You may want to rethink Estes Park. My brother lives in Colorado. One place we didn't make it to, that he wanted us to stay at is the YMCA of the Rockies. Many of his friends have recommended it because of its great family programs. Worth a look.

I suggest Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. I also think you should reconsider Estes Park. What are you looking for your little ones to do?

If you can figure a way to get from the Denver airport to the Denver Amtrak station before 8AM, you can take the California Zephyr to Winter Park/Fraser. The fare is less than $30/adult.
Children under 5 ride free.
The other ski slope that is easy to get to is Aspen by way of Glenwood Springs.

Agreed. With only 3 days in Estes Park, you won't have to work that hard to find stuff to do. There's a snow play area in Rocky Mountain National Park which is very modest but probably fine for 2.5 year olds, basically just a very small hill and open area for sledding. You can rent a little sled in town or buy one. Same goes for snowshoes, you can rent those in town and go where you want.

You could look into Winter Park as well, it's on the western side of Rocky Mountain National Park, there's a YMCA there too.

Otherwise, you could also look into Salt Lake City and the mountains nearby.

Estes Park may work well for your needs, even if it is kind of sleepy there at that time of year. It's easy to get to from the Denver airport, and you should be able to find lodging at great prices.

If you want to consider going further into the Colorado mountains, then you could look at some towns that are near ski resorts, such as Frisco or Dillon. The lodging prices may be more than you want to pay, but less than staying IN Vail or Breckenridge, but there will be many outdoor activities, if you want them. Sleigh rides, sledding, cross-country skiing (the places have little sleds that the kids can ride in, pulled by the parents), ice skating and of course downhill skiing if you'd like. I'm not familiar with Estes Park, that may all be available there, too. To get to Frisco or Dillon, if you want transportation while you're there, you'd need a rental car and to drive on I-70. They do a really good job of keeping that highway clear and open, so unless you hit a snowstorm, it will probably be ok to drive on.

Winter Park is kind of just the resort, unless you have a rental car when you're there - which you wouldn't if you managed to take the train. Getting from the airport to the train station, before 8 am, with two toddlers, is not something I would choose to do. To drive to Winter Park, you would need to drive on I-70, then go over Berthoud Pass on a smaller road. You may or may not be comfortable with that. Lodging would be more affordable here than Frisco or Dillon, but also less to do.

The best bet would be to stay at a resort but to save money I agree with a condo at Frisco or Dillon. LOTS of choices and an easy drive to ski resorts for playing in the snow, sleigh rides, etc. Rental car is the way to go. If you WANTED to, you could take one of the van shuttles from the airport to your location but that's a long ride in a van with other people and I'd prefer to be in my own car, especially with little ones.

Not a condo but this would be a wonderful place to stay if they allow young children - http://www.allairetimbers.com/

One of my favorite places. We stayed in one of the suites with hot tub and fireplace, but with little ones you should be on the lower floor. Plenty of room to play in the snow outside the inn and a short walk into town.

Thanks everyone. Will look at Estey's Park more closely then.

So it looks like we'll definitely have a rental car. So far the plan is, if we do head to Denver, that we'll stay in Denver for 2 nights to aclimatize then head to Estey's Park. Although that second day we wanted to rent a car for a day and head to Vail just for the day, return the car and rent another one the following day for the rest of the trip.

The train sounds like a lovely plan since the boys are really into trains right now but getting to the station with all our luggage for before 8 am sounds like a terrible thing - especially with twins.

podams, we're reserving Yellowstone for a summer trip when they are about 4ish. We love that place!

Yosemite rentals are looking about the same as Estey's ($250ish/night for a 2 bedroom house/cabin + tax and cleaning fee) but the airfare looks significantly more per person flying in to Fresno, Oakland, or even SFO.

How about Virginia? Or Montana? Connecticut? Just wanted to see where else we could go.

Sorry, trigger finger this morning, I also meant to add that we'll be visiting Colorado a lot in the coming years once the boys can start taking ski classes so that's why I wanted to go "somewhere else".

Thanks!

Virginia and Connecticut do not always have white Christmases. Posters have suggested ski resorts because they will be open and can make snow.

You will waste lots of time if you rent a car, return it, and rent another one the next day.

There's a good outdoor train museum just outside Denver.

