Plan a Spring Break in the Mountains
It’s time to start planning Spring Break, and if your family prefers the mountains over the beach, plan to visit the Rocky Mountains this March.
Photo courtesy of the National Park Service
Spring Break at a National Park
Yellowstone National Park’s temperatures may only reach the high 30s in March, but the lack of crowds will more than make up for having to pack a coat. While the park welcomes 4 million visitors a year, only 0.7 percent visit during March (Yellowstone Visitation Statistics).
There is very little lodging available in Yellowstone during non-summer months, so families should consider staying in Jackson, Wyoming.
According to TripAdvisor.com, Cowboy Village Resort in Jackson is one of the “Best Wyoming Family Resorts.” The resort features 82 individual log cabins—and what kid doesn’t love sleeping in a cabin? Fifteen minutes from Grand Teton National Park and one hour from Yellowstone, this is the ideal location for an adventure-seeking family.
Photo courtesy of Crested Butte Mountain Resort; Photo by Nathan Bilow
Spring Break on the Slope
Spring skiing is a popular activity in Colorado, and spending Spring Break in a place like Crested Butte will provide your family with memories for a lifetime. The resort has had a stellar season, and as of February 16, boasted 130 inches of snowfall for the 2015/2016 ski season.
Grand Lodge is an ideal place to stay for a ski-loving family. Located at the base of the mountain, this resort has oversized rooms – believe me, they are big for a dance party – and is pet friendly, so Fido can enjoy spring break too. The resort also features a hot tub and heated pool for splash time after slope time.
The Grand Lodge is also home to Wildflower Spa, the perfect place for a mother/daughter afternoon.
Photo by Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Spring Break in a Winter Sports Paradise
For an all-inclusive family vacation that involves lots of winter sports activities, look no further than Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby, Colorado. This YMCA of the Rockies property offers everything from ice skating to Nordic skiing to dog sledding. And if your child isn’t sports-oriented, there’s also a craft center where your budding artist can spend their Spring Break creating works of art.
The best part about Snow Mountain Ranch is that you are never more than a five-minute drive from any activity.
There are multiple lodging options, including rustic yurts, cabins, or lodge rooms, and the yurts and cabins are dog-friendly. Cook your own food or visit one of three dining establishments on the property, including a full-service cafeteria that’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
