Rocky Mountain Activities

Test your limits by navigating through our Aerial Challenge Course at Estes Park Center!

Open from late May through October, each session lasts approximately 1.75 hours, and includes 30 minutes of instruction with a guide. You can book in advance, so be sure to reserve your spot!

Make your mark with archery at Estes Park Center! Our archery sessions allow beginners to learn the basics, while experienced archers get a chance to practice honing their skills. Available throughout the year — with both indoor and outdoor ranges — archery sessions are limited to 12 guests/session and private group sessions are also available.

Experience the rush of axe throwing at Estes Park Center! Learn how to safely throw a two-pound hatchet at a target and get it to stick. It’s a great time out for both first-time and veteran axe throwers.

Fire pits and campfires are temporarily unavailable at both locations due to an active fire ban. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming you to the mountains.

Enjoy the cool Colorado nights huddled around a warm campfire at Estes Park Center. The campfire reservation fee is $30 for a two-hour reservation, which includes two bundles of firewood. You must have a lodging reservation at the YMCA of the Rockies to book a fire ring.

The indoor rock-climbing wall at Boone Family Mountain Center is modeled to look and feel like real rock! Climb to the top of the 25-foot wall, or stay low to the ground on the bouldering wall. Climbing shoes and harnesses are provided and all participants will be given an introduction to the equipment and beginner climbing technique. We have easy, moderate, and difficult routes for all abilities. Cost is $12/person for an hour.

Bring your ideas and inspiration to the table at The Mootz Family Craft and Design Center at Estes Park Center. It offers a wide variety of arts and crafts projects for kids ages 2 to 102. Enjoy handicrafts, the jewelry area with thousands of beads, glazed ceramics, sand art, painting, tie dye, and much more. Every day is something different! Open daily from 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM.

*Some crafts are age restricted.

Enjoy 18 holes of disc-flipping fun, with a scenic walk as a bonus! Test your skills on our 18-hole Estes Park disc golf course, as you play your way around the YMCA property. Beginners and experts alike will enjoy the incredible and unique views. Disc-golf discs can be picked up at the Sweet Memorial Building.

Bring your furry friend to Murphy’s Mountain Dog Park, our off-leash dog park at Estes Park. It is centrally located and has many great amenities for dogs and their humans. The 150’ x 150’ fenced dog park offers two agility stations, water fountains for those with two and four legs, seating, and a shade shelter.

Led by our trained and enthusiastic staff, Family Programming at Estes Park offers a variety of special events and classes for families to participate in together. From ecology experiences, trivia, to classes about fire building and local wildlife — our family programs are guaranteed to create lifelong memories.

If you’re looking to tell a whale of a tale, we’ve got the fishing adventure for you! Sasquatch Fly Fishing offers a variety of guided fly-fishing trips, so you can get the most out of a fin-tastic experience. Trips include rod, reel, line, waders, leader, tippet, and flies. Sasquatch Fly Fishing generally opens on Memorial Day and closes for the season on Labor Day. The info and registration desk is located in the Boone Family Mountain Center Building. Visit Sasquatch Fly Fishing to learn more and book your trip.

Have fun together with family and friends at our Estes Park Game Room! Try everything from ping pong and billiards to foosball, table shuffleboard, and more! The Game Room is located in the basement of the Sweet Memorial Building and open whenever Sweet Memorial is. Board game rentals are located on the main floor.

Looking for beautiful and educational hikes in or near Rocky Mountain National Park? We have a variety of hiking trails to explore on your own, or register for a free guided hike online or at the Boone Family Mountain Center! And check out our accessible Enger Family Nature Trail.

Strap on your snowshoes and set out on an adventure through snow-frosted pine trees. Explore snowy trails on your own as you take in the beautiful Rocky Mountain scenery.

Explore the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountains while horseback riding at Estes Park Center! Located directly here at Estes Park, Jackson Stables offers a variety of options — from one-hour rides to all-day rides, pony rides, hayrides, and more. Rides weave through Rocky Mountain National Park and our sprawling YMCA of the Rockies property. All horseback trail rides and hayrides are booked through Jackson Stables.

From fiction to nonfiction, adventure and a special Colorado section, you’re sure to find a book that peaks your interest at the Maude Jellison Library at Estes Park Center! Located behind the Administration Building and Hyde Chapel, our library features over 15,000 volumes including books on our Y history, Estes Park history, Rocky Mountain National Park history, hiking/wildlife/wildflower guides, and more. We also carry the latest editions of the Wall Street Journal, The Week, and many magazines.

Soothe muscles, alleviate pain, and release stress with a therapeutic massage in the Rocky Mountains. At Estes Park Center, therapeutic massage is offered in a serene mountain cabin on-property through Homegrown Yoga and Massage, in our brand Center for Well-Being.

