Looking for Colorado winter vacation ideas

[SoCalRunner]

Would appreciate some ideas on where i could take the family for a Christmas vacation in Colorado. The big reason is my boys (5 & 16) have never seen snow. We don't ski, so not interested in a big expensive ski resort. Looking for a rustic cabin in the woods where we could hike and explore, maybe rent a snow mobile, fish, or soak in a hot spring. I would love to take the 4Runner off-road for some scenic views too. Close proximity to a city where we could eat, shop, and see the Christmas decorations would be ideal.

If anyone knows of, or has been to, a place like this please share your experience and any photos.


Thank you!

 

[marcus clarkus]

Check out the area around Monarch, Salida, and Buena Vista. You're sure to find something remote, but not so remote that's there's no town around for miles and miles.

Christmas decorations - Salida
Snowmobile rentals - Monarch
Off roading (not sure how it is in the winter)- San Isabel National Forest

Your best bet is to find an Airbnb in that area.

 

[fourwd1]

Moving to OT.

 

[CXS]

You might want to check out Rocky Mountain State Park

https://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm

Rocky Mountain National Park | Hiking, Activities & Lodging

Another option may be Grand County

https://www.visitgrandcounty.com/trips/itineraries/rocky-mountain-winter-itinerary/

There’s really an awful of places to consider.

 

[SoCalRunner]

Thanks for the Ideas

I will look into all of them.

 

[Spudgey]

I'm going to throw in another suggestion here.

Check out Steamboat springs.

Rabbit ears pass has lots of snowmobiling options.

Strawberry Hot Springs is possibly one of the nicest hot springs in the state. They even have cabins on the property that you can rent. I've stayed out there a few nights and the stars are incredible.

Steamboat itself is great for walking around in. It's a quaint town that is big enough to offer any amenity you want but still has that small mountain town feel.

I know you said you wouldn't be skiing but if you got the itch while you were there the ski resort is pretty decent and not as crowded as some of the other resorts.

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[SoCalRunner]

Wow

Steamboat & strawberry spgs are awesome! Its further than i planned on driving but it looks incredible and im really tempted.

Great tip Spudgey, thanks!

 

[Spudgey]

Yeah it's way up there but it should offer everything you're looking for!

From Denver it's about a 3 hour drive. Conditions going over Rabbit Ear Pass can also be pretty treacherous so make sure you have good tires and check conditions before heading that way.

Anyway, best of luck with your decision! Hope you guys have a great time regardless of where you end up.

 

[kyle_uran]

Would appreciate some ideas on where i could take the family for a Christmas vacation in Colorado. The big reason is my boys (5 & 16) have never seen snow. We don't ski, so not interested in a big expensive ski resort. Looking for a rustic cabin in the woods where we could hike and explore, maybe rent a snow mobile, fish, or soak in a hot spring. I would love to take the 4Runner off-road for some scenic views too. Close proximity to a city where we could eat, shop, and see the Christmas decorations would be ideal.

If anyone knows of, or has been to, a place like this please share your experience and any photos.


Thank you!

Grand County would meet a lot of that criteria. Grand Lake is just south of Rocky Mountain National Park west entrance and head waters of Colorado River. Unsure if it'll be thick enough to ice fish, but there are two lakes and the colorado to fish on.

Grand Lake is also the Snowmobile capital of the World, so they say. Lots of open area with the park being so close.

Devils Thumb Ranch and YMCA of the Rockies near Tabernash may have some XC skiing or snowshoeing available.

Grandby Ranch has a small ski mountain, maybe good for an intro to skiing and cheaper than big mountains like Vail, Aspen, Brek or Winter Park just down the road.

Hot Sulphur Springs spa in Sulphur Springs or a trip to Fraser Valley Rec center for a day pass to use the indoor pool, basketball and spa would be nice and relaxing.

The town of Winter Park would have bars, restaurants, nightlife and lights for everyone to look at and enjoy.

