Fear: Conquered

February 19, 2013 By

We are currently wrapping up a glorious trip to Copper Mountain where we have skied, ziplined, tub tubbed, shopped, skated and loved every minute.

Except the parts where Jamie and I have been pretty darn sick.

He and Bode had to work and go to school today but Haddie has a few extra days off so we decided to make my birthday tomorrow extra-special by staying in the mountains for quality girl time. Many more details are forthcoming (though I suspect I’ll be on my sickbed for a while recovering from it all).

In the interim, we’re going snowshoeing in Frisco tomorrow and my favorite moment of today: seeing this girl of mine zipline.

I’m enlarging and framing this pictures with the caption, “What Conquering Fear looks like.”

Because it’s just been that kind of trip.

Filed Under: Colorado, Family travel, Hadley, outdoors

YMCA of the Rockies: Reliving and Inventing the Glory Days

February 1, 2013 By

In case you haven’t figured out it, I’m a lover of all-things winter so ice skating under a covered pavilion, snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, or tubing at YMCA of the Rockies’ Snow Mountain Ranch = my personal paradise. But there’s so much more!

Kiva Recreation Center

The first night we arrived, we headed over to the newly-remodeled Kiva Recreation Center where my kids roller-skated for the first time (many activities are free when you stay). For kiddos 5 and under, they even had tricycles.After a rocky 15 minutes on skates, Bode momentarily wished he was 5 again.

I relived my childhood glory days of spending Saturdays cruising around to Boy George with my big bangs and winning Shoot the Duck contests. Not familiar with that? Get some speed, lift your leg in the air, squat down, balance on the other leg while holding your extended one and the longest person who can do this without falling is the winner.

As an adult, that is also called suicide.

The kids lost interest after a while and went to play with Jamie as I wound around the rink, marveling at my friend Bryan who mastered the art of roller-skating gangnam style. By the time I sauntered over to Jamie and the kids, they had wrapped up playing basketball and dodgeball and had moved onto floor hockey. I’m ashamed to admit this is the first time my half-breeds have played and Bode, in particular, took to it quickly.

The second I grabbed that stick, something deeply Canadian was ignited within me as I wove in and out of my competition (vicious elementary-school kids), relishing all those days I spent playing hockey with my brothers. My friend Aimee tweeted:I was so fired up after playing that I Googled local teams for Bode and me, resolving women’s floor hockey was in my future. I might even make it an Olympic sport! And then I woke up the next morning in such pain from my plantar fasciitis-prone heels that I pronounced early-retirement.

It was great while it lasted.

Also new since our previous visit was a three-story-high rock climbing wall, which Bode rocked.

Pun intended.

Hadley, on the other hand, was really great at indoor archery. She’s now begging to take additional lessons, along with horseback riding.I think she fancies herself to be Merida from Brave. If only she had inherited my hair….

Sleigh Ride

We had the time of their lives dashing through the snow on Snow Mountain Ranch’s hot cocoa sleigh ride. We met at Sombrero Stables, an on-property private vendor that also offers trail rides and steak dinner rides. (Adult prices are $28, kids 6-11 are $25, kids 3-5 are $12 and under 3 are free).

We bundled up under the provided blankets and were whisked away across snow-covered meadows against a Rocky Mountain backdrop. After a half-hour, we stopped near the old Rowley Homestead, site of the Rowley Nature Museum in the summer. We sipped hot chocolate, roasted marshmallows over a crackling fire, pet the horses and got stalked by a bull moose. It’s no wonder it was our favorite activity of our trip to the YMCA of the Rockies.

 So Much More

At the top of my bucket list is dog sledding and for only $15 for one ride, $25 for two, YMCA of the Rockies is the cheapest I’ve ever seen. However, spots fill quickly and we had already signed up for our Nordic skiing lesson so we opted out. We didn’t have time to head over to the craft center, swim or do any of the activities at the library for our blogger retreat but I have no complaints. At almost every turn, there were games and one night, the kids made a makeshift movie theater under the stairs with NO PARENTS ALLOWED.

