When my family makes the 3.5-hour drive to Denver from our mountain home, it’s usually for a special event. For example, we made a weekend trip to the Mile High City at the end of April, namely for the (awesome) LEGO KidsFest happening at the Colorado Convention Center. We’ve also created mini urban vacations around Colorado Rockies’ baseball games, events at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, exhibit openings at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, as well as Elitch Gardens’ fun autumn FrightFest. I love the idea of anchoring a special event to a visit to the city, then adding on other fun things to do in Denver with the kids.

Here are my suggestions of fun family events and activities in Denver this summer:

Lizards and Snakes at Denver Museum of Nature and Science: This exhibit runs through July 8. If you’ve got kids who love creatures, bring them to this museum at City Park to check out more than 60 unusual snakes and lizards from five different continents.

Yves St. Laurent at the Denver Art Museum: Fashion-loving tweens and teens might appreciate this exhibit dedicated to the designer’s career, also running through July 8. Families can check out Backpacks and Art Tubes for games and projects to do while visiting the DAM; also see the Family Activity Cart.

The Addams Family at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts: Running June 19 to July 1, this musical is appropriate for kids ages 7 and up, according to the DCPA’s Family Guide.

Toyota Elephant Passage at the Denver Zoo: This brand-new home for the zoo’s elephants opens to the public June 1.

New live shows at Elitch Gardens: Peak season for this downtown amusement park is Memorial Day through Labor Day. During this time, visitors can see some new family-friendly shows at scheduled times throughout each day, including Cirque Innosta Verano, with performers exhibiting their feats of strength and aerial artistry, as well as Reflections, an evening color-and-light show.

Independence Day in the Mile High City: If you’re in Denver for the Fourth of July, check out the free music and evening fireworks in downtown Civic Center Park.

Colorado Renaissance Festival: This annual event actually takes place in Castle Rock, about a half hour south of downtown Denver. Filled with live shows and entertainment, plus an artisans’ marketplace. Mainly weekends, June 9 to July 29.

For more tips on what to do in Denver with kids this summer, visit the informative Visit Denver website and check out my “Kids in the City” Expedia guide!

I wrote this post in conjunction with Expedia’s “Kids in the City” summer travel campaign, for which The Vacation Gals were compensated to promote the chock-full-of-information resource site. 

For still more summer urban-vacation ideas in the U.S., check out these posts from other savvy family-travel bloggers: Philadelphia, San Francisco.

In the heart of Denver’s downtown — steps away from a plethora of restaurants and nightclubs, and kitty-corner from the famed Denver Center for the Performing Arts — the Four Seasons Hotel Denver makes an ideal upscale destination for a girlfriend getaway. Sure, I’d be thrilled to bring my family here (the Four Seasons brand is known worldwide for its kid-friendly amenities and services) and would never turn down a romantic urban escape to the Four Seasons with my husband. But for one night last month when I was able to spend just 14 hours at this luxury high-rise with a good girlfriend of mine… well it was just about perfect. Here’s why:

Accommodations: The rooms at the Four Seasons are spacious and appointed with many thoughtful amenities. I was particularly impressed with the marble bathroom in our deluxe room on the sixth floor: not only was there a television screen embedded in the mirror (cool!) but the big bathtub featured a waterfall-like faucet. I also appreciated the pretty stonework in the shower, two sinks and generously sized L’Occitane toiletries. In the sleeping area, we enjoyed the oversized windows that let in plenty of sunlight, used the iPod docking station and slept soundly underneath down comforters.

EDGE Restaurant & Bar: The classy steakhouse at the Four Seasons Denver is a restaurant destination in its own right — that is, it’s not just hotel guests who flock to the sophisticated spot for an evening meal (it’s also a popular spot for Denverites to take breakfast and lunch meetings). But my friend Kristina and I chose to eat a light meal at the long EDGE bar, just off the lobby and located in front of the entrance to the restaurant. The bar area was packed at abut 7 p.m. on a Friday night — clearly it’s a locals’ favorite for winding down after a long work week.

We enjoyed some wine recommended by our friendly bartender and shared a couple of delicious salads off of the EDGE Restaurant menu, as well as some and sushi rolls that are offered on the bar menu Thursday through Saturday nights. Highly recommend!

Coffee and muffins in the lobby: This is a small service, but certainly one that I fully appreciated, since I woke up before my girlfriend, at about 7 am on a Saturday morning, and I didn’t want to make noise brewing coffee in our room. What a delight to find hot coffee and complimentary banana muffins in the lobby.

