DENVER— Warmer temperatures, blue-bird skies, stellar snow conditions and an itinerary packed with one-of-a-kind events and activities ensure Colorado is the perfect setting for an unforgettable spring break vacation. Whether it’s the whole family looking for downhill thrills or a couple’s escape paired with local libations, Colorado is the perfect destination to welcome a new season of fresh adventures. For more information, visit www.colorado.com.
Snow Packed Thrills
Western Slope Ski and Stay (Palisade). Partnering with nearby Powderhorn Mountain Resort, Colorado Wine Country Inn invites guests to enjoy the magic of skiing in the heart of the world’s largest flat top mountain and revel in the charm of Colorado Wine Country at the state’s first wine themed boutique hotel. Visitors will enjoy a one night stay for two adults, two full day passes to Powderhorn Mountain Resort, breakfast and an afternoon wine reception.
Snow Bike & Brew (Telluride). For adventure seekers looking for a fun alternative winter alpine activity, while enjoying some of Colorado’s best local craft beers and spirits, The Hotel Telluride’s Snow Bike & Brew package combines adventure and luxury with a three-night stay in an Elite View room offering 180 degree views of the San Juan Mountains, a private professionally-guided fat bike snow tour, locally crafted beers and spirits and a customized, five-course dining experience at The Hotel Telluride along with breakfast for two daily.
Night Bike Tours (Winter Park). A combination of skiing and mountain biking, ski biking offers an alternative to skiing and snowboarding down the slopes. On Friday and Saturday nights from mid-December to late March, Night Bike Tours are available for two hours of night riding. It's the perfect way to see the mountain in a whole different light. Tours include a guide, ski bike rental, orientation, gondola lift access, helmet, headlight, glasses and visibility vest.
Learning Vacations
Bird Watching (Monte Vista). With reduced foliage during the early spring months, birds and other wildlife species are easier to spot across the state. During the second weekend in March, the Monte Vista Crane Festival hosts wildlife experts, local naturalists and biologists who present educational workshops, while flocks of dancing sandhills assemble in the neighboring farm fields. Bus tours to the nearby refuge and adjacent farmlands provide visitors with the opportunity to view this spectacle up close and personal, with a knowledgeable local guide.
Art & History (Denver). Learn more about Denver’s landmark train station, which originally opened in 1881. Denver Union Station underwent a massive $54 million renovation in 2014 to re-open as home to the independent Crawford Hotel, plus an eclectic mix of 12 Colorado restaurants and retailers. Guests will experience luxurious overnight accommodations, a guided art tour of the building’s more than 600 pieces of original art as well as a commemorative Denver Union Station coffee table book and art guide.
Guided Adrenaline Adventure (Rocky Mountain National Park). The Stanley Hotel has teamed-up with world-renowned outfitter Kent Mountain Adventure Center, to offer the ultimate play and stay package. For those looking to learn something new, push their boundaries and capture a photo of a lifetime, the adrenaline package includes a full-day of guided backcountry skiing, frozen waterfall ice climbing or an avalanche awareness course. All packages include a Kent Mountain private guide, transportation, basic rental gear, park passes and a range of accommodation types at the Stanley Hotel.
National Parks. Peak season for Colorado’s four national parks runs from May to October, making the spring months an excellent time to take advantage of Colorado’s treasures before the rush of summer begins. Discover solitude atop North America’s tallest dunes at Great Sand Dunes, see why Black Canyon of the Gunnison is considered a dark-sky site with very little light pollution, perfect for winter-sky stargazing, imagine what life was like for the Ancestral Puebloans who called Mesa Verde home or take a ranger-led snowshoe ecology walk through Rocky Mountain National Park’s subalpine forest.
Kid Friendly Fun
Ski Swim Stay (Glenwood Springs). For families with pre-teen children in tow, Sunlight Mountain Resort gives parents an affordable skiing excursion where kids 12 and younger ski free with a paying adult. After conquering the slopes, there’s no better way to après than at the world’s largest hot springs pool. The Ski Stay Swim Package lets families choose from several hotels that all offer a free shuttle to and from Sunlight Mountain and many are within an easy walk of Glenwood’s historic downtown.
Spring Break on the Ranch (Granby). From March 12 to April 9, C Lazy U Ranch will offer everyone from young students to older couples the chance to relax and participate in some last-minute snow activities such as sledding, ice skating, snowmobiling, cross country skiing and more. A modified kid’s program allows families to eat together, while parents get some alone time in-between meals. As an all inclusive resort, guests can relax as they know meals, activities and lodging are all covered in nightly rates.
No School, Kids Rule (Colorado Springs). Available March 17 to April 4, Cheyenne Mountain Resort’s No School, Kids Rule camp inspired experience invites families to forge a new adventure from on‐property movie nights, games and gourmet campfire s'mores to off‐property treks at the only mountain zoo in the United States. At the resort, guests can also explore over 200 scenic acres, swim a few laps, play a game of golf or relax at the Alluvia Spa & Wellness Retreat.
Downhill Events
Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals (Aspen). Those who would rather leave skiing to the professionals will enjoy a weekend of awe when Aspen hosts the 2017 Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals March 15-19, the first time the event has been held in the U.S. in 20 years. In addition to watching the best ski race athletes in the world compete on the steep and technical faces of Aspen Mountain, the World Cup International Village will be located at Wagner Park in downtown Aspen and will include a full schedule of activities, parties, international cuisine and concerts.
Burton U.S. Open Snowboarding Championship (Vail). The 2017 Burton US Open Snowboarding Championships return to Vail Mountain February 28-March 4, bringing with them the best snowboarders in the world competing to win the most prestigious Halfpipe and Slopestyle titles in snowboarding. The action continues off the snow with an epic sponsor village, nightly concerts in Vail Village and The U.S. Open of Broomball Tournament at Solaris Ice Rink.
Kayaks on Snow (Monarch). Many know kayaking to be a popular past-time during Colorado’s warmer months, but on April 15, those ready to brave the cold can enter the Kayaks on Snow race on Monarch Mountain. The custom course purposely includes banks and plenty of bumps for contestants, who race head-to-head, sliding down the icy path before ending in an icy pond.
ABOUT COLORADO
Colorado is a four-season destination offering unparalleled adventure and recreational pursuits, a thriving arts scene, a rich cultural heritage, flavorful cuisine, and 26 renowned ski areas and resorts. The state's breathtaking scenic landscape boasts natural hot springs, the headwaters of seven major rivers, many peaceful lakes and reservoirs, 12 national parks and monuments, over 850 farm and ranches that are open to visitors, and 58 mountain peaks that top 14,000 feet.
For more information or a copy of the 2016 Colorado Official State Vacation Guide, visit www.COLORADO.com or call 1-800 COLORADO.