Wilderness Trails Ranch - 1766 CR 302, (970) 247-0722 or (800) 527-2624. www.wildernesstrails.com.  A blend of the past and present. THE place to be! Top-notch horses, riding by skill level. Delectable meals, well appointed cabins, pool, hot tub, fish, water-ski, raft, tours to Mesa Verde. Campfires, hayrides, country dance, candlelight dinners. Children/Teen programs. 3 to 6 day stays. June, September and children's discounts. Perfect for families, couples, singles. Questions? Call. The Roberts Family.

Red Mountain Motel Cabins & Snowmobile Tours - Located at 664 Green St. in Silverton, CO. Guided snowmobile tours, cabin and kitchenette rentals and jeep rentals. Pets and kids welcome. Silverton, Co Winter Package Deals available. Open all winter from 8:00am - 9:00pm.

Since 1882 a coal-fired train has been running the narrow gauge tracks between Durango and Silverton. For decades it carried ore back to Durango’s smelter. Today the train carries tourists and rail fans from all over the world.

The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad chugs along the Animas River through beautiful aspen forests, then up into the canyon hugging granite cliffs until it descends into Silverton. Breathtaking mountain views are combined with daring looks down into the sparkling waters of the river.

In the summer of 1881 the Denver & Rio Grande Railway whistled into Durango. By July of ‘82, the Silverton leg had been completed, and ore could finally be transported back to Durango for smelting. Because of the nearly insurmountable terrain, the railroaders adopted the narrow gauge, more appropriate for treacherous rock ledges than standard gauge. With tracks only three feet apart, curves could be sharp enough to thread the train through the precipitous walls of the Animas Canyon.

Today locomotives that pull the train are from the American Locomotive Works (1923) or Baldwin Locomotive Works (1902 and 1925).

November 26, 2003 - May 7, 2004* (except 12/25/03) train departs depot at 12:00 noon, arriving at Cascade at 2 p.m. Departure from Cascade is 3 p.m., with return to Durango 5:15 p.m.

December 6, 2003, there is a Santa Reception upon the train’s return from Cascade Canyon. Enjoy hot cocoa and cookies with Santa!

December 31, 2003, Annual New Year’s Eve Evening Train has service to Cascade Canyon and back. Enjoy a festive evening on this Presidential 1st-class train excursion. $125 per person, and limited to 70 people. Cash bar. Victorian attire is suggested.

*January 4, through March 9, 2004 there will be no train service Sundays through Tuesdays. Trains depart daily Wednesday through Saturday only.

This is not a complete listing of winter trains, events or packages. For more information, call the D&SNG Railroad, (970) 247-2733.

Sky Ute Lodge & Casino - southeast of Durango on Hwy 172 at Ignacio, 1-888-842-4180. Open daily, around the clock, Sky Ute Casino features table games including 3-card poker and blackjack. There is also video poker, slot machines, video slots and bingo. The casino hosts special events such as championship boxing and musical entertainment. There is a lodge, restaurant, and cafe, as well as a pool and hot tub. Free shuttle from Durango and Pagosa Springs (call for schedule).

SunRay Park & Casino - located between Farmington and Bloomfield, New Mexico on US Hwy 64 (Bloomfield Hwy next to McGee Park). (595) 566-1200. Open daily. Casino hours: Mon. - Thurs. 1 p.m. - 1 a.m. , Fri. 1 p.m. - 2 a.m. , Sat. 2 p.m. - 2 a.m., Sun. 2 p.m. - 1 a.m. The casino features 440 slot and video machines and simulcast horse race betting from throughout the United States, 7 days a week. Open Daily 10 a.m.

Southern Ute Museum - 14826 Hwy 172 (North of Sky Ute Lodge & Casino). (970) 563-9583 (Museum), (970) 563-4649 (Gift Shop). Exhibits include, “Beading Hands” depicting traditional Ute Bead work, “The Circles of Life” a Ute journey of Life, and “Reflections of Honor” based on oral histories from Ute Soldiers. Multi-Image historical presentations are shown throughout the day. Visit our unique Gift Shop featuring clothing, jewelry items, our new Pendleton line and publications. Open Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.