7 Spring Break Adventures in Colorado
It’s never too early to start planning your Spring Break getaway. The more adventurous the outing, the more memorable it will be for your kids.
There are several dog sledding outfitters in Colorado, but I can personally endorse the dog sled adventures at YMCA of the Rockies’ Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby, Colorado.
Located about 30 minutes from Winter Park, Snow Mountain Ranch offers short rides and long rides. The short ride, available Monday and Saturday mornings, covers two miles of trail and provide breathtaking views. The long ride, available only to guests of Snow Mountain Ranch, is the one I highly recommend. This private, nearly hour-long ride is an experience of a lifetime. I’ve written about it here.
You must have a reservation for this activity; they sell out in advance, so book ahead at SnowMountainRanch.org.
If you’re like me, horseback riding seems like a summer activity, but historically, when the horse was one of the only forms of transportation, people rode year-round.
Fantasy Ranch in Crested Butte offers trail rides in every season, and during the winter their one-hour ride includes a hot cocoa break. Riders sip their cocoa while warming up next to a roaring fire. There’s a good chance that you’ll see wildlife on this excursion in the form of elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and bald eagles.
Fantasy Ranch is online at FantasyRanchOutfitters.com.
The Ouray Ice Park typically opens in late December and stays open until mid-March. The best way to approach ice climbing in Ouray is to book with an outfitter such as San Juan Mountain Guides, located in downtown Ouray. They can provide you with a guide and all the equipment needed to tackle the ice, and kids are welcome. Call them to discuss your family’s needs and please note that age restrictions may apply.
You’re in luck because my favorite Colorado zip line operation stays open year-round. Top of the Rockies is conveniently located 10 minutes from Leadville and 27 minutes from Frisco. I’ve done this zip line excursion in the winter and summer, and I have to say that a winter zip is an incredible experience.
The Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park keeps adding attractions, and their newest thrill ride has made international news. Personally, I don’t think I could stomach the Haunted Mine Drop, but people are lining up to give this heart-stopping ride a try.
Recently, “USA Today” named the Haunted Mine Drop the “Best New Amusement Park Attraction in the United States.” Visit GlenwoodCaverns.com to learn about the many offerings at this expansive mountain-top theme park.
From Durango to Colorado Springs, there are numerous options for train rides in Colorado. This comprehensive list of historic and scenic trains is a good place to start planning your trip. And if you’ve got a kiddo who loves trains, the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden is just the ticket.
Downhill snowbiking, photo by Sean Boggs, Vail Resorts
Keystone Resort offers tons of on-mountain activities available for your children. One of the newest sports to hit the Colorado mountains is snowbiking. It’s a blend of skiing and downhill mountain biking and promises thrills and spills. Please note that your child must be 13 years of age or older to give it a try at Keystone. Go here to learn more.
