The Grand Winter Sports Carnival, the largest and longest winter carnival in the Rockies, ends on February 11 with a bang.
The festival marks the 100th anniversary of the first winter carnival west of the Mississippi. The six-week celebration highlights historic and modern winter sports.
Presented by the Grand County Historical Association, the festival celebrates the prominent role of Grand County in the heritage of Colorado skiing. The final Winter Carnival events take place throughout Grand County, centering in Hot Sulphur Springs and Sol Vista Basin on February 11.
The Grand Nordic Club and Headwaters Trails Alliance will host an 8-mile Mailbag Trek Coulter to Hot Sulphur Springs over Cottonwood Pass from 9am to 1pm. It’s available for all ages and abilities. Men must carry a 15 pound pack and women a 10 pound pack. Prizes will be given for best costumes. Individuals finishing before 1pm can participant in the (Horace) Button Parade – a celebration of Ski Hall of Fame inductee Horace Button.
Free admission to the Pioneer Village Museum in Hot Sulphur Springs on February 11 includes the special winter carnival exhibit.
Other events in Hot Sulphur Springs include a snowshoe softball tournament, a 3-Legged Ski Race, and a snow sculpture contest.
The Grand Snow Ball at Sol Vista Base Camp Lodge at Granby Ranch finishes the six-week event in style.
Located 67 miles west of Denver, Grand County is home to wide-open spaces, breathtaking mountain scenery and authentic old-west towns. Outdoor recreational activities include golf, boating, fishing, biking, hiking, fishing, hunting and horseback riding.
Visit Grand Winter Sports Carnival for details on all events.
For more information about top events in Colorado take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Colorado .