Yeah, there's really no point in renting a car for a day, returning it and renting another car the next day.

You could take the train as a day trip from Denver, and return there for the 2nd night. That way you could leave all your luggage in the room but you'd still have to be at the station early. It is in downtown so you can find hotels very nearby.

Montana has reliably good snow but is more difficult to get to with airline connections.

I think a REALLY big thing to think about is that this is for snow PLAY, with very young children, AND you will want to be near your lodging in order for the little ones to go in and warm up and dry off, snack and rest. They will tire out quickly at the altitude. Ski areas have these places, but they are usually crowded with skiers doing the same thing, and very expensive to get the kids things to eat and drink--plus just getting a space.
There would be NO reason to rent and re-rent a car. Rent it at the airport and use it the entire time.
Denver has a lot of things for the kids to do--museum, zoo, aquarium (maybe). Along the south end of denver there is dinosaur Ridge to view dinosaur tracks, etc. Morrison has a little museum/exhibition for dinosaurs.
I think you also might want to consider how much drive time you will have from an airport--especially Yosemite. That's a little bit of a hike.
Estes Park is VERY near, lots to do and see.
Also, the weather can be a factor as far as moving from place to place. but you can't know that until that week.

Here is a little train ride in Georgetown which is not far into the mountains and might be a nice day trip. There is also a gold mine there, but not sure it is open in the winter.

http://georgetownlooprr.com/schedule-fares

In the list of alternatives, you might consider Vancouver.

Grouse Mountain is located immediately north of the city and is very easy as a day (or part-day) trip; the view of downtown Vancouver from the top of the Grouse Mountain gondola is quite famous. In addition to skiing, there are numerous activities for kids - sleigh rides, etc. http://www.grousemountain.com/

Then, when you're done, it's just back down to sea level and into one of the world's most enjoyable cities. Late December will probably be wet in Vancouver, but there's so much to do - one of the best aquariums in the world, a great Chinatown and historic district, the Granville Island market, shopping, great restaurants... no shortage of things to do and sights to see. Accommodations in the city would be more plentiful, and probably cheaper than in some resort during that peak-of-peaks week.

You could also fly into Seattle and take the train to Vancouver (around four hours and very scenic). Airfare tends to be cheaper to Seattle, and the kids (and their parents) might enjoy the train ride too. If you returned to Seattle by the 31st, the annual New Years Eve celebration at the Space Needle is really terrific.

One of the best experience we had in snow at a National Park was in Sequoia NP. They have several "snow play" areas and they do rent sleds too. We were there during the last week of the year.

Was thinking of just renting a car from the hotel (they have a location in the marriott by the convention center from what I recall from my last visit). I didn't want to have to pay for parking. I'll check it out. If drop off fees are not too much from downtown to the airport, I may keep the car. Don't want to pay for parking and it sitting in the parking garage for a day if we rent from the time we get there though.

Gretchen, the train is a great idea! The boys are into Thomas the tank engine at the moment although I don't know how long the enthusiasm will last at 2 1/2 yrs old for a full day trip?

I think Estes is looking like the best option. I just wanted to see if anyone has other suggestions I should consider.

Thanks! Keep the suggestions coming please!

I've rented in downtown Denver and returned to the airport several times and never had a drop-off. The bigger issue would be how are you getting from the airport to the hotel with 2 kids and all your luggage? A cab from the airport to downtown with 4 people would probably be at least $60.

You don't have to park at the hotel and pay their inflated prices. We've stayed right off the 16th street mall and instead of paying $28/night to park at the hotel, we parked in a ramp for $5-10/day about 2 blocks away. There were no in/out privileges but you don't really need a car to get around in downtown, so that might work for you.

But yes, if you can find a good rental price and pick up/drop off right at your hotel for the day that is easy enough.

I would suspect lodging on the 31st would be somewhat pricey.

You could also look at going to Minnesota. Fly into Minneapolis/St. Paul, then head to the North Shore of Lake Superior, or somewhere else in northern Minnesota. There's a smaller ski hill in Duluth, and Lutsen has a larger ski resort with 3 mountains (although what they call mountains is nothing like the Rockies). Plenty of kid activities including dog sledding, definitely something different than where you've been before.
http://www.caribouhighlands.com/

No national parks along the North Shore but there are 7 state parks.

