I promised a little more detail about what we did and where went in Granby, Colorado after my post on Monday, in which I share a little about our short stay in Colorado with friends. So, today, I’m determined to deliver! Like I mentioned before, this was our first trip to Granby, and it delivered in spades. While our goal was a low-key holiday visiting friends before our PCS (and we achieved this), we still managed to see and do a good bit together. Think Granby might be on your list of places to visit? I’m sharing all about our time there today!
What We Did & Where We Went in Granby, Colorado
Never heard of Granby? You’re not alone. This was our first time hearing of and visiting the mountain town known for its extreme elevation at 7,953 feet above sea level, as well as for being the most populous town in Grand County, Colorado. Just about 85 miles northwest of Denver and 15 miles southwest of Rocky Mountain National Park, it’s the perfect escape for adventure seekers all year long. Lucky for us, we managed to see it in its prime – blanketed in thick snow.
Winter in Rocky Mountain National Park
We weren’t equipped for a snowshoeing venture, but we too the trucks deep into Rocky Mountain National Park to look for elk and other critters. Spoiler alert: we saw lots of tracks but zero critters! We did manage to see epic mountain views, as well as devastating damage the park saw due to the wildfires this past summer. The park is known for its snowshoeing in the winter and beautiful hiking in the summer, and it’s pretty clear we need to go back for this!
Hot Sulphur Springs Resort & Spa
Located in the eponymous town of Hot Sulphur Springs, Hot Sulphur Springs Resort & Spa is only about 20 minutes past Granby. After a chilly day looking for woodland critters, we were thrilled to see that the spa is open to visitors with careful COVID precautions in place. Masks are required when traversing between the pools, and guests are limited to a smaller capacity. With thermal springs varying in temperatures from the low 100s to about 115 degrees, it was heaven, and yes! The kids were allowed, too.
Fraser Tubing Hill
This family-owned gem is in Fraser, Colorado, and attracts thousands of visitors each year with its broad open slope, comfortable lift, and onsite gear rentals. We went tubing earlier this year in Washington, and we weren’t that impressed. Fraser Tubing Hill, however, has it down! Since 1971, they’ve been delivering a remarkable experience with generous time slots, COVID precautions, and friendly staff. If you’re in the area in the winter, I can’t recommend this enough!
Discovery Challenger Trail in Winter Park
We were dolts and didn’t bring our Deuter carrier for this trip, but we knew we wanted to get out there and explore, see, and do as much as possible regardless. The Discovery Challenger Trail in Winter Park, Colorado was just 35 minutes from our residence in Granby, and it was just what we wanted. Just 1.2 miles roundtrip, we trudged through thick snow that plenty of snowshoers and Nordic skiers were also enjoying. We didn’t make the whole loop without the Deuter, but the views were beautiful, and I can’t recommend this trail enough!
The Inn at Silvercreek
Our friends with whom we visited in Granby graciously invited us to join them staying in a friends’ timeshare at The Inn at Silvercreek. Honestly, the location couldn’t be beat, and we loved going to sleep with the glow of the fire. The balcony overlooking the spacious grounds was a treat, and there is a heated pool onsite where people can book private time slots during COVID. It’s a little gem in Granby that we definitely enjoyed.
Honestly, our trip to Granby was so needed because now that we’re back, we’re neck deep in PCS prep. As I shared on my instagram this week, the PCS process is convoluted and frustrating, but we’re so grateful to have had a beautiful intermission like this in between!
Tell me – what would be your favorite part of all of this?