We are planning to come from the UK during Easter, which coincides with my 40th birthday (eek!), and as well as staying in Denver (thinking the Westminster Westin?) would like to go maybe snowmobiling and just generally some scenic drives. I have been doing some online research but do not really know how feasible this is in April and where would be the best place to stay for a couple of days? Any help would be gratefully appreciated! Thanks!

our first trip to colorado was in April a couple of years ago... it can be any weather imaginable..go to red rocks park in Denver, drive up to Estes, town at Rocky Mtn. Park, we spent a day in Colo. Springs, visited the air force academy, had a picnic at Garden of the Gods, (it was an especially warm 60 degree day) the scenery everywhere we went was breathtaking! Enjoy it.......

I am remembering more.......my teenagers went on an hour long horseback ride that left out of Estes, it still is one of the hilites of all vacations we have taken!

Louise,
Congrats on the big 4-0 (did that myself in August--it really wasn't so bad!). I'm curious why you selected the Westminster Westin...it's in a non-exciting suburb of Denver and not really close to much. We were in Denver this weekend and drove by the Westin today, as a matter of fact. I commented to my husband that the hotel looked out of place in that location. I would suggest changing hotels to something either in downtown Denver or at the Omni in Boulder. Actually, the Omni is only 10 minutes north of the Westin and in the wonderful Boulder/Broomfield area. There's so much to do and it's close to Estes. We prefer the Omni over any other Boulder/Denver hotel--it's just great. Downtown Denver hotels are also plentiful and you'd be in the thick of the action. Please let me know if you'd like other hotel recommendations--after all, a girl only celebrates her 40th birthday once so it needs to be special!

Thank you Pat and Teresa for your replies. I was beginning to think that maybe April wasn't the best time to go to Colorado but I am pretty sure we will be coming now! Regarding the Westin, I believe that the rooms can be obtained very cheaply via Priceline for the quality of the hotel and also it seems, although I have not researched it well, that the hotel is on the right side of Denver for Estes etc? Maybe I am wrong on that point though? We like the idea of a couple of nights in a log cabin and if we could combine that with snowmobiling, that would be great! Any advice on location for snowmobiling and maybe a better placed hotel in Denver would be great - close to the malls would be good as we like to shop too!

Thanks for your help!

Louise,
What is your hotel budget per night? I did a little checking and found some room rates mid-range. All dates April 19-21--the Omni in Boulder $98 per night, downtown Denver Westin $129 per night, downtown Denver Comfort Inn $60 per night and downtown Denver Courtyard $79 per night. Depending on how much time you have, it would be fun to stay in Denver/Boulder two nights and maybe Estes 1-2 nights. Another option is Winter Park--it's the closest ski/winter recreation area to Denver and I'm sure you could find snowmobiling (weather permitting), sledding, etc. there.

I agree that the Westminster location is of no great benefit to you. Choose downtown Denver or Boulder. As for snow mobiling-conditions in the beginning of April are very different from the end of April. There will be snow in the high country, but late in the month, it tends to be slushy. Anyway, a place to consider snow mobiling is Grand Lake, as well as Estes Park. Scenic drives are more difficult in April as you have to stay on the main roads since many will be closed due to snow.Another place to consider is to go to Glenwood Hot Springs. Great place to relax-3 hour drive to Denver. One hour to Aspen from there. Very scenic and fun.

Thanks again for the replies. I think that I will rule out Westminster then. We are looking at coming for 10 nights in total, so I will look at downtown Denver, Boulder (which I have not yet researched) as well as Estes Park. I am now off to research Glenwood Hot Springs now - haven't heard of that one so far, so thanks for that!

Hi Louise, first you do know that Denver is not in the mountains, right? So if your looking for Mtn scenery stay elsewhere.

Glad that you decided against Westminster, no real reason to stay there.

Early April typically brings lots of snow. Most ski resorts will stay open till April 22. In Denver who knows? It was in the 60s here this past weekend. Went bike riding in shorts! Now snow in the forecast.

Glenwood springs is a good idea. Also Grand Lake is huge for snowmobiling. Summit County also has good snowmobiling check out www.summitnet.com for listings.

In Denver I would stay in the LoDo area. It is where you will find lots of resturants, art galleries. very pedesterian freindly town. Good Hotels have been listed on this sit4e, Hotel Monoco, The Brown, The Oxford, Teatro

Boulder is a great town too and close to beautiful areas. Try the Boulderado Hotel. It is on the pedestrian mall with nice shops and again great food.

A site worth checking out is "The Colorado Guide" http://www.coloradoguide.com