Colorado Forecasts a Memorable Winter Season Full of New Offerings, Attractions and Events


DENVER, CO--(Marketwired - August 18, 2016) - Coming off a record-setting winter travel season, Colorado, home of America's Best Skiing, promises to once again offer visitors to the state with an unmatched winter vacation. In destinations across the state, travelers can expect new and unique experiences. Following is a sampling of what's new this winter in Colorado.

Unique and New Winter Packages & Programs:

Beaver Creek's White Glove Winter Vacation. This Beaver Creek vacation package includes first class airfare to Vail Eagle Airport, a private helicopter ride to the base of Beaver Creek Mountain, a chauffeured car to the Trappers Cabin, a private chef, ski instructor, four Epic Passes, a new wardrobe from Helly Hansen, and first tracks every day of your stay.

Hotel Telluride Offers Master of the Mountain Package. The Hotel Telluride is offering a 'Master of the Mountain' package that includes two pairs of customized Pete Wagner skis, a three-night stay in The Hotel Telluride's Ajax Suite, one-day Telluride Ski Mountain pass with private guide, one-day private heli-skiing tour, a 90-minute custom spa treatment and more.

Keystone's Kids Ski Free Program Turns 5 this Winter. Keystone is lighting the birthday candles as its industry-leading Kids Ski Free program turns 5. Celebrate the milestone all season long with free family-friendly Kidtopia events and parties.

Click-In with Chris Davenport at The Little Nell. The Little Nell is excited to welcome pro skier Chris Davenport back for the 2nd annual Click-In with Chris Ski Camp in March 2017. Click-In with Chris includes deluxe accommodations, gourmet meals and exhilarating adventures.

Gourmet Snowshoe Adventures at The Osprey in Beaver Creek. Beaver Creek invites guests to enjoy three new snowshoe adventures: Winter Wine Excursions, Fondue + Shoe and Women's Walk + Wine -- each of which combine outdoor activity and scenery with après-snowshoe cuisine.

St. Regis Resort Aspen to Offer Uphill/Downhill Package. The St. Regis Resort in Aspen is offering a new Uphill/Downhill Package in partnership with Aspen Expeditions Worldwide. The package includes a three-night stay at the St. Regis Aspen Resort, a day of uphill and downhill skiing, daily fitness and yoga classes and an Altitude Recovery Massage at Remède Spa.

New Experience at Stanley Hotel in Estes Park. Illusions of the Passed: The Stanley Hotel added a new "Illusions of the Passed" theatrical séance. Led by the in-house illusionist Aidan Sinclair, who was featured on America's Got Talent, uses real artifacts to simulate speakings with the dead. REI Basecamp at The Stanley Hotel: The iconic hotel has also partnered with REI Adventures to offer a special Outdoor School series. The REI Basecamp at the Stanley Hotel features programs such as campfire cooking classes and survival courses.

Exciting New Events, Festivals & Anniversaries:

A-Basin Celebrates Its 70th Birthday. December 2016 marks the 70th anniversary of Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, which will be celebrated with several special deals and events throughout the season.

Estes Park Celebrates its Centennial. The town of Estes Park will celebrate its 100th birthday in 2017. The town was established on April 17, 1917 and boasts several historic landmarks, attractions and lodges to visit.

Sunlight Ski Area Commemorates 50 Years. If you're curious about what skiing was like 50 years ago, then Sunlight is the place to visit. In fact, they are still under the same ownership that purchased Sunlight in 1966.

Telluride Mountain Gondola Celebrates 20 Years. The beloved Telluride Mountain Village Gondola system will celebrate its 20th anniversary on December 20, 2016. In true Telluride fashion, the destination will celebrate with a series of events and a festive gala will take place during the anniversary month.

Wolf Creek Pass Turns 100. Wolf Creek Pass opened to the public 100 years ago making access to Wolf Creek Ski Area possible from both the San Luis Valley and Pagosa Springs.

Star Wars and the Power of Costume, November 13, 2016 - April 2, 2017. This exhibition will give visitors a look behind the scenes into the fantasy, marvel and delight of bringing characters in the Star Wars™ universe to life through a dramatic presentation of original costumes.

2017 Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals in Aspen, March 15-19, 2017. Aspen will host the 2017 Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals in March 2017, marking the first time the event has been held in the U.S. in 20 years.