Spa, fitness center and pool: The spa at the Four Seasons Denver is divine. Truly, divine. A large soaking tub in the women’s locker area, a steam room infused with eucalyptus, and a soothing relaxation room with several chaise lounges invite rest and repose. I wish I’d had time to indulge in a spa treatment, but simply spending about an hour in the women’s locker room — taking full advantage of soaking, steaming and showering — was a lovely way to start the day.

Actually, because I’d woken up early, I had time to workout in the big fitness center before I retired to the spa. It was quiet on an early Saturday morning, so I had my choice of cardio and strength-training equipment. Here, fruit, citrus water and my beloved coffee are also offered. The ellipticals, treadmills and bikes all face a wall of tall windows with views of the heated pool and hot tub, which are open year-round, but the tree-filled errace is especially hopping with sunning and swimming guests in the warm-weather months. Plus, the hip, outdoor Level 3 Bar is open in the summertime, too — for guests daily, with the public welcome on Thursdays from 5 to 10 pm.

Thanks Four Seasons Denver for hosting my stay. I’ll be back, perhaps next time with husband or kids in tow!

Once spring break is over, family travel planners naturally start thinking about ideas for their big summer vacations. The Best Family Travel Experts, a group of respected, award-winning and experienced travel bloggers, are happy to share their recommended kid-friendly vacation destinations. Reading their tips, you may notice something interesting: there’s nary an Anaheim or Orlando tip on the list. Makes sense: you don’t have to be an expert to know that Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Orlando, and Disneyland are top summer vacation spots! This list takes you beyond the obvious, as any true expert’s list ought to do.  As you plan your family vacation for the summer, consider thinking outside the theme park box yourself — it’s a big country, and there are so many other great places to vacation with your children.

Time for a family kayak trip on the Colorado River near Glenwood Springs

My wonderful cowriter, Kara Williams (aka ColoradoGal) recommends a spot in the Colorado Rockies. Her pick for a top family-friendly summer travel destination, Glenwood Springs, is chock full of adventure and activities for families. Specifically, the Glenwood Hot Springs, home to the world’s largest mineral hot springs pool and two super-fun water slides, as well as Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, which features not only fascinating cave tours but also thrilling rides; the country’s highest-altitude full-size roller coaster is coming here next summer. Families can ride bikes along the relatively flat recreation path near the Colorado River in gorgeous Glenwood Canyon (rent bikes in town). Kara’s family likes to take their own inflatable kayaks on the river rapids, and mild to wild whitewater rafting adventures are offered by a number of local outfitters. Finally, the Hanging Lake trail is a fabulous family hike in the canyon. Glenwood Springs is easily accessed right off Interstate 70, so it’s a wonderfully convenient stop on a summer road trip through Colorado. Her final tip? If you can steal away from your family for a couple of hours, book a massage at the Spa of the Rockies or go for a steam in the vapor caves at the Yampah Spa!

Luxury family vacation at Coppola Winery, Sonoma

Ciao Bambino is a leading luxury family travel site, so contributor Dana Rebmann’s recommendation is fitting! She writes that people are often surprised when she suggests Northern California Wine Country as a great family vacation destination. Just because kids don’t drink wine, doesn’t mean that parents don’t enjoy it. Luckily, many wineries have figured this out. For example, the Francis Ford Coppola Winery offers great family programs like tie-dying (with grape juice), and has a beautiful pool. Get the scoop on guaranteeing a ticket to the pool — it’s popular — in the Napa Valley with Kids series on Ciao Bambino.  In quiet Calistoga, families can tour Castello di Amorosa, an authentic Tuscan Castle and winery. While parents taste Italian style wines, kids enjoy the winery’s bottled Muscat of Alexandria…also known as California grape juice. If your family likes adventure, don’t miss zip lining through towering Sonoma County Redwoods. Just as with a hot air balloon ride in Napa, Sonoma Canopy Tours offers a whole new view of wine country.

Toddlers love summertime at the beach in San Diego

Debbie Dubrow of Delicious Baby recommends a week in sunny San Diego, California for a family looking to unwind together in the sunshine. With a wide variety if activities ranging from beaches, to amusement parks like SeaWorld, LEGOLAND and of course, one of the best zoos in the United States, you’ll find plenty to do — and all within an easy drive of your hotel. When you need a break from the sunshine, Balboa Park has several indoor activities including a Puppet Theatre, Train Museum, and Science Center. San Diego family travel activities are almost too much to consider for one trip: you can learn more about where to stay and what to do once you’re there from Delicious Baby’s San Diego with Kids Guide.

