Another interesting feature are the slides going into the water.  If we were in Florida, we would know that those are alligator slides and we would beware.  These slides looked the same and there was evidence that the beaver had been using the slides to drag the trees into the water and to their building area.  If you want to see active beaver dams, I suggest you come to Snow Mountain and take a hike to see the wonder of it all.

This summer, we’ll have massage therapy provided by Homegrown Yoga and Massage to help with the aches and pains that come with exploring the great outdoors.  Homegrown Yoga and Massage will provide state-of-the-art massage therapy services in a serene mountain cabin, located on-grounds at Estes Park Center.   Swedish massage, deep tissue, foot and hot stone treatments will be available; whether you have a sore back, tight hamstrings or just want to feel better, massage can help you restore balance and improve your health.  Learn more here.  Massages will be available Monday through Saturday, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm.  Prices start at $40 for a 30 minute session. To schedule an appointment, please call 303-448-1616, ext. 4101.

Yoga classes will be offered nearly every day from late May through mid-October at Estes Park Center.  All classes are FREE to guests, members and staff of YMCA of the Rockies.  If you are staying off-grounds but would like to participate, there is a $15 program fee.  Please bring a mat if you have one; we have limited mats available.  Learn more here or call the Program Office at 303-448-1616 ext. 1104 for class times and locations.

New to yoga?  Been practicing your Warrior pose for years?  We have three different classes available to suit all abilities:

Multi-level Yoga class:  This is an energizing, faster paced class that focuses on strengthening, increasing flexibility and integrating the entire body, mind, and spirit.  In this class participants need to be comfortable with forward bends, downward dog, and some simple inversions.   An integrative approach is used drawing on a number of yogic traditions.   The class is taught at a beginner level but more intermediate and advanced postures are offered for those who can do them.  Participants are encouraged to practice at their own level.  Class ends with a deep relaxation helping you to feel both relaxed and renewed.

Senior Yoga class:  in this class we will not be doing any fast up and down movements and the emphasis is on joint mobilization as well as increasing flexibility and strength gradually.  Some poses will be taught standing using a wall when necessary and some poses will be taught sitting on the floor or a yoga block.  We will avoid the leg lunges and up/down/standing forward bend movements that are more challenging for the aging body.  Class will begin with a discussion of what students are looking for and their abilities/needs and include tips to help you manage stress.  Class will end with a deep relaxation, breathing exercise and brief meditation to encourage a calm and integrated body, mind, spirit.

Chair Yoga class: Easy yoga poses and stretches are taught in this class that you can do anywhere – at your desk, watching television, and even in an airplane!  Emphasis is on joint mobilization, and increasing strength and flexibility gradually.  This class is done sitting in a chair as to be gentler on the joints.  Learn the health benefits of yoga, simple ways to help eliminate stress in your life and energizing ideas to help you and your family embrace a healthier lifestyle.

Joyce moved to the United States in December 1997 from Kenya, East Africa.  Joyce came to the United States on the year-and-a-half International Intern Program that the YMCA of the Rockies  sponsors.  She was able to work at many places at Snow Mountain Ranch during her training, including food service, housekeeping, Camp Chief Ouray and at the Front Desk.

During the time Joyce was at Snow Mountain Ranch, there was also a young man on the internship program from Togo, West Africa.  His name is Andreas Weti.  Andreas was working in the laundry when Joyce went in to do laundry.  Andreas came out of his office and saw Joyce trying to do her laundry with pennies and nickels instead of quarters and said, “You can’t do laundry with that!”  Andreas shared his coins with Joyce and showed her how to use the machines.  Joyce said, “Andreas loved me at first sight, even before I met him.  He saw me and said, ‘That is the lady for me.’”  One thing lead to another and Joyce and Andreas were married in June of 1999.  Andreas got his green card while he was still working at Snow Mountain Ranch and was able to stay in the country.  The wedding reception was in Magnolia Cabin here at the Ranch.

Andreas has a teaching degree and taught for many years.  Tragedy struck when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2003.  He is unable to teach, but Joyce says, “Andreas is always helping with the children and helping me.”  Goodwill is now trying to get Andreas into a program where he can help the children of refugees learn English.

Joyce and the family came to Snow Mountain Ranch for the weekend to take a break.   Snow Mountain Ranch has been helping the family through the difficult time since Andreas was diagnosed with the brain tumor.  Joyce shared that she doesn’t know who sends gift cards, but every Christmas she receives gift cards from the Ranch.  Joyce brought Andreas to the Ranch for the weekend so he could see his Snow Mountain Ranch friends.  Joyce would like to thank every Snow Mountain Staff member who continues to show so much love and caring toward her family. It was Dave’s and my privilege and honor to meet this fine Snow Mountain Ranch family.

Once we reach 10,000 “likes,” we will be randomly selecting winners every day of the week; we’ll be giving away YMCA of the Rockies prize packs, which include a t-shirt, water bottle and other goodies.  At the end of the week, all our fans will be automatically entered to win the grand prize: a two night stay in a three bedroom cabin.  Like us for a chance to win cool stuff, possibly even a vacation!

Like us on Facebook for your chance to win a stay in a cabin!

We have lodge rooms available at both Estes Park Center and Snow Mountain Ranch that are ideal for family reunions.  Lodge rooms provide individual families with privacy while our indoor and outdoor meeting spaces provide the entire flock with the space to play games, relax and enjoy each others’ company.

We have activities on-grounds that suit every age and taste; active folks can go hiking, ziplining, rock climbing, do the ropes course, go horseback riding or take an archery lesson.  “Indoor” folks can use our arts and crafts center, read in the library or enjoy a cup of coffee at the Rustic Cafe or the Buckboard Grill.

