HeidiTown.com on KRFC 88.9 FM – What to do in Colorado January 13-15, 2012

The following is the HeidiTown weekly segment on KRFC 88.9 FM, public radio in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Listen to the audio —> HERE

Hi, my name is Heidi, and I’m the Mayor of HeidiTown.com, a blog about Colorado events, festivals and road trips. I have become the expert on Colorado travel, so be sure you are hooked up with me in the world of Social Media. The town is especially active on Facebook, Twitter and now Google Plus.

So without further ado, here’s the line up for January 13 through 15, 2012.

First up, an event I discovered last winter, the 3rd Annual Estes Park Winter Festival runs this Friday through Sunday, and is highly recommend by ME!  My husband and I had so much fun at this event last year. In addition to the interactive ice castle, which is great for kids, we really enjoyed the chili cook-off. I think we sample over forty-some green and red chilis, and many were outstanding. There’s also a wine and beer tasting, live music and lots of other stuff on the schedule.

The popularity of this event has prompted a move from Bond Park to the heated, enclosed pavilion at the Fairgrounds at Stanley Park. This has allowed festival planners to increase the size and scope of this event. I can’t wait to attend. For more information go to EstesParkWinterFestival.com.

While in Estes, enjoy Winter Trails Day at Rocky Mountain National Park on the Saturday the 14th. This is an awesome event that happens all over the country and allows people to try out all sorts of winter sports. Go to WinterTrails.org for details.

It seems that most of Colorado’s mountain towns have a winter festival. Some have a long history, like Steamboat Spring’s Winter Carnival in February. Most were created for the citizens of the towns in order to help them cope with cabin fever. Some of these events have become wildly popular with tourists and road trippers as well.

Aspen’s 61st Annual WinterSkol is an example of such an event… it’s the town’s annual Toast to Winter, and runs this Thursday through Sunday. Remember, today, Aspen is known as a ski town overrun with celebrities, but it has a rich and fabulous Colorado mining history and is a beautiful place to visit year round.

The event includes lots of outdoor snow-oriented activities as well as a soup cook off, snow sculpting, a canine fashion show, fireworks, and so much more. Visit AspenChamber.org for the schedule of events at WinterSkol.

Have you ever wanted to go dog sledding? Perhaps you read my list of things to do in Colorado in 2012, and you’ve decided to try snow shoeing or cross country skiing? Well, here’s your chance to try any mountain sport you desire at the Durango Mountain Resort Winterfest.

This event is literally packed with activities on Saturday and Sunday all taking place at Durango Mountain Resort, often referred to as just Purgatory. Whether you’ve always wanted to try ice climbing, or if sledding is more your speed, there’s something for everyone in the family at this event. Visit DurangoMountainResort.com for all the exhilarating details.

For those of you in Northern Colorado, there are a couple of local milestones I’d like to point out. First, City Park in Fort Collins celebrates it’s 100 year anniversary this year. Keep an eye on your local newspaper for all the events that are planned surrounding City Park’s yearlong birthday party.

This year, the Loveland/Museum Gallery celebrates their 75th anniversary. If you haven’t toured this museum, located at 503 N. Lincoln Avenue, it’s a great time to go and learn all about Loveland’s history. Did you know Loveland used to be covered in cherry tree orchards? That’s a little tidbit I learned at the Loveland/Museum Gallery. Enjoy cupcakes an candles in Peters Park at the museum at 5:30 this Thursday evening and learn about all the upcoming events associated with this impressive milestone. Visit Ci.Loveland.CO.US for more.

That’s all the time I have for this week!  Follow me on Twitter @HeidiTown and be sure to join the town’s block party on Facebook at HeidiTown.comonFB!

Thanks for listening!