This is all in the Grand County, Colorado. Being from Texas as well, your boys will surely love it. Let me know if you have any questions. Lived in the Valley there for a bit and then in Denver.

 

[SoCalRunner]

Another great spot!

Yes this place looks great! I received some great tips and it seems that we will need to make several trips to Co. see them all. Currently we are leaning towards a nice cabin in Leadville. The area seems to have what we are looking for , i just hope there is snow!

Thanks for the tips, i'm creating a log for future visits.

 

[kyle_uran]

Yes this place looks great! I received some great tips and it seems that we will need to make several trips to Co. see them all. Currently we are leaning towards a nice cabin in Leadville. The area seems to have what we are looking for , i just hope there is snow!

Thanks for the tips, i'm creating a log for future visits.

Highest incorporated town in America!

 

[Oldmanb777]

So the Grand Lake area has 3 major lakes, not two. Then there are other lessor lakes as well, some are private. The area is very fragile and over used. The water is mostly part of the Big Thompson Water Project. You can't snowmobile in Rocky Mountain National Park. It's a 2+ hour drive from Denver on a perfect day,(that doesn't happen very often), can be an 8+ hour drive on a bad day. El Pacifico has the best Magarita's in the country. The Ribs @ the sagebrush are good, and the food is always good at Mustachio's. The view is also great there. Best Happy hour is at the Gateway. Grand Lake, (or Spirit Lake if you prefer) is the largest natural body of water in Colorado, lakes that are bigger are numerous, and all Reservoirs. It is probably the deepest as well @ about 300 ft deep. The headwaters of the Colorado River start up in the park ~ 10 miles. Please don't drive through my county like you are on a mission from God, or I will want to put you in touch with him sooner than you would like. Also Texans have a reputation in Colorado that is well deserved, please don't act like that. You are a guest in our neighborhood, act like it!

 

[kyle_uran]

So the Grand Lake area has 3 major lakes, not two. Then there are other lessor lakes as well, some are private. The area is very fragile and over used. The water is mostly part of the Big Thompson Water Project. You can't snowmobile in Rocky Mountain National Park. It's a 2+ hour drive from Denver on a perfect day,(that doesn't happen very often), can be an 8+ hour drive on a bad day. El Pacifico has the best Magarita's in the country. The Ribs @ the sagebrush are good, and the food is always good at Mustachio's. The view is also great there. Best Happy hour is at the Gateway. Grand Lake, (or Spirit Lake if you prefer) is the largest natural body of water in Colorado, lakes that are bigger are numerous, and all Reservoirs. It is probably the deepest as well @ about 300 ft deep. The headwaters of the Colorado River start up in the park ~ 10 miles. Please don't drive through my county like you are on a mission from God, or I will want to put you in touch with him sooner than you would like. Also Texans have a reputation in Colorado that is well deserved, please don't act like that. You are a guest in our neighborhood, act like it!

Woah! Do you live in Grand County?

 

[Oldmanb777]

Yes, Born here. Mostly grew up here and on the other side. Spent some time elsewhere, never lived in your area, but forced to spend some of time there anyway.

 

[Oldmanb777]