A full list of services and prices can be found at homegrownyoga.com

Gather your friends and family together for a fun round of miniature golf at Estes Park Center! Both our 18-hole and children’s 9-hole course with larger holes are available year-round, weather permitting. Estes Park mini golf is free to guests and no registration is required.

Take a fascinating step back in time at the Lula W. Dorsey Museum. Housed in a 1924 guest lodge, and open year-round, our Estes Park museum features several period room settings, exhibition galleries, restful grounds, and a relaxing wrap-around porch complete with porch swing.

For a great keepsake of your Rocky Mountain experience, schedule a professional photo session with Sky Pond Photography. We have an outdoor photo studio right on the grounds of YMCA of the Rockies. Our Estes Park photography sessions are affordable, fun, and stress free, with no obligation to buy. Prints or digital options available.

There’s always time and a place to play at the Y! Our numerous Estes Park playgrounds located throughout the property offer a fun experience and plenty of fresh mountain air for kids and adults alike.

For more information, please call our Programs Department at 970-586-3341 ext. 1104.

Come on out and glide, skim, coast, and flow with roller skating at Estes Park. It’s a fun family-friendly activity everyone can enjoy, no matter the winter weather.

Bump, spike, and get set for a perfect activity on a warm summer day: Enjoy sand volleyball with views of the Rocky Mountains! Our sand volleyball courts are located in front of the Administration Building. Our courts are free for on-grounds guests, and volleyballs are available to check out at the Duncan Family Clubhouse (June – August).

Join staff and guests for a non-denominational church service every Sunday at 10:00 AM. We worship in Hyde Chapel during the summer months, as well as during the season of advent and on special holidays such as Easter. During the rest of the year, we worship in Ponder Chapel, located in the Legett Christian Center.

Whether you’re looking to play the classics like basketball, volleyball, and tennis or itching to try something different like Gaga or Pickleball, we’ve got what you need! We also have equipment for kickball, wiffle ball, soccer, football, Frisbee, and more!

Heated to 83 degrees and at a length of 25 yards, there’s plenty of room for relaxation and fun at our Estes Park swimming pool! We offer lap swims, and open swim times.

Relax and unwind with a guided yoga class at our brand new Center for Well-Being. Offered yearround, our yoga classes welcome all ages and abilities. During the summer months, enjoy yoga or pilates on our outdoor yoga deck. View the Activity Guide for class schedules.

Put on some skates and glide across the rink for ice skating at Estes Park Center! Free ice-skate rentals are available at the Sweet Memorial Program Building. Sizes range from children to adults. Conditions allowed for ice skating are generally early December through early February, weather depending. A day pass is required for non-lodging guests who would like to participate in this activity.

Head for the hills and have a whole lot of fun with some sledding! Our sledding hill is located south of Dorsey Lake near the entrance of the YMCA of the Rockies – Estes Park Center. Bring your own sled or check one out from the Sweet Memorial Program Building. Please note a waiver is required to check out a sled.

Make your mark with archery at Snow Mountain Ranch! Our archery sessions allow beginners to learn the basics, while experienced archers get a chance to hone their skills.

Appropriate for all skill levels, Snow Mountain Ranch's three-story indoor climbing wall is located in the Kiva Recreation Center. During a 45-minute session, guests will harness up and have a chance to learn the basics of rock climbing with a trained facilitator. We have easy, moderate, and difficult routes to choose from. Guests must be between 40 and 250 lbs. to use the climbing wall.

Bring your ideas and inspirations to life at the Snow Mountain Ranch Craft Shop. With a large assortment of crafts options, kids and adults can make and take handcrafted memories home. The Snow Mountain Ranch Craft Shop is open daily with projects available for all ages and abilities. Projects range from $1 to $75 and include ceramics, leatherwork, mosaics, tie dye, wood burning, and various kid’s crafts including sand art and paper crafts.

Gather your friends and family together for a fun round of miniature golf! One of Snow Mountain Ranch’s most popular activities, our 27-hole miniature golf course is relaxing fun for every age. Equipment is available at the mini-golf course, which is located behind our Programs Building.

Trying to get your kids outside and off the couch? We offer a variety of seasonal family programs classes that will pique any kid’s interest level this summer! From fort building and guided hikes to classes special guests and roller discos, there's plenty for your family to enjoy.

Explore the natural beauty of your spectacular surroundings with horseback riding at Snow Mountain Ranch! Rocky Mountain Stables is a third-party horseback riding company located on the Snow Mountain Ranch property and offers a memorable horseback riding experience through our backcountry terrain. Prices vary depending on the experience. All rides are booked through the Rocky Mountain Stables website.

Challenge yourself and enjoy our aerial challenge course, an aerial playground suspended 20 feet in the air!

