Let’s be clear — I am not a fan of roughing-it kind of camping. I’m well past the days of pitching a tent and sleeping on the ground. While my adult children and grandchildren still like the Colorado outdoorsy camping trips, I’m more of a glamping kind of girl. The perfect compromise is a stay in one of the 24 Snow Mountain Ranch Yurts, and here are 7 reasons why I loved it — and you will too! And you can also virtually experience a YMCA vacation.
7 Reasons Why You Should: Colorado Glamping at YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch Yurts
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There are so many reasons to love your family vacation in a yurt at Snow Mountain Ranch, Granby, Colorado. From its location in the Colorado Rockies to camping without the work to so many things to do, once you settle into your yurt, you’re going to LOVE your family time together.
YMCA Virtual Vacation
For those still under stay-at-home orders during COVID-19 in 2020, or if your family would like to preview their YMCA vacation, here are a few great options for a virtual vacation at both Snow Mountain in Granby:
The YMCA of the Rockies staff is known for its robust activity programming and recently launched some brand new FREE at-home programming (YMCA of the Rockies at Home). The programs are designed to feed the body, soul, and mind of guests, friends, and followers — before they even arrive. These creative options can help build fun experiences while staying home.
At-Home Programs include:
- Cowboy Brad singalongs
- Flower Creations
- Music and Storytime
- Online Yoga and Bootcamp
- Earth Day, April 22 (or any day): Make Your Own Compost video and Pinecone Bird Feeder.
Other at-home activities offered by the YMCA of the Rockies are: Rocky Mountain inspired coloring pages, landscape timelapse photography tutorial, flower painting creations, virtual walking tour (app), and so much more here.
Because it’s Not Camping – it’s Glamping!
What is glamping and why is it so awesome? Glamping is camping, but even better. There’s no tent to pitch, no sleeping bag to unroll, no fire to build (well you might have to gather sticks and start the fire).
Although we’re not talking high-end luxury (as in butler and maid service), glamping is a way to experience the great outdoors without sacrificing the amazing things about being outdoors. Like twinkling stars, roasting marshmallows on an open firepit, and hanging out with the family. And that’s just the beginning of all the reasons why you’re going to love settling into the YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch yurts.
But whether camping or glamping, in a cabin or pitching a tent, don’t forget the bug spray, and go snag this ultimate cabin camping checklist.
YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch Yurts are located in Colorado!
Family vacations are awesome, but I think they are even better when you bring your family to Colorado! Maybe I’m prejudiced since I’m based in this great state. But seriously, this is God’s country!
The yurts at YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch are located in the Rocky Mountains near Winter Park. Your yurt vacation will be a quick and scenic 2-hour drive from Denver. We’re talking year-round adventure mecca with easy access to recreation and backcountry wilderness. Your backdrop is a scenic and genuine “Colorado Rockies” with lots of outdoor activities year-round. And you’re just a short drive from Rocky Mountain National Park.
Your “yard” at Snow Mountain Ranch is literally more than 5,000 acres, and with a stay at one of the yurt villages, you’ll feel like your camping with the trees edging your “back door” and taking in the continuous view of the surrounding Rocky Mountains.
Read More: Affordable Family Vacations at YMCA of the Rockies
You Don’t Have to Pitch a Tent!
What is a yurt? A modern-day yurt is a free-standing, enclosed, round “tent” with roof beams and (oftentimes) a window. YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch offers a total of 24 yurts in two yurt villages. We stayed at the new Schlessman Family Yurt Village. The yurts are really quite roomy – 20 feet in diameter or 314 square feet with one handicap accessible yurt (with a ramp) in each yurt village.
You Don’t Have to Sleep on the Ground!
The yurts sleep up to 6 guests inside with a tent pad for outside sleeping for additional 2 guests — and just like camping should be, dogs are welcome to join the family. No sleeping bags needed as inside the yurt you’ll find one queen bed, 2 bunk beds, a table and chairs, Mini-refrigerator, and microwave. Say hello to late-night popcorn, right?
And even better no schlepping your way to those oftentimes-not-so-nice campground community bathrooms and showers. What I loved about the Snow Mountain Ranch is that their yurt villages offer private and lockable bathrooms with showers (camping with HOT showers, really!?). No, they are not INSIDE the yurts, but it’s only a short walk.
The facilities also offer sinks for washing dishes, drinking water, and the original yurt village (Mac and Shirley Burgher Yurt Village) has a laundry facility.
Family Time Well Spent Gathering Around the Firepit.
And you don’t have to build a firepit. Each yurt includes a cement pad with a picnic table, grill, and a firepit. Save time and get down to family time, roasting marshmallows, sipping on adult beverages.
So Much to Do at Snow Mountain Ranch.
With so many things to do in and around Snow Mountain Ranch, you’ll run out of time before you can even begin to do it all. Discover plenty of things to do in and around your yurts at YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch.
With a huge selection of activities, most included at no cost for overnight guests, everyone in the family will find something to do including soaring down a summer tubing hill, indoor and outdoor archery, climbing walls or even a guided hike with a llama.
Family-Friendly, Fun AND Affordable
Are you ready for the best part? Yurts are very affordable — just $99 per night? Those coveted reservations sell out quickly. Cabins are available with 2, 3, or 4-bedrooms and are fully furnished (most are pet-friendly, too). Book online here or by phone at 888-613-9622. Members of the YMCA of the Rockies can book their cabins for summer and fall earlier.
Updated 5/1/2020
Seems like an awesome place to make some family memories! Thanks for sharing!
These Colorado yurts look amazing! Thanks for sharing!!
I’m so with you!! No rough camping for me! But I’d love to stay in a yurt- unique accomodations are so appealing to me right now- definitely would look into this more!!
I have never been keen on camping but I realised that it is so much fun for the kids so to compromise, I’ll take inspiration from here and go for a glamping. It sounds like the right compromise and the accommodation at YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch looks so cosy.
This looks SO FUN! We are going to Estes Park, CO in July, but now I see this experience and wish we could do it too! Major vacation inspiration after reading this article…
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