Disclosure: In return for our honest review my family and I were guests at Snow Mountain Ranch for a weekend of fun. All opinions are our own.
A couple weekends ago we took a family trip to beautiful Winter
Park Colorado to the Snow Mountain Ranch YMCA.
About 18 years ago I took my first trip to Snow Mountain Ranch for my 8th
grade trip. Honestly, all I remembered
was the beautiful scenery, pool and roller-skating so I had no idea what to
really expect for our family’s first experience. Well, friends, let me tell you – our experience
was so amazing that we have already started planning a trip for next
summer! I cannot wait to share this with
you.
What is Snow Mountain Ranch?
Located near Winter Park Colorado, Rocky Mountain National
Park & Grand Lake; Snow Mountain Ranch offers a wholesome environment where
friends, families & groups enjoy a tranquil setting, more activities than
anywhere else & quality time together.
You can fill your day and nights at Snow Mountain Ranch YMCA with our programs
and activities. Every season brings fun and excitement for the entire family. Whether
you are looking for adventure or a relaxing stroll, we can set you on your way.
Activities at Snow Mountain Ranch:
Snow Mountain Ranch offers many activities on the property
including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, canoeing, zip
lines, fishing, archery, climbing wall, crafts shop, mini-golf, swimming, both
summer and winter tubing hill and more, making the destination an
affordable and adventurous getaway for the whole family. (Most of these
activities are included free for guests.)
We literally did everything possible in the 2 days we were up at the ranch. I have decided that when we visit again we will need at least 4 days! We all had so much fun but were totally exhausted by the time we left.
Jude got to try the art of archery for the first time. He and Jeremy took some time to go to a session while Teagan and I rested back at the lodge. He did great!! Jeremy said that he loved this and even got a couple of bulls-eyes. The staff at Snow Mountain Ranch are always there to help you and your child learn new activities.
Teagan loves the outdoors but tell her there are crafts to do and she is ready NOW! This little lady needed a break from the heat and sun and we decided to head to the Craft Shop for some crafting fun. The crafts do cost extra but are VERY affordable for families. We had a great time painting and Jude did some leather stamping. So many options for the kids to choose from too.
We got to spend some time with a fisherman on the lake too. The fisherman was very helpful and had everything we needed for a fun time trying to catch fish. No license needed and poles and bait provided. Nice for us for sure! The fisherman was so kind and even caught a fish and let the kids help him reel it in.
We headed out to the Rowley Homestead which is a historic homestead that dates back to 1919. The kids really enjoyed looking at the old homes, tractors and even making their own walking sticks. This was something I really enjoyed too – simply seeing a little glimpse into the world many many years ago is fascinating to me.
When you visit the homestead, make sure you check out when they are doing live performances, we were not there during one but I would love to see that one day.
It isn’t a trip to the mountains with out a S’more! Every evening the staff hosts a campfire and S’mores event around sunset. It was a lot of fun to meet new people, stay warm by the fire and enjoy a perfect S’more.
These campfire events are included in your stay at Snow Mountain Ranch. It’s these little things that are provided that really make this adventure even better. I love how many activities are available for everyone to enjoy through out the day and are included in your lodging.
Before we headed home we had to take a spin at the Tricycle Park. This black top has been transformed into a fun track for tricycles. They even included adorable street signs and streets for the kids to follow. Teagan loved this!
We also enjoyed the pool, rollerskating, hikes and a “Weird Science” class at the Day Camp building. Like I said, we were on the go and loved it! So much to do for every age group too.
On top of it all – Jude, Jeremy and I got to try the newest activity to the ranch. A Summer Tubing Hill!!! (Teagan will be old enough to do this next summer).
The Summer Tubing Hill at Snow Mountain Ranch is the only
one of its kind in Colorado and one of only three in the US. I love that it’s
an activity for all generations to enjoy, little kids to grandparents.
Looks fun right! It is so fun! I am not much of an adventurer but I am so happy I did this with Jude. We had a great time and I cannot wait to try it with Teagan. I will be giving more details of this amazing activity next week. Stay tuned!
