Colorado is known for its world-class ski resorts, but the opportunities for winter fun extend well beyond downhill sports.
At this weekend’s Winter Festival in Estes Park, for instance, visitors can experience a true winter wonderland complete with horse- drawn carriage rides, snowshoe demonstrations, and an ice castle.
The festival takes place in downtown’s Bond Park.
The carriage rides will offer a relaxed pace for viewing the white lights that adorn the town. And the free snowshoe demos invite families to hoof it through nearby Rocky Mountain National Park.
For festivalgoers in need of a place to warm up, a large heated tent will host a chili cook-off that includes competitions for local restaurants and home cooks, and tastings from Colorado’s many wineries and breweries.
Topping it all off, a fantastic ice castle will thrill children with its ice maze, snow slide and even a snow-cone bar.
“The ice castle is definitely geared toward kids, and is very interactive,” says ice carver Jess Parrish. He began building the 15-foot-high structure last Wednesday. Parrish’s creation uses about 30,000 pounds of ice, formed into crystal clear, 300-pound blocks. In addition to the 25-foot maze, the castle has an ice throne, a large slide, and even kids toys and games carved in ice.
Also, look for a ring toss, a “money block,” where kids can rub, scratch and melt the ice away to release frozen coins, and an ice bar with a “snow cone shot luge” to entertain bundled-up kiddos. “I designed it with plenty of photo-op stops,” Parrish says.
The $5 festival entrance fee includes access to the ice castle plus chili tastings from 25 local restaurants. Adults can add on a $20 commemorative glass to sample wine and beer from Colorado producers such as Estes Park Brewery, Left Hand Brewery, Snowy Peaks Winery and Augustina’s Winery.
Live music, pony rides, and booths peddling jewelry, arts and crafts, clothing and food round out the festival.
Nearby, at Rocky Mountain National Park, festival participants can also take part in Winter Trails Day. This free, one-day event runs in conjunction with the Estes Park activities, and takes place today at the Park and Ride lot on Bear Lake Road inside Rocky Mountain National Park. Snowshoe retailers will be on hand to let participants try on and try out various brands and styles of snowshoes. And informal clinics will cover winter safety on area trails.
“The idea is to introduce snow sports to people who don’t yet have a snow sport,” says Reese Brown, program administrator for the national Winter Trails association. Snowshoeing is an easy sport to break into because the snowshoes are the only specialized gear required; newbies can wear their regular snow boots and winter clothing, strap on a pair of snowshoes, and head out onto the tundra.
“If you can walk, you can snowshoe,” she says. “It’s a great family activity.”
The Estes Park Winter Festival takes place today through Monday from 11 a.m to 5 p.m., with additional events throughout the weekend. For more information, contact the Estes Park Visitors and Convention Bureau at 1-800-44-ESTES, or visit .