Fun family hike to waterfalls in Columbia River Gorge near Portland

This summer, I’m going to suggest parents plan a trip to Portland, Oregon with their kids. July and August are great months to visit, because the famously rainy city is a bit drier in the summer months. All that rain pays off in the summer: Portland and its surrounds are so green and lush that many summer travelers wonder why they don’t take up permanent residency. The Portland Children’s Museum and the Oregon Zoo are fun for younger children, and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry is enormously entertaining for kids and adults alike. Portland is a small, mellow, friendly city, and right outside city lines are some of the gorgeous Pacific Northwest hikes that make for terrific family memories. There are many, many Columbia River Gorge waterfall hikes; Wahkeena Falls’ hike is pretty easy and accessible for young kids.

Kids enjoying an outdoors summer vacation in Stowe

Mara Gorman of The Mother of All Trips takes us to the eastern part of the US. If you prefer to avoid the crowds at the beaches and amusement parks (and like long, warm days followed by cool nights to boot), then, she says, Vermont is the ideal place for your summer vacation.  Visit Manchester where you can enjoy high-end outlet shopping and gourmet farm-to-table restaurants, all while cozying up to the cows, chickens, and goats at the Hill Farm Inn. Or head farther north into the heart of the Green Mountains for Stowe, which offers not only a five and a half mile paved recreation path but an alpine slide, too. Stay in family-friendly luxury at the Stowe Mountain Lodgeand both you and your children can relax at the spa. Even farther north, you can enjoy the amazing beauty and recreational opportunities both near and in Lake Champlain. No matter where you go in Vermont you can hike, bike, kayak and canoe, swim in lakes and rivers and shop in farmer’s markets that offer the best in local produce and maple syrup.

Summer vacation in the Berkshires

Amy Whitley of Pit Stops for Kids recommends a stay in New England’s Berkshires, a pocket of leafy-green outdoor paradise in Western Massachusetts. What makes the Berkshires an ideal summer vacation destination is the appeal it holds for every type of family, from parents with small children to grandparents and everyone (awkward) in between. Yes, even moody teens have a great time in the Berkshires! Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts will love rafting on the Deerfield River; she recommends Zoar Outdoor Outfitters to gear up for this activity. Mountain biking though lush forest and zip lining at Bousquet Mountain are two other top things to do for adventurous families. Shoppers will love all the antiquing possibilities in Lenox and Great Barrington. Kids will enjoy the many museums and the Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory. Stay in one of the many B&Bs dotting the countryside, in a family-friendly condo at Jiminy Peak, or, as her family does, in picturesque Northampton (where, according to her kids, you’ll find the best breakfast east of the Mississippi at Sylvester’s).

In short, it doesn’t take a genius to recommend what are already the top US travel destinations (NYC, Orlando, Los Angeles, etc) for family vacations. This summer, the Best Family Travel Experts group suggests thinking outside the box. You never know what adventure awaits.

After wonderfully active winter days outdoors, skiing or snowmobiling or tubing at Three Forks Ranch – a luxury ranch resort on 200,000 acres straddling the border of Colorado and Wyoming — guests retreat to the magnificent Lodge and Spa for rest and relaxation, not to mention phenomenal meals, exquisite spa treatments and inspiring mountain views from spacious guest rooms and suites. The Lodge is equal parts elegant, grand, comfortable and cozy; indeed, it’s one of the most upscale yet welcoming places I’ve ever visited. And that’s not only because the surroundings are are so lovely both inside and outside the 35,000-square-foot building. It’s the gracious and attentive staff that attend to guests’ every need that truly made my family’s long weekend stay at Three Forks Ranch one of the best vacations our well-traveled bunch has ever had.

The Lodge and Spa at Three Forks Ranch Gathering Spaces

The Lodge at Three Forks Ranch doesn’t have a simple lobby, but rather a Great Room featuring two huge fireplaces and an array of Western oil paintings and Asian antiques (trust me, the unusual combination of decor works). A massive 40-foot cathedral ceiling, expansive windows and huge beams might feel overwhelming to the visitor, but the comfortable sitting areas with plush sofas and ottomans, plus game tables and benches by the fire, invite repose and gathering with family, friends and other guests (who soon become friends).

