Ski resort after Gaylord

Question

Hello,

My wife has a conference at the Gaylord property mid February. We decided to make it a family trip with our 3 and 4 year old. We will stay at Gaylord for 3 nights and can either extend for the other 2 nights or relocate. Though we don't ski, we were considering staying at a ski resort in the surrounding areas for something different. Would love some recommendations within 1.5-2 hours of Denver. Seems to be a pretty pricey weekend so wanted some feedback before making a decision. We would likely do a simple activity each day and then enjoy the property that we are at.

Thanks in advance!

Answer

If you’re considering extending your Colorado trip after the Gaylord conference and want a family-friendly ski resort experience without actually skiing, there are several options within 1.5–2 hours of Denver that provide scenic mountain settings and winter activities suitable for young children.

Recommended Ski Resort Areas

Arapahoe Basin / Loveland / Keystone: About 1–1.5 hours from Denver. While known for skiing, many resorts offer snow tubing, sledding hills, and beginner areas where families can enjoy snow play. Keystone in particular has a Kidtopia program with interactive activities and kid-friendly events.
Winter Park: Approximately 1.5–2 hours from Denver. Offers tubing hills and snow play areas for children. The town itself has family-friendly restaurants and shops, plus scenic chairlift rides that don’t require skiing.
Breckenridge: Around 2 hours from Denver. Even if you’re not skiing, you can explore the historic downtown, ride the Breckenridge Gondola for mountain views, and enjoy snow tubing or sleigh rides. Many resorts have short walks to restaurants, making it manageable with young children.

Family-Friendly Activities Without Skiing

Snow tubing hills – many ski resorts have dedicated areas with magic carpets for easy access.
Gondola or scenic chairlift rides – safe for toddlers with supervision, providing mountain views without skiing.
Winter playgrounds / snowman building – resorts often have areas for free play in the snow.
Short nature walks or beginner snowshoe trails – suitable for toddlers if you bring a sled or stroller for young ones.

Tips for Planning

Book accommodations early, as mid-February is peak ski season and rates can be high. Lodging with easy access to activities is best if you have young children.
Check resort websites for kid-specific programs or rentals, like sleds or snow boots, to minimize what you need to bring.
If budget is a concern, consider staying slightly outside the main resort towns to find lower nightly rates while still being close to activities.
Keep daily schedules light – one or two short activities per day plus time at the property is ideal for toddlers.

Overall, a short stay at a nearby ski resort can give your family the “mountain experience” without skiing, offering fun snow activities, scenic views, and cozy lodging within a reasonable drive from Denver.

Ski resort after Gaylord

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