You can use the car IN Denver--to drive to the zoo, to drive to the museum. Take your day trip FROM Denver to the railroad and then go to Estes Park. You have a lot of people AND equipment (car seats?) to get TO the hotel. Are you bringing a stroller? The hotels in Denver don't usually run shuttles to and from the airport to my knowledge.
Minnesota may be excruciatingly cold. Colorado will be also. Be prepared for that with everyone.
I think you are really going to have to think about these little ones' attention spans with a lot of these activities. Just trying to be realistic.

Gretchen, yes, I know . Why I wanted a cabin so they can go in and out to play in the snow. I figured if we go to RMNP, we'll be close enough to the cabins to get back and get back out again later to. The one I'm looking at is close to the entrance. I'm not sure I want to take them to the zoo or the museum. We have a zoo membership here in Houston and go just about every other weekend. Same with the children's museum. I wanted them to see more of the outdoors - perhaps that dinosaur suggestion with the footprints.

WhereAreWe - Good tip for the parking. On that note, it will probably equal out in price and it will save me time. Yes, they do shuttles from the hotel to the airport. That's what I've always done - for about $13 but we need to balance out convenience and price overall. Also, I really like that suggestion for Minnesota. Is it really windy there - like Chicago windy? I don't mind the cold but the wind and cold is another story.

So talking to my hubby so far, we're thinking if we do end up doing Denver, we can fly in and spend a day in Denver. The next day take a day trip to vail to see the town decorated, have lunch, hang out then head back in time for an afternoon nap for the boys. Then the next day head to Estes Park.

Will look at Minnesota to see what options are available at Lake Superior area.

You could do the railroad on the way to Vail.
The museum in Denver I was talking about was the Museum of Natural History or the Art Museum. I dislike the Children's museum in Denver--it's a pay for play room, in my opinion.
I don't know first hand, but Breckenridge might be cuter for Christmas decorations than Vail. And a little closer. Maybe someone can comment on that that has seen them this year.
Vail is a wall of shops and restaurants at the bottom of the mountain and will be decorated I'm sure. Breck is a mountain, and then a cute town all its own.

The Colorado Railroad Museum is in Golden, CO. My train fanatic is now 15, and he remembers this museum from when he was a little guy.

I don't think it's as windy as Chicago. But as with everywhere, it depends on the weather that day. I've gone to Estes Park in winter and spring and when it's windy there, it's pretty brutal. To the point that my friends wouldn't even get out of the car in some areas.

You could also look at the Ely area, it's inland and in the middle of a national forest so that helps keep the wind down. Or somewhere along the Gunflint Trail (it's a highway, not a trail), which starts at Grand Marais about 20 minutes north of Lutsen.

http://www.gunflint-trail.com/things-to-do/winter/

Gretchen, so get on the car to the railroad location, do a small trip (how long, do you know?) then get back on the car and on the way to vail? I've been to both vail and breckenridge as a day trip maybe 4 yrs ago and as I remember that, Vail's center area was less exposed and a little bigger than Breckenridge with a little stream, etc? Am I remembering that correctly? Maybe we can head to vail and stop by Breckenridge on the way back? I really do like the train idea...

WhereAreWe - It's 3 hours to Duluth...hmmm. Been to Minneapolis during spring and I love that city but a bit too far for the outdoors. Gunflint looks beautiful but it's 4 hours away!

Sleigh rides sounds good though!

Well, Yosemite is at least 3 hours from San Francisco so I figured that was within your acceptable driving distance.

Duluth is only 2.5 hours, but yes, Lutsen/Gunflint Trail is about a 4 hour drive from Minneapolis.

Vail is a "planned" community at the base of Vail mountain. I don't quite know what you mean by "less exposed". It's just a "street". We loved it when we skiied there--for skiing. We went back for a dinner recently and were quite A-Mazed at the development. If you want to see shops, etc., I think it would be fine.
Breckenridge is a cute little town--I just think it "might" be more Christmassy, less commercial, cuter, etc etc. Even Frisco might be cute. I certainly wouldn't do both. And I am sure Estes Park proper will be nicely decorated, and it is a cute little town. if you want to go to Vail, just to go to Vail, then I think that is fine.
You can look at the train schedule and see what will fit into a day. It's only an hour train ride.
The railroad museum sounds like a GREAT idea.
OH, and there is a butterfly pavilion in Westminster, just on the outskirts of Denver. It is a LOT of fun for little ones--and me!! Westminster is on the way to Boulder--and maybe on the same side of town as Golden.
Another fun thing is the Celestial Seasonings Tea tour in Boulder. Lots of aromas for little ones.

