Confession: I was moderately depressed last year when I was unable to spend Christmas with my family in Canada.
But let’s face it: there are worse things than spending Christmas in Colorado.
And so my family of four opted to start a new tradition: We went skiing the day before Christmas at Loveland Ski Area. It was fantastic for a few reasons:
* Colorado’s resorts are the very epitome of a winter wonderland.
* My children exerted all their pent-up “Santa’s coming” energies on the slopes. They were passed out by 8:30 p.m.
* Santa visited Loveland’s ski school and skied with the kids.
Note: My 5-year-old daughter made sure to give him a thorough interrogation that he, indeed, was just Santa’s helper because surely the true St. Nick would not be slacking off on Christmas Eve.
Our fantastic experience made me resolve to head to the hills more often. I asked Colorado Ski Country USA to help me with a snapshot of upcoming activities and deals that will delight skiers and non-skiers.
“A-Basin” was the first place I skied when I first moved to Colorado so it holds a special place in my heart. This season, I am most excited about the Black Mountain Lodge Full Moon Snowshoe Dinner Series that embraces cuisine from regions such as the Andes, Pyrenees and the Dolomites on January 19, February 19, March 19 and April 16.
Not-to-be-missed is their New Year’s Eve Dinner ($89/person) with gourmet food, big band sounds, dancing and party favors. After dinner, guests may snowshoe down the mountain or ride the chairlift to the base area. arapahoebasin.com
Santa is hanging out at Copper on December 18, 24 and 25 during High Alpine Holidays when the Village at Copper comes alive with a tree lighting at dusk, carolers, s’mores, photos with Santa and free gift wrap for Village purchases. On Christmas Eve, kids will love Copper’s spectacular Torchlight Parade that weaves down the mountain.
En Fuego (the resort’s holiday tradition) boasts street entertainers, bonfires, fire performers and fireworks to complete the evening. The festivities close with New Year’s Eve En Fuego, on December 31. CopperColorado.com.
Hands down, Crested Butte is my favorite mountain town and holiday events at Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) are in abundance. Guaranteed, you will marvel at the ice sculptures in Rock on Ice, a professional ice-carving competition on display around the base area December 18-21.
Equally as impressive is the gingerbread house building competition with cash prizes December 21 through January 1 and the torchlight parade on December 24 and 31. Also be sure to check out CBMR’s Grandest Christmas Package that makes this an affordable option. skicb.com
SolVista Basin at Granby Ranch
I have fond memories of my daughter learning to ski (and doing her first face-plant) at SolVista, one of Colorado’s most family-friendly resorts. Santa will make a visit on December 24 and kids will love night skiing and tubing under holiday lights December 26 through 30 from 5-8 p.m.
There will be carolers singing by the fire, s’mores with a cup of hot chocolate and the grand finale to the weeklong celebration will be fireworks over Granby Ranch at dusk on New Year’s Eve. Best of all, prices are affordable: Night skiing is $10/person; tubing is $11/person; or a combo ticket is $18/person. SolVista.com.
I’ve vacationed in charming mountain hamlet Steamboat but never in the winter. Their impressive line-up has must-visit motivators including Santa Claus, the Sprint New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade and Fireworks, and holiday s’mores and hot toddy-making classes in Gondola Square.
Oh, and did I mention holiday feasts at Hazie’s, Western BBQ, a sleigh ride to Ragnar’s and New Year’s Eve Kids Night Out ($75), which includes games, movies, gondola rides, dinner, snacks and watching the torchlight parade and fireworks. Steamboat.com.
Winter Park Resort is offering an unsurpassed Christmas card photo opp: pose with Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, the elves, and live reindeer the two weekends prior to Christmas. Christmas Eve has an abundance of activities including a torchlight parade that is followed by snowcats making a Christmas tree design and Santa skiing down and meeting the children at the bottom. winterparkresort.com.
Talk about a having a Merry Christmas….
I'm a Canadian-born mom of two, former Denver Post columnist, family travel writer, editor of MileHighMamas.com and 9News contributor. Expert on all things Utah, Denver, family and travel. Lover of laughter and life. Happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin. 