Even in the most terrific locales, nothing goes as planned. Someone gets sick (we’ve had lots of ear infections). Someone ends up in the ER (me, here three years ago after a bad fall). Someone has a meltdown. And someone just doesn’t want to spend that much time with mom and dad.
No we’re not at a ski resort –there isn’t even a ski lift or any other skiers anywhere in the vicinity. That’s because we’re on some of the 8,000-plus acres at nine thousand elevation at the C Lazy U Ranch in Granby CO.
Dog sledding, is just one of the ways you might not have thought of to have fun in the snow here in New Hampshire’s Mount Washington Valley that includes 27 towns surrounding Mount Washington, the pinnacle of the 6,288-foot White Mountains
“The people are what make this place so special,” said Hearon. In fact, much of the staff is culled from young people who came here for vacation with their families. No wonder more than 60 per cent of the guests return to this 8, 500 acre ranch that is about 20 miles north of Winter Park.
The Hotel Jerome has just reopened before Christmas in the heart of downtown Aspen after a multi-million dollar renovation (every one of the 93 rooms and suites has its own luxurious bathroom, of course) and its not unusual in ski season for room rates to be over $800 a night.
I’ve always thought Snowmass was terrific for families with younger kids—its Treehouse kids’ learning facility is a standout in the industry complete with indoor climbing wall. There’s a climbing room, teen activities like movie night, and six interactive themed rooms for infants 8 weeks and older.
There are also plenty of women’s clinics around the country designed for women to hone their skills, whether they are skiers or snowboarders. I wish every resort had a Ladies’ Club like the one offered at Park City Mountain Resort. All it takes is 2 hours and $60.
You can have as much fun off the slopes as on at a snow resort, especially in January, which is designated as Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month with special programs at resorts around the country.
Yhe Bretton Woods Ski Area Canopy Tour is a combination of nine progressively thrilling zip line rides, two hikes across suspension bridges way up in the trees, and a couple of incredible rappelling experiences. It was the latter that really tested our mettle.
There is plenty to do at this historic resort—from NH largest ski area, plenty of groomed cross country and snow shoe trails, dog sledding, sleigh rides and indoor and outdoor pool and gargantuan spa where my daughter and I indulged in blissful massages yesterday.