If you can walk, you can snowshoe.  That’s easy, but buying a pair of snowshoes may take a bit more effort.  Gone are the days of the large wooden tennis racket tied to your feet.  Today’s snowshoes are high-tech, compact, light, and user friendly.  But they’re not all the same.  Straps, snowboard-style ratchets, V-tails, an assortment of lengths, and a wide price differential can leave you wondering.  What should I buy?

The best way to make a good choice is to try several different pair before buying and we have just the place to do it.

Winter Trails Day in Estes Park offers a free Demo Day where several vendors, including MSR, Redfeather, Tubbs, and Atlas, will be on hand with loads of test snowshoes for you to try.  The event will be held February 16th from 10:00 to 2:00 at the Park n’ Ride in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Winter Trails will also host a President’s Challenge Clinic with learning stations in the area offering information on How to Dress, Nutrition and Hydration, Basic Conditioning Exercises, and Essentials for Winter Hiking and Camping.  Children and adults who participate in each learning station can earn a special Certificate of Participation from the President’s Council on Physical Fitness.

With plenty of snow in the backcountry, this is the perfect opportunity to give snowshoeing a try.  

      Winter Specials (January through April 2008)

                    Participating Chamber of Commerce Businesses:

Dining:

              *14’ER’s Café—10% Discount during Snowshoe Estes through April 30^th, 2008 .

Hours—9a to 5p (Mon-Sun)         116 E. Elkhorn —1-970-586-8300

Lodging:

*Deer Crest Resort on Fall River---Snowshoe Estes Special: Take an additional 10% off our low                  winter rates. Fireplace suites starting at $79 per night, less 10%.  Offer valid only on a 2 night (or more) stay through April 30^th, 2008 . Must mention this special at time of reservation.   Free snowshoes available to our customers while supplies last!   (Adults only, non smoking Property.)       

www.DeerCrestResort.com            Email:  Info@DeerCrestResort.com

1200 Fall River Road —Hwy 34 West—1-970-586-2324—1-800-331-2324

*Sunnyside Knoll Resort---Snowshoe in Rocky Mountain National Park . Special includes 2 night stay in spa units or private Hot Tub Cabins, Park Pass and Snowshoes.  Rates $149 to $179 per night. Includes Snow Shoes and Park Pass.

www.sunnysideknoll.com              Email:  Info@sunnysideknoll.com

1675 Fall River Road ---Hwy 34 West---1-970-586-5759----1-800-586-5212

*National Park Retreats—Winter Special, $99.00 per week night, based on a 3 night stay.  One of our cozy cabins with private hot tubs and wood burning fireplaces.  See winter special on our website rate page for details!  Through April 30^th, 2008 .

www.nationalparkretreats.com           Email:  Info@nationalparkretreats.com

  3501 Fall River Road------------- (970) 586-4563

*Swiftcurrent Lodge  ----Effective February 1^st thru April 30^th, 2008 :  Valid Sundays through Thursdays, buy 1 night get the 2^nd night Free.   Fridays and Saturdays—Buy 1 night get the 2^nd night, ½ price.  Singles and Couples only.  Non refundable payment in full required at time of booking.  Reservations must be made by phone.  Must mention this ad/special (Snowshoe Estes) at time of booking.                     www.SwiftcurrentLodge.com

2512 State Hwy 66--------1--970-586-3720---------1-888-639-9673                                   

*Black Dog Inn—Snowshoe Estes Special..  Take an additional 10% off our low

       winter rates. Offer valid for a two night stay through April 30^th, 2008 .

           www.BlackDogInn.com              Email:  Carlos@BlackDogInn.com  

650 S. St. Vrain Avenue -----1-970-586-0374-------------Toll Free-1-866-786-0374

*McGregor Mountain Lodge—$95 WEEK NIGHT Special (Sundays thru Thursdays) one bedroom cabins or suites,jacuzzi tubs, wood burning fireplaces. Includes Snowshoes for 2 people. Must mention “Chamber Snowshoe Special” at time of reservation to receive this discount.  Offer valid through May 8, 2008 .   No Minimum Night Stay Required!   