When our family travels, I try to capture our final, fleeting moments in a memorable way and some of my favorites have included flying kites with Hadley off our balcony at the San Juan Marriott in Puerto Rico or having the pool to ourselves on a freezing night aboard our Disney Cruise. At YMCA of the Rockies as we prepared for bedtime, it started snowing.

“Mommy, do you see that?” Bode squealed.

“Let’s go to the playground!” I suggested.

So, despite the whirling snow, frigid temperatures and a pitch-black sky, we walked out of our cozy room at Indian Peaks Lodge and giggled our way across the deep snow. Holding hands, we vaulted onto the playground, marveling about our adventure and that it was one night to remember.
And we plan to make many more of them at YMCA of the Rockies.

Thanks to them for hosting a great retreat!

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Just tuning in? Don’t miss Parts I and II.

YMCA of the Rockies: My Colorado Love Affair

YMCA of the Rockies: The Nordic Redemption

Filed Under: Colorado, Family travel, Hadley, Humor, outdoors, travel

YMCA of the Rockies: The Nordic Redemption

January 31, 2013 By

Now, when I entitled this blog post “Nordic Redemption,” I didn’t mean this.
But rather, this.
The back story: As a Canadian, I grew up cross-country skiing the golf course across the street from my house. Jamie is an avid alpine (downhill) skier so I figured his transition to Nordic would be a snap. It turned out to be a different kind of snap when he fell over going 0.0005 mile per hour and claimed a concussion.

That was ten years ago and I figured it was time he got back on the horse again. I signed our family up for a group lesson at YMCA of the Rockies’ Snow Mountain Ranch’s world-class Nordic Center, which offers more than 100 km of trails—from beginner loops to advanced ski trails. The kids are both becoming good skiers so I figured they were ready to add another style of skiing to their repertoire. Though I get a passing grade in cross-country skiing, I’m not an expert and would like to take up more advanced techniques, like skate skiing or mastering backcountry climbing skins.

Or not running into your friend Aimee when she’s trying to take your picture, which was my memorable wipe-out that day.

Our husband-wife instructors were excellent but the conditions were not. The snow was hard-packed so it was baptism by icy fire when they opted to start our lesson by taking us down a short, moderate slope while demonstrating the hallowed snow plow. Crash after crash occurred but the only one who took it to heart was Bode, whose confidence was shattered early-on.

“It’s OK,” I consoled him as I wiped away his crocodile tears. “You’re the youngest one in the group and you’re doing great.”

And he really was. When we moved to the beginner practice track, he started to regain his mojo as we all learned to stride, kick, push and glide like “neanderthals.”

I somehow didn’t think neanderthals were all that graceful prior to our outing.

The tepid skiers in the group stuck to the practice track and Jamie offered to stay behind with Bode while a handful of more courageous folks ventured out and followed a trail alongside Pole Creek. Hadley started mastering the smooth cadence and I was thrilled to see at least one member of our family take to Nordic skiing.

“So, when do you want to do it again with Mommy?” I queried, salivating over Snow Mountain’s bright winter sky, frosty trees, long mountain views and fast tracks.

“Maybe in, like, a couple of years,” she replied.

Though Jamie had a much more positive experience, he still wasn’t sold. “It was OK but I like downhill skiing more. Besides, it’s a different breed of people out here.”

“What do you mean?”

“There are no, ‘hey dudes’ or ‘let’s hit some bumps.’ These people are more like the marathon-running crowd.”

That’s his nice way of saying, “NO WAY” and I’m on my own. I’ll take it.

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Don’t miss parts I and III of our adventures.

YMCA of the Rockies: My Colorado Love Affair

YMCA of the Rockies: Reliving and Reinventing the Glory Days

Filed Under: Bode, Family, Family travel, Hadley, Jamie, outdoors, skiing, travel

YMCA of the Rockies: My Colorado Love Affair

January 30, 2013 By

YMCA of the Rockies, 2006

I had an epiphany during our latest trip to the YMCA of the Rockies at Snow Mountain Ranch: I love their two Colorado properties. Now, let me qualify that. I am a fickle traveler and have many love affairs with destinations all over the world but most of those places are one-time deals. We visit, capture memories, check them off the bucket list and move onto the next.