The session begins with a 30-minute ground school that each participant must pass before entering the course itself. Participants must be between 40 pounds and 250 pounds and be at least  4’9” tall to participate. People with known heart conditions or who are pregnant may not participate. 

Opens for the season May 23rd

Head for the hills and have a whole lot of fun! Snow Mountain Ranch has expanded the traditional winter activity of tubing to enjoy without the cold and snow.

Open from 1pm-9pm daily.

Show off your skills at the Snow Mountain Ranch Roller Skating Rink. Located indoors at the Kiva Recreation Center, roller skating is the perfect activity everyone can enjoy, no matter the weather. Check out our activity guide for special events, including our very popular roller disco. Roller skates are provided free of charge to guests, but you're welcome to bring your own.

Open from 1pm - 9pm daily.

Have fun together with family and friends at our game room. In addition to sports and games, the Kiva Recreation Center is home to classic games like air hockey, foosball, ping pong, and pool.

Whether you’re looking to play the classics like basketball, volleyball, and tennis or itching to try something different like gaga ball or pickleball, we’ve got what you need! We also have equipment for kickball, soccer, football, Frisbee, and more!
Equipment is available for check out and use from the Programs Building (open 8:30am - 5pm daily) or Kiva Center (open 1pm-9pm daily).

We have a variety of Snow Mountain Ranch hiking trails to explore, from short hikes to mountain summits. Explore our trail system on your own or request a guided hike by contacting Programs. Our two most popular hiking trails are the Waterfall Trail and 9-Mile Mountain.

The library at Snow Mountain Ranch offers hundreds of books and plenty of games to check out and enjoy while enjoying our scenic surroundings — be it from your cabin or lodge room, or anywhere you please. Whether you’re interested in fiction or non-fiction, adventure or special Colorado selections, you’re sure to find a book that peaks your interest!

Soothe muscles, alleviate pain, and release stress with a therapeutic massage in the Rocky Mountains. At Snow Mountain Ranch, therapeutic massage is offered through Massage by Lynda.

Enjoy 18 holes of disc-flipping fun on Snow Mountain Ranch's 18-hole disc golf course. Take in views of subalpine forest and the continental divide as you play your way around the YMCA property. Feel free to bring your own discs, or disc-golf discs can be rented at the Program Building.

Bring your furry friend to the Snow Mountain Ranch Dog Park! Located across from the summer tubing hill, our large three-acre dog park is fenced and has amenities for both dogs and their humans, including a dog-friendly water fountain, shade shelter, picnic table, and separate sections for large dogs.

Please note: Pets are welcome at YMCA of the Rockies, but must follow our public space and leash rules. Learn more about our pet policies here.

There’s always time and a place to play at the Y! Snow Mountain Ranch maintains playgrounds located conveniently around the property to offer plenty of fun and fresh mountain air for kids and adults alike.
For more information, please call our Programs Department at 970-887-2152 ext. 4135.

Come as you are and join us for Morning Prayer at 8am, either at Columbine Point or Whispering Pines Chapel, weather and season depending. We also hold special gatherings for Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter.

In addition to traditional gatherings, we host a variety of programs and services that allow individuals to be intentional and curious about their faith. Self-guided beatitude hikes, Bible studies, interfaith studies, children's programming, s'mores campfires, sing-a-longs, grief groups, hymn sings, and more allow guests to deepen their faith and continue to grow spiritually.

Just Ranch and Rowley Homestead let you explore the way life was as a Rancher in the late 1800s and early 1900s. You can take a self-guided tour of the Rowley Homestead, learn to weave, make dolls, or participate in a variety of other historical programs. Check your activity guide for programming details.

The pool will be closed May 16th-23rd. Thank you for your understanding. 

Heated and at a length of 25 yards, there’s plenty of room for relaxation and fun at our Snow Mountain Ranch swimming pool. We offer open swim times and a designated lap lane, as well a dry sauna. Be sure to check the weekly activity guide for the schedule!

Offering great exercise and lots of fun, biking is a terrific way to explore our extensive trail system - no matter your skill level! Available on a first come, first-served basis, mountain bike and e-bike rentals are available in adult and child sizes and are located at the program building. We also rent bike trailers for children to ride in!

Looking for a convenient place to hook a fish or two? Snow Mountain Ranch offers catch-and-release trout fishing at Gaylord Reservoir - no license required. Bring your own equipment or rent from our Fish and Bike Shop. For more information, please call our Programs Department at 970-887-2152 ext. 4135.

Bump, spike, and get set for a perfect activity on a warm summer day: Enjoy sand volleyball with panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains and the continental divide! Our sand volleyball courts are located in several locations near the Administration Building and reunion cabins. Volleyballs are available to check out at the Programs Department.