Snuggle by the fire with your sweetie - or a good book - in the Great Room at Three Forks Ranch.

Winter view from the terrace just outside the Great Room at Three Forks Ranch.

Every evening at about 5:30 p.m. cocktails are served in the Middle Fork Lounge. All alcoholic beverages are included in an all-inclusive stay at Three Forks Ranch, so it’s worth your while not only to enjoy a delicious glass of house Merlot (or a beer with a splash of tomato juice, the staff favorite), but to gather with other guests to mingle and share stories of the day’s adventures. This stately room, too, has a fireplace and couch, several cocktail tables and even a flat-screen TV that pops out of a shelf if you just can’t miss that important televised sports event. An impressive mural — 17 by 7 feet — by Western artist Wayne Cooper hangs behind the bar.

Gather for cocktails nightly in the stately lounge at Three Forks Ranch.

The Lodge and Spa at Three Forks Ranch Accommodations

Each of the 11 rooms and four suites at The Lodge and Spa at Three Forks Ranch feature the same decor — Asian antiques, Western art, oriental rugs, plush draperies — found throughout the Lodge. Accommodations are incredibly spacious and include amazing amenities:

• iPad for your use while staying at the Lodge – kids thought this was awesome
• in-room Wi-Fi with a nice strong signal
• fully stocked mini bar – make your soda, juice, wine and beer preference selections before you arrive
• basket full of snacks – again, all included in the price of your stay; nibble on Terra chips, Honey Stinger energy chews, Oreos, Chips Ahoy, granola bars, trail mix, peanuts and more
• an array of toiletries (deodorant, toothbrush, etc.) in case you forgot to pack something; LOccitane body products, too
• robes and slippers in your size; again, we gave our sizes to reservations staff before we arrived
• two personal oxygen dispensers - the Lodge is at 7,200 feet; if you’re coming from sea level, drink lots of water to acclimate
• baseball hats embroidered with the Three Forks Ranch logo – we love these welcome gifts!

My husband and I shared the Three Forks Suite on the main floor of the Lodge; most rooms are on the garden level with walk-out ground-floor patios. Our grand room had a king-sized bed, gas fireplace, vaulted ceiling, sitting area facing windows with views of the mountains, huge bathroom with shower and deep tub,and hot tub on our private deck. The kids were next door (there are no connecting room) in their own guest room, Olive Creek, with two queen beds, shower, same mini bar, snacks and toiletries we had, plus a walk-out balcony patio.

King bed in Three Forks Suite (note the pretty carpets in the suite's hallway).

On arrival, my daughter hadn't even taken off her coat before she'd discovered the in-room iPad.

A soda in our private hot tub - kid heaven.

View of some of Three Forks Ranch's private ski slopes from the kids' Olive Creek room.

The Lodge and Spa at Three Forks Ranch Dining

Three meals a day — plus appetizers during cocktail hour, in-room morning coffee service (with pastries), and the aforementioned snacks and drinks stocked in the mini-bar — are included in the price of a stay at Three Forks Ranch. Meals are not only filling — to fuel active days on the ski slopes or the tubing hill — but also beautifully prepared and absolutely delicious.

Breakfast is served in a sunny room with a huge fireplace, and options include a custom-made omelette, steel cut oatmeal, kids’ favorite Belgian waffle, salmon on a bagel, eggs Benedict, buttermilk pancakes, cinnamon French toast or yogurt granola parfait.

The Belgian waffle is served with fresh whipped cream, too.

By the third morning, I'd eaten so much, and eaten so well, at Three Forks Ranch, all I ordered for breakfast was a yogurt-granola parfait -- still hearty!

Lunch is buffet style, with a variety of salads (one day I ate two helpings of a savory couscous, chick pea and chopped veggie salad – so good!), marinated veggies, deli platter for you make-your-own sandwiches and a hot entree, like ribs or cheeseburgers. The chocolate chip cookies are phenomenally good; check out the recipe to make at home!)

Lunch is decidedly casual at Three Forks Ranch; come as you are -- even if that means base layers or T-shirts.

Dinner is an elegant occasion — a three-course meal that you’ve ordered the night before. (The kind Lodge manager emails your options to make your selections before you arrive for your first meal at the Lodge). My children are decent (read: not always too picky) eater, so they ordered off the regular menu, with just a couple modifications. For their first salad course, one opted for ranch dressing and the other for a vinaigrette, instead of the blue cheese and Caesar that was offered. No problem! I’m certain that if a young child wanted plain noodles or a burger for dinner, the kitchen would oblige.