For me, YMCA of the Rockies is a soul-stirring, this-is-where-I-belong kind of haven where I yearn to repeatedly return with my family and envy the couples who retire and move nearby to live out their days volunteering. Now, that is some serious amour.

I can’t put my finger on what makes it so special for me. Maybe it’s that YMCA of the Rockies was our first really fun vacation with Hadley (we coined it our “Crazy Fun Family Weekend,” a phrase that has stuck). Or that Jamie’s family had a memorable family reunion there.

It’s not fancy like many of the destinations we visit–in fact, it’s one of the most basic, even rustic. But it doesn’t matter. Between the natural beauty, family-building activities and outdoor fun, it’s about developing traditions and the simple joys of family and friends.

Bode lost (and swallowed) his second tooth, Snow Mountain 2013

Last summer, the kids and I joined some other Denver bloggers and their families for a retreat at YMCA of the Rockies’ 860-acre Estes Park Center. This time around, we congregated at Snow Mountain Ranch’s 5,100-acre family ranch located between Winter Park and Grand Lake. We last visited that location in 2007.
My, what a difference five years makes.

Stay tuned for our favorite activities in what I have deemed Colorado’s most fun and affordable family destination. And be sure to check-out my write-up about summer and winter highlights at Travel Mamas.

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Don’t miss parts II and III of our adventures.

YMCA of the Rockies: The Nordic Redemption

YMCA of the Rockies: Reliving and Reinventing the Glory Days

 

Filed Under: Colorado, Family, Family travel, outdoors

Keystone Resort: “I Spy” a Dropped Pole, My Happy Place and a Yeti

January 21, 2013 By

Just 90 minutes from Denver, Keystone is renowned as the largest resort in Summit County with 3,148 acres of bowls, bumps, glades and groomers. Three years ago, I learned to “ski like a girl” at Keystone Resort’s Betty Fest ski clinic.

Girl’s weekend in boas

A couple of weekend ago, my family was invited for a media preview at Keystone.

Skating Keystone Lake

My, what a difference a few years make.

I have wanted to revisit Keystone since they instituted Kidtopia, an entire winter festival dedicated to kids that runs November 22 through March 24. Our itinerary included tubing at Adventure Point at the summit of Dercum Mountain, riding in a sleigh at Riperoo’s Village Park Parade, the Kidtopia Fireworks and skating at the new 7,200-square-foot outdoor Dercum Square Ice Rink.

But then it got cold. Really cold. Or, as my kids call it, “Canadian cold.” For uninitiated Americans, this means run-for-cover-kind-of-cold. And unfortunately, that is what we did so many of these items remain on our bucket list.

Though needing to return to Keystone again? Not a bad prospect.

Keystone Lake

Our kick-off event was at Keystone Lake. Their five-acre lake is touted as the largest Zamboni-maintained outdoor skating rink in North America and is my happy place. When we arrived at Lakeside Village, we marveled at the ice sculptures that dotted the grounds.

But remember that arctic blast? Families were hunkered down at the activity center, playing arcade games and socializing as they drank hot chocolate and cookies. After about a half-hour, I queried, “So, is anyone going skating?”

Blank stares.

And then Hadley came to the rescue. “I want to go skating with you, Mommy.”

Blank stare back at her.

You see, we went skating with our friends at Evergreen Lake over Christmas break and she had a complete skating meltdown as she claimed to forget how to skate (never mind she has taken two sessions of lessons).

“Let’s go, then!” I would pretend like it had never happened, which is my parenting strategy in most situations.

The boys opted to stay indoors and I did not push the situation due to the extreme conditions. Only the most hearty Canucks and half-breeds could withstand it.

I was thrilled that the lake had loaner trainers (think: walkers for kids) and Hadley started pushing it around like an old lady. But within a few minutes, her confidence surged and she was gliding all around the lake like a champ, previous tantrum forgotten.

