - you can rest up for your mountain adventures - or rest up for a Sunday Funday back in Denver!

In all of my "Miles From Denver" blogs... I always try to find things to do in WINTER, SPRING, SUMMER + FALL.... Winter Park lays them out perfectly here. 

WINTER - Whatever you want to do, try, explore, or discover next, you’ll find it at Winter Park Resort. With seven distinct ski and ride territories delivering on-mountain excitement for all levels, and a village and surrounding area full of countless off-mountain activities, Winter Park Resort is quite simply the hub of winter adventure in Colorado. Always offering more than you imagined.

SPRING - Sun, snow, suds, and shows. Spring skiing is a combo of great snow conditions, beautiful blue skies, and a great line-up of activities. Let us help you craft a trip that makes the most of your visit.

SUMMER - Now offering a wide variety of day passes so you can choose your adventure. Or, upgrade to a season pass and enjoy unlimited fun all summer long.

FALL - Fall is the golden hour of the Rockies—short, sweet, and oh so beautiful. Don’t miss out on beautiful colors, refreshing temps, and plenty of sunshine.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison: 263 Miles from Denver

@qbnguyen + @brandolini44 planned the trip we took in 2018!

When your friends love visiting National Parks - and plan a trip to Moab, Utah - you know they are going to add another National Park on the way back to Denver! In June 2018 I got to experience Black Canyon of the Gunnison for the first time - and I would go back! I sent the below picture to my nephews because I felt like I was in a scene of Jurassic Park and was in a time where dinosaurs roamed. A bird flew over pretty close to our heads with a whipping sound I swore it was a Tetradactyl! Turns out it was probably a Peregrine Falcon - the fastest bird in the world - that calls Black Canyon it's home. Scientists estimate that when these birds do an aerial dive - they can reach speeds of over 200 miles per hour. Yup - probably that bird that almost took me out! 

In 1933 the canyons were designated as a national monument - and then in 1999 it became a national park. There are currently 62 national parks in the US.... and 4 in Colorado! Although the canyons appear black in color, due to some parts of the gorge getting only 33 total minutes of sunlight per day! This makes parts of the canyons always appear dark - or "black". As part of my blog series - I always try to find a "nickname" or "slogan" for each destination. Closest I could find was "Colorado's own Grand Canyon" here is why:  "Black Canyon of the Gunnison boasts many of the same jaw-dropping features of the Grand Canyon, just on a smaller scale. Importantly though, there is one area in which Black Canyon mightily surpasses the Grand Canyon, and that’s in just how steeply its infamous river drops.

While the Colorado River drops an average of 7.5 feet per mile in the Grand Canyon, the Gunnison River drops an average of 43 feet per mile through Black Canyon and hits its most dramatic descent in the park at Chasm View, where it descends 240 feet per mile." - at least that is what I learned in an article named "10 Surprising Facts About Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park".

More fun facts that the photos in this piece - or any picture really can't compare to seeing it in real life - "Several canyons of the American West are longer and some are deeper, but none combines the depth, sheerness, narrowness, darkness, and dread of the Black Canyon."  This is a quote from the author of Images of America: The Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Duane Vandenbusche. It is said that "Painted Walls" a cliff in Black Canyon is the tallest cliff in Colorado and 3rd tallest in the lower 48. The cliff Stands 2,250 feet tall from river to rim. For comparison, the Washington Monument stands at a measly 555 feet and the Empire State Building stands at just 1,250 feet. The impressive wall consists of very old Precambrian gneiss and schist rock that is cut by lighter colored pegmatite veins, which are also Precambrian in age - I think I need another geology + class!

WINTER - South Rim Rd is closed to vehicles - but open to cross country skiing +snowshoeing.

SPRING - Hike, fish, birdwatch.

SUMMER - Camp! - and don't forget to look at the stars!

FALL - Perfect weekend trip!

Sunlight Mountain Resort: 170 Miles from Denver

"No hassles. No hype. It’s exactly why you go skiing or riding." - This is what the Sunlight Mountain Ski Resort website says! The mountain is located in Glenwood Springs, and folks are encouraged to Ski, Swim, Stay! Ski the terrain, swim or soak in the hot springs and stay in a relaxing hotel!

This picture was taken on a summer hike by @lanterns_and_lavender!

So many colors throughout the year can be seen on hikes, and bikes - but we all know - its a ski resort!

The mountain is celebrating 53 years this season. It is an affordable place to ski - compared to several of Colorado's other mountains. There is about 700 skiable acres - and about half of the skiable terrain is "blues and green" - which if you know anything about skiing - those are signs for beginner + intermediate trails. So if you are a new skier/snowboarder or have a few kiddos - a week, weekend or day trip sounds like a trip worth taking!

If you are not a beginner and are up for a challenge.... the mountain holds an annual "Defiance Challenge". You and a partner challenge yourself (and others) to see how many black diamonds and double black diamonds you can do in a 10 hour period. This year the event is on March 6th - and is the 8th annual. Cost is $155/team!

The Travel recently wrote an article titled "These Ski Resorts in Colorado Have the Best Reviews on Trip Advisor".... the first mountain they talked about was yours truly! "Sunlight Mountain Resort might not be as well recognized as Colorado ski meccas such as Vail and Aspen, but don't count it out when it comes time to book your Colorado ski getaway. This resort boasts sixty-seven trails spanning over four hundred and seventy acres. Those who have spent time here swear by the tree trails. The resort claims to have some of the best tree skiing in the entire state. It also has one of the steepest slopes that Colorado has, aptly named Heathen Falls. If a fifty-two-foot degree decline isn't your thing, it also has one of the longest beginner slopes in the state. There is something for everyone at Sunlight Mountain Resort."

