europhile

My family is working on a plan for several weeks next summer (probably July). We love hiking, boating and big views, but also having a town with restaurants. Ideally we would stay in a house or apartment and do some cooking. We took the kids to Italy for a month this past summer and it was fantastic. The temptation is to go back there, this time to the lakes region. However, we are also considering the Colorado ski areas. I've never been there in summer, but the scenery looks spectacular. My question is whether the outdoor pursuits (hikes, rafting, etc.) are suited for young kids. Ours will be 6, 8 and 10. Would this area be good for us now, or would it be better to do the Italy lakes and save the American west for when they're older? If it is good, any thoughts on the best town town to base in? Ideally close to the hiking and lake options without hours in the car? Thanks for any advice!

Gretchen

How about a dude ranch? The American west is a wonder of the world. They could learn to fly fish, a sport that they can love all their lives. You could consider the Grand Tetons also.

DebitNM

Several weeks at a dude ranch is likely to be big $

I suggest Durango. It isn't as cost prohibitive as many ski areas in summer. It is a kid friendly town with lots to do in the immediate area.

Fly [Southwest, if that works for you] into Albuquerque ABQ and it's less than 4 hour drive.

Rentals won't be cheap but far less than Aspen and its like.

DebitNM

And Italy's Lake District would be better for when they are older, I don't know that there's a whole lot for them to do and summer is mobbed time of year in the Lake District . It's better in May but that is usually an issue for school aged kids.

Lexma90

There are many towns in Colorado that would provide plenty to do for your kids. Durango would be good, too, but I'm less familiar with the Western Slope.

Any of the ski towns have access to hiking, biking, fishing, horseback riding, historic sites like former mining camps and visiting mines, as well as modern activities like gondola or chair rides, zip lines, mini-golf, canoeing, kayaking, etc. That would include Breckenridge, Aspen, Steamboat Springs and Vail, as well as nearby towns such as Frisco or Silverthorne. Copper and Keystone also offer summer activities and lodging, though they aren't actual towns.

Rafting, I'm not so knowledgeable about. I took my son once when he was 8 years old, and our raft got stuck on some rocks. The adults had to swim to shore to lighten the raft; my son (not a strong swimmer) and the guide stayed on the raft, and it floated off once there wasn't so much weight. Ever since then, I've been not so into rafting. Lots of visitors love it, though.

There are lakes, which are mostly man-made. Not really for swimming, and as they're about 33 degrees, nobody would want to.

It's a little secret among us Coloradans, but the summers here are possibly better than the winters.

sunnyside71

So true about rafting, it sounds like a fun activity to do with kids, but when get wedged in a tree branch or any other obstacle the water piles up and puts you in some precarious situations, I would rather be in a 2 person kayak then in a rat with 8 people

Gretchen

I think rafting is also about the water speed--and it can get not so fast in the western summers. In the Tetons we did a float trip--they said the rafting would be better in our home state of NC!!

europhile

Thanks for all of your helpful comments! Gretchen- your comment about rafting is funny because NC is where my kids have enjoyed it so much! I was afraid it would be much bigger and faster in Colorado. It will be great when they are teens, though. We're more about the hiking at this point. I'll start looking at the verb type options. What about the ski resort condo rentals? Are these lower priced outside of ski season? Do the towns close down or is it still a tourist season?

europhile

That was VRBO options. Autocorrect!

Gretchen

I think you'll just have to shop. Aspen, Breck, and maybe other places have summer festivals so may not be bargains. At one time I heard that Colorado had more summer visitors than winter--definitely NOT closed down.

DebitNM

Rafting in Colorado sees its highest water/flows in the late Spring/early Summer with snow melt run off. The flow depends on snow pack so it can vary a lot from year to year. By July, the levels are down pretty low and can almost end rafting, again depends on the snow pack.

The Animas River in Durango is a pretty tame river, more like a flot come summer.

Mesa Verde National Park is an amazing place that your kids would love.


As I said above, Durango is very kid friendly --

http://www.durango.org/discover-durango/durango-kids

williamscb13

Look into Crested Butte too. It's a little harder to get to but a gorgeous funky laid back town with lots of great hiking and deals!

I think I'm with DebitNM, you should take your month and really explore. Do a few weeks in different places. My college roommate just took her kids on a Colorado trip. They are about your kids ages. Starting in Denver did RMBP, onto a wedding in Colorado Springs but did Pikes Peak, did the Great Sand Dunes, did Mesa Verda and Durango and Silverton. They drove the million dollar highway. They stopped overnight to see me in Crested Butte and into back to the airport to Denver. They had a quick tour and you could spread your days out and really explore.

Colorado is wonderful in the summer.

The saying is, come for the winter and stay for the summer.

Tabernash2

I agree that spending a week in a couple of different places is a good idea. In Colorado, of course. Your children are fine ages for visiting.

Start here: Devil's Thumb Ranch, Tabernash, CO. They have gorgeous cabins with kitchens, if you want to cook. Great restaurants on site, and tons of things for kids to do: easy hiking trails, swimming pool, horses, cows, goats, fishing, etc.

It's in a beautiful setting, where you can see nothing but ranch, for miles. Excellent service. They offer lodging specials throughout the summer, but they are also a very sought-after wedding venue, mostly on weekends. The decor is authentic Old West, with a touch of Ralph Lauren. It's outstanding.

Grand Lake is about 45 minutes away. It's gorgeous.

From there, you could spend a week each, at Steamboat Springs and Aspen.

Tabernash2

PS I should also mention the extremely affordable "bunkhouse" at Devil's Thumb Ranch. It would be great for a family like yours, with three children. There's a large kitchen and eating area, and a large rec room you can use. The bunkhouse rooms have a number of configurations, like two private rooms sharing a bathroom. Or ensuite baths.

http://www.devilsthumbranch.com/accomodations/bunkhouse

Tabernash2

Uh oh, I just read the small print, and Devil's Thumb doesn't allow children under 16 at the bunkhouse. Shoot. Kids ok in the cabins, though they are more expensive. But, it's worth it, if you want to stay at a fabulous mountain ranch.