Guests ride the runners of Snow Mountain Ranch dogsled teams. Image courtesy Jessica Averett. by Jessica Averett - Families who enjoy winter vacation adventures are all too familiar with the price tag that often accompanies them. Between warm clothing, expensive gear, and resort prices, planning a winter vacation may tempt parents to quickly clean out little Johnny's college … [Read more...]
VIP Vail | Exclusive Outdoor Adventure Awaits At Sonnenalp
by Heather Mundt - Hiking along Cross Creek Trail in the Holy Cross Wilderness area near Vail, Colo., my two sons—ages 12 and 10—are trailing closely behind Kara Hasbrouck-Schmidt, guest-activities supervisor at the Sonnenalp Hotel, when she stops at the edge of a sun-dappled meadow. “Look down at this, boys,” she says, kneeling to pick up what appear to me as tiny wisps of … [Read more...]
Families Find Supreme Snow Fun at Colorado’s Keystone Resort
By Heather Mundt Editor Note: The original version of this article appeared in the December 2015 online version of Colorado Parent magazine. Located just 90-minutes from Denver, it’s no secret that Keystone Resort is a top choice for local families. Add in its Kids Ski Free program—for kids ages 12 and under who stay at least two nights—plus a claim to the state’s longest ski … [Read more...]
A Chance for Family Bonding at the Bear Grylls Survival Academies – Q&A with the “Man vs. Wild” Star
By Bear Grylls with Heather Mundt Note: I?ll admit I was uneasy last summer when my husband, Michael, and I signed up for the Bear Grylls Survival Academy 24-hour course at the only location in Colorado, Snow Mountain Ranch - YMCA of the Rockies, in Granby. Based on survival techniques from the former British Special Forces soldier and arguably television?s most … [Read more...]
Exploring Colorado’s Western Side: Family adventure awaits
by Melissa Edge - With mounting excitement, my family and I hopped aboard a gondola to glide 2,200 feet across the Royal Gorge area of Western Colorado. As we smoothly traveled 1,200 feet above the Arkansas River with amazing views of deep canyon walls, my son had a smile that stretched from ear to ear. We had arrived at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park in Canon City on day four … [Read more...]
Family Summertime Adventure in Vail, Colo.
by Heather Mundt Llamas Pacheco and Durango stood stoic, hitched in the bed of the Paragon Guides truck parked at the West Grouse Creek Trail trailhead southwest of Vail, Colo. Our guide Donny Shefchik would soon unhitch them, the beasts of burden who would also serve as the day?s hiking companions. But first he had some serious business to discuss with the boys. ?OK, … [Read more...]
Taking Kids to New Heights: hiking Colorado’s “14er” mountains
by Heather Mundt - For Coloradans, it's not enough to brag about getting outside with our families and enjoying the beloved Rocky Mountains. It's that those mountains mean we can take "getting outside" to extreme heights. Extreme ColoRADo 14ers. It's not just any old Sunday drive, for instance. We can drive the highest continuous paved road in the United States, Trail Ridge … [Read more...]
My Outdoor Family: “Just Like Daddy”
by Andy Hawbaker Outdoor adventures have always been an important part of my life. Childhood memories are full of car camping, family bike rides, and annual road trips to the mountains. During young adulthood, I assumed having kids would put a damper on all that fun. How wrong I was. Adventures during my wife?s pregnancies were definitely shorter and less intense, but … [Read more...]