By the way, off road in the high country in December is not going to happen. So plan to stick to the pavement that time of year. We measure snow in feet, not inches. So rent a snowmobile, and leave the 4x4 in the parking lot. 4x4 trails that are open will be mostly nonexistent in the high country. There are numerous snowmobile rentals in the area, a few have snowbikes as well, if your into motorcycles.
If you want to try skiing, fly into DIA, take the train to union station, make the connection onto Amtrac to Winter Park. spectacular trip all by itself. The bus is free around winter park. You can get some learning days with instruction and equipment etc. I think you can get to Granby Ranch easily from there as well. Would have to check that out, but I think doable. Its a family friendly "easy" ski area with lots of vacation rental options.
If you want the Leadville area, as stated, highest incorporated city in north America. Highest Road in the North America (Mesquito Pass, closed in winter) and highest airport in North America. Home of Molly Brown etc. Not too far from Camp Hale. Home of the training grounds for soldiers in WW2 who learned to fight on snow skis. ski Cooper is there. But again, its winter, and the snow will be unpassable in a 4x4. Headwaters of the Arkansas river.
Remember the higher you go, its like going farther north. Winter is more severe, and longer, snows tend to be deeper and longer lasting, etc. The Arkansas river valley tends to be a banana belt. Beuna vista and Salida are nice communities that tend to have less severe winters, but close to 14,000 ft Collegiate peaks, so snow options are available and hot springs as well. There is a vibrant music scene in Buena Vista and Salida area as well as micro brew pubs, distillery's etc. Not sure how active that might be during the "off" season. Depending on the snow conditions,(and it varies greatly from year to year) and on how prepared you are, there might be some exploring done with a 4x4 in that area. Mostly unmaintained county roads, but still nice day trips. Just go prepared. I've spend enough all nighters searching for the unprepared.
This can be very unforgiving country, especially in winter.

 

[AudiTech]

I would just look into the Leadville area. The closest ski resort is Copper which is not a ski town, it’s just the resort so the area isn’t real crowded. Awesome views, lots of outdoor activities, and not a far drive from Breckinridge - which if you’ve never been, is a Christmas card to come life in the winter.

 

[its_not_a_tuba]

Salida and Buena Vista are great recommendations but Breckenridge cannot be beat for a family Christmas holiday even if you don't ski. Tons of stuff to do in the area and the town is downright magical that time of year. They even filmed parts of Christmas Vacation there. You should be able to find a VRBO house up in the woods - look in Blue River or on Peak 6. Frisco is also nice.

Don't do Leadville. It's a pit.

 

[AudiTech]

^^^ I would advise against staying in Frisco, it’s kin of a central hub for skiers because it’s central to so many things. It’s great but you absolutely pay a ski town premium to be there in the winter. Granted it’s less than staying in the ski towns but it certainly is not cheap compared to going out of town a bit.

 

[MtnT4R]

x2 on steering clear of staying in Leadville, unless the cabin you found looks like its out of town a ways. Theres a couple of historic buildings, Doc Holiday shot a guy at the Silver Dollar Saloon....but outside of that its really just a ghetto mining town(the Climax molybdenum mine is still in operation, jobs available!) circled by trailer parks. Dont get me wrong, the mountains and surrounding wilderness is spectacular, but its not a resort town.

Also keep in mind that coming from Texas, Leadville is almost 10k feet above sea level, where AMS(altitude sickness) becomes a lot more common, especially for flatlanders who travel from 0-10k in a day. Read up about the symptoms and keep hydrated:
Altitude.org | Altitude Sickness

Also x2 on not being able to 4x4 in December. Most trails are closed by the Forest Service by that time anyways, and the few that are open are really just for snowmobile access. [MENTION=67615]Dirtco[/MENTION] knows all the good trails to snow wheel on, but he kinda built his rig for that sort of thing...

There are a lot of great small towns to visit, many of which have already been named, but even though they arent ski resorts, plan on spending at least a couple hundred bucks a night on a hotel room, IF you can find vacancy. Xmas and new years are the two busiest weeks of the year, and CO aint a cheap place to visit anymore. AirBnB might be your best bet.

 

[MasonCO]

Another idea if you want to avoid ski area town$ would be the South Park area.

In Fairplay, there are a few Airbnb rentals that are fairly reasonable (whole house rental for $150 - $200) and are a lot less than what you would pay at a ski resort. It's only 80 minutes or so from Denver, and is extremely quiet and peaceful.

You can ice fish at Tarryall Reservoir, snowshoe/cross country ski, etc. Breckenridge is only 25 minutes away and has snowmobile rentals (and a ton of tourists). Mt. Princeton Hot Springs is only 40 minutes away.

Another area to look into would be Buena Vista. About the same price, with lots of places to explore nearby, and close to Leadville for snowmobiling (but generally not as cold and windy as Leadville)