Colorado Vacation?? Need help!

[mommy22gurlz]

Good Morning!!

We have been planning an overdue Disney trip for the first part of January 2011, but now that oldest DD is in college...the dates interfere with that, among other things our schedule is making it hard to come up with a good week to go. Our favorite time of year is Dec/Jan. The only week that we can go would be literally the week of X-mas and we aren't sure we are wanting to spend that much money and fight the crowds. (Opinions on that would be great as well).

But, my reason for this post is we are considering a Colorado trip instead this year. We've never been, we live in Tx so the kids would LOVE the snow. I am looking for a really cool resort, I've seen some that have indoor water parks etc. but of course now that I'm looking I can't find any online. We don't really want a hotel, more like a cabin type resort. Can anyone help me with this??

Thanks!!!

 

[jsmith]

Do you have some idea of where in Colorado you would like to go? to you want to ski or just hang out in snow? The only indoor water park that comes immediately to mind is in Albequerque not in colorado and "cabin type" resort and indoor water park don't go together.
If you want to ski-be aware that a week in a Colorado Ski area at christmas is not going to cost less or be less crowded than a Disney vacation-it just wont be warm. I would recommend looking at some place like Breckenridge or Winter Park as they will be less expensive than Vail or Aspen even if they have less cool factor.
If you just want to hang out in the snow-check out YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park or Snow Mountain Ranch (also part of YMCA) in Winter Park. They have cabins and all kinds of cool winter activities-cross country skiing, snow mobiles, tobbagans et al. And they will be somewhat less expensive than one of the big resort towns. Crested Butte is also pretty cool and less expensive and commercial but it gets really cold there.
anyway-hope that helps a bit.

 

[CowboyCO]

Look into Glenwood Springs. It is just north of Aspen and the world famous Glenwood hot Springs Pools are there. For a more subdued, but spectacular trip, try Ouray, which also has a large, public hot springs pool.

There aren't any resorts that I can think of that have large indoor water parks. There's a good one in Deadwood, SD (Deadwood Lodge & Casino).

If you want snow, you'll have to go into the mtns. If you aren't skiiers you could choose resort towns that have tubing and sledding hills. Breckenridge, Winter Park have them and I'm sure one of the resorts around Aspen does as well. Be aware that Christmas week is also the busiest week of the year in the resort towns in Colorado as well.

 

[foolishmortal]

i agree with others above me. Denver is not a sure thing for snow the week of xmas, but if you want snow and want to keep it cheap, good luck. Colorado ski resorts and towns ARE NOT CHEAP. Estes Park is a good place to visit but keep in mind its in mountains but still close to denver so not guarenteed snow there either, and things close super early (like 4-5pm) and lots of stores as closed the week of xmas.

Steamboat is a nice place a little cheaper then the others listed but again, during ski season it will not be cheap or uncrowded