Watching song lyrics come to life, and having the MOST epic adventure!
There is a lovely song by singer Amy Grant, called Tender Tennessee Christmas, which contains the lyrics, “Now I know there’s more snow out in Colorado than my (Tennessee) roof will ever see”. Reflecting on our ski trip, the word understatement comes to mind. Throughout the night, we could hear wind whipping around our hotel and watched the heavy snowfall amass on the hotel grounds and cars parked below.
An Early Morning Start
We had planned to get on the road early, expecting that the normal 45-minute drive from Keystone to Heeney would be lengthened somewhat by the snow. This was a good decision, because the 8” that fell overnight was about a winter’s worth of precipitation in Nashville.
Shout-out to CDOT!
This is where we have to give a huge “shout-out” to the Colorado Department of Transportation. Their website gave incredibly accurate, up-to-the-minute condition reports for each section of road. They even provided GPS-tracked locations for their maintenance vehicles, which we used to time our trip for the best available road conditions. Coloradans have truly made peace with their surroundings and know how to get the most of the incredible natural resources there. This includes how to keep roads clear in winter so that those resources can be safely accessed and enjoyed.
Beyond excited for THIS excursion!
Despite our inexperience driving in heavy winter weather, we were able to use these tools to map out the safest route up to High County Tours. This was the excursion many of us were most looking forward to: our snowmobiling and tubing adventure.
What you don’t know can….thrill you!
None of the BenzGroup had ever seen a snowmobile up close, let alone driven one. We were all a bit apprehensive, but excited for the day ahead. Now I have heard that “what you don’t know can kill you.” That may be true. But sometimes, what you don’t know can thrill you as well.
Truly one of the GREATEST adventures EVER!!
None of us could have anticipated the excitement we would experience snowmobiling through mountain passes in the falling snow. Nothing could prepare us for the exhilaration of weaving in, out and through tall stands of snow covered evergreen trees. We laughed out loud as we literally flew up and down over hills, gasping at the views as we glided the trails along the mountain’s edge. Whatever apprehension we may have had going in immediately gave way to the adrenaline rush of this, must-do-again adventure. We were hooked.
No bad WEATHER, just bad GEAR!
Our guide, Jason, met us at the High Country Tours office. His friendly demeanor and passion for outdoor sports put our minds at ease, as he carefully went over equipment and safety protocols. Jason shared his thoughts about how he approaches challenging weather days. As Jason stated so well, there is no bad WEATHER, just bad GEAR. That is to say, with right planning, preparation, mindset and appropriate equipment, ANY weather can provide an opportunity for an incredible experience.
Another “metaphor for life.”
We always look for takeaways on our travels – like souvenirs – that we can apply to our everyday lives. Jason had given us our “metaphor for life” for this trip, and we have used it so many times since. Since words can often fall short, we hope you will enjoy these amazing pictures.
A RESORT LIKE NO OTHER
In all of our travels, we have been blessed to stay in some fine resorts and many beautiful hotels. For our family, the accommodations can truly either elevate or diminish the experience. So it is always my goal to put in the research and find destinations that suit everyone’s taste. This is particularly challenging with Daddy Starbucks in the mix, as he is the definition of “champagne taste” when it comes to resorts. Nonetheless, I love a good challenge.
Would I come through?
As we came down the mountain from Heeney, our attention and conversation began to shift to our expectations of our next destination, which awaited us just 90-minutes on the other side of an ever-worsening snowstorm, The Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa.
We were thrilled with excitement and exhaustion – all at the same time!
Exiting at Avon, we made our way through the Beaver Creek Village, past shops and impeccably landscaped grounds, our anticipation ever-heightening. Nothing however can really prepare you for the experience of walking into the grand entrance, and looking through the lobby to the views from the base of Beaver Creek Mountain in the Vail Valley. Everything about this resort – the architecture, the appointments, the grounds, the Village, the ski in/ski out access to the beautiful Beaver Creek ski runs – truly make the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek a resort like no other!
Everything a ski vacation should be!
The Park Hyatt Beaver Creek atmosphere is everything a Colorado snow ski vacation should be – warm, inviting, luxurious – a place to lodge in comfort and safety as the elements outside prepare the world for your next day’s adventure. As we checked into our beautiful adjoining rooms, each of us had the same thought – this is going to be a pretty hard place to leave. That evening though, we did have one stop to make, Christy Sports, from which we had rented our ski equipment.
The friendly and knowledgeable staff at Christy got us properly fitted and out the door, with all the gear we would need to tackle our first “whole family” ski outing. Our bodies tired and our memories full of the day’s experiences, we turned in early, to be well-rested for an early morning, a big breakfast and a day on the slopes. Outside, the snow would fall. And fall. And fall. As we slept, fourteen inches fell in total. Oh, what a day it would be!
YOU can do this too!