Snow Mountain Ranch is not just for summer! Snow Mountain Ranch is a year-round
destination and winter activities include dog-sledding,Nordicskiing, snowshoeing, sledding (on real snow!) and indoor activities like
archery, climbing wall, roller skating, crafts center and more. Also, Snow
Mountain Ranch is located between the alpine resorts of Winter Park/Mary Jane
and Ski Granby Ranch for families interested in downhill skiing or snowboarding
as well.
If you are looking for a day camp while in Colorado Snow
Mountain Ranch has an affordable and convenient summer day camp on-site
for ages 5-13 – like kids club. Kids can attend for one or two days or a full
week. Keep the kids busy and enjoy one of the more challenging hikes or
mountain biking trails or just grab some grown-up time. We all love some
grown up time don’t we!?!
General Information:
Accommodations range from lodge rooms, cabins of all sizes, yurts and
campsites in the summer and even 8 bedroom reunioncabins that sleep up to 40 guests – perfect for a family reunion or
corporate retreat. Plus, YMCA of the Rockies has on-staff retreat specialists
to help plan large events. There is also an Estes Park location
which is the place to be in the fall to see the Elk up close.
We stayed in the newly updated Indian Peaks Lodge. This lodge is perfect for families like ours. Enough space to sleep 6 and even has a mini fridge in the room. So nice. Each room also has it’s own bathroom and shower.
The sitting space is also a fold out bed. The deck, which I forgot to get a picture of is a nice touch to the lodge living as well. Every morning before breakfast we would step outside and enjoy the fresh mountain air and gorgeous views. We even saw a hot air balloon one morning!
As you are preparing to plan your visit to Snow Mountain
Ranch make sure you take a look at these great specials. The free breakfast for stays in lodge rooms, the Military
Getaway Package and the YMCA membership discount will really assist in your planning and budgeting.
FOOD! If you are like
me, you want to know all about the food options for your family while on
vacation. I must say, the SchlessmanCommons makes dining and food prep so easy for families. We were literally on the go the whole time we
were at Snow Mountain Ranch which would have made food prep hard but we simply
stopped in the Commons and enjoyed all 3 meals every day. It was so easy and a great way to sit down
and relax for a while as a family.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served every day in
an all-you-can-eat buffet style dining hall. Fresh salad bar,
delicious desserts and homemade specialties accompany every meal. Enjoy
the majestic mountain views while dining with your family and friends.
Meals are available on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Buffet meals include salad bar, entrees, dessert and beverages. Current hours and prices.
Our Review of Snow Mountain Ranch:
Both kids have asked us when we are going up to the “Snow
Mountain” again. We all had such a great
time. I have lived in Colorado my whole life
and there is something about being up in the high country with family. Memories are instantly made and even though
we were literally on the go the whole time we were there it was still
relaxing. I know that we will be
creating a family tradition of visiting Snow Mountain Ranch in the summer.
Snow Mountain Ranch is such a hidden gem and such an
affordable and easy getaway for families right here in Colorado. A must visit for all ages!
Have you ever stayed at Snow Mountain Ranch? Or another YMCA camp?
Winter Park is where I learned how to snow ski and learned how fun it was to ride those inner tubes down the mountain. That was over 30 years ago…and I haven't been snow skying since..guess it wasn't in the cards…but it was a beautiful place to vacation.
We love Snow Mountain Ranch! One of the best places in Coloraso for a family vacation!
What an amazing place for a family vacation!!
This is SO great, Censie. Looks like a fabulous trip!!!
what a fun place and so pretty. Your littler ones look to be having fun.
Winter Park is where I learned how to snow ski and learned how fun it was to ride those inner tubes down the mountain. That was over 30 years ago…and I haven't been snow skying since..guess it wasn't in the cards…but it was a beautiful place to vacation.
Looks like an amazing private getaway with family. You are right it is a little gem!
I'd definitely want to make multiple visits in the different seasons. This sounds like a real getaway!
Colorado always looks so amazing in pictures. I want to visit one day!
That place looks like a lot of fun! I bet it is fun not only for the kids but for the adults as well.
So many great things going on. I think I'd be intrigued with the Weird Science!
Such a great trip. Love all the stuff your family got to do
What an amazing place to stay. Super family friendly. The views are amazing!
What an amazing trip! It looks like you had a great time.
This looks like a great place. It looks like you had some fun 🙂