Family skiing fun at Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Gunnison-Crested Butte, CO (PRWEB) February 05, 2014
Take winter and spring break fun to the next level, Rocky Mountain-style, in Colorado’s Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley, where total relaxation abounds in towns that are rich in history, charm and things to do. Skiing, snowboarding, dog sledding, horse-drawn sleigh rides, concerts, museums, affordable vacation deals and much more are at families’ disposal. Also check out the jam-packed calendar of events at http://www.gunnisoncrestedbutte.com.
Wallet-Friendly Spring Break & Family Vacations
From now through April 6, 2014, receive 25% off of lodging and lift tickets as well as a $100 airfare credit when flying into the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC). Book a Fly, Ski, Stay & Save package through Crested Butte Vacations and stay at Grand Lodge, Lodge at Mountaineer Square, Elevation Hotel & Spa and various other properties in Mt. Crested Butte. A minimum four-night stay is required and a maximum of four air credits per reservation is allowed (lift ticket purchase is required per air credit). The deal is subject to taxes, fees and availability. Call (800) 810-7669.
Fourteen lodging properties in Gunnison and Almont, located south of Crested Butte, have teamed up with Crested Butte Mountain Resort to offer Gunnison Getaway ski packages for the ultimate lodging and lift ticket vacation value. Prices shown on http://www.gunnisongetaway.com are the lowest available for regular season (Feb. 7 – March 23, 2014) and value season (March 24 – April 6, 2014). Price given is per person, per night and includes lift tickets (based on rates for adult, young adult and children). Rates are based on double occupancy and availability and do not include taxes. Prices start at $49 per adult, per night for lodging and lift ticket during value season and $69 for regular season.
The newly renovated Nordic Inn in Mt. Crested Butte is partnering with Crested Butte Nordic Center to offer lodging and complimentary cross-country ski lessons, rental equipment and trail passes through the Ultimate Nordic Experience package. For only $92 per adult (ages 16 and older), per day, stay in a Signature King room (double occupancy required), enjoy daily breakfast and take a lesson on the first day and explore the more than 55 kilometers of pristine, groomed trails daily. Families can stay in a larger double queen room for an extra $20 per night, and kids 15 and under receive rentals, lessons and trail passes. This offer requires a minimum of two nights lodging and is good from now until April 6, 2014. To book, call 800.542.7669.
Snow Adventures with Animals
Horse-drawn sleigh rides and horseback riding with a stop to warm up with hot cocoa by the fire are offered by Fantasy Ranch Horseback Adventures, beginning and ending at Almont Resort. The one-horse open sleigh is perfect for family outings of up to four adults and two small children, with 30-minute rides available at 10 or 11 a.m. Horseback rides are at 1 p.m. with snow-covered mountains as the perfect backdrop. Go to http://www.fantasyranchoutfitters.com or call (970) 349-5425.
There also is nothing quite like being pulled by a team of dogs in the thick of mountain terrain capped with snow. Dog sledding with Lucky Cat Dog Farm is one of those lifetime experiences not to be missed. Two-hour tours as well as lunch tours are offered. Visit http://www.luckycatdogfarm.com.
Ski Area Fun
Crested Butte Mountain Resort offers fun for all ages, even if you don’t ski! Of course there are plenty of options to cruise all levels of slopes, parks and pipes, and skiing is free for kids age 6 and under. Three new ski trails just for kids will keep even the youngest asking for more. Top-notch skiing and snowboarding instruction for youth and adults is available through CBMR as well as through Adaptive Sports Center for family members with physical and/or cognitive disabilities.
The Adventure Park at CBMR is for all ages with covered miniature golf, bungee trampolines, a rock climbing wall and the CokeZero Gravity BagJump. Plus, there are full moon and daytime snowshoe tours and the Crested Butte Zip Line Tour, a guided adventure that includes five ziplines and three suspended bridges that have been uniquely adapted to be functional in winter.
There’s also child care for the wee ones (beginning at age 2 months), not to mention Kid’s Night Out from 4 – 8 p.m. for ages 4 – 12. Dinner, games and access to the Adventure Park are part of Kid’s Night Out activities. Go to http://www.skicb.com.
The Trailhead Children’s Museum offers hands-on exhibits and programs in the arts, sciences and creative play for children and families and is conveniently located at the base of the ski area. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and other times for special events. Admission costs $6 per person.
Unique Ways to Enjoy Dinner
For really magical experiences, cuddle up under blankets on a sleigh and get pulled by a snowcat for a sleigh ride dinner to Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s mid-mountain Uley’s Cabin. For an equally memorable night, cross-country ski or snowshoe along a trail lit by tiki torches and moonlight to Crested Nordic Center’s Magic Meadows Yurt for a gourmet yurt dinner offered several times throughout winter.
Family-Friendly Nordic Skiing
Enjoy 55 kilometers of groomed Nordic skiing trails at the Crested Butte Nordic Center conveniently located just a few blocks off downtown and on the Mountain Express bus route. In addition to selling trail passes, CBNC offers equipment rental (Nordic skis, snowshoes and ice skates), classic and skate skiing instruction, backcountry adventures and ice skating at no cost on the covered rink. Gunnison Nordic Club also provides high-quality groomed cross-country trails close to Gunnison, including several at Hartman Rocks Multi-Use Recreation Area. Visit http://www.cbnordic.org and http://www.gunnisonnordic.com.
Tap into Culture
At Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum, find out more about the area’s skiing, ranching, mining and mountain biking history and local personalities, watch a working model train handcrafted to look like old-time Crested Butte and schedule a historic walking tour. Nearby, catch a concert, class or art exhibit at Center for the Arts Crested Butte and take in a theatre production presented by Crested Butte Mountain Theatre.
Gunnison Getaway
Families and winter sports enthusiast who look for a value ski vacation will enjoy the many lodging, dining and activity options. Buses run run several times daily between the city of Gunnison and the towns of Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte, making it easy to get around the entire valley and at no cost.
Enjoy a day at the Gunnison Recreation Center’s entire facility for only $4 for kids ages 5 – 17 and $6 for adults; kids under 5 are no cost. There is an indoor pool with slides, rock climbing wall, gym, gymnastics room and game room. At Jorgensen Park, there are three sheets of ice: an indoor NHL-size rink located at the Jorgenson Event Center; Shades for Blades outdoor Olympic-size covered rink; and Pacman Pond, ideal for young children. Skate rentals are available at the Event Center, and there is no cost to use the outdoor rink and pond. For information, visit http://www.gunnisonrec.com.
Don’t miss stopping by the Gunnison Arts Center for entertainment, exhibits and classes.
Vacation Packages & Visitor Information
To save on flights, hotel rooms, vacation packages, car rentals and more, call the Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association reservation hotline at (888) 559-0841 or go to http://book.GunnisonCrestedButte.com. For destination information, call (800) 814-8893, go to http://www.VisitGCB.com or find GCBTA on Facebook.
