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Explore Spruce Saddle Adventure Zone at Snow Mountain Ranch

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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. 
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Last weekend we took our annual summer weekend trip to Snow Mountain Ranch in Winter Park, Colorado.  We have been taking this trip for 3 summers now and we have no plans in changing this growing tradition.  While the weekend is anything but relaxing, it is always a weekend built on fun, activities and refreshing mountain air!

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.

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Spruce Saddle Adventure Zone at Snow Mountain Ranch


  We were so excited to hear about the newest addition to Snow Mountain Ranch, Spruce Saddle Adventure Zone, and we could not wait to visit as soon as we get there.   Spruce Saddle Adventure Zone is right next to the tubing hill at the ranch.  It is a great open space park and playground perfect for all ages and abilities.  There are a number of playgrounds around the grounds of the ranch but this is truly an adventure zone!  
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Some features include:

  • VIP Swing
  • Small Zip Line
  • Twisted Log Ladder
  • Climbing Wall
  • Climbing Structures
  • Slide
Jeremy even got on the VIP Swing with Jude.  Fun for all!!  

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We started our morning off at Spruce Saddle and spent almost an hour there.  The kids loved checking it all out.  I loved that this was a great way to get them exploring and climbing. Even with a good amount of kids on the playground, there was plenty of space and features for every kid to play on.  

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While the VIP Swing was a hit, it was pretty obvious what all of the kids loved the most.  The zip line, while not huge, was a ton of fun for Teagan and Jude.  They loved it!  So many giggles and laughs.  

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This adventure zone is 2 levels, the top of the zone has the zip line, swing, and tons of climbing items.  The lower level has two climbing walls and a few fun climbing items like a giant saddle and moose but the best part about this design, is that the two levels are connected by a fun slide!  What a great creative design for a park!!  
We visited the Spruce Saddle Adventure Zone every day we were at the ranch for a least an hour.  The kids gave the new adventure zone 5 stars!!  

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The official grand opening of Spruce Saddle Adventure Zone will take place on Sunday August 27th.  If you happen to be at the ranch please make sure you attend.  After coming to Snow Mountain Ranch for 3 summers now, I do love that they are continually adding and upgrading the ranch and activities.  I know that the kids will be asking about this adventure zone for the year to come!  Summer 2018 cannot come fast enough!  HA!
Just like we always do when we visit Snow Mountain Ranch, we had our weekend booked full of activities.  This is why we love coming up to the ranch.  It is a great place for the kids to stay busy, try new things and explore.  


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, roller skating, 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.)

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Teagan was able to try archery for the first time and she did great.  She let Jeremy help her for a few rounds but then she was determined to do it on her own.  While she didn’t hit the target she was very proud of herself for trying.  Love that little lady!  Jude did great with archery once he got back into the habit.  Since Teagan was old enough this summer, it was a whole family affair.  It was fun to show Jude that mommy can hit the target too!!  Thanks to years of Girl Scout Camp!!  HA!

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Crafts!! We love crafts. In typical Colorado mountains fashion, we had a bit of an afternoon rain storm so we decided to head inside for some crafts. Jude decided to do a Rocket Ship mosaic craft and Teagan did a stained glass raccoon and designed her own water bottle. The crafts do cost extra but are VERY affordable for families. So many options for the kids to choose from too.

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If you visit Snow Mountain Ranch in the summer you will have the opportunity to go Lollygagging with Llamas!  Yes, llamas!!   We experienced this last summer too and the kids loved learning all about llamas but did not make it on the whole family hike.  I don’t know that we even made it halfway!  This year, we did it!!  The easy 1 1/2 mile hike was perfect for them both.  Up hill for part of it but once you start downhill, you see an amazing valley!  Wow, Colorado, you amaze me!!  The kids learn to pack a llama and general facts about the animals and then they get to walk the llamas during the hike.  What fun!!  
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Now for the highlight of our trip.  The tubing hill.  This activity is talked about year round in our household.  The kids LOVE it and honestly, so do the adults.  We had our reservation right before lunchtime which was perfect.  We visited the Spruce Saddle Adventure Zone and then started our tubing fun.  Like I said, the adventure zone is right next to the tubing hill so it worked perfectly for us.  

One big change for our family this year was that Jude was old enough to go down the hill on his own.  We let him do that one time, he loved it.  

Tubing Hill – General Facts:

Snow Mountain Ranch guests can use this tubing hill free of charge!

The prices for day visitors are as follows:

  • 13 and older: $35 per person
  • 6-12 years old: $25 per person
  • 3-5 years old: $15 per person
  • *A full-day activity pass is included in this price.
  • *Members of YMCA of the Rockies or another YMCA (with proof of membership) can use the tubing hill for $15 per person and receive a complimentary day pass.
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Reservation, rules and amenities information:

Guests staying on-grounds can reserve their time slots for the tubing hill 3 days in advance at the Programs Building. Day visitors can reserve their time slots the day of their visit at the Programs Building. We highly recommend that guests book their time slot 3 days in advance. If you are a day visitor, please call the Program Department the morning of your visit to check on open times: 970-887-2152, ext. 4135.

  • Helmets are available for no additional cost.
  • Children ages 3-6 must ride with an adult (children 2 and under cannot ride).
  • Flip-flops are not allowed; shoes must be secure. Please do not wear loose clothing or hats.
  • A concessions and bathrooms house will be at the top of the hill for guest convenience.
Make sure you check out our first Summer Tubing Hill experience from 2015 and more information on what to expect. 

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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!?!

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General Information:

Accommodations range from lodge rooms, cabins of all sizes, yurts and campsites in the summer and even 8 bedroom reunion cabins 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. 

For more information on Snow Mountain Ranch make sure you check out our visits from the past two summers as well.  
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Stay Social with Snow Mountain Ranch:


Have you every visited a YMCA camp like this with your family?

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Comments

  1. Jacqui Stewart says

    I have never been here, but it looks like a wonderful place to make memories with your family! We have a similar place here in PA. The Pocono's. My son and I used to go there every year, the week after Christmas to go snow tubing. Being in the mountains is a refreshing feeling and I am hoping to make the transition into a full time RV lifestyle that will allow me to travel to more mountain destinations :).

  2. Heather Lawrence - Adventures With Four says

    We have never been but this does look like a great place to take the kids.
    I have never been to Colorado but I was surprised to see the photos of the mountains. We are about 3 hours North of Banff and our Rocky Mountains look quite different than yours for sure.
    We will be camping later on next week but nothing like this thats for sure!

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