As for me, I repeatedly looped around the lake, relishing the freedom of the frigid air and cursing my parents for never encouraging me to become a speed skater (read: unrealized dreams). When we finally went indoors, I encountered Jamie.

“You look happier.”

“I am.” I had admittedly been a bit moody earlier that evening.

“I told everyone to just let you stay out there for a few hours and you’d be fine.”

He knows me so well.

Keystone’s Mountain

We have had countless ski instructors over the years who have fastidiously worked with my kids. Patiently strapping on their skis. Bending over backwards (literally) trying to help them navigate down the mountain. Instilling a love of the sport when all (our) hope was almost lost. To all of them, I say “THANK YOU!”

And I’m glad it wasn’t me.

Jamie and I are finally benefiting from the fruits of their labors as both kids are finally capable enough for us to ski together.

Our version of a family photo

The previous weekend at Winter Park, Bode skied his first blue (intermediate) run and wanted to keep the momentum going. But shortly after it started, it stopped on the high-speed Montezuma Quad. Jamie took off his glove and joked, “My goal is to not drop it.”

Hadley should have taken the hint because 38 seconds later, she accidentally dropped her pole from three stories in the air. If you’re not a skier, many runs directly until the lift are reserved for extreme terrain. This was the case but there was another complication: Tower 13 (where she dropped it) was a closed, roped-off area. Whoops.

“What are we going to do?” she wailed.
“We’ll figure something out,” I replied. It was about time she went extreme.

She was spared her initiation by fire (or snow) when we were advised to stop at the Snow Patrol building and file a report. It was my first visit, which I deem a good thing because usually they’re hosting injured folks on stretchers. Following the paperwork, they loaned her another pole. But the fun didn’t stop there. Every time we rode past Tower 13 on the lift, we played the very captivating game, “I spy” as we looked for her pole.

We sure know how to party.

Our plan was to check-out the conveyer-belt-serviced tubing and the Kidtopia Snow Fort at the top of Dercum Mountain but by 2 p.m., we were frozen so we only did a token stopover at the Snow Fort for the kids to crawl through the tunnels and climb on the turrets.

Hint: If you’re already an icicle, sitting on a throne of ice won’t help the situation. But it sure was fun and we’ve vowed to return during more agreeable climes.

Der Fondue Chessel

One of my favorite childhood traditions was fondue so I was delighted when I saw Der Fondue Chessel was on the itinerary. But there was a problem. The restaurant is perched atop Keystone’s North Peak Mountain and it was too cold to access at night. And so the resort pulled all the stops and recreated our fondue night out at the fine dining restaurant, Keystone Ranch. There was delicious fondue (duh).A Yeti and White Winter Wizard (duh).And what would a recreation of the Alps be without our very own polka band? At one point, they launched into the “Chicken Dance” and the children raced out to participate. As I snapped shots of them, I did a few token moves when, before I know it, someone grabbed me and started swinging me around. Fortunately, it was just a strange dude and not the Yeti.

Chalk that one up as “things I never thought I’d say in my lifetime.”

But at Keystone, you’ll sure have the time of your life.

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Be sure to check-out my other Keystone write-up at Travel Mamas.

 

Filed Under: Bode, Colorado, Family travel, Hadley, Humor, outdoors, skiing, travel

Winter Park Day 3: A Family That Skis Together, Plays Forever

January 11, 2013 By

I truly fell in love with Winter Park Resort’s 3,081 skiable acres and thanks to its close proximity to Denver, it will become my go-to place for a quick half-day of skiing. Though it consists of four mountains (Winter Park, Mary Jane, Vasquez Ridge and Vasquez Cirque), I felt like I was skiing two different resorts. At The Village at Winter Park, there are restaurants (don’t miss Goodys’ to-die-for crepes), the new Alpenglow Massage, ice skating, an event gazebo and 200 luxurious condominium units in Fraser Crossing.