www.McGregorMountainLodge.com      Email:  info@McGregorMountainLodge.com           2815 Fall River Road -------------1-970-586-3457------------Toll Free-1-800-835-8439

 

*Valhalla Resort Winter Specials: Get one night FREE with any 3 consecutive nights stay OR a 5pm check out with a 2 night. Offer valid Jan 1 - May 15, 2008  excluding holidays.   Specials cannot be combined.
               www.Valhallaresort.com                        Email:  info@Valhallaresort.com
           2185 Eagle Cliff Road -----------------1-970-586-3284----------------1-800-522-3284

*FloAnn’s Cottages---Three unique cottages on 24 acres with river frontage about 8 miles from Rocky Mountain National Park .  Thru April 1^st, 2008 , I am offering 2 nights for the price of 1.  Each cottage has a different price.  Pet friendly.

www.floannscottages.com             Email:  floann@floannscottages.com

                           1-970-586-3759--------------1-888-256-2667

*Wildwood Inn and Spa---Hot tub special 2 NIGHTS $300 includes snowshoes & taxes or reserve a Steam room for $75.00 per night * ANY NIGHT *, Excluding Holidays.  All rates based on double occupancy and must mention “Snowshoe Estes” at time of booking.  Expires April 30^th, 2008 .              

                                      www.esteswildwood.com       Email: Info@esteswildwoodinn.com

                                         2801 Fall River Road   ** ½ mile to North entrance to RMNP**

                                                       800-400-7804------------ 970-586-7804

*Bighorn Mountain Lodge---Winter Special – 10% off low winter rates.  2 Bedroom Condo – February 1 thru April 30, 2008 .   2 night stay required.     Hotel Rooms – March 15^th thru April 30, 2008 .  Must mention ad, Snowshoe Estes, when you phone in and payment in full is required at the time of booking.

www.bighornmtnlodge.com              1340 Big Thompson Avenue        

                                       1-800-530-8822   

    * Holiday Inn Estes Park   ----Buy One Get One at 80% Off!  Effective December 1^st thru  May 1st, 2008 :  Valid seven days per week!  Simply book the Best Flexible Rate and receive the 2nd night at 80% off!  Rates start at $99.95.   Per availability.

Everything's under one roof!  Get in from the cold! 

Large indoor pool, hot tub, arcade games, Longz Mountain Grill & Lounge, Kids Eat Free, &

 pet friendly!    

                                                 www.holidayinn.com/estesparkco  

                                Corners of Hwys 36 and 7--------1--970-586-2332---------1-800-803-7837 

*The Historic Stanley Hotel---Effective Jan uary ’08 through April ’08.  Sunday through Thursday, $99.00 per night double occupancy.  Friday and Saturday night, take 10% off all low published winter rates.  The Stanley Hotel offers Ghost Tours, modern fitness center, walking distance to town and one mile from the Rocky Mountain National Park .  Ask for the Winter Estes Special at the time of reservation.

www.stanleyhotel.com              330 East Wonderview Avenue        

                                       1-800-976-1377  

*Fawn Valley Inn – Winter Special #1: Stay two nights, get the third night free! (Valid until May 21, 2008 ). Winter Special #2 (Sunday through Thursday only): Stay one night, get the second night half-price! (Valid until May 21, 2008 ). Hot tub condos and Jacuzzi suites available.

                                www.fawnvalleyinn.com             Email:  info@fawnvalleyinn.com

                                      2760 Fall River Road – (970) 586-2388 – (800) 525-2961

*Lazy R Cottages - Winter Special #1: Stay two nights, get the third night free! (Valid until May 21, 2008 ). Winter Special #2 (Sunday through Thursday only): Stay one night; get the second night half-price! (Valid until May 21, 2008 ). Cabins and cottages; great views!

www.lazyrcottages.com                Email:  info@lazyrcottages.com                                       891 Moraine Avenue – (970) 586-3708 – (800) 726-3728

*Timber Creek Chalets - Winter Special #1: Stay two nights, get the third night free! (Valid until May 21, 2008 ). Winter Special #2 (Sunday through Thursday only): Stay one night; get the second night half-price! (Valid until May 21, 2008 ). Cabins and chalets, close to RMNP.

