How to Spend November in the Colorado Rocky Mountains
Other than a trip to Grandma’s house for Thanksgiving dinner, most of us don’t do a lot of traveling during November. It’s a slow travel month for me because festival season comes to a standstill as people prepare for the holidays. However, there are a few mountain events this month that are worth getting off the couch for.
Fall Back Beer Festival in Estes Park, Colorado, takes place annually on the day when Daylight Saving Time ends. This year the event occurs on Saturday, November 5.
In my job as Mayor of HeidiTown, I cover a lot of beer festivals—and this is one of my favorites. I especially enjoy the educational aspects of the event. There are usually workshops available for festival-goers to attend and home-brewing demonstrations by American Homebrewers Association.
A baby elk beside his mom in Estes Park
As a bonus, the event takes place in Estes Park, a wonderful autumn destination. A large herd of elk walked by our Rustic Acre vacation home last year during Fall Back Beer Festival.
With the closure of Hwy 34 between Loveland and Estes Park this fall and winter, Estes Park can be accessed via I25 from Hwy 66 to Hwy 36 or from Boulder via Hwy 36.
The 11th Annual Bighorn Sheep Festival takes place November 12 in Georgetown, Colorado. The festival is scheduled during the fall because it’s breeding season for bighorn sheep, a time when males contest for dominance.
During the event there are wildlife educational programs for the entire family. Shops in Georgetown showcase their wildlife-related art, gifts, and crafts. Visitors are encouraged to stop by the Bighorn Sheep Viewing Station and the Georgetown Gateway Visitor Center where volunteers with binoculars and spotting scopes can help you locate sheep.
November is the time when Colorado’s ski towns are gearing up for the winter season and prepping for the holidays. Should you find yourself in Steamboat Springs this November, stop by the Tread of Pioneers Museum for the Festival of Trees, November 12 through 21, 2016.
Local school groups, organizations, and local businesses decorate trees, turning the museum into a winter wonderland. This is an annual fundraising event for this fantastic museum in Steamboat Springs.
If you’re looking to get into the spirit of Christmas a little early, check out Snowcat Santa and Fireworks at Copper Mountain Resort on Friday, November 25.
This year, Santa’s arriving in Copper on the Pisten Bully Snowcat. Once he makes his grand entrance, children can meet with him and share their Christmas list with both Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. The evening ends with Copper’s annual tree lighting and fireworks in Center Village. Opening day on Copper Mountain is November 11.
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