Goodys’ Good Crepes

Train playground, condo’s 30-person hot tub, winter wonderland, Polar Bear

The base of Mary Jane is dedicated to the diehards who don’t need all the pomp and circumstance. Sure, there are a few dining options but the important thing is it’s a short walk from your car to the slopes. I even spotted a camper or two in the parking lot.

Gorgeous amenities + staying connected to their roots? I’ve dubbed Winter Park the best of both worlds.

On our third and final day at the resort, we skied together as a family. I’ve dreamed of saying that for years. We have made several attempts but I can’t count hunched-over-trying-to-keep-Bode-from-falling-all-the-way-down-the-mountain as skiing. The sport has finally clicked for him and he LOVES it. When we awoke that morning, he announced he wanted to ski his first blue (intermediate run).

We tackled several difficult green-level runs (the easiest), often times splitting up so Haddie could find more challenging terrain and then meeting at the bottom of the lift. There was no pomp or circumstance when Bode decided he was ready for more difficult terrain. Like most everything in his life, he just decided he was going to do it and so did.

Hadley had some impressive moments as well.

“I want to do those,” Hadley said pointing to a run that was so bumpy it resembled a strawberry patch.

“Since when have you skied moguls?” I demanded.

“Since last year,” she breezily replied.

Bumps Girl

And skied them she did. Of course, she’s still figuring out her form but gosh darn it, I was stunned with how brazen she was. There is no way I could have set foot (or ski) on a mogul when I was her age. I have no doubt Bode and Hadley will soon surpass Jamie and me on the slopes and that Saturday at Winter Park confirmed it.

And I could not have been more proud.

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In case you missed them:

Winter Park Day 1: Tubing Cruising for a Bruisin’

Winter Park Day 2: The Mogul Queen, Kitty Cat on the Slopes & Bumper Funnies.

Winter Park Day 3: A Family That Skis Together, Plays Forever.

Filed Under: Bode, Colorado, Family, Family travel, Hadley, skiing

Winter Park Day 2: The Mogul Queen, Kitty Cat on the Slopes & Bumper Funnies

January 10, 2013 By

Hadley and Bode have been to plenty of ski schools over the years but none quite like the one at Winter Park. As we dragged out gear from our condo to the mountain, we encountered a mirage in the white wonderland: The resort’s complimentary wagon service, which has several stations around the resort for parents to haul kids and their gear.

We snagged one up and raced over to check the kids into ski school. As we filled out Hadley’s form, she complained, “Why can’t you put my name down as ‘Kitty Cat’ for once?”

It likely would have been a first for Winter Park’s ski school.

One gleaming thing that sets them apart from the others is that all kids are outfitted with a FLAIK device around their calves. This GPS tracking device not only follows their whereabouts (awesome in case they got separated) but at the end of the day, we were given a report card and a URL we later accessed that tracked their on-mountain location, skier stats, and runs skied.

FLAIK GPS Tracker

Though Bode finally caught onto skiing at the end of last season we have been tiptoeing around him, waiting for him to fall off the “I love skiing” precipice.

At the end of the day, I hesitatingly asked him, “How was ski school? Thumbs down or thumbs up?”

“Thumbs up. And all my fingers, too!!!!!”

I’ll count that as a win.

Private Amber

I’ve only  had a couple of private ski lessons and I can’t recommend them enough. I spent most of my skiing existence never improving and it wasn’t until I took a class a couple of years ago that I realized I had to make some major adjustments since converting to parabolic (shaped) skis.  I have wanted to take a moguls class to learn how to better navigate those blasted bumps. I almost had a chance a couple of years ago until 1.5 feet of snow flew and our mogul lesson turned into a powder one. Whoa was me. ;)

But since turning 40, I’ve resolved to throw caution to the wind by tackling my fears. And big, daunting bumps of snow are on that list.

Jamie and I met our instructor Chris at the Private Lesson Center next to the Zephyr Express chairlift. He listened to our request and mapped out the plan for the day. “Let’s start on some easier runs so I can help you work on your form and we’ll then move onto the bumps.”

