Hey Coloradans! I'm planning a weekend trip to Colorado in Feb, any advice?

[webguy]

Hey guys!

It's my wife's birthday at the end of Feb and having 2 young kids we both need a break!  I've managed to recruit the help of her parents to look after the kids for a long weekend so I can take her on a fun trip. We haven't had a weekend away from the kids in over 2 years so I want to make the most of it. She loves mountains and so I'm planning on Colorado as neither of us have been there. I've been recommended the Estes Park/Boulder area by some friends and I know there's quite a few Coloradans on this forum and so thought I'd ask for any advice or ideas.

It's only a short trip (flying out from Minneapolis Fri morning and flying back Sunday night) and I want it to be relaxing with a few fun things thrown in. I know it's not mustachian but we don't get away often and so this is a "no expense spared" kind of trip. I'm happy to blow some money to make this an awesome trip.

1) Any recommendation for accommodation with awesome views of the mountains? I'm envisioning sitting on a balcony in the morning drinking coffee whilst looking at a beautiful mountain landscape.
2) Any awesome drives, short hikes, or scenery we shouldn't miss?
3) Is it likely to be snowy and cold at the end of Feb?
4) Is it best to just hire a car from the airport? Should I get an AWD if we're driving into the mountains?
5) Any restaurants we have to hit?

Thanks guys! I really appreciate any input you might have.

[jeninco]

Congrats on having some time away!

February (even late February) is still winter here, so you could get sun, ice storms, major blizzards, heavy fog, and just about anything else you can imagine.

I'm highly partial to Crested Butte, and you may be able to fly directly into Gunnison airport. It's IN the mountains: in a valley basically surrounded by mountains. The snow at the ski area has been pretty horrible so far this year, so you may be able to get a deal on a place. Try for staying in Crested Butte town, not on the ski mountain (unless you're looking for ski in/ski out options, which you don't need because you're not taking your kids!) You can do hikes (snowshoe, or cross-country ski -- there are places in town to rent you the equipment and point you toward appropriate trails) and a surprising number of excellent restaurants.  There are lots of lodging options, but if it were me, I'd aim for a B&B-type place with some common hanging-out areas.

Whatever you decide, hope you have a great trip!

[Aegishjalmur]

If you can get a vehicle with all wheel drive, I would do that, especially if you plan to do any travel in the mountains as on I-70 we have chain laws that have some hefty fines if you get caught in bad weather.

In February you can get some gnarly storms(2 years ago we got 24 inches of snow dumped on us in Denver in about 36 hrs), or it may be in the 60's and sunny.

see link below for road conditions
 https://www.codot.gov/travel


regarding things to do..... way, way tooo much.... I have been here almost 13 years and I haven't seen half of what I want to.

Loads of hiking trails near boulder
http://www.bouldercoloradohiking.com/

if you like wine tastings, head to the Palisades over by Grand Junction(over 30+ wineries) https://visitpalisade.com/wineries-and-spirits/. Up in Breckenridge(Breckenridge Brewery) or Fort Collins(Odells, CopperMuse) you have a bunch of places to do Beer or Whiskey tastings. Down south at Pagosa Springs you have an awesome hot springs.

If you like Zoos or museums, you have the Denver Zoo right next to the Natural History Museum(not even a 5 minute walk from one to the other) so you can make a day of that.