                              www.timbercreekchalets.com                   Email:  info@timbercreekchalets.com

                                         2115 Fall River Road – (970) 586-8803 – (800) 764-4308

*Brynwood on the River---Taking a Long Weekend Special:  Rent two nights, get the third night FREE!  Playing Hooky Special:  Valid Sunday-Thursday nights; Rent one night, get the second night FREE!  Some exclusions may apply.  Deposit and credit policies apply.  Special rates are not available through on-line booking.  Offers valid through April 30, 2008 .  Pictures and virtual tours of units available on-line.        

               www.brynwood.com                               info@brynwood.com           

                710 Moraine Avenue--- (970) 586-3475---(800) 279-4488    

Shopping:

*The Warming House--- Call us for Guided Snowshoe Trips!     Special women’s only trips offered on selected Wednesdays and Thursdays during the winter.                                                                                                                                                                                                   

www.footpathsoftheworld.com           Email:   Info@warminghouse.com 

Hours—9a to 5p (Mon-Sun) ------- 790 Moraine Avenue -----1-970-586-2995

*Trailridge Outfitters—Snowshoe rentals and demos. Up to four rentals can be applied toward the purchase of new Snowshoes.

1-970-586-4595---------------------------Toll Free 1-888-586-4595

www.trailridgeoutfitters.com         Email:  info@trailridgeoutfitters.com

Hours- 10a-6p (M-F), 9a-6p Sat, 10a-6p Sun

358 E. Elkhorn Avenue (between Ed’s Cantina and Starbucks)

*Colorado Homestead—15% Discount off original prices Storewide through April 30^th, 2008 .  Must mention “Snowshoe Estes” to get this discount.

   Western* Cabin* Country* Décor

      Hours 10a to 5p Daily (Monday through Sunday)

          970-586-1144--------- 165 E. Elkhorn Avenue  

*The Spruce House—Many items on Sale and new merchandise arriving weekly.

Shop Christmas every day of the Year!!!

      Hours 10a to 5p Daily (Monday through Sunday)

             www.sprucehouse.com            Email:  santa@TheChristmasShops.com                                   

          970-586-8510---------- 125 Spruce Drive

Fun things to do:

*Carriage Rides – Tender Grass Carriage—10% off Carriage Rides through April 30, 2008 .  Must reserve ahead and must mention Snowshoe Estes ad at time of booking to get discount.   Carriage will pick you up at the Town Hall.  Call ahead for information and reservations…

Email:   tender_grass_carriage@yahoo.com

970 586-1989------970-405-4062--------970-301-7797

*Affinity Massage & Wellness Center - $10 off any 1 hour treatment now thru April '08.  Not         valid with any other offer or discount.  We offer the following services:  relaxation, deep tissue,   neuromuscular & pre-natal massages, hot stones massage, raindrop treatment & massage (9 essential oils), & holistic energy work & spiritual counseling.  We have 3 beautiful treatment rooms & are open 7 days with front door parking.

                Located at 1182 Graves Ave. , Ste. C.....Call for an appointment:  (970) 586-3401  

* Kaiyote Tours Snowshoeing --- Join us for guided Snowshoe trips in Rocky Mountain National Park .  We specialize in birding, winter botany, wildlife watching and tree identification.  Mention the Estes Snowshoe Winter Trails Day Event and receive our discount rate of $35 per person including snowshoes or $25 per person if you bring your own snowshoes.  Snowshoe with us and experience all the beauty that nature has to offer in the colorful mountains of Colorado .  

www.kaiyotetours.com        970-556-6103        info@kaiyotetours.com

Revised Jan uary 24, 2008