The Best of Winter
3 ways to celebrate the snowy season in Colorado
Photo courtesy of Never Summer Nordic Yurts
1. Never Summer Nordic Yurts
Gould, Colorado
neversummernordic.com
Nestled in Colorado’s State Forest State Park, Never Summer Nordic offers a dozen heated, dome-shaped tents modeled after traditional Mongolian herding shelters. Open throughout snow season, the yurts provide immediate access to snowshoeing, skiing, snowmobiling, hunting, ice fishing, and sledding. Book the Dancing Moose Yurt for accessibility by car, zero avalanche danger and beginner slopes, and the Upper Montgomery Pass Yurt for more advanced terrain. Bring plenty of snacks and hot cocoa, but leave behind the unwieldy equipment—pots, pans, cooking utensils, and bedding are included. Nightly rates start at $85 through Nov. 30; $90 Dec. 1-April 30.
2. Alpino Vino
Telluride, Colorado
tellurideskiresort.com
At a staggering 11,966 feet, the quaint Alpino Vino eatery can only be accessed by a scenic 20-minute ride in an enclosed snow-coach. Once you arrive, cozy up with sheepskin throws in front of a wood-burning fireplace, take in unobstructed views of the San Juan Mountain Range on a multi-tiered deck, and indulge in a five-course prix-fixe Italian meal and a 250-bottle wine list. 21 and over only; restaurant seats 28, reservations required.
Photo: Scott Pope, courtesy of Snow Mountain Ranch
3. Snow Mountain Ranch
Granby, Colorado
snowmountainranch.org
Offering one of the few dog sledding experiences in Colorado, Snow Mountain Ranch has a fleet of 16 trained huskies that pull up to two guests at a time through the meadows of Arapaho National Forest. The adventure begins with a presentation by the lead musher, who introduces participants to the basics of dog sledding and shares stories from his time behind the helm. A standard ride typically covers two miles of winding terrain and lasts 45 minutes. $30 for guests staying on-property; $50 for day visitors.
