The snow has finished falling outside, a fresh layer of powder blankets the mountains, and the slopes are primed for skiing. Everyone is heading for the lifts, but long lines and large crowds won’t hold you back from enjoying a long day on the mountain.
The quaint resort community of Granby Ranch, nestled in the heart of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, offers ski groups a true winter playground. Not only is there great skiing and snowboarding on the mountain, but there’s also snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and hiking, among other activities. The best part of Granby Ranch, though, has to be the welcoming environment, with a local crew that will make you feel right at home. The resort was developed to bring the outdoors to families and groups, and allow them to create great memories that will last a lifetime.
Slope to Slope
Granby Ranch is one of the smaller resort mountains in Colorado, but it still offers quality skiing and riding for all ages. The mountain has a vertical of 1,000 feet, 41 trails and covers 406 skiable acres. Terrain ranges from beginner to advanced and was created specifically to be group- and family- friendly. The mountain features five lifts and a six progression terrain park, three of which are lit at night. And yes, there’s night skiing, too, and it’s offered most nights during the holidays, and Friday and Saturday nights from January to April.
Private or group ski and snowboard lessons are perfect for visitors who may be new to the sport, want to improve their skills or haven’t been on a pair of skis in a while. Resort instructors offer personal instruction to make you the best skier or snowboarder you can be. Granby Ranch is easy to navigate, making it easy for groups to explore on their own, too.
The Granby staff works to create personalized packages for groups. There will always be someone there to greet you and make sure your day gets off to the right start, whether you’re in need of rentals or looking for the best backcountry trails. They can even set up a private rental fitting for your group, so you don’t have waist good powder time in lines.
Accommodations
After a long day of skiing, boarding or snowshoeing, you need a warm, comfortable place to kick back for the evening. There is a variety of lodging options in or near Granby Ranch that are ideal for ski groups—and very reasonably priced. Stay in Base Camp One, a cozy venue with one-, two- and three-bedroom condos; or opt for any of the other slopeside options like Mountainside, Kicking Horse and Summit. Hotel-style options are only a short drive away.
Getting Here and Getting Around
Granby Ranch is easily accessible by car or train and is only a 90-minute drive from Denver International Airport, which is served by dozens of airlines with direct flights to destinations all over the country. Once you arrive at Granby Ranch, you can hop on the shuttle around the property or explore on foot or by bike. If you do decide to drive, parking is abundant and is close to the lodge and lifts.
The people that live and work in Granby Ranch are passionate about the outdoors, skiing and snowboarding, and about giving your group a comfortable, welcoming, and memorable experience. You’ll enjoy it so much you may just start planning your next visit before you even leave. So go ahead and settle in for a few days—or even a week—and explore the recreational paradise that is Granby Ranch.
Activities & Entertainment
Besides downhill skiing or snowboarding, Granby has plenty to do. Granby offers miles of cross-country and snowshoeing trails. There are two Nordic locations on the East Mountain and at Golf Granby Ranch.
In the evening, your group can gather around the bonfire at the base of the mountain and mingle while sipping cocktails and munching on s’mores. Or enjoy a nice meal at the Granby Ranch Grill in the Base Lodge. This classic mountain restaurant is open daily and serves up everything from pizza and pasta to strip steaks and salmon. On chilly evenings, cozy up by the indoor fireplace during the restaurant’s happy hour; or venture out to the patio, which offers a fantastic view of the runs lit up at night.
If your group is interested in checking out some local shops or seeing a little more of Grand County, then take a short drive over to Winter Park or Granby. The towns feature unique retail stores where you can pick up anything you might need for your trip—or even a nice gift or souvenir for friends and family back home. They both also have a number of great dining options.
Visiting in warmer months? You can enjoy mountain biking on a wide range of beginner, intermediate and advanced trails. Tee off at the local golf course, or head to the lakes and rivers for some fishing and hiking.
By Vanessa Day
