The Colorado Mountain Town With Underrated Skiing And Affordable Charm

Small mom-and-pop mountain resorts are becoming a popular choice for U.S. skiers and snowboarders looking to hit the slopes without paying the exorbitant prices of lift tickets charged by some major resorts. In Colorado, where millions of people ski and snowboard every year, there are a handful of underrated ski destinations — including one in Granby, a lakeside town that sits at the entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park and entices visitors with both its snow sports and its small-town charm.

Winter in Granby is a snowy paradise, especially for travelers who enjoy adventure. In addition to the ski resort, Granby and the surrounding area offer opportunities for dog sledding, snowmobiling, ice fishing, fat biking, and snowshoeing. For those who seek a more relaxing experience — yet still want to immerse themselves in a snowy haven — a sleigh ride, followed by a long soak in a geothermal hot spring, and a warm, Western-inspired meal, provides the perfect winter itinerary.

If you visit Granby during the winter months, it's safe to say you'll see snow. The town receives an average of 128 inches of snowfall every year, thanks to its high elevation — it sits at 7,935 feet. The town is an 80-mile drive from Denver, and it serves as the western entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, which offers its own slate of activities and vistas worth experiencing in any season (road conditions permitting).

Granby Ranch Ski Resort is situated across two mountains and includes 42 runs for all types of skiers. The eastern side is focused on beginners and intermediates, while the western side is more difficult. The resort's owners promise visitors uncrowded slopes, varied terrain, and views of the Continental Divide. At least one reviewer who submitted a post to On the Snow – a website providing information about ski resorts around the world — believed they deliver on those promises. "What a pleasant little secret," reviewer Ced Boyd wrote. "No lines, great classes for beginners, great slopes for beginner kids, intermediate runs are like wide open expressways." 

One-day lift tickets for adults cost between $99 and $164, depending on the date of your visit (weekdays are cheapest). By comparison, Aspen Snowmass charges almost $250 for one-day lift tickets on weekdays, and Vail charges $295. In addition to traditional skiing and snowboarding, Granby Ranch offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, guided nighttime ski tours, and scenic tours on snowcats, which are large, tracked vehicles with enclosed cabs for riders. Check out Explore's guide to planning the perfect ski trip for more tips before you go.

There are plenty of activities off the resort, too. If you still want the adrenaline rush of zooming down a mountain, head to one of the town's many tubing hills to achieve a similar effect. Snow Mountain Ranch, part of the YMCA of the Rockies, rents tubes at its Winter Pavilion. Or, you can drive snowmobiles on the trails of Arapaho National Forest with rented snowmobiles from On the Trails Rentals. For an altogether unique experience, hire huskies at Redemption Dog Sled Tours to take you on a 2- or 4-mile ride through snowy meadows, or try ice fishing on Lake Granby if you're an angler.

A winter trip to Granby doesn't have to be completely adrenaline-filled. The charming western town nestled in the Colorado Rockies offers plenty of relaxed activities, too, for when you're looking for a break from the outdoors or want to experience nature in a more laid back way. Independent shops and restaurants line both sides of East Agate Avenue, the town's main thoroughfare. Shopping at the home goods store The Bowerbird's Den and the Grand Mountain Trading Company gift shop make for a fun day within the town boundaries — not to mention treasure hunting at Main Street Thrift. For coffee and a quick breakfast, visit Rocky Mountain Roastery, which has its home inside the Granby Visitor Center. At lunch or dinnertime, try Brickhouse 40, which has an extensive menu of salads, pizzas, burgers, pastas, steaks, and more. (Get into a cozy winter mood with their s'mores bread pudding for dessert.)

Granby and its surrounding area offers a couple of options to enjoy the pristine, snow-covered landscape in comfort. One of those is with a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the woods. Rocky Mountain Stables offers hour-long sleigh tours, which include hot chocolate and wool blankets for all riders. Tickets cost $80 for adults and children over 8 years old. Another option is to take the 11-mile drive west to Hot Sulpher Springs Resort & Spa, where you can purchase a day pass (no reservations necessary) and soak in your choice of 20 natural hot spring pools. Colorado offers at least 30 hot springs, adding to the state's status as one of the top winter vacation spots in America.