We have a variety of dining options for your family; work with our family reunion specialists to determine which plan fits best with your budget and schedule.

Want to celebrate family milestones or have a special memorial service?  Our chaplain departments can arrange special family reunion services and memorial services.

Our program staff is available to host a Family Fun Night, guided hike, guided night walk or conduct an orientation session complete with icebreakers and fun games.

To plan your summer reunion, please call our family reunion specialists at 800-777-9622.  Don’t procrastinate too much; our lodging and activities will fill up fast!

We have lodge rooms available for family reunions!

The family library is located on Association Drive across the street from mini golf.  The library has large windows that provide panoramic views of the Ranch and of the surrounding mountain ranges.  Relax in front of the fireplace with free coffee and tea!  We have comfortable wing back chairs, a large leather sofa and a rocking chair; our goal is to help you kick back, relax and enjoy a good book.

We also have games, cards and puzzles for you to use here in the library or to check out for your cabin or lodge room.  This year, many programs will happen in the Library.  On Monday nights we have Knitter’s Corner where guests, staff and locals will meet to knit, crochet or do other handiwork while we get to know each other.  Here you will meet staff from many countries and exchange ideas and stories.  If you don’t knit or crochet, we can teach you how to make a friendship bracelet.   Men, you are welcome too!

A new program out of the library is family geocaching.  We have hidden containers around the 5000 acres and your job is to go on a treasure hunt.  The containers have toys and other objects in them and you take one and leave something – even something as simple as a penny.

We have programs on hiking in the National Park, Climbing Long’s Peak, or even our own Snow Mountain.  On certain Saturday mornings we’ll have  programs about dog sledding and mission trips in Africa.

The programs and activities are too many to mention, so when you arrive at Snow Mountain Ranch come to the library, have a cup of coffee, look over our adult and children’s books and then check out the programs we will be offering that week.  We will also have Program Bulletins available so you can see what is happening elsewhere on the rest of the Ranch.

See you at the library!

The library at Snow Mountain Ranch

The library at Snow Mountain Ranch

The library at Snow Mountain Ranch

The library at Snow Mountain Ranch

The library at Snow Mountain Ranch

The Promenade
This donor-funded pedestrian walkway will provide a central hub for guests to gather.  The Promenade will create a walkway that leads guests from the Ruesch Auditorium past the Administration Building to Hyde Chapel.

We have started pouring cement and laying rock.  Once that is complete, we will be planting flowers, trees and shrubs.  We are excited to see this project come to life; it will truly enhance the “we have arrived” feeling at the Administration Building.

Promenade construction at Estes Park Center

Promenade construction at Estes Park Center

Promenade construction at Estes Park Center

Promenade construction at Estes Park Center

The Duncan Family Miniature Golf Course
Our new course will include 27 holes and water features; 18 of the holes are designed for older kids and adults while nine holes will be targeted at younger children. All of the holes will be ADA accessible.  The donors that supported this project know that miniature golf is one of the most popular summer activities and is utilized by the majority of our guests.  We have started to pouring cement on many of the holes and the new golf shack has restrooms that will make golfing more appealing to all.  We are ready to open this highly anticipated project to our guests in the next few weeks.

Mini golf construction at Estes Park Center

Mini golf construction at Estes Park Center

The new mini golf cabin, complete with restrooms, at Estes Park Center

Mini golf construction at Estes Park Center

Mini golf construction at Estes Park Center

Stutts  Field
Stutts Field is centrally located in the field in front of Estes Park Center’s Administration Building and is within walking distance from the Sweet Memorial Program building. The Stutts family generously donated the funds to support this project and hope that the field will allow children and adults to enjoy traditional outdoor sports while being surrounded by the beauty of the Rocky Mountains.

Stutts Field at Estes Park Center

Laying the turf on Stutts Field at Estes Park Center

Stutts Field at Estes Park Center

• Father-Son Bonding at Snow Mountain Ranch near Winter Park, Colorado:  After full days of fishing and canoeing, riding mountain bikes, visiting a historic homestead, and playing disc golf, father and sons can relax in comfy two to four bedroom cabins or rough it in rustic yurts.  Both come complete with kitchens, allowing father and sons to create home-cooked meals.

• Father-Daughter Time at Estes Park Center:  During the days, father and daughter can work on projects in the Arts and Crafts Center, ride horses in Rocky Mountain National Park, test out the new 27-hole mini golf course, or join a game of sand volleyball. At night they can enjoy the comforts of one of the hotel-style Central Lodges- all recently constructed and LEED certified.

At both properties, s’mores around campfires and other seasonal family programs will provide evening fun and entertainment.  To make a reservation, please call 888-613-9622.

Mountain biking at Snow Mountain Ranch

I had not been to this pool for a while and I was pleasantly surprised by what a great pool we have right here on the grounds.  There is equipment at the pool that you can borrow to do your water aerobics, like weights and a buoyant belt, so you don’t need to bring those things  from home.  The children will love the slide and the climbing wall.  If you fall off the climbing wall you will land in the water.  Did I mention the water is warm?  No shivering or goosebumps in this pool!

Snow Mountain Ranch Pool

I have taken my grandchildren Geocaching on many occasions as caches are hidden worldwide.  One of the hardest ones to find we ever did was a cache that was hidden in a cork tree.  The person hiding the cache had put cork tree bark on the tiny cache and slipped it into the tree so it looked just like the bark on the tree.  It took us 3 months to find that one.  I can promise you the caches here on the YMCA of the Rockies at Snow Mountain will be much easier to find and the whole family will have a fun time on this treasure hunt.

When you arrive at Snow Mountain Ranch this summer, come and see Dave or I  in the library and we will be happy to get you and your family started on your treasure hunt.