Granby Ranch kicks off the season with expanded offerings
Granby Ranch/Courtesy photo
Granby Ranch’s 2024-25 season is off to a good start with a record-early opening Nov. 27. The resort’s staff members worked hard to get the resort ready, including snowmaking, grooming, lift maintenance and more.
Granby Ranch was blessed by Mother Nature for opening day, as a winter storm brought plenty of fresh snow for guests to enjoy. Then, the resort hosted its first Thanksgiving buffet the following day.
Now, Granby Ranch is gearing up for the holidays, including a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus from Dec. 22-23 and fireworks on New Year’s Eve. In addition to these holiday events, the resort has expanded other on-mountain offerings.
Ski and snowboard programs
Granby Ranch is a mellow resort that emphasizes teaching and learning for skiers and snowboarders. This year, it will offer a new area for Nordic skiing at the top of East Mountain.
- Twilight and night skiing: From March 10-20, Granby Ranch will extend its lift operation until 5:30 p.m., allowing guests to capture more skiable hours. Night skiing is also available on weekends beginning Dec. 27 as well as New Year’s Eve.
- Nordic skiing: Granby Ranch will offer Nordic ski rentals, providing miles of groomed trails that haven’t been open to the public before. Guests can take in views of the Never Summer range in the quiet forest. Rentals include skis and boots, and guided lessons are also available.
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Brad Moss, the resort’s director of marketing, talks with members of ski patrol inside the new grip bay. Construction is nearly complete on the bay, which will serve as a critical base for ski patrol and lift maintenance technicians.
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hi News
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The view from the grip bay at the top of East Mountain at Granby Ranch. Ski Patrol use this new building as a base, to ensure faster response time to help guests.
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hi News
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Granby Ranch general manager Roxanne Hoover talks with ski patrol members in the resort’s new mountain base.
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hi News
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These toboggans, located at the top of the mountain, will be used by ski patrol to rescue guests.
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hi News
Grip bay
The resort’s new grip bay is located at the top of the East Mountain. This multipurpose chairlift maintenance building also doubles as a training center and dispatch for the ski patrol team, allowing for faster response times to injuries on the mountain.
One area of the bay includes a center for patrol members, including a break room to stay warm. In the maintenance garage, employees can work on the chairs for the lifts to make sure things are operating smoothly.
Competitions
Granby Ranch will offer competitions for kids and adults of all skills levels. This includes uphill ski races (which begin before the lifts open) and rail jams.
Uphill race series
- Jan. 19: race part of the Colorado Cup
- Feb. 9: second race in uphill series
- March 9: Human Potential Snowshoe Race, featuring snowshoe sales and demos
Rail Rodeo series
- Jan. 25: The Mutton Busters, beginners only
- Feb. 22: The Barrel Racers, women only
- March 22: The Bull Riders, featuring ski and snowboard demos
Other new offerings
Granby Ranch is a family-friendly resort. It offers activities for grandmas, grandpas, young kids and others who might not downhill ski.
- Snowshoe tours: A guided snowshoe tour is a mellow way to explore the resort compared to downhill sports. For this season, the resort upgraded its snowshoe fleet, partnering with Redfeather Outdoors, a popular snowshoe brand.
- Snowcat tours: The resort has purchased new Passenger Bubble Snowcats to offer tours. Guests can start at the base of the mountain and take a ride up to the top through the forest, with options to have a charcuterie tray and drinks. The resort’s snowcat operators also have two new Piston Bully snowcats to groom the terrain.
- Dining: The resort has a newly designed patio at the base lodge with a fire pit and expanded outdoor dining.
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Granby Ranch started offering snowcat tours in the 2023-24 season. The tours explore the territory behind the lifts, offering a peaceful alternative to downhill sports.
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hi News
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A peaceful view of the evergreens during a snowcat tour at Granby Ranch of Nov. 27, 2024.
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hi News
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Skiers and riders head down from the Kicking Horse lift. Guests could enjoy both powder and brief sunny skies on Granby Ranch’s opening day Nov. 27 2024.
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hi News
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Granby Ranch was blessed with lots of snowfall, allowing the resort to open the earliest it ever has on Nov. 27, 2024.
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hi News
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Guests head up the Kicking Horse lift on a snow-covered morning at Granby Ranch. The resort celebrated its opening on Nov. 27 2024.
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hi News
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