566 County Road 721, Fraser, , 970-726-5779
Why check this out now: The snow is plentiful, which means the tubing is terrific at this Grand County fun park. Tubing too tame? Check out an aerodynamic airboard, pictured at right, which goes twice as fast down the hill (graded like ski runs, from green to black). When you get to the bottom, a magic carpet will haul you back up. For the littlest ones, they offer Snow Scoots, which are mini snowmobiles, as well as free sledding for those under age 3. The park is open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily through April 18 (weather permitting), and there’s stadium lighting at night. There’s a warming hut with free Wi-Fi and snacks for sale. Cost is $16 an hour for tubing, $20 an hour for airboards (the second hour is half off) and $10 for 10 laps on the Snow Scoots.
Stay: The Pinnacle Lodge (108 Zerex St., 800-834-9638, ) is well located, with easy access to Winter Park and Fraser, and the rooms are sizeable, with the king offering a sleeper sofa, microwave and mini-fridge (kitchenettes available, too). They have a little kitchen off the lobby where you can make your own Belgian waffles in the morning as part of the free breakfast, and there’s a small indoor pool and exercise room. Rates start at $130 a night.
Dine: Timberline Thai (406 Zerex St., 970-726-9390, ) looks like a fast-food dive, but this unassuming little spot serves up huge portions of authentic Thai food. Standouts include the tom kha soup with chicken ($2.95), the veggie-heavy drunken noodles (7.95 lunch, $10.95 for dinner) and peanut-laced panang curry $8.95/$11.95). Spicing options go from mild to “Thai hot”; choose the latter and be prepared to hurt. Closed Tuesdays. Kyle Wagner