I just mean that the main walking area of Vail has shops all around while Breckenridge is a street lined with houses turned into shops - I guess that the street is wider and there are cars while in Vail it's more of a "park your car at the garage and walk between shops" In any case, both sounds nice. We may check out both. Thanks!

You are definitely going to park your car at vail (for good money too!!) and walk and walk. It is parking deck now. But I imagine that was how it was when you went. It was new to me. May be something to consider with the babes.

Other factors to consider when doing a day trip to Vail and/or Breckenridge. It will be a 2-hour trip one-way to Vail. Breck is 9 miles south of I-70, so that would add about 20 minutes each way from I-70. And time your return so you're not driving back when the skiiers are heading back to Denver after a day of skiing, so you avoid getting stuck in traffic.

As already pointed out, parking rates in Vail are sky-high - I think $20 (maybe $25?). You can park for free in town in Breck. But you're right about the layout, Vail is car-free in the center part, and Breck is not. Both towns have a gondola; I'm not sure whether non-skiiers can ride free or not, but it's something to check out. The stream in the middle of Vail (there's a river in the middle of Breck, too) will be all or mostly snowed in and/or frozen over.

Another possibility, that is open in the winter, is a visit to a mine. The one I'm most familiar with is Country Boy Mine, just outside of Breckenridge. You should research whether there are mines closer to Estes Park.

Looks like the Georgetown railroad only runs in the summer.

Really? I looked and they have a Santa train. I think they change the engine in winter--that was the thing I found--it would be pulled by a diesel after October. But it does need to be checked--which was why I originally looked and posted because I thought it might be just summer.
If they didn't go to Vail and jjust to Breck, it would only be about an hour and a half trip.
I doubt the gondola is free for non-skiers but there is a restaurant at the top which might be fun (at least, used to be!!)

More ideas:
Portland/Mt. Hood
Seattle/Mt. Ranier or Olympic National Park
LA or San Diego/Bear Mountain/Big Bear Lake
Las Vegas/Brian Head in Utah, close to Bryce
Phoenix/Arizona Snowbowl outside Flagstaff

You've got almost a year before your trip, might as well consider everything.

I suggested Vancouver upthread but it sounds like it's going to be Colorado.

Hi Gardyloo. No, not yet. Still looking at options. Just hadn't had time to google each suggestion. Thanks for yours!

The only place for you is Smugglers Notch, Vermont. We are in FLA and skiied there for three winter trips from my sons age of 3-5. Once he was six and could no longer take free lessons there we go out west.
They have all that you are looking for and the adult skiing is whatever you need from beginner bunny slopes to expert cliff skiing. One year we visited Boston. Another we went through the Adirondacks, Lake Placid and another we flew into NYC and drove up there.
Smuggs exceeded our expectations. We visited in January and February on our trips so not sure what you would find in December. I believe they are busy during the holiday season but with the village atmospher you wont have any problems for quality family time. They have sledding, snowshoeing, skating, swimmming pool and a great kids play area with bounce house activities. I have never worked for them, don't own stock or have any ties to the area. I just think it is the greatest winter place on earth for families with young children.

Vail is much easier with small children than Breckinridge because of the pedestrian only areas in Vail Village and Lionshead. The children can walk freely without constantly having to hold mom and dad's hands or be in a stroller. At the end of the Covered Bridge Street is a small playground behind the last building. The playground might be snow covered but it's a quiet spot to let the kids play in the snow. Also, you can ride the gondola in Lionshead up to mid Vail for free after 2pm. At the top of the gondola, you'll find an ice skating rink and snow tubing, a restaurant and a place to get hot chocolate. A free shuttle bus runs between Vail village and Lionshead.

Smuggler's Notch is a great suggestion but don't know if it fits your budget.

