January 18-21, 2013

Take a turn on a toboggan run, demo snowshoes, taste award-winning chili, sample mac 'n cheese and sip a variety of beers and wines at the 4th Annual Estes Park Winter Festival, Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend, Jan. 18 through 21, 2013. This family festival partners with the Annual Winter Trails Day held Saturday, Jan. 19 in Rocky Mountain National Park, offering a weekend jam-packed with events.

The event kicks off on Friday, Jan. 18 with an old-fashioned Ceilidh Irish barn dance with live music followed by a weekend schedule that includes winter fun for all ages. Included in the weekend activities will be a chili and mac 'n cheese cook off & beer/wine tasting in a heated pavillion, pony rides, ice skating downtown, scavenger hunt, horse and carriage rides and much more!

Headquarters for the Festival is in a heated pavilion at the Fairgrounds at Stanley Park to accommodate the numerous activates that are planned for the Festival.  Festival grounds are open Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is no charge for children under age three. Entry fees for kids from 4 to 9-years-old is $5 and those over 10 will be admitted with a $10 entry fee. which includes entrance into the Festival, and the chili  and mac 'n cheese tasting. Wine and beer tasting is an additional $30 per person. 

Especially for those who enjoy food, brews and wine

The highlight for “foodies” is two days of eating chili and tasting Colorado beer and wine. There are two separate competitions of the Chili Cook-off. On Saturday, Colorado restaurants compete for “Best of the Fest” chili.  On Sunday, chili cooks from throughout the region will compete in a Chili Appreciation Society International-sanctioned competition. Anyone can compete, visit the Winter Festival website for more details.There’s also a jalapeno eating contest for the brave.

Regional wineries will showcase their award-winning wines, while area specialty brewing companies will be pm hand.

Winter Trails Day

Learn how to snowshoe at the 18th Annual Winter Trails Day, scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 19 in Rocky Mountain National Park. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  There’s no charge to demo snowshoes. Receive expert advice on selecting and fitting snowshoes, along with other fun ideas about how to enjoy winter in the mountains.

Participants in Winter Trails can attend free informational clinics which include educational stations on winter activity basics, safety techniques, nutrition and hydration tips, essential conditioning exercises and how to dress for winter hiking and camping. The national Winter Trails organization, and the Estes Area Lodging Association sponsor this free event.

Scavenger Hunt

Each day (Friday through Monday), take part in a town-wide scavenger hunt with a chance to win lodging, retail and restaurant prizes.  Pick up clues at the Estes Park Visitor Center Friday – Monday and the Estes Park Winter Festival entrance on Saturday and Sunday.

Ceilidh, S’mores and More!

Friday night, launch the event with the Ceilidh Irish Barn Dance. Be entertained with fun and upbeat folk & Irish music that will make you want to kick up your heels!