Is anyone familiar with this resort? We are tentatively planning a trip for late February. Would this be a good time to go? Will the weather likely limit driving/ sightseeing? Driving tips? Airport suggestions (flying out of Dallas).....Any suggestions for what to do? Dogsledding, snowmobiling? Also, good Restaurants? ANY suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks, eb from Texas

The airport is Denver - Estes Park will take you about 2 hours (perhaps less). It's not a bad time to go - but I don't think of Rocky as a winter destination (and perhaps that's good). The weather could be sunny and beautiful - or you could get 3 feet of snow. In general, you will be able to drive wherever you want - unless, of course, we get a major snow storm. This isn't a very snowy spot in CO, but late Feb. through March is when all the snow comes. I'm not aware of dogsledding, and in general snowmobiling is not allowed in this part of the mountains... but snow shoeing is fun - especially in RNMP. Some restaurants will be closed. I like the Basil Cafe (or maybe it's Sweet Basil Cafe) - and the last time I was in Estes they did stay opened in the winter. If you specifically want to snowmobile, you should go to a different part of the state.

Julie, Thank you so much for the information. We are in our mid-fifties, not skiers, but we love to sightsee and love the mountains, wildlife, etc. A friend of ours who lived in Colorado said he never went to Estes Park because of the altitude and the snowpacks in the winter...what do you think???? Thank you, e

And oh yes....restaurants ARE important to us......

I lived in Estes Park - and this is one of my favorite times of year. There is a good chance you could have crystal blue skis and great hiking weather (but all hiking - unless on road - will be snowshoeing). You can rent snowshoes in town. Then again, you can get a big storm. Typically, a storm would pass through in a day. Estes Park isn't a great restaurant location - and esp. in the winter when most are closed. But Boulder has wonderful restaurants - among the best in the country for a city of its size. You pass through Boulder to get to Estes. You might want to base out of there and go to Estes Park for one or two nights - or even a day trip. Boulder is a much bigger community - and not seasonal (and at a lower altitude). And Boulder has lots of great hikes in the Canyons. It's strange to me that someone who lives in Colorado wouldn't go to Estes because of the altitude. You, however, will notice the altitude. Many of my friends overnight in Boulder or Denver in order to pace their conditioning. I live at 8000 ft and very seldom do my friends (including my 70 year old mother in law) struggle with the altitude. Take it slow and drink tons of water.

Julie, Thanks so much for the info/advice. It's a great help! eb