The food was excellent; it was difficult to make decisions based on what was offered each night. Some of my favorite dishes over the course of three nights were Caprese Salad, Chicken Tortilla Soup, Elk Tenderloin with grilled asparagus, roasted spaghetti squash and berry reduction, Grilled Sea Bass with steamed broccoli, rock shrimp saffron risotto and soy-ginger beurre blanc, Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream with housemade chocolate sauce and Poached Pear with creme anglaise.

Everyone gets his or her own personalized menu at dinner. Make your choices the night prior.

After dinner you also make requests for in-room coffee delivery. My son opted for OJ and pastries only.

Seared ahi and edamame. Yum.

Spa treatments at The Lodge and Spa at Three Forks Ranch

You can have as many spa treatments as you’d like during your all-inclusive stay at The Lodge and Spa at Three Forks Ranch. No, really. Unlimited. Crazy, right? I asked Marketing Director Allison Pratt if anyone ever took advantage of that offer — say, booking four massages in a day. She told me while some guests might indeed indulge while they are at the Ranch (relaxation is encouraged), therapists at the spa would gently explain to anyone booking too many services that it’s simply not good for your body to undergo such rubbing and sloughing. (I might beg to differ. Kidding.) Plus, there are so many other awesome outdoor activities to enjoy at Three Forks Ranch, you don’t want to be spending all your time in a dark treatment room anyway! As it was, my husband and I managed only two treatments each during our three-night stay. (And, yes, they were sublime. More to come on The Spa Gals.)

Adjacent to the spa relaxation room are two hot tubs and a nifty, U-shaped, indoor/outdoor infinity pool that all guests can use. My kids, naturally, made a game out of swimming under the partition that separated the “indoor” from the “outdoor.” They also “cleaned” the glass partition with snow (apologies to the staff who may have had to wipe off the streaks).

I can imagine the outdoor deck area of the small pool gets plenty of use in the warm-weather months! The views — once again — are stunning.

The steamy outdoor infinity pool at Three Forks Ranch.

Swim outside next to snow - cool, right?

Come in from the cold to the warmer "indoor pool" section, or soak in the toasty indoor hot tubs.

Service and smiles at The Lodge and Spa at Three Forks Ranch

Chatting with General Manager Justin Flaherty over cocktails on my first night at the ranch, I expressed some incredulity at the flexibility Recreation Director Levi Kempf had in scheduling my family’s outdoor activities over the weekend. That is, we — along the with the other guests at the Lodge at the time — could choose to ski, sled, snowmobile, snowshoe or go on a sleigh ride on whatever days we wanted, morning or afternoon. There were enough energetic activity guides on hand to accommodate our desired agenda.

But that’s just all part of the phenomenal Three Forks Ranch creed — attending to guests’ needs and wants in order to create winter vacations of a lifetime. Justin told me, “We say yes, then ask what the question is.”

Indeed, several times over the weekend, I heard, “We can make that happen” — whether it was rescheduling a spa appointment, asking for special salad dressing for my kids or lingering over dinner for yet one more glass of wine. Truly, the Three Forks Ranch management team and staff bent over backwards to make our stay extraordinary. The smiles on everyone’s faces are contagious; I loved the southern hospitality (many folks are transplants from the South, so I heard “yes ma’am” a lot); and we absolutely appreciated everyone at Three Forks Ranch sharing their winter playground with us.

In fact, that’s another goal of Three Forks Ranch. Basically, everyone who lives on the ranch (about 25 in the winter; the staff swells to 100 in the summer) lives and breathes the glorious outdoors here. They are out skiing and snowmobiling December through March — hunting and fishing and horseback riding in the summer — and guests are happily treated like “one of them.” That is, GM Justin Flaherty points out that the overall ethos at the ranch is, “We’re going out to play anyway, so why don’t you come along.” Indeed, that’s how we felt during our visit: so lucky that the Three Forks Ranch family was willing to share their very special place — the mountains, trails, meadows and forest — with us.

And for that, I’m forever grateful.

Part of the rock-star management team at Three Forks Ranch: GM Justin, Lodge Managers Keagin & Jenn, Marketing Director Allison.

Three Forks Ranch hosted my family’s visit. For more on our incredible vacation check out Best Private Snowcat Skiing in Colorado and Outdoor Winter Activities at Three Forks Ranch.

