GET OUTTA HERE!

Holiday getaway in mountain cabins

YMCA of the Rockies is ready for another snowy season. If you’re looking for somewhere new to take your family and friends for an unforgettable holiday getaway, two YMCA of the Rockies locations — Snow Mountain Ranch, near Winter Park, and Estes Park Center — have three-bedroom cabins available for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The cabins include fully furnished kitchens and fireplaces. Each cabin sleeps up to seven guests and can be yours for $259 per night. And you’ll find a variety of activities to keep everyone happy.

Activities at Estes Park Center include swimming in the indoor, heated pool; arts and crafts; a 5K Turkey Trot race; and snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park.

At Snow Mountain Ranch, you’ll find free ice skating, sledding and tubing; snowshoeing and cross-country skiing; arts and crafts; swimming in the indoor, heated pool; climbing on the indoor climbing wall; and downhill skiing at nearby Winter Park and SolVista.

In addition to its year-round Military Getaway Package (a great deal), YMCA of the Rockies is offering a special Veterans Appreciation Package. It includes two nights lodge accommodations, meals for up to four people, activities and programs for a mere $149.99. As a holiday bonus, the package can be given as a gift certificate. The package must be booked by Dec. 31, but travel can take place until May 31.

To learn more and to make reservations, call 1-970-586-3341, ext. 1010 (Estes Park), or 1-970-887-2152, ext. 4110 (Snow Mountain Ranch). Details at www.ymcarockies.org.

Tea or brunch at historical ranch and castle

Those who have visited say “There’s no place else like Cherokee” — Cherokee Ranch & Castle in Sedalia, that is. Perched on a bluff surrounded by thousands of pristine acres, it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Scottish-style castle was built in the 1920s and is home to art, antiques, period furniture and a rare book collection.

With inspirational views of the Rocky Mountains, the Front Range and the Denver-metro area, it’s a special place to celebrate the holidays with performing arts, cultural events, educational programs, group retreats, holiday parties and castle tours.

How about enjoying an afternoon Holiday Tea with eats and sweets in the elegantly decorated castle? With an extensive menu, the teas are served from 2 to 4 p.m. through Dec. 29. Cost is $45 and includes an hourlong castle tour.

Holiday brunches are served from 10 a.m. to noon on Dec. 3 and Dec. 10, with three types of quiche, chicken salad pastry puff, fresh fruit, breakfast pastries and breads, tea cakes, scones and on and on. Cost for brunch is $50 and includes a one-hour castle tour.

Cherokee Ranch & Castle’s unique architecture combines aspects of the Western U.S. and a 1450s Scottish-style castle. The castle is a museum that is home to historical collections of fine art, furnishings and memorabilia from around the world.

Get information and detailed directions online at www.cherokee ranch.org.
For reservations, call the hotline, 1-303-688-4600.

JOY HARPER, THE GAZETTE