Hi folks. sorry disappeared for a bit. was waiting to get tickets and we just did. we did decide on denver. so leaving on 12/26 and returning on 1/1. was able to book embassy suites convention center for the first 2 nights and was in the process of booking this 2 bedroom log ranch home in a 2 acre property about 1.5 miles from the entrance to RMNP and the town when I started looking at average snowfall. It says that becuase estes park is in the sunnier side of the great divide, that whatever snow they get melts right away and the snow really only keeps at the higher elevation and that what they do get are gale force winds in december (40mph). I was kind of hoping we can just open the door to the cabin and let the boys out for awhile, then back in to warm up by the fireplace, and back out again. On top of that, the wind sounds terrible. Is that true that they don't accumulate much snow in late december there? Has anyone experienced estes park in late december?

http://www.vrbo.com/429211?cid=E_inquiryconfirmation-pay_DB_T_20130202_propid_text_LOTH_2&utm_source=DB&utm_medium=email&utm_term=20130202&utm_content=propid_text_t_loth2&utm_campaign=inquiryconfirmation


this is what we're looking to rent for 4 nights, btw. should we look at another town now? any advice would be great. the whole point was for the boys to play in the snow...

The snow in Colorado isn't normally the type you make snowballs or snowmen out of. It's a very dry snow, mainly good for sledding, skiing, boarding. I think this year they haven't received much snow, so you never really know for sure. Heck, you might even consider waiting to go there until the summer, take a hike in the higher elevation of RMNP and let them play in the snow there(there will be snow there in July).
Another "must do" spot with kids this age is Great Sand Dunes in Colorado, IMOP. It is best around the 1st of June, because the creek is running at that time.

I would look for a condo in Breckenridge. The one we rented one time would have the ability to do what you are describing. While the description of Vail's lack of car traffic is correct, the walk is just up and down a street of shops and restaurants. Breck has sidewalks!!
I am still a bit leery of these tykes being really young for this--it is COLD COLD.
In Denver take them to the Museum of Natural History and maybe even the Denver Art museum for the Indian exhibits. Denver folks, what's the kitschy Mexican restaurant that kids LOVE--Buena? OP, it has a show, the food is passably good, and not very expensive.
another place for taking kids to dinner is White Fence Farm--good family style food, has a little exhibit, slide, entertainment.

Are you thinking of Casa Bonita?

Yes, that's it. Fortunately we have aged out of it, but for little kids it is good entertainment.

Enough talk about Colorado. Here's the map to look at. http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/news/what-are-chances-you-will-have-white-christmas
If you go to West Yellowstone MT, you have a 90% chance of seeing some snow. You have 100% chance of seeing Old Faithful and other thermal attractions.
You also have a good chance of seeing snow at Hoodoo on the Santiam Pass on US 20 in Oregon.

Tom, did you miss the buying of tickets to Denver already. There IS snow in Colorado. They will have a good time.

. Yes, we've already booked the tickets.

Thanks Gretchen. Casa Bonita sounds like fun for the kids. Is it something like the rainforest cafe but with a mexican theme vs a rainforest theme?

So I've seen a couple more cabins for $50 more a night ($300/night). One just south of Breck (but without a hot tub) and one on Grand Lake (with a hot tub).

What do you all think? Been to Estes before and we approached RMNP that way but not through the west entrance. Will there more likely to have snow there late December (Grand Lake)? How about south of Breckenridge? I can't decide, help!

Here are the 2 cabins:

Grand Lake: http://www.vrbo.com/162358
Just sout of Breckenridge:

Sorry, here's the breckenridge area cabin. http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p438007vb

Spiro, I agree. I love the dunes but wanted snow for the boys. Been there and plan to take the kids there, perhaps when thwy're older.

Tom, Yellowstone/Grand Tetons is one of those trips that are top 5 for the boys. We think when they turn 4 and in the summer. When we were there last, we took an overnight kayaking trip to Grass Island with an outfitter and there was a family with 2 older girls and a 4 year old boy. The 4 year actually got in the kayak with his dad and paddled having no experience at all. Thought that was a really great thing. He thoroughly enjoyed himself. Why we want to wait till they are 4 to go visit. Not to mention the parks are more accessible during the summer time.

also, does anyone know if the road from breckenridge to grand lake or RMNP during winter is open? is it a difficult drive?