The outdoor playground at Three Forks Ranch, a luxury ranch resort on the border of Wyoming and Colorado, is more than 50,000 acres of mountains, meadows, aspen groves and pine forest set aside not only for downhill skiing via snowcat on 20 private trails (glorious!), but also cross-country-skiing skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, sledding and tubing, sleigh rides and even ice fishing.  Outdoor winter activities aren’t scheduled at any specific time of day — basically, whenever guests would like to ski, snowshoe or fish (and the weather is cooperating), the stellar staff at Three Forks Ranch will make it happen.

Flexible and accommodating recreation director Levi Kempf checks in with guests of The Lodge and Spa at Three Forks Ranch each night during cocktail hour to schedule the next’s day’s activities. On day one, my family and I planned to ski in the morning, return to the lodge for a filling buffet lunch, then head out for some sledding around 1 p.m. We were having too much fun in the powder (and hunting for a lost ski), so we skied a bit longer than we’d thought. But going to the tubing hill at 2 p.m. wasn’t a  problem at all — after all, our ski guide was also our tubing guide! He needed to eat a later lunch, too!

Our second night, my husband and daughter decided to hit the slopes again in the morning, while my son and I wanted to go tubing once more (yes, it’s that much fun); then we all agreed to meet for a snowmobiling tour in the afternoon. But the next day when Kaylin decided her legs were too tired to ski, and wanted to knock off the slopes early, Levi kindly ferried her via snowmobile from the ski hill to the tubing hill so she could join us. Again, no problem!

Snow tubing and sledding at Three Forks Ranch

The beauty of tubing and sledding down the steep hill at Three Forks Ranch is that you don’t have to schlep your tube or sled back up the hill. Instead, kind and patient outdoor-activity guides zoom down the hill on their snowmobile to pick you and your gear up! It’s awesome.

Equally awesome was the amount of powder we encountered on the sledding hill after our morning of skiing powder. It was absolutely hilarious to watch the kids launch themselves off at the top of the hill, and then disappear in a cloud of snow that followed them down the hill — sort of like that Peanuts character Pig-Pen who always had a big cloud of dust following him.

The next day the slopes had been fully groomed by snowcat, so there wasn’t as much fluffy snow lingering. Then by day three, the sun had come out, melting some of the snow overnight, which meant that the course was a bit more icy and slick — which the kids loved. We had so many races down the hill — who could go fastest or farthest? Then we’d ride double, or take two tubes out and hang on to one another in a chain. I think this was my kids’ overall favorite activity at Three Forks Ranch.

The kids went head first. I did not.

This is my unrecognizable husband and son covered in snow after they flew down the powdery hill!

Guides brought us back up the hill via snowmobile; our sleds and tubes were attached to a rope behind it.

Perched at the top of the steep tubing hill, defined by blue fences so the snowcat knows where to groom!

Snowmobiling at Three Forks Ranch

My kids (ages 10 and 12) are both familiar with snowmobiling; we’ve owned a small kid-sized Mini-Z for a while. But for the past two winters there hasn’t been enough snow in Colorado to be able to snowmobile from our house (like we’ve done in years past). Still, they both have ATVs and are familiar with driving those, so when they asked to actually drive the snowmobiles on our hour-and-a-half excursion, it was hard to say no! With my husband on the same snowmobile seated behind one of them, and a Three Forks Ranch guide behind the other, the kiddos looked as cool as cucumbers steering the Ski-Doos. In fact, I think they were more comfortable than I was solo on my Arctic Cat!

Going on a snowmobile tour is the best way to experience the vast and varied terrain — and gorgeous vistas — at Three Forks Ranch. We snowmobiled along roads that had been plowed by snowcat, but then as we got further and further into the “backcountry” (still, always within the Three Forks Ranch property) we had to blaze our own trail a bit more. We passed by old homesteads with deserted log cabins, as well as some houses that cowboys live in come summertime. Rolling snow-covered hills were always in sight; I marveled in just how huge and pristine this property is.

Once we reached a huge powder-filled meadow, my husband and our two friendly guides Jason and Kelly, took the snowmobiles out on their own and did donuts in the huge field. They were absolutely hysterical to watch — taking tight turns, standing up and leaning way left or way right, and falling off in the deep snow!

My children were delighted to not only ride on the back of a snowmobile, but drive one.

We passed dilapidated log cabins from old homesteads on the Three Forks Ranch property.

I liked ducking into the groves of aspen trees.

