Steamboat Springs Offers a Fun Vacation For Your Family

Grand County, Colorado is a great getaway destination for your family.

by Cozy Stone

When I arrived at the Yampa Valley Airport, I had a sense I was arriving somewhere special. I didn't need to click my heels to know that I was not in Las Vegas anymore! At this 7,000-foot elevation, I immediately enjoyed the clear blue skies, the temperatures in the mid 70-80's, and the low humidity.

It was a thrill to wake up to the same beautiful views our Western settlers saw stretching for miles in all directions from Steamboat Springs. Imagine Teddy Roosevelt's legendary hunting and fishing trips to this area, inspiring the national forest system he established to protect the wilderness areas enjoyed today.

You and your family will enjoy the extra-wide main street built over 100 years ago to accommodate cattle drives down to the train station. I suggest lunch at the Creekside Cafe, dinner at Cafe Diva, a boxed, picnic lunch from the Epicurean Cafe or Backcountry provisions, and a horseback ride to the Double Dollar Lodge for dinner at the Saddleback Ranch - umm, umm great eating!

Enjoy your children as you take a ride together on the gondola and walk around the quiet meadows of the ski area or pack a picnic for a walk down the mountain. Oh, and how the natural hot mineral pool will offer a soothing respite for you while your children play on the 350-foot outdoor water slide. Your children will also enjoy the Gondola Square Adventure Zoo where they can rock climb, bungee jump, and play disc golf and mini golf. For the entire family, I suggest a Kayak lesson, a guided fly-fishing trip, a mountain bike clinic, a hike or a hot air balloon ride.

It's a common trait among locals -- that they came to Steamboat for the legendary summers -- but they stayed in Steamboat for the unbelievable winters. It was quite easy to imagine the bliss brought on by as much as 400 feet of snow for the skiing enthusiasts -- mountain tours, ski & snowboard school, freestyle terrain, night tubing, cross-country skiing. There is even a kids' vacation center offering skier-on-snow programs, child care and kids' adventure club at night.

After a few days in Steamboat, my group ventured another 3,000 feet to Grand County, Colorado. Along the scenic drive on Highway 34, we enjoyed 80 miles of the Colorado River, Grand Lake, Shadow Mountain Reservoir and Lake Granby - all great destinations for fishing and boating. In the evening, we enjoyed a scrumptious dinner at the Untamed Steak House followed by the High Country Stampede Rodeo - good meat, fast feet! Thank you Riley Palumbo and Gaylene Ore for your gracious hospitality.

To learn more, visit www.steamboatchamber.com, www.grand-county.com.