Welcome to Our Blog

Estes Park Center sits at approximately 8,010 feet above sea level, while Snow Mountain Ranch is around 8,700 feet. For visitors coming from Denver, the Midwest or other lower-elevation areas, that's a pretty big change.

The golden aspens of September give way to cooler mornings, shorter days and the possibility of the season's first real snow. But winter is no longer something far off on the horizon. At YMCA of the Rockies, October is a month for enjoying the final weeks of fall while beginning to look ahead to everything the snowy season brings.

At Snow Mountain Ranch, fall is also a great time to start preparing for Nordic skiing season. Mountain biking offers a fun way to build endurance, strength and confidence on the same kind of varied mountain terrain that makes Nordic skiing such a rewarding winter activity. Located about an hour and a half from Denver, Snow Mountain Ranch makes it easy to turn a fall weekend into an active mountain getaway.

Whether you're visiting for a weekend, planning a fall getaway, or simply looking for a quieter mountain escape, September offers a little bit of everything.

Many of our favorite fall activities are self-guided and included with your stay, which means you can wake up, see what the day brings and choose your own adventure. Hike when you’re ready. Challenge the family to mini golf. Hunt for a geocache. Grab a board game for the cabin. Or do absolutely nothing for a while except sit outside and take in the view.