I am starting to look for a place for our next family reunion. I found YMCA of the Rockies, and it looks pretty good. We will have between 25-50 people coming from all over US. If you have stayed here or have any thoughts on it, please let me know.

Since I live here obviously I have not stay there BUT have known a number of people who have use the Y just for that purpose and have been very pleased with it.

We have traveled the world and the YMCA of the Rockies is one of the best places we have stayed. We have returned for 39 years! The family reunion cabins are fabulous and different cabins can hold different amount of families. There are also lodges. But, the wonderful housing is only the beginning. There are so many activities for every age group and most are free. Go on the website and look at the program schedule. To top this all off, the YMCA of the Rockies is surrounded on three sides by the beautiful snow topped peaks of the Rocky Mountain National Park. You can hike into the Park from the Y Camp. There is everything from horse back riding to mini golf to a wonderful new craft center. There are restaurants and cafeterias, concert halls, conference centers, indoor swimming pool, a museum, a library, a post office, sand volleyball courts, basketball etc. You will not be dissapointed and maybe like us and so many others you will have 5 generations visiting the Y.

We have been going to the YMCA in Estes Park for 10 years. We LOVE it! There are so many things to do that no one ever gets bored. My kids are 8 and 5 and they have no trouble finding things to do. The staff is cordial and willing to make your stay comfortable. Everything is easily accesible and user-friendly. We love to hike, but there is so much more to do right on site, from the craft center (a huge favorite for our kids), to the library (it has a great selection of both adult and kids books), to the stables, to Sweet Memorial where all the programs meet up. Days can be as full or as relaxing as you want them to be. I highly recommend it!

I was introduced to the Y of the Rockies when our son got a summer job there several years ago. It is a great family place and I don't think you will be disappointed. Can't beat the scenery.

I would echo some of the comments here. Nice place, would be good for a reunion. I've only used their stable for a horse ride once, but the Y looked like a nice spot for a large group. There are certainly enough activities on site and in the immediate area to keep most people happy.

I do find it *odd* that there are 2 glowing reviews within a 3 minute span from first time posters.

Yes! Loved it. A great reunion place and as said above, the scenery can't be matched.

Cousins of ours have gone for years and absolutely LOVE it. As for first time posters and the implication of advertising, I assure you there is no need to advertise. I think it is a lottery, isn't it?

We have visited the YMCA of the Rockies at least 3 times (March, October, December) a year in the past 12 years. Once we get there, we park our car and never move it again until it's time to leave. I agree with ALL the comments and would add that everything is FREE except horseback riding and your craft supplies that you use in the new craft building. The only regret that we ever have is that we have to leave and we never get snowed in. BTW we live in Colorado Springs.

Note that the Snow Mountain Ranch branch is on the west, near Winter Park and Tabernash, Lake Granby, Grand Lake, etc. The other YMCA is on the east side, just outside the RMNP boundaries. I've stayed at both places; the facilities are different between the two places (for example, one has pool, the other not), and the time of year can make a big difference (Snow Mt. Ranch would be better in the winter for their trail system and closeness to downhill), especially in making reservations. MOST things are free (swimming at RM, roller skating at SMR), but not everything.

As sylvia points out, there are two YMCA of the Rockies facilities: one near Tabernash (called Snow Mountain Ranch) and one in Estes Park. We have spent lots of time at Snow Mountain Ranch and love it there. They have relatively new family reunion lodges. But, they fill up a couple of years in advance for reunion events. Contact them ASAP.

We have stayed at the YMCA of the Rockies as a family (12+guests) many times and have always stayed in a cabin. All of the above posts are correct in my experience. However, a family experience is probably not the same as a reunion experience of 25-30. The Y runs a "Family Reunion University" weekend for the head planner(s) of a reunion. It would be very worthwhile to do it. You could see the facility, examine the varied types of accommodations, eat in the different eating facilities, experience the various "fun" stuff, and in general get a feel for the place as a whole. I have copied from a newsletter: Family Reunion University is a weekend full of advice, creative ideas and planning tips from the pros. There are two dates to choose from: October 23-25, 2009 at Snow Mountain Ranch or November 13–15, 2009 at Estes Park Center. Click here to learn more, and see sample agendas. Call 800–777–9622 with questions or to sign up! 2 nights lodging, classes and 5 meals are all included for only $100/person." Both camps Snow Mountain Ranch and Estes Park Center are wonderful. Our experience is with EPC in summer and SMR in winter--but you will have a great time at either. Their website is: ymcarockies.org. Someone above mentioned reservations by lottery. Yes. I believe, though, family reunions are handled differently; but still hard to get a reservation in "prime" times.

All the comments below are correct except that BOTH the Snow Mountain Ranch Center of the YMCA of the Rockies AND the Estes Park Center have indoor swimming pools. Also, in the winter both have indoor roller skating. Also to the person that wrote that I was a first timer - that is because I just found the site and would naturally try to find if my favorite place was mentioned!

Family reunions can always book a place and there is no "lottery" system for that. Also, conferences can make a booking for the time they want. Families should just call and see if there is an opening. The Y camps are very popular and Y members do have first choice early in the year, but then everything opens up to the general public. Give the Y a call because there are many new lodges and cabins so you can see if they have a room or cabin on the date you want to go.

Snow Mountain Ranch also has an indoor climbing wall our kids loved. Great crafts program, too. Miniature golf, both indoors and outdoors. Lots of fun things to do for families there year-round. Their Nordic center has always been a favorite of ours, too. We have inspected their large family lodges, which are rather new, and quite nice. Not sure if they sleep 16 or so, with a huge kitchen and gathering room. I can highly recommend Snow Mountain Ranch, unless you want more a "spa/resort" experience. Because it's very low-key and comfortable.