In partnership with
Your insider’s guide to the best of Estes Park—brought to you by the Estes Park Resort Guide.
It’s the heart of December, and Estes Park is all bundled up—shop local, sip slow, and catch the glow while it lasts.
❄️ Snowy Sunsets at Lake Estes (A Winter Week Tradition)
As we head into Christmas week, one of the most beautiful sights in Estes isn’t tied to a festival or a parade — it’s the evening light over Lake Estes this time of year.
Locals know that the days before Christmas bring some of the most breathtaking winter sunsets of the season.
Snow settles quietly along the shoreline. The mountains glow rose-gold.
And the whole lake turns into a mirror of shifting color.
✨ What You’ll See This Week:
Soft pink and orange light reflecting off the frozen water
Snowy peaks glowing against the early dusk
Ducks and geese gliding through the cold blue surface
That peaceful winter silence Estes does better than anywhere
📍 Lake Estes (Best viewed from the Lake Estes Trail or the Marina Overlook)
🗓️ December 21–24, Right around 4–4:30 PM
💡 Tip: Bring gloves and your camera — the light lasts only a few minutes, but it’s the kind of moment that stays with you long after the season ends.
📰 This Week’s Top 5 Picks
🎄 1. Where to See the Best Holiday Lights
Estes may be a small town—but it knows how to sparkle.
🏡 Local Favorites for Holiday Displays:
Elkhorn Avenue storefronts (go after dark!)
The Stanley Hotel – beautifully lit with snow-covered charm
Riverwalk – lights reflect over the water and footbridges
Bond Park & Town Tree – glowing every night through the holidays
🎧 Want music with your lights? Try walking with headphones and a holiday playlist.
🧩 Trail Notes Riddle of the Week
Q: I stand still but travel through every photo you take. I wear snow, sun, and storm like different coats. You can’t move me, but I can move you. What am I?
(Scroll to the bottom for the answer 👇)
🛷 2. Sledding Hills & Snowy Fun for All Ages
Snow is finally sticking — which means it’s officially sledding season in Estes Park. Whether you're chasing thrills or keeping it simple with the kids, the hills are ready.
🌨️ Best Spots This Week:
Hidden Valley (RMNP) – The crown jewel of local sledding. Groomed hills, wide runs, and a warming hut that feels like heaven after a few fast laps.
YMCA of the Rockies Sledding Hill – Free for guests, rentals available, and a fun, friendly atmosphere—perfect for families and first-timers.
Stanley Park (near the fairgrounds) – Gentle slopes and open space make it ideal for younger kids (and parents who prefer a softer landing).
🎒 Trail Notes Tip: Pack extra gloves and dry socks, and always check your sled before heading down—icy patches can turn a smooth ride into a surprise adventure.
📚 3. Estes for Bookworms: Fireside Reads & Writing Nooks
Macdonald Book Shop
Inkwell & Brew
When the snow piles high, curl up with a great read.
📚 Cozy Corners to Explore:
Macdonald Book Shop – Old-school charm, great local section
Estes Valley Library – Modern, quiet, and fully decorated for the season
Inkwell & Brew – Pair your poetry with a maple latte
❄️ Bonus: The library’s Winter Reading Challenge kicks off this week—ask how to join!
🍴 4. Fireplaces & Fondue: Romantic Winter Dining
Cascades Restaurant & Lounge
When the snow stacks up outside, Estes Park’s coziest dining rooms come alive.
This is the season for slow meals, warm spaces, and food that feels like a hug after a cold day in the mountains.
🔥 Where to Warm Up This Week:
Bird & Jim – Elevated Colorado comfort food with seasonal flavors, glowing wood accents, and a perfect view of the snow-covered peaks.
Cascades Restaurant & Lounge – Historic elegance inside the Stanley Hotel, where the fireplace glow pairs beautifully with winter cocktails.
Hunter’s Chop House – Rustic, fire-lit dining with hearty plates that taste even better when the wind picks up outside.
Himalayan Curry & Kebob – Bold spices, steamy bowls, and the kind of warmth you feel from the inside out.
💡 Tip: December fills fast. Call ahead for reservations — especially if you're hoping for a table near the fire.
🦌 5. Elk in the Snow: Where to Spot Them Now
Snow hasn’t slowed Estes Park’s elk one bit — in fact, winter makes their movements easier to see. Their coats darken, their tracks sharpen, and the quiet landscape turns every sighting into something unforgettable.