Right now, there is an elevated sign up bonus (a whopping 100,000 points when you spend $4,000 in three months) on our all-time favorite travel card (and really the most important one to begin traveling for free). It’s called the Sapphire Preferred, by CHASE. I’d love to chat with you about how we travel to so may destinations using the money that we have to spend anyway on everyday expenses (utilities, gas, groceries, etc…). Click here to learn more:
like to travel for free!
And HERE’s how:
Also, here’s a link to the step-by-step process that we followed to see places that I once thought were completely untouchable for an average family of six, like mine! As well, please follow along on my social media channels, on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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Well, welcome to Colorado! When I first moved here, I said, “Well darn, I have never been this cold in my life!” But it’s really beautiful out here and so much nature to enjoy!
Adwoa, bless your heart!! We actually mentioned moving there (because of the immense beauty), but then I felt the cold!! If I could stay by the fireplace all day long, I’d be fine!! The battery powered socks and gloves made a HUGE difference for me though! And it’s one of the most extraordinary states in our country!
This looks amazing. I love the pictures of all the snow. And the accommodations look fantastic as well!
Thank you Stephanie! We can’t wait to return!! I think maybe next time we’ll go dog sledding!
What a beautiful resort! I’m not into skiing but would love to go to Colorado to take in all the beauty.
Alexis, there is SO MUCH to do besides skiing – tubing, sledding, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, sleigh rides, etc…. And Colorado is absolutely STUNNING!
Look like a fantastic adventure. I like the saying, “ There is no bad weather, only bad gear.”
Cecile, we do too! It’s actually changed EVERYTHING! I feel like there’s no place that we cannot go, as long as we are prepared!
What a great adventure! That is a LOT of snow haha! Where I am from we love getting out on the sleds in the winter, but this looks like an amazing trip all the way around!
Thanks Terra! It was a crazy amount of snow, but we were so grateful. The timing for us was PERFECT!!
So glad you enjoyed your snowy adventures! You were so lucky to get fresh powder – that’s why the southwest ski areas are so great – there’s rarely ice, unlike back east.
Completely agree about the CSP – it was my first card when I started travel hacking.
The Park Hyatt is amazing. 👍
Suz, thanks for your response! Yes, we’d put the Park Hyatt as one of top favorites (along with the Grand Hyatt Kauai)! And now we’re spoiled with such amazing slopes – how will we ever ski on the east coast again?
The resort looks incredible! Love all your pictures highlighting your adventures. You had us feeling like we were there with you!! Thank you for sharing.
Well this just made my day!! Thank you Lisa!!
Snow machines look so fun! I’ve always wanted to ride one.
It was an INCREDIBLE adventure, for sure!!
You sound like you had a really great experience! Good for you! I’m from Northern MI so we get a lot of snow quickly sometimes! I do know that feeling! Our local tourist trap ski resort loves tourist like you, so come check out BOYNE USA!
Barbara, I’ve heard of Boyne, but have never ventured to Michigan. We’ll definitely have to look that one up! Thank you for the suggestion!
What a wonderful post. I love the idea of the song lyrics coming to life! The trip looks absolutely beautiful and fun. The snow is gorgeous. We don’t get much snow where I live in Georgia so I would love to see this!
Thank you Catherine! We were blessed to have SO MUCH snow while we were in Colorado! And the locals seemed to be thrilled, as this was their first REALLT big snow of the season!
Looks like such a wonderful adventure. We have snowmobiling on our list of activities to try in the near future. And I love Amy Grant songs!
Missy, I was surprise by how much we absolutely LOVED snowmobiling!! It was incredible!!
I lived in Colorado for many years and loved it. Christmas time is such a great time to visit. I agree with you that your family looks like they had an epic adventure in the mountains.
Leeanne, such a blessing for you! My husband said he’d LOVE to live in Colorado!
Wow, the hotel view is amazing! I would love to go ice skating!
Thank you Lisa! We didn’t get to go ice skating this time around, but I’m sure that we’ll be back!
That looks like so much fun!
Thank you Melissa!
This was great and I’m super stoked you came to my beautiful state where the snow is what makes our winter’s so amazing and gorgeous! Glad your family had a blast.
Denise, your state is SO VERY beautiful! Thank you for your kind words!
I can’t stop scrolling through your pictures over and over again. They’re so gorgeous, from the snow-crusted trees to your view overlooking the skating pond. I’d really love to go and see it all for myself!
I do not ski… but I would definitely be down for all the other adventures! The resort looked amazing! We have not been to Colorado, but Hubby who does ski, has had it on the top of his bucket list for a bit!
Marianne, there is SOOOO much to do, even without skiing. Take your hubby for sure!!
It sounds like you had a great trip! I will have to add this one to my list. I did my ski trip in WinterPark Colorado and I loved it. Thanks for the info.
LaToya, I’d love to try WinterPark! Thank you for the suggestions!!
What beautiful experiences in all that snow! I think it would be fun to ride a snowmobile.
Cindy, it’s one of my new favorite adventures!!! Can’t wait to go AGAIN!
Good luck!