Come to Kremmling for the Ice Fishing, Stay for Winter Fun

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The 21st Annual Wolford Ice Fishing Contest is right around the corner… Have you planned your weekend in Kremmling yet? If you haven’t, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Stay in Kremmling on Friday night, the night before the Fishing Contest, so you can get an early start on the ice without the long drive. The historic Hotel Eastin, built in 1906 and now family run, is the perfect place to spend your first night in the town of Kremmling. Head over to Grand Adventure Brewing Company for live music on Friday and Saturday night and a Colorado locally-sourced, made-from-scratch meal.

Need some supplies for the next couple days? Pick up snacks, fishing gear, muck boots and more at the Kremmling Mercantile. The Mercantile is a combination grocery store, deli, pharmacy, liquor store, bait shop, sporting goods store, gas station, car wash, gift shop and general store, for anything you may need.

Day 1 — 21st Annual Wolford Ice Fishing Contest

Start your day off on Park Avenue with a coffee, fresh pastry, or quick breakfast. Pop into the Moose Café for a world-famous moose cake or Big Shooter Coffee for a to-go burrito before heading over to the ice.

February 17 is the 21st Annual Wolford Ice Fishing Contest, a full day of frozen fishing fun. Arrive at Wolford Mountain Reservoir by 6 a.m. and (depending on ice thickness) pull your vehicle up to your lucky spot along the miles of Wolford shoreline. The event attracts generations of fishermen, so there will be about 500 registered contestants of all ages. Registration is $35 for adults. Kids ages 15 and younger fish for free and are given a goodie bag at entry. If parents want their kids to be eligible for the adult prizes, they’ll need to pay the adult registration fee.

There are multiple opportunities throughout the day for cash prizes. Try your hand at the hourly big fish competitions, $5,000 cash purse prize for the top ten largest fish, a $10,000 tagged fish contest, a big-ticket item raffle, and a winning size fish contest. A fish measuring approximately 30 inches (length + girth) is usually in the running to win.

After a full day on the ice, retire to Latigo Ranch for the night, where you can rest up for more adventures tomorrow. The Ranch’s log cabins are cozy with fireplaces or woodburning stoves. Book single or large suites, and enjoy the on-site pool, hot tub, and late-night ping pong, foosball, and board games in the main lodge. Hungry? Sit down to a fine, wholesome, and hearty dinner crafted by gourmet chefs with sustainable and local ingredients.

Day 2—Nordic Skiing, Local Art, and Hot Springs

Latigo Ranch, listed as one of USA Today’s Top 10 Cross Country Ski Resorts, offers top notch cross-country and backcountry skiing. With 50 kilometers of groomed Nordic trails and 200 square-miles of back country powder, spend the day on world-class terrain. Don’t worry about equipment, Latigo Ranch rents classic skis, boots, poles, snowshoes, fat bikes, and more, to make your day on snow as stress free as possible.

Snowmobiling is also one of the best ways to explore the landscape surrounding Kremmling. If you have your own, bring your snowmobiles and head up to Rabbit Ears Pass. You can also rent snowmobiles or jump on a tour with On the Trail Rentals in nearby Grand Lake.

To round out the day, relax and reset at the Hot Sulphur Springs with a massage, body treatment, facial and/or a soak in any of the 21 mineral pools and baths. The pools are naturally heated and mineral-rich without any abrasive minerals or harmful chemicals or elements.

Before driving home, stop for dinner at Dean Public House at the Stagecoach, an 1874 hotel and saloon that serves delicious wild game tapas and cocktails crafted by creative “Bootleggers.”

Day 3 – Art, Shopping, Burgers, and Homeward Bound

Day 3 calls for a leisurely morning, so take your time and ease into your day. Spend the morning perusing the  Gore Range Artisans Village, home to 21 thriving artisans and a gallery displaying more than 330 years of artistic experience. Also check out Ghost Wood Interiors, selling custom barnwood furniture and rustic home décor. Flowers by Marcia is also a great stop; you’ll find gifts and jewelry at her warm, inviting shop. For lunch, check out  Jilly’s, a great place to grab a burger, slice of pizza, or a milkshake. The warm atmosphere and comfort food is sure to fill you up after a morning of shopping and enjoying town. After you’re done exploring town, it’s time to head home, happy with a weekend full of winter adventure and exploration.