Enticing New Attractions, Activities & Adventures:

New Historic Hot Springs Loop. Five premier hot springs destinations in the western part of Colorado: Chaffee County, Pagosa Springs, Ouray County, Glenwood Springs and Steamboat Springs recently came together to form the Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop with 19 unique facilities.

Monarch Ski Area Adds Uphill Skiing Lane. Monarch Ski Area is adding an uphill travel lane to the mountain that will allow uphill skiing during operating hours and make it easier for skiers to skin up the terrain.

Rocky Mountain National Park Expansion. A 42-acre piece of commercial property located within the park boundaries will come under the protection of the National Park Service. The Cascade Cottages property was the largest privately owned land inside the park, and the land will now be open for park visitors to enjoy.

New Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience Opens in Canyon City. Opened in summer 2016, the Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience is a state-of-the-art property featuring a world-class collection of interactive displays, full scale dinosaur fossils and a multi-story ropes course.

New Lodging & Accommodations Offerings:

Baldpate Inn Homestead Restored in Estes Park. In 2016, the historic Baldpate Inn, home to the world's largest key museum, restored its homestead cabin for guests to reserve. The homestead offers three bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, dining room, great room, solarium and library.

Basecamp Boulder Opens. Boulder's newest hotel was built for adventure and features a climbing wall and fire pit complete with make-your-own-s'mores kits, alongside all the comforts of a quality hotel.

Colorado Trail House Opens for First Winter in Leadville. At this 12-bedroom inn, guests enjoy the charm of a Victorian house built by a Leadville mining magnate and its prime location as base camp for skiing, snowmobiling or snow biking.

Halcyon Hotel to Open in Cherry Creek. The Halcyon is a seven-story independent luxury property featuring 155 rooms as well as a roof-top pool along with restaurant and retail space consistent with the neighborhood's unique character.

Hotel Boulderado Completes Renovation in Boulder. Hotel Boulderado, a favorite destination for travelers since 1909, has completed phase one of a renovation project that included 114 guest rooms and the outdoor plaza.

Hotel Indigo to Debut in Denver. This 180-room hotel will be part of the 21,000-square-foot Union Tower West mixed-use development near the recently renovated Denver Union Station. It is expected to open in late 2016.

New Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant to Open in Downtown Denver. Opening late 2016, the new Kimpton will be located adjacent to Denver's iconic Union Station. The new 200-room hotel will feature 8,300-square-feet of meeting space, including an outdoor patio and rooftop patio, a 2,000-square-foot fitness center and two local-inspired, chef-driven restaurants and bars.

Mancos Inn and Hostel Gets a Makeover. In operation since 1894, the Mancos Inn & Hostel recently underwent an extensive remodel of the rooms, kitchen, common area and outdoor garden spaces.

New Food and Beverage Offerings:

Breckenridge Distillery Opens New Restaurant. Chef Daniel O'Brien (the Top Chef behind Washington D.C.'s Seasonal Pantry) will debut an intimate and modern farm-to-table experience at the Breckenridge Distillery.

Breckenridge Ski Resort to Open New On-Mountain Restaurant. New for the 2016/17 ski season, Breckenridge Ski Resort will add a brand new 490-seat restaurant atop the Independence SuperChair on Peak 7.

The Central Market Opens in Denver. Noted Denver restauranteur, Jeff Osaka, will open The Central Market in Denver's hip RiNo neighborhood in fall 2016. It will be an accessible gourmet market that serves as both food emporium and neighborhood community space and will be home to 13 local vendors.

Elkins Distilling Company Opens in Estes Park. Elkins is one of only a handful of high-altitude distilling companies. They utilize the climate, high altitude and thin, dry air to create unique moonshine and white whiskeys -- a different distilling process and rising trend in the beverage industry.

Gwyn's High Alpine Restaurant Remodel at Snowmass. Gwyn's High Alpine restaurant located mid-mountain at Snowmass, recently underwent an extensive remodel that includes a light expansion of the building as well as the addition of a bar that will have a large wood-burning fire.

Harvest by Kelly Liken Opens in Vail. Colorado chef and restaurateur Kelly Liken opened Harvest by Kelly Liken in June 2016. Harvest by Kelly Liken is a community centric neighborhood restaurant focusing on seasonal American cuisine that embraces a Rocky Mountain essence, along with an inventive cocktail and beverage program.

Contact Information:

Contact:
Carly Holbrook
Colorado Tourism Office
Phone: 720-289-9366
E-Mail: carly.holbrook@state.co.us