Drive past Winter Park Ski Area directly to Pole Creek. Play in the afternoon. With 27 holes, fairways run thru an open valley crossing the winding mountain creek. The newer nine holes climb steeply uphill with fairways carved through towering pines. 970-887-9195 www.polecreekgolf.com
Play Pole Creek at the lower afternoon rate. Then, drive back to stay in Winter Park. Commute from the ski area and town lodging each day to the courses. Stay two nights in more affordable in-town motels and condominiums. However, many condominiums at the ski area offer lower summer rates.
Off highway US 40 in nearby Granby, the Grand Elk course was designed by PGA Tour Pro and Colorado resident Craig Stadler. Fairways flow through a wide valley along a winding creek, ponds and sagebrush.
970-887-9122 www.grandelk.com
High in the hills above town and at thebase of the family-oriented Granby Ranch Ski Area is the isola golf course. Fairways flow through the hills, past railroad tracks, across wetlands and along the Fraser River, the favorite fishing spot of former President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
888-850-4615 www.golfgranbyranch.com
Above Colorado's original mountain lake resort, the course was damaged by forest fires. Where there were once just narrow fairways cut through pines, now wider fairways have open vistas of Rocky Mountain National Park. Watch for moose and fox on the course. 936-447-4653 www.grandlakerecreation.com
For the next trail, drive another 100 miles and over Rabbit Ears Pass on US 40 into the old western town. The Steamboat Ski Area slopes rise behind. The public hot springs pool, the Yampa River and motels are in town. Larger condos are available at the base of the ski slopes.
Colorado's first Robert Trent Jones II designed course is near the ski slopes. Formerly the Sheraton Steamboat Hotel course, it is now Troon managed. Fairways run along and across rushing Fish Creek. 970-879-1391. www.rollingstoneranchgolf.com
The city-built and operated course outside of town is over former ranch hay fields in a wide valley. Rolling modern designed fairways have views of the ski slopes and surrounding mountains. 970-870-1846. www.haymakergolf.com
Built before the area 18-hole courses, the Steamboat Springs Golf Club's nine-hole fairways are bordered by tall cottonwoods and run along a curve in the Yampa River. The ski slopes of the Steamboat Ski Area are visible from the fairways.
970-870-1846. www.steamboatgolfclub.com