| May 14, 2009 | | Visit these ski resort towns for plenty of family fun during summer vacation | Summer is approaching, and that means many families are gearing up for vacations. Ski resort towns offer a great opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, do some shopping and enjoy some of the discounts that ski resorts offer when you stay outside of ski season. Here are some of the best places to find ski resort family fun in the Rockies this summer:
Aspen-Snowmass
Aspen, Colorado is well-known for its ski resorts and its winter activities. However, Aspen, and nearby Snowmass, are also known for summer beauty. In addition to outdoor summer activities (biking, hiking, camping, rafting and fishing), there are a number of fun, family centered activities available. There are summer camps and kids activities. Golf and tennis are available, and there is a fun bungee trampoline, alpine slide and paintball facilities. You can even go mountainboarding.
There is a good nightlife in Aspen-Snowmass as well. Shopping and dining (including mountain top dining) are first-rate. Additionally, there is always live music and art performances often come through.
Summit County, Colorado
Summit County, Colorado is home to a four ski resorts: Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin. Because they are all situated in the same mountain range, any of the four ski resorts would make a good base from which to enjoy rafting, fishing, hiking, and biking. Because there is a reservoir, it is also possible to enjoy boating and even some sailing in Summit County.
During the summer, there are options for horseback riding, motorcycle and ATV tours, golfing and hot air balloon rides. Summit County also includes towns that offer shopping, dining and entertainment options.
Park City, UT
Park City, UT is a first class ski resort town with a number of sophisticated options, along with family activities. Restaurants are among the finest, and there is ample shopping and entertainment. Live music, festivals and other events are planned for throughout the summer.
There are three main ski resorts in Park City: Deer Valley, The Canyons and Park City Mountain Resort. You can find a number of fun activities, including alpine slide, zip rider, lift rides, children's activities, a small miner's park, mini golf, human maze. And, of course, Park city is a great base camp for hiking, fishing, biking, climbing, horseback riding and rafting.
Sun Valley and Ketchum, Idaho
Another of the more sophisticated ski resorts is Sun Valley, the first European style ski resort in the U.S. The nearby town of Ketchum also provides a nice place to stay. One can find the hiking, fishing, hunting and other outdoor activities that one would expect in Central Idaho. However, the Sun Valley area has much more to offer.
The Sun Valley area features a world-class day spa, as well as a opera and movie house. Live music is often a feature in the Sun Valley and Ketchum area. Kids activities and a rather nice daycare are provided, for the kids. There are stables for horseback riding, hot air balloon rides and bowling.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
There is a wealth of fun family things to do at Jackson Hole. You know that at a Rocky Mountain ski resort you will have summer access to hiking, biking, fishing, rafting (Hoback Junction is close), ATV riding, horseback riding, climbing and more. However Jackson Hole provides extra incentive, since it is within easy distance of two National Parks: Yellowstone and Grand Teton.
Jackson Hole is also sophisticated, with fine dining establishments, high-end shopping and art galleries. There are also family restaurants and activities, as well as fun places to stay. One of the favorite family activities is a trip to see the Bar J Wranglers and enjoy an Old West prime rib dinner. Music festivals and live performances come through all summer.
| | |
|