It was the perfect strategy. Chris is a 22-year veteran of Winter Park and you’d be hard-pressed to find someone more knowledgeable about the resort and skiing than him. On the slopes, he broke down our form, built it up again and had us skiing smoothly and with confidence. When it was time to hit the moguls, he had me follow in his tracks as he pushed me to my limit but still respected my boundaries.

We won’t mention that the only time I fell was when I stood perched above the mogul field and hadn’t even started yet.

When we rested on the  chairlift, he entertained us with stories of the resort, deepening our love for the area. We lunched on delicious fare at the Lodge at Sunspot with panoramic views of the Continental Divide. To say it was a great day is an understatement.

But most importantly by the end of the ski class, I’ve never skied moguls better.

Before and after class

On the other hand, walking with my sore muscles? An entirely different story.

Bowling, Movies and Food, Oh My!

Bowling isn’t on my must-do list when I am in the mountains but trust me on this one: The new Foundry Cinema & Bowl  is THE place to hang out in Winter Park. This is no ordinary bowling alley with pinball, foosball, billiards, shuffleboard, ultra-hip Restoration Hardware décor, Old Shell gas pumps, a circuitous train, flat screens, three luxurious movie theaters and even a glowing pink sink in the women’s restroom that has become a destination unto itself.
The Foundry has an on-site restaurant so you can eat while you play or view movies (must-tries include their wood-fired pizza, Kobe Beef Sliders and the rosemary-crusted cashews). It offers 8 certified USBC Spec Brunswick Lanes with cutting-edge technology. We were blown away when it automatically set-up the bumpers whenever my kids got up to bowl and changed back for the adults.

Though our scores would have been much higher if they had just stayed in place.

It has been a while since we bowled and Jamie was bombing out (though for his street cred I’d like to insert he later got his groove back). On the scoreboard, each of our names was represented by the first letter.  We were about four frames into our first game and “J” was trailing Bode “B,” Hadley “H”, and Amber “A” by a lot.

Our helpful waiter came by, looked at the kids and said, “You know ‘J’ can put the bumpers up. It will really help his game.”

I didn’t have the heart to tell him “J” was actually my husband.

Needless to say I tipped him extra that night.

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Stay tuned for Winter Park Day 3: A Family That Skis Together, Plays Forever.

In case you missed it: Winter Park Day 1: Tubing Cruising for a Bruising. Thanks to Winter Park for hosting!

Filed Under: Colorado, Family travel, Humor, skiing

Winter Park Resort Day 1: Tubing Crusing for a Bruisin’

January 9, 2013 By

I have three new-to-me resorts on my bucket list this season: Winter Park, Copper Mountain and Steamboat. To put the end cap on our Winter Break we decided to hit nearby Winter Park, just a 70-minute drive from our house and the closest of Colorado’s big resorts to the Denver metro area. Dubbed “Colorado’s Favorite,” Jamie, like scores of locals, learned to ski here and has many fond memories.

And not-so-fond ones, like busting his knee when he fought with a tree.

As for me, I had a clean slate and kept it that way with an absolutely epic trip that has landed Winter Park in the accolades as one of my favorite Colorado resorts (no small feat, given the stiff competition).

Day 1

Skate. I always crack up when people tell me they don’t visit the mountains in the wintertime because they don’t ski or ride. Really? Do you have any idea of all the off-mountain activities? Winter Park is oozing with them including three different places to skate: The pond at the Village at Winter Park (with free lessons),  Cooper Creek Square in the town of Winter Park under a canopy of lights and music and the partially-enclosed “Ice Box” Ice Rink at the nearby Fraser Valley Sports Complex.

Though I longed to take a whirl on the pond across from our condo (I even had my skates in the car after a recent outing to Evergreen Lake), time was not on my side because I was too busy skiing, eating and tearing down the new Coca-Cola Tubing Hill at Winter Park.

Tube. When we arrived on Thursday afternoon, we signed up for a one-hour block (cost is $22 per person, 36-inch height requirement). The four-lane, conveyer-lift-serviced tubing hill had only been open a week so tweaks were being made on two of the lanes, leaving only two open. No worries! We each grabbed a tube (no double riders), stood in line and then were sent barreling down to the great unknown.

