Christmas at YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park and Snow Mountain Ranch is a special time. An affordable family getaway, both locations offer wonderful seasonal activities and holiday festivities for all ages.

Guests at YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park enjoy ice skating on a natural pond, snowshoeing through Rocky Mountain National Park, swimming in the indoor pool, rollerskating, and having fun in the new arts & craft center. Wonderful holiday activities include:

• Special visits to your cabin by Santa Claus on Christmas Eve
• Cookie decorating and ornament making
• Christmas classic movies - Rudolph, Frosty, and many more!
• Worship in the Rockies - several services, incl. a beautiful candlelight Christmas Eve communion
• S’mores, board games and Christmas music by the fire
• Photos with Santa - bring a camera and your list!
• Snowman making contest
• Dinners to-go on Christmas Day - delicious prepared Christmas meals to enjoy in your cabin or lodge room

Snow Mountain Ranch, just outside of Winter Park, Colorado offers a World Class Nordic Center and Nordic Skiing is a great way to get out on the snow without waiting in any long, holiday lift lines. Beginners can ski on short loops around the Nordic Center while the experienced racer will enjoy training on longer trails with steeper climbs.

The Nordic center also offers ice skating, tubing, fat bikes, sleigh rides, and snow shoeing in addition to classic and skate skiing. Lessons and rental equipment are available for kids and adults on-site, and after the ski adventure, the Skinny Ski Café is the perfect affordable spot to enjoy a cup of hot cocoa and a bowl of tasty chili. (*Tip:  Ski ON Christmas Day – usually very quiet as most guests arrive later that day or the next day.)

Also at Snow Mountain Ranch, special holiday guest activities include:

• Gingerbread House Making
• Guided Snowshoe Hikes
• Christmas Cookie Decorating
• Santa and his elves deliver gifts around the property (parents pre-arrange deliveries)
• Candy Cane Ski at the Nordic Center
• Weird Winter Science
• Fat Santa Games and Snow Games
• Campfire & S’mores
• Christmas Carol Sing-Along
• A Charlie Brown Christmas movie showing

Additionally, Snow Mountain Ranch now offers its Break the Ice Weekends December 17-18, December 31- January 1, January 14-15, January 28-29, February 4-5, and February 18-19.

The weekends will feature free guided ski & snowshoe hikes plus activities including:

• Animal Tracking - Learn about the animals who spend their winters in the Pole Creek valley. Children and their families will identify tracks and play fun games along the way.
• Nine Mile Mountain Backcountry Meet Up - An exciting backcountry spot and popular summer hiking destination offer beginner/intermediate terrain for backcountry skiing. A 3/4 mile ascent leads to amazing views of the surrounding area and offers some great turns on the way down. AT (Alpine Touring) ski equipment is available for rent at the Nordic Center.  
• Little Explorers Club - Get the kids outside and enjoy what winter has to offer. Meet other families for an adventure on one of our snowshoe trails. Go as far as the kids want with plenty of time to explore along the way, and enjoy hot chocolate after the outside adventure. Snowshoes and child carriers are available for rent at the Nordic center. 
• Curling - You’ve seen it on the Olympics, why not give it a shot? Try your hand at this engaging sport on the outdoor ice rink.
• Dog sledding - Come by for a complimentary dog sledding presentation and to watch the dedicated dogs in action. Free s’mores and hot chocolate are available. Reservations required for dog sled rides.

Guests staying at Snow Mountain Ranch receive complimentary cross-country ski and snowshoe trail passes. Downhill skiers and snowboarders are encouraged to discover nearby Winter Park, Mary Jane, and Ski Granby Ranch. Snow Mountain Sports on the Snow Mountain Ranch property offers alpine ski and snowboard rental, as well as gear.

Visit http://ymcarockies.org/ and http://snowmountainranch.org/ for more information.