The men took the snowmobiles out into the meadow to do donuts in deep snow.

And of course the kids had to get into the act, too -- blazing their own trails in the meadow.

Face-plant snow angels. Cuz my children are just like that.

Thanks Three Forks Ranch for hosting my family on a fabulous long weekend filled with so many great outdoor activities.

Also read: Best Private Snowcat Skiing in Colorado at Exclusive Three Forks Ranch.

Twenty maintained trails on privately owned ski hills accessed only by snowcat — I’d call it the best private snowcat skiing west of the Rockies. No lift lines… no crowds… just you and the hill — and if you’re lucky like my family was with some cooperation from Mother Nature, perhaps more than a foot of freshly fallen snow.

That’s what we experienced during our stay at Three Forks Ranch, a ranch resort (with an authentic working cattle operation) on more than 200,000 acres stretching across the border of Wyoming and Colorado, north of Steamboat Springs. The Lodge at Three Forks Ranch accommodates just 30 people in the winter season, in 15 spacious luxury rooms and suites. With an expansive staff — from restaurant servers to outdoor-activity guides to the friendly front-desk crew — personalized service is top-notch here. Especially when it comes to skiing.

As I said, my family of four lucked out during our stay at Three Forks Ranch in early March with a huge snowstorm that began just as we settled into our digs on the upper terrace of the 35,000-square-foot lodge. (My husband and I were in the Three Forks Suite with balcony hot tub; kids ages 10 and 12 in the neighboring Oliver Creek deluxe room with two double beds.) The snow continued overnight, which meant that several inches of fresh powder had fallen by the time we woke up for a 9 a.m. ski date with Gary and Jason, our guides, and Brian, our snowcat driver.

Gary and Jason picked us up at the Lodge in one of the ranch’s many Yukons for a 60-second drive to The Igloo, where 0ur skis, poles and boots had already been stored overnight. From the outside, The Igloo looks like a ramshackle barn (it is actually an old homestead building), but inside it’s been totally refurbished and outfitted with  a couple dozen open cubbies for storing winter gear (and fishing poles and waders in the summer). After gearing up, we loaded our skis on the exterior rack of our snowcat, dubbed “Pisten Bully,” and climbed aboard.

Kids trudging through snow to The Igloo, where ski gear is stowed for all guests.

Cubbies were labeled with our names -- just one of a million ways Three Forks Ranch makes every guest feel special.

Our sweet ride for the day!

It took about 25 minutes to get from The Igloo to the top of the ski hill — which is actually divided into east, middle and west trails. The snowcat took some twists and turns up some steep inclines and I felt a little motion sick by the time we got to the top. But with the big flakes of snow coming down, there was no time to waste. We were so eager to hit the trails!

We had such little snow in Colorado this year, it was such a treat to ski amidst big falling flakes.

"Which way should we go?"

Gary and Jason started us off on a relatively mild slope, where half of it had been groomed the night prior (still with several inches of freshies) and half of it was deep untracked powder. I’m not a big powder skier, so I took my time making my way over the fluffy stuff, but once I did, I loved it!

That's me in a ridiculous amount of powder. (No comments on my form; it was all I could do to stay upright!)

Again, we had our choice of trails as we neared the bottom of the hill, where staff in a hut warmed by a wood-burning stove waited with hot chocolate, water and snacks — delightful! My kids and husband followed our two patient, kind guides — whom I think were having as much fun as we were — into the trees, while I took a wide-0pen trail. I was thrilled that the kids showed such fearlessness even on unfamiliar terrain. They did amazingly well navigating around tree wells and stumps.

Making fresh tracks!

My husband flew through the fresh snow; I'm surprised I was able to capture Mr. Speedy in a photo.

Happy for hot cocoa in the warming hut after a chilly run in the snow.

We had only one casualty during our morning of skiing — no broken bones or anything like that. Instead, my daughter took a tumble and her boot came disengaged from her binding. She lost a ski. No, literally lost a ski. We hunted for it for a good 30 minutes or more, poking our ski poles into the snow and digging around her, and could not find it at all! We’re wondering if somehow slid away under the snow, not leaving a trail. We figure the elk will find it this spring…

Digging for a missing ski... to no avail.

Instead off having to ski down the snowy terrain on one ski, another Three Forks Ranch outdoor guide picked Kaylin up on a snowmobile and brought her to the warming hut. There, still another staffer guide met us with a set of rental skis, so she was able to take one more run. (I tell you, the accommodating Three Forks Ranch was so hospitable, doing everything they could to make our long weekend extra special and memorable.)