For any questions, please call the Programs Department at 970-887-2152 ext. 4135.

Bring the family to the waterfront for a day of fun for everyone! Located on site at scenic Gaylord reservoir, canoeing and paddleboarding are great family friendly activities to get into nature without a lot of hassle.

Fire pits and campfires are temporarily unavailable at both locations due to an active fire ban. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming you to the mountains.

Warm your boots and enjoy the cool Colorado nights huddled by a toasty campfire at Snow Mountain Ranch. Campfire reservations are $36 and include private use of the space for morning, afternoon, or evening. Fire ring reservations do not include firewood; wood bundles available for purchase on-site.

Depart from MAD Adventure’s convenient location in Winter Park and ride 15 miles up the historic Corona Pass road to the Continental Divide at nearly 12,000ft in elevation. You will drive your own machine on the tour while following one of our qualified guides. This trip includes breathtaking panoramic views of the Continental Divide, Rocky Mountains, and Fraser Valley. We will pass by the historic railroad train trestle that used to operate as a 23 mile long railroad over Rollins Pass. There will be multiple opportunities for enjoying the views, taking pictures, and occasionally a short hike up to the Continental Divide.

This trip is perfect for families and adventurers alike. Side by Side ATV machines come in a 4 seat configuration.

If you’d like to go on a whitewater adventure during your stay with us, MAD Adventures can set you up — whether you are looking for an easy half-day, a vigorous full-day or an all-out MAD overnight river-rafting trip for yourself, your family, or best buddies. MAD Adventures has the trip for you!

To book your trip, call 970-726-5290 or visit Mad Adventures online.

The world-class Nordic trails at Snow Mountain Ranch offer miles upon miles of fun for all ability levels and ages. Nordic skiing is available to the public with the purchase of a day pass/trail pass. A trail pass is included with YMCA of the Rockies memberships or for guests staying on site.

For more information, please call our Nordic Center at 888-573-9622 November through April, or our Programs Department at 970-887-2152 x4135 May through October

Feel the rush of the wind on your face as you zoom down the Snow Mountain Ranch tubing hill! Tubes are available at the Winter Pavilion — only tubes provided by Snow Mountain Ranch are allowed on the hill; no outside tubes or sleds are permitted. Tubing is always available weather and snowpack permitting. Please note that we do not have a tow rope or moving platform to return to the top of the hill.

For more information, please call our Programs Department at 970-887-2152 ext. 4135.

Have you ever dreamed of shouting “mush” to a team of huskies on a sunny, brisk winter morning? Then a dog sledding tour at Snow Mountain Ranch may be just what you are looking for! We’ve partnered with Redemption Dog Sled Tours to offer “unforgettable dog sled tours amidst pristine winter landscapes, creating memories that last a lifetime.”

For more information and to book your dog sledding tour, visit Redemption Dog Sled Tours.

Strap on snowshoes and set out on an adventure through snow-frosted pine trees. Whether you're a beginner or a snowshoeing pro, our Snow Mountain Ranch showshoe trails will spark wonder and awe in every member of your group. View the Snowshoe Trail Map.

Put on some skates and glide across the rink for ice skating at Snow Mountain Ranch! Free ice-skate rentals are available at the Winter Pavilion. Sizes range from children to adults. Conditions allowed for ice skating are generally early December through March, weather depending. A day pass is required for non-lodging guests who would like to participate in this activity.

For more information, please call our Programs Department at 970-887-2152 ext. 4135.

This ski season, YMCA of the Rockies is thrilled to partner with Cedar Sauna House, a wood-fired, mobile sauna parked right at the Snow Mountain Ranch Nordic Center. It's a unique blend of wellness, community, and classic après ski sauna culture in the heart of the Rockies. 

Book direct online with Cedar Sauna House

Pricing:
Drop in Single Session 75 minutes: $40 ($25 Locals)
6 punch pass: $150
Monthly Membership: $100

The Rockies have some of the best downhill skiing in the US. Rent your downhill ski gear at Snow Mountain Sports, right on-site when you stay at Snow Mountain Ranch!

Located below the library

*Downhill ski rentals are available at Snow Mountain Ranch through Snow Mountain Sports, however you must travel to nearby ski resorts, Winter Park Resort or Granby Ranch to downhill ski.

Experience Coloradoʼs backcountry like you never have before, and go snowmobiling at Snow Mountain Ranch! With Grand Adventures’ guided tours and unguided snowmobile rentals, you’ll ride along with professional tour guides on nice wide-groomed trails, single track through the trees, powder play meadows, and maybe even catch a glimpse of some wildlife. Tour options for all ages and abilities, from beginner to advanced.
For more information or to reserve your rental today, visit Grand Adventures online or call the company at 970-726-9247. Please note: Tours take place off Snow Mountain Ranch property.