@funkypelicancompany said “Rain drops and Aspen leaves are some of my favorite things!

A local at Sunlight since 1985 - and a resident of Glenwood Springs his whole life - @glenwoodspringslife - took the main photo above and helped me with these:

WINTER - Snowboard and ski.

SPRING - Snowboard and ski.

SUMMER - Not much happening, but the Sunlight Mountain Inn has rooms available. Mostly hiking and a small amount of biking.

FALL - Totally awesome place to see the colors.

Loveland : 52 Miles from Denver

Happy Valentines Day! With a name like "Loveland" no one celebrates the holiday quite like this city.

The city was named after William Loveland, who was the president of the Colorado Central Railroad - back in the day. Back in the day - the town was known for sugar beets + sour cherries - both of those sound like sweet valentine treats to me.... or maybe sour?

I thought I would write about Loveland this week because of something it is famous for. Each Valentines day - the town is home to the "Valentine Re-Mailing Program." Over 160,000 people in th US and people from over 100 countries participate in the program in recent years. The low-down - you send your valentines to Loveland, Colorado - they are hand-stamped with a cachet and verse - and receive a special postal cencelation. It has been going strong for over 70 years! That is a lot of love letters! 

In addition to the mailing program, community members can pay to purchase a large valentine message on wooden hearts that are displayed on the streets across Loveland. Many of these public valentines are engagement proposals, anniversary messages, and annual traditions. There is also a "love lock" sculpture, and a "Sweetheart Festival"! AAAAND there is a group wedding! Head to www.visitlovelandco.org for all the information!

Loveland is also home to a large art scene. The town has won awards, been noted in magazines as top art communities and art is on the buildings in the downtown area. There are sculptures scattered around also - as well as 32 hearts to find! Boyd Lake has seen many fun times with locals and visitors alike. And just like most Colorado towns - there are some great breweries and even a “Sweet Heart Winery”!

WINTER - Not to be confused with "Loveland Ski Area"! You should probably spend February 14th in Loveland!

SPRING - Devil's Backbone and Devil's Backbone Brewing Company !

SUMMER - There are 32 parks - enjoy!

FALL - Fall in love with Loveland! Art walks, brew tours, dining tours!

Loveland Ski Area: 53 Miles from Denver

What is that ski area heading west on 70 right before the tunnel?

OH - its Loveland Ski Area! This website said it better than I could - so I'm using it... "Near to the hearts and homes of generations of Colorado skiers and riders, Loveland is Colorado’s true winter wonderland. Just 53 miles west of Denver, Loveland boasts 1,800 acres of remarkable terrain, FREE snowcat skiing along the Continental Divide, an innovative lesson program and more snow than any Front Range or Summit County resort. Loveland is home for those that simply want to ski or ride. Welcome home."

Due to the proximity to Denver - there is also a shuttle "SNOWSTANG"! $25 round trip gets you to and from service from Denver's Union Station!

“Welcome home” is what Parker The Snow Dog says to almost everybody in Colorado. He is pictured above getting ready to monitor the plow/grooming crew. He is not only the Loveland Ski Area Mascot, he is the Guanella Pass Brewery Dog. He is also the biggest fan of the Broncos and the Rockies! He is always seen hangin with the athletes at parties and speaking events. He loves to love on Colorado's disabled community, too! Of course he is a Berenice Mountain Dog - how fitting! Hope you spot him when you are hitting the slopes!

Slopes - that is what skiers/snowboarders care about right? With 94 trails, 2,210 Vertical drop, 1800 lift served acres, 100 hike-able acres - there is something for everyone! Actually 13% are for beginners, 41% intermediate and 46% advanced. When I was doing a little research - a question many ask is if Loveland is good for "Beginners". I think there are a few reasons why the answer is YES! "Loveland Valley" is a separate area just for beginners! INTIMIDATION is not welcome here! It offers seperate lifts and gentle terrain. Also, since there is no lodging at Loveland - the masses are not flocking there. Also - because its one of the closest to Denver - a day trip - or a 1/2 day is certainly reasonable. Once you have graduated from "The Valley" - you can head over to "The Basin".

In all my blog posts - I try to find out a "Nickname" or "slogan' - and its pretty easy for some. I couldn't really find one - but I found a cool story about "Chet's Dream!" While the ski area opened in 1936 - Chester "Chet" Upham operated the area for many years until he passed in 2008. His family owns it to this day. In 2018 Loveland Ski area got a new chairlift. They held a contest - and said they would pick a winner from the thousands that entered. The winner was - you guessed it "Chet's Dream"

“I was on Loveland’s Ski Patrol for a few years in the late nineties and had the pleasure of meeting Chet a few times,” said Terry Henningson. “Because he was so passionate and played such a big role in developing Loveland into what it is today, I thought that this would be an appropriate way to honor his legacy.”

WINTER - 1800 acres of chairlift accessed trails.

SPRING - because of its high elevation - it can sometimes be one of the latest mountains to close in the spring - and who doesn't love a good spring ski!

SUMMER - hiking - wildflower peeping!
FALL - because of it's high elevation - it is one of the earliest mountains to open in the fall.