Grand County Colorado: Where Night Comes to Life by the Light of the Moon   Grand County, Colorado Tourism – One of the things people notice first about Grand County is the amazing number of stars that hang around these parts – but instead of Redford, Streep and other Hollywood transplants, they mean Orion and the famous constellations. Because when you come to a place where the lights of town are swallowed by miles of untamed wilderness, the celestial stars overpower the nighttime sky.   While stargazing is one of the most popular nocturnal pursuits in Grand County, year-round, a whole new crop of nighttime activity awaits the star-struck adventurer. From full-moon Nordic skiing to fireworks over Grand Lake, nighttime is the right time to explore the starry side of Grand County.   Winter   •           Sleigh Ride Dinners – What better excuse to snuggle up under the stars than on a horse-drawn sleigh     ride in the middle of winter? Whether you choose a half-hour ride that stops at a bonfire for marshmallow roasting and cocoa, or a longer 'gourmet dinner' ride, this old west adventure is a nighttime favorite.   •           Full-Moon Nordic Skiing – Both Devil’s Thumb Ranch and the Grand Lake Touring Center offer full-moon skiing each month throughout the winter. Outdoor ice skating is also available at Devil’s Thumb, and the Grand Lake Touring Center offers dinner with its full-moon ski.   •           Nordic Skiing Under the Lights – The Nordic center at Snow Mountain Ranch/YMCA of the Rockies            offers regular night skiing on 3k of its 100k groomed trails. The Nordic center also hosts a free Wednesday night race series throughout the winter.   •           Fraser Tubing Hill – The tubing hill is an exciting must-stop for families in search of après ski activity. Open from 4-9 p.m. daily, the lighted hill provides thrills and spills under the stars.   •           Private Night Skiing at SolVista – Where else can you rent an entire mountain to ski under the lights with your private party. While SolVista no longer offers regular night skiing, they’ll keep the lifts running and the bar hopping from 5-8 p.m. for private groups.   •           Christmas & New Years Eve Activities – The torchlight ski down, snowcat parade and fireworks at Winter Park Resort have been a family favorite for years. SolVista and Grand Lake also host holiday events.   •           Concert in the Pines – Throughout the winter, the Grand Lake Arts Council hosts a variety of concerts with Celtic, folk and classical music among others.   •           Winter Park Mountain Film Festival – This film festival, aimed at winter sports enthusiasts, features 8-10 films about the great outdoors, including skiing, base-jumping, kayaking and environmental and cultural themes.             • Rocky Mountain National Park Saturday Night in the Park Lecture Series – The second Saturday of  each month, RMNP hosts lectures and films in the auditorium at Kawuneeche Visitor Center.   Summer   •           24 Hours of Adrenalin™  – Teams of mountain bikers as well as solo participants race ‘round the clock on the forested slopes around the town of Winter Park.   •           Rocky Mountain National Park Saturday Night in the Park Lecture Series – The second Saturday of each month, RMNP hosts lectures and films in the auditorium at Kawuneeche Visitor Center.   •           Backpacking – There’s nothing like camping out in the Indian Peaks or Arapaho National Forest, listening to the silence of night in the high country and snuggling down in your sleeping bag under the wide open sky.   •           Fourth of July Activities – What better way to celebrate this patriotic American holiday and the wonders of a high-country night in the summer than with a fireworks celebration. The towns of Winter Park/Fraser, Granby, Kremmling and Grand Lake all offer spectacular fireworks displays, each with its own unique flavor.   For more information about activities in Grand County, Colorado, including a free vacation guide visit the website at www.grand-county.com or call toll-free (800) 729-5821. Grand County is located 67 miles northwest of Denver.   Media Contact: Gaylene Ore Ore Communications 970-887-2536 e-mail: Gaylene@orecommunications.com