In all, we completed four runs down the mountain before it was time for lunch. I think if we hadn’t spent so much time searching for the lost ski, we would have managed five runs before 12:30 p.m. Each lap takes about a half hour from the time you’re picked up at the bottom by snowcat, you make the drive to the top and then ski down to the bottom.

Apparently there was another group of 5 skiers on the private Three Forks Ranch ski trails when we were, but we never saw them. That is the beauty of skiing on Three Forks Ranch trails – the privacy! Even if the Lodge were maxed out with guests, the snowcats can only carry eight people each, so there’s never more than 16 people on the slopes at one time — talk about elbow room!

Private snowcat skiing is included in the cost of an all-inclusive stay at Three Forks Ranch, which I heartily admit, is not inexpensive. It’s $4,100 per person for a three night stay, which also includes as much snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and tubing you’d like to do (more on these other awesome winter activities in a future blog post); unlimited spa treatments (yes, you read that correctly); three gourmet meals a day; all alcohol (including house wine, beer or any cocktails you drink during a festive happy hour daily before dinner); minibar stocked with water, sodas, juices, snacks; wi-fi and use of an iPad in each room; use of a fitness center and super-cool indoor/outdoor pool, plus indoor hot tubs; transportation from the local airports and round-trip airfare from anywhere in the world.

Start saving your pennies, people. Because if there’s a chance you could ever swing a visit to Three Forks Ranch in the winter, I bet it’ll be the best snowy vacation you’ve ever had. It certainly was mine.

Thanks Three Forks Ranch for providing my family and me with an incredible long weekend at your slice of heaven in the Rocky Mountains.

It’s been way too long since I’ve spent quality time in Winter Park and the Fraser Valley, though it’s just 3 hours from my Colorado mountain home (and only 65 miles west of Denver). I have fond memories of a Memorial Day Weekend about five years ago at Snow Mountain Ranch/YMCA of the Rockies, where my kids, husband and I hiked, played mini-golf, went swimming, ate in the dining hall and made arts and crafts (a la a family-camp weekend). But it’s been more than a decade since a boyfriend cajoled me down some Mary Jane moguls at Winter Park Resort (that was way prior to having kids).

Fun new promotions from Winter Park & the Fraser Valley have me intrigued — and wanting to reacquaint myself with the awesome mountain area and its “wide open spaces.” It’s an outdoor playground for sure, chock full of nature-filled adventures for all ages, in all seasons — from mountain biking, hiking and camping in the summer to skiing, dogsledding, tubing and ice skating in the winter. Winter Park’s Grand County is also a gateway to the western entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park, one of my favorite places in Colorado.

Currently, the Winter Park Stay & Play Package rewards the first 250 people to book two nights of lodging at any participating property with $50 in free money on their Winter Park & Fraser Valley Key Card. Lodging options include condominiums, hotels, B&Bs and vacation homes. And deals are plentiful (even without the free $50 in spending money via the Key Card). That is, a quick glance at the Beaver Village Condominiums web page revealed “Buy one night, and get the second half off” on any one- or two-bedroom units. The Winter Park Chateau B&B has rooms starting at just $125 a night.

The Key Card is a promotion that the Winter Park & Fraser Valley Chamber rolled out earlier this year. Basically, it’s one card that is accepted at dozens of businesses in the Winter Park area. You present it every time you make a purchase, and the more you spend, the money you earn back on your card. For example, once you spend $100 at any participating merchant, you get $10 to spend at that place of business. Easy peasy.

Businesses accepting the Key Card include everything from sports stores to restaurants to accommodations to massage therapists. Even if you’re just in Winter Park for the weekend, you’ll want to register for a Key Card since you get a free $10 to spend at any participating business just for signing up! Couple that with the $50 you get for booking accommodations with the current Stay & Play Promotion, and that’s $60 total that you can spend, say, on a half-hour massage, a pizza lunch for your family of four, or maybe a cute new hat and scarf!

For more scoop on things to do in the Winter Park & Fraser Valley area of Colorado, consider these websites:

• Visit Grand County
• Devil’s Thumb Ranch
• Snow Mountain Ranch
• Play Winter Park
• Mountain Bike Capital USA
• SolVista Basin
• Winter Park Resort (not only for skiing – summer brings Colorado’s longest alpine slide)

Photos courtesy Winter Park-Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce.