TAKING IN THE VIEW: Tim Carter and Tina Wilson skiing the trails of Colorado. Photo by Leslie Annand.

Let It Snow!
The 2011/2012 ski season marks the 100th anniversary of skiing as a recreational sport and tourist attraction in Grand County. Before the winter of 1911/1912, almost all locals knew how to ski because it was a necessary skill for survival. Nordic skiing (the only kind of skiing back then) was a means of getting from here to there in deep snow before snowmobiles, snow tires or snowplows were invented.

With the advent of winter carnivals came a new way to see skiing – as a fun, exciting sport. Today, our county’s white trails draw over a million skiers and snowboarders from around the world each winter who want to experience the consistently dry, powdery snow that we’ve become famous for; but it took some forward thinking and ingenuity to dream that a remote, rustic place with sometimes challenging winter weather could become a bona-fide tourist destination.

We invite our readers to celebrate this historic event during six weeks of activities that will include Nordic races, a parade, fireworks and ice skating at locations around the county – Hot Sulphur Springs, Winter Park (town and resort), Fraser, Grand Lake, Granby and Kremmling. From December 30th, 2011 though February 11, 2012, Grand County will be celebrating the birth of winter sports here.

Try to imagine what everyday life was like for the first settlers of Grand County without all of the conveniences that we often take for granted – for instance down coats, helmets, Gore-Tex, Lycra, P-Tex, Vibram soles, metal edges and chairlifts just to name a few! Imagine women ice skating and skiing in dresses! It’s amazing what our forefathers accomplished with so few comforts.

The winter carnivals proved that not only did those pioneers scratch out a living up here near the top of the Continental Divide, they took time to get together and celebrate the one inevitable force – winter – that dominated half of the calendar year at this altitude.

We raise our glasses to these hardy folks, and to winter!

Grand County Living Magazine Publishers

A magazine that puts your business directly in front of customers who need you . . .

Grand County Living is a valuable resource linking homeowners and buyers with the finest designers, builders, real estate agents, service professionals and home product retailers. This upscale publication features unique ideas, practical tips and handy resources, and highlights green building resources & tips; all for purchasing, building, remodeling and decorating the perfect home and living an active lifestyle in Grand County. A targeted circulation strategy that includes distribution in key businesses delivers your message directly into the hands of qualified customers.

Circulation & Distribution
Grand County Living offers a custom built distribution package to effectively reach the identified targeted audience. Each year, the content is selected to fit current trends and feedback received from our advertisers and most importantly, our readers.

Specs for the 2012 Issues of Grand County Living:
• Frequency: Twice per year (Summer Issue & Winter Issue)
• Circulation: 30,000 per year (Advertising options for the full year or just one issue)
• Target Audience: Grand County locals, homeowners, potential and current home buyers
• Summer Issue Release Date: mid-June / Independence Day Weekend
• Winter Issue Release Date: Holiday Season

Distribution: Distributed through GC Living advertisers, key Grand County businesses, local Chambers, lodging properties, restaurants and real estate offices, along with some Estes Park and front range locations.

Editorial Package
Grand County Living Magazine offers stories about crafting a home and life in Grand County. Our editorial package conveys practical information helping homeowners and buyers achieve their dreams.

Online Advertising On Our Website
We offer banner ad opportunities on our website. Visit our resource directory for examples. See our media kit for more information.

Copyright © 2012. All rights reserved. Copyright by Grand County Living Magazine (Wilcar, Inc.). No part of the publication or this website may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

The opinion expressed by authors/contributors to Grand County Living Magazine are not necessarily those of the editor and publisher. Grand County Living Magazine is not responsible for the return of unsolicited materials.