Unlike all tubing hills I’ve visited, this one had a blind curve partway through the course, which caused me to have a minor anxiety attack as nearby Bode (who was linked to me) squealed with glee. After realizing I was not going to die, I relished in the adrenaline rush and we raced to the magic carpet for Round 2. Run after run we tore down the mountain and on our second-to-last run, we grabbed tandem tubes. Bode rode with me first, Hadley with Jamie followed. The tubing operator gave us a generous push and we flew down the mountain, bracing ourselves around the curve and prepared to stop. Only we didn’t. We kept right on going, gleefully bashing right through the padded protective barriers. Bode and I doubled over in laughter as the staffer took one look at us, grabbed his walkie talkie and said to his fellow staffer, “SLOW THE NEXT GROUP DOWN,” and he adjusted the mats that were strategically placed to do just that.

When Jamie and Hadley came down–though they didn’t go nearly as far or as fast–they too broke through the barriers.

For once, being a guinea pig really paid off. All good, my friends. All good.

Thanks to Winter Park for hosting! Also check-out:

Winter Park Day 2: The Mogul Queen, Kitty Cat on the Slopes & Bumper Funnies.

Winter Park Day 3: A Family That Skis Together, Plays Forever.

Filed Under: Colorado, Family travel, Humor, skiing, travel

The Broadmoor’s White Lights Ceremony is the Christmas Spirit Exemplified! (Part II)

December 31, 2012 By

Read Part I here.

Though The Broadmoor’s holiday merriment extends all December long, attending the White Lights Ceremony over Thanksgiving weekend is an annual kick-off to Christmas my family will always cherish.

Upon check-in, we received a synopsis of activities so long it rivaled my children’s own list to Santa (a major undertaking, indeed). On Friday, there were two Christmas movies in the Little Theater, jewelry making and even silk scarf paining. Saturday’s holiday offerings were almost overwhelming. From Breakfast with Santa to story time with Mrs. Claus to family bingo to an entire ballroom filled with winter wonderland fun, we had a glorious, fun-filled day.

Cookies Galore

We’ve done plenty of sub-par cookie decorating but cookie painting? Colorado Springs-based Art & Style Baking headed up cookie painting with a variety of holiday-themed shapes and edible fondant, paint and glitter. They even provided each child with a “Cookie Artiste” certificate.
It should be duly noted the bar has been set WAY too high for future attempts.

Christmas House

There are gifts galore at the Christmas House, which is a must-visit during the holidays. The themed rooms are brimming with whimsical snowmen, ornaments and elegant décor. Santa has his very own house and greets families every Saturday from Thanksgiving to Christmas from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (photos with Santa are $14). During the White Lights Ceremony weekend live reindeer were present.

The only thing missing from this North Pole-esque experience: snow.

Winter Wonderland Fun

New this year, the resort wisely consolidated many of their most popular holiday activities into Winter Wonderland Family Fun at the Broadmoor Hall’s ballroom. Under a big top of glistening lights and ribbons, my kids built gingerbread houses.

Don’t they look peaceful? Gingerbread houses are our annual tradition and this was the first year we didn’t argue. Or, as Jamie diplomatically stated, “had artistic differences.”

The kids also decorated Santa cupcakes, indulged in the hot chocolate station, wrote letters to Santa, did holiday crafts and made their very own magical reindeer food. jumped in the bouncy castles and built their own Broadmoor bears.

Bear stuffing

Sounds exhausting? It was. But if those few hours we spent in Winter Wonderland Family Fun didn’t ignite our Christmas spirit, nothing could.

White Lights Ceremony

The climax of the weekend was, of course, the White Lights Ceremony on the West Terrace at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. An hour prior, my family purchased s’mores kits from the West Lobby Bar to roast on the outdoor terrace’s fire pit.

This was by far our most civilized s’mores roasting experience ever because we’re usually covered in camping grime.

