Macaroni Review ~ YMCA of the Rockies' Snow Mountain Ranch

My family and I spent an extended weekend at YMCA of the Rockies’ Snow Mountain Ranch, and we had so much fun! I wish we could have stayed longer…

  

Snow Mountain Ranch is located in Granby, about 1.5-2 hours from Denver (when traffic and weather are cooperating). We stayed in a quaint, 2-bedroom cabin with expansive, unobstructed views of the surrounding mountains. Even though there were people staying at the neighboring cabins, they were far enough away that we didn’t hear anybody. It really was perfect! Full kitchen, fireplace, wifi, and no TV. If no TV is a little too "rough" for you, you’ll want to rent a vacation home instead of a cabin.

  

The YMCA of the Rockies’ Snow Mountain Ranch is completely family-friendly for ALL ages, and I suspect that even teens would have a hard time getting bored here. In addition to hiking, my family and I went dog sledding (more on that below - it was super cool!), roller skating, rock wall climbing, practiced indoor archery, and played basketball. Other activities, some seasonal, include a large craft shop with all different kinds of projects, swimming, dodge ball, bike riding, cross-country skiing, fat tire/snow biking, a zip line, mini golf, canoeing, and more.

  

In addition to all that, SMR has the only summer tubing hill in the state of Colorado, which is one of only three summer tubing hills in the country! The summer tubing hill will open in early June, weather permitting. It’s free for guests who are staying on property. 

   

If you’re not staying on property, Day Pass prices for Summer Tubing Hill visitors are as follows*:

• 13 and older: $35 per person
• 6-12 years old: $25 per person
• 3-5 years old: $15 per person

  

Dog Sledding was definitely the highlight of our visit! Each ride carries up to three riders: the musher, one adult, and one child (children must ride with an adult). The sled ride follows a 2-mile loop trail through open meadows with beautiful mountain views, and it is so fun! The sled dogs are Alaskan huskies, and smaller than the Siberian huskies I was expecting. I learned that the Alaskans are bred to go longer distances, carrying less weight. We fell in love with the dogs, who we met before our ride. What a bunch of sweeties they are - you can tell they are very loved and well-taken-care-of. Don’t miss the pre-sledding presentation (open to everyone) to learn about how the sled works, how the dogs are harnessed, safety measures, and how dog sledding has all sorts of real-life applications. While waiting for your turn to ride, you and the family can visit the dogs, make s’mores over a campfire, and make cool crafts like necklaces, ornaments, and popsicle-stick dog sleds.

  

The cabin we stayed in was perfect for our family, and would be my first choice for future visits. Other lodging options at SMR include larger cabins and vacation homes with up to 5 or more bedrooms, lodge rooms that sleep 6 people, yurts, and campgrounds with water and electricity. Pets are allowed in the 2- to 5-bedroom cabins, the campgrounds,  and yurts. Summer cabin reservations for non-members began on April 1. CLICK HERE to read more about the cabin reservation process.

  

Winter Park Resort is about a 15-minute drive from Snow Mountain Ranch, which was super-convenient on the days we went skiing. No traffic, and a straight shot that’s easy to navigate even in the snow. If you need ski rentals, you can get both downhill and cross-country gear on property at Snow Mountain Ranch.

  

I highly recommend YMCA of the Rockies’ Snow Mountain Ranch for a family-friendly vacation that everyone will enjoy. I am predicting that this will become a regular destination for my family and me!