📍 Top Winter Hotspots This Week:
Lake Estes Trail (East Side) – Sunrise light hits the water and the winter grasses just right. Elk often wander the edge of the trail as the day begins.
Estes Park Golf Course – Wide, open snowfields and fewer people make it one of the calmest places to watch a small herd graze.
Moraine Park – A classic winter gathering spot. Look near the treelines where the snow stays shallow and the wind is gentler.
📸 Photography Tip: Always use your zoom. Getting too close isn’t just unsafe — it interrupts their natural rhythm, especially in winter when energy conservation is everything.
📸 Featured Photo of the Week
Sunrise Rays Over the Rockies – Captured by John Hog
Captured by: John Hog
This week’s photo captures an unforgettable Estes Park sunrise — the kind that turns the entire sky into a living painting.
As the first light broke over the ridge, brilliant orange fire lit up the horizon while cool morning blues held on above it.
Then the magic happened: Sunbeams pushed through the cloud layers, fanning out across the sky in soft, sweeping rays.
The silhouette of the pine tree and rocky outcrop below grounded the scene, creating a perfect contrast between the quiet earth and the dramatic sky.
It’s a sunrise that feels both peaceful and powerful — the kind you only catch when you’re awake before the world stirs.
📍 Location: Estes Park
🕯️ Conditions: Clear early light with layered clouds enhancing the sunrise rays
📷 Photographer: John Hog
Thank you, John, for capturing a sunrise that feels like the Rockies waking up in real time.
🎵 A Little Note About My Music
If you’ve noticed original music in some of my recent posts — you're not imagining it.
Over the past year, I started writing and recording songs when I couldn’t find the right sound to match the mood of Estes Park. What began as a quiet creative outlet has turned into something unexpectedly meaningful.
Now, folks are asking where they can hear more… and believe it or not, about 10 songs a day are being downloaded.
So, I’ve made them available on Bandcamp for anyone who wants to listen, share, or support: 👉 estesparkresortguide.bandcamp.com
Thank you for the kind words and encouragement. It’s a gift to know these mountain-inspired songs are finding their way into your lives.
📣 Want to Be Featured in Our Holiday Editions?
Do you have a special Estes Park moment?
❄️ A snow-covered porch?
☕ A fireside meal?
🌲 A quiet trail at dusk?
Send it our way! We’ll pick one reader-submitted photo to feature in next week’s Trail Notes Newsletter, along with your name and photo credit.
📧 Submit your photo using this link: Estes Park Resort Guide – Photo & Video Submission Form
📅 Deadline: Friday, December 19 at 5 PM MT
📧 Email us: [email protected]
📱 Message us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EstesParkResortGuide
💡 Trail Notes Pro Tip of the Week
“A warm drink can turn any winter moment around.”
Snow sneaks into your boots. Your fingers go numb. The wind bites at your cheeks and your energy dips.
And then— You take a sip of peppermint cocoa or cinnamon-spiced cider… And the whole day shifts.
The cold no longer feels cruel—it feels alive. Like part of the story instead of the struggle.
Warmth doesn’t just comfort the body. It anchors the spirit. It reminds you that even in the stillest, chilliest moments, there’s joy to be found.
So keep a thermos in the car. Pack a mug in your hiking pack. Or duck into one of Estes’ tucked-away cafés where the heat meets the hush.
Because sometimes, all it takes is wrapping your hands around something warm—to remember that winter isn’t here to punish you. It’s here to invite you to slow down. To feel deeply. To sip, and savor, and stay a little longer.
Winter hits softer when you hold onto a little heat.
There’s a stillness that arrives with snow.
Not silence—just a different kind of quiet.
The kind where footsteps crunch instead of echo. Where headlights blur in flurries. Where time slows down because it should.
This week in Estes Park, let that quiet in.
Find your joy in the simple things: hot drinks, warm gloves, twinkling storefronts, and unplanned evenings by the fire.
You don’t need to rush.
December here isn’t about hustle—it’s about holding still long enough to feel the magic.
✅ Riddle Answer:
A: The Mountains
Banish bad ads for good
Your site, your ad choices.
Don’t let intrusive ads ruin the experience for the audience you've worked hard to build.
With Google AdSense, you can ensure only the ads you want appear on your site, making it the strongest and most compelling option.
Don’t just take our word for it. DIY Eule, one of Germany’s largest sewing content creators says, “With Google AdSense, I can customize the placement, amount, and layout of ads on my site.”
Google AdSense gives you full control to customize exactly where you want ads—and where you don't. Use the powerful controls to designate ad-free zones, ensuring a positive user experience.