As a live band exuberantly belted out Christmas classics on stage, my kids joined legions of their peers to dance, sing and whirl their green and red glow-stick necklaces.

All activity froze when Santa was spotted traversing the bridge. Without hesitation, my daughter darted away like a crazed Santa groupie to follow his arrival with Mrs. Claus and their band of merry elves.

Masters of Ceremony Santa and Mrs. Claus greeted their enthusiasts and started the countdown to flip the switch. And just like that, 250,000 flashes of light set the sky and Cheyenne Lake ablaze. As we marveled at this visual spectacle of The Broadmoor’s perfectly manicured grounds coming to life, we hugged one another and relished in the delighted squeals that filled the night air. And we knew The Broadmoor was one reason this would be one Christmas season we’d never forget.

Filed Under: Bode, Colorado, Family travel, Hadley, holidays, Humor, travel

The Broadmoor: The Setting for the Perfect Family Getaway (Part I)

December 30, 2012 By

Our Broadmoor toddlers

Shamefully, it has been almost a month since my family visited The Broadmoor and I’m just now getting around to documenting it. Jamie has been obsessing about returning to Colorado’s longest-running consecutive winner of both the AAA’s Five-Diamond and Forbes Travel Guide’s Five-Star awards.

And who can blame him? Our two previous trips were absolutely epic. We first took the kids when they were only 1 and 3 in December and again a few years ago when we stayed in their opulent cottages with my parents.

All December long, The Broadmoor has a sundry of Christmas activities that start the day after Thanksgiving and last through Christmas. From Santa’s elves who share holiday stories to Breakfast with Santa to fireside tales with Mrs. Claus to The Broadmoor’s Christmas House with hundreds of gifts to ice sculptures to family bingo. The holiday family workshop has fun for children of all ages including writing a letter to Santa, holiday crafts and movies.

Pretty much, it is Christmas spirit overload.

During our latest visit, I was invited to cover the White Lights Ceremony–the resort’s holiday kick-off–for The Broadmoor Magazine. We invited Jamie’s parents along for the ride and it was one of my favorite getaways ever.

Since I’m busy writing the article, I’ll dedicate my blog to telling our story…in pictures. I’m convinced every Coloradoan should stay at The Broadmoor at least once in their lifetime. Enjoy!

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Our Rooms

We stayed in two adjoining suites with beautifully-appointed amenities.

Our first time ordering room service

Bode adjusted a little bit too well. This is him watching TV from his canopied enclave.

His reentry into the real world was tough.

The Resort

Though I was initially disappointed we didn’t have any snow, who can complain with views like this?

Hanging out with the swans

This was one of my favorite photos of our entire trip. One morning, I woke up early to go for a trek and captured that perfect moment of white lights giving way to morning glory.

The Pool

Since first opening in 1918, this luxurious hotel has boasted such offerings as the beloved Bee Bunch Children’s Programs (seasonal), distinctive restaurants, indoor/outdoor pools, a playground, an award-winning spa, six tennis courts, 26 specialty retail shops,  54 holes of championship golf and numerous specialty tours, activities and programs for guests of all ages.

And what does my family choose to hit upon arrival?

Untouched photo from the pool of the golf course

If it is this beautiful in late-November, it is mind-blowing during the summer.

 The Cast of Characters

Since abandoning us a few years ago for Utah (we’re not bitter) any time with Jamie’s parents is treasured.

AAA Four-Diamond restaurant Charles Court

Illegally(?) cruising with Grandpa

My favorite guys

The Food

All of the food at The Broadmoor was delicious but nothing compares to their elaborate Sunday Brunch in the elegant Lake Terrace dining room. Featuring over 100  items, elaborate ice sculptures and live piano music, we thought we’d died and gone to heaven.

Round 1

Quite appropriate, too because if I were to have a Last Supper, it would be The Broadmoor’s Brunch.

Stay tuned tomorrow as we delve into the White Lights Ceremony’s holiday events. Read it here!

Filed Under: Colorado, Family, Family travel, Foodie
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