Does Anyone Know a Fun Get Away for Christmas?

How about Yellowstone. It's not too far, and they have some fun winter activities. Plus, seeing how the park is different in winter (and how animals behave differently) will be fun for your kids, even if they have never been before.

http://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm is the national park services official website for Yellowstone, good place to start looking.

I used to live in Breckenridge a couple of years ago. When I lived there, I worked for a wonderful family owed operation that manages vacation rentals in Summit County. They have some amazing properties (I have been to quite a few of them), and they are very accommodating and professional!! Check out their website:
www.riverridgerentals.com
They will also peovide you with info on snowmobiling, snow shoing, skiing, etc.

My relatives have some cains on Slide Lake in Jackson Hole that they rent. They are really nice and right on the lake that freezes over in the winter. Lots of snowmachining or cross country skiing right out the back door. It is beautiful. It is only about 35 mintutes from Jackson. So you can go in and enjoy town a little or stay huddled by your cabin. They book up quick. You can reach Jane through the website below. I spent a lot of time there with my family when I was young and have some great memories.
Have a great trip what ever you do!

http://www.jacksonholecabins.com/

Love the Grand Lake area - lakes to snowmobile over as well as open areas; snowshoeing, gorgeous scenery; Winter Park is an easy drive nearby for skiing and lots of kids activities...

There is also the Guest Ranch Experience, look up C Lazy U Ranch, in Granby, CO, www.clazyu.com. Places like this will give you a great Christmas, someone to help watch your kids, and amazing accomidations and food. They do sleigh rides, sledding, and any other winter activity you can think of. You all will have a great time, and feel like you really got away. I used to work there, about 20 years ago, and it was magical at Christmas. If this ranch does not work, look up others, one might be right for you.

I live in Clark Colorado where it is winter activity central! It's located about 20 miles north of Steamboat Springs so it's also kinda removed from the hubbub of town, but still close enough to enjoy town stuff, or go to the Stawberry Park Hot Springs for the day. There is a couple of resorts out here such as Steamboat Lake Outfitters, Glen Eden resort, and The Home Ranch... and I'm sure there is more. Most do everything from snowmobile tours and sleigh rides to cross county skiing and snowshoeing....just an idea!

You can get good deals on vrbo.com (vacationrentalsbyowner) or on ksl.com. I ditto Island Park or anywhere up near yellowstone. They may all be bookedor pricey with it being ski season. If your budget is endless, I have relatives that go to Targhee in a resort and have their kids babysit while they ski and then do sleigh rides and sledding at night.
Warmer destinations are Arizona (sedona) or St. George Utah. There are fun parks to visit and small hikes for your kids.

Have you thought about Winter Park? We have a property in Winter Park. Check out trailheadtrio.com or vrbo/201232. It is located right across the street from a sled hill, that depending on kids ages, is great fun. Its great for kids 0 (if riding with mom or dad) to 7 or 8. We've seen some older kids there trying out there mountain boards (like a skateboard without wheels....I think that is what it is called). There is also a tot-lot at the park too. There is a great tubing hill about a 5 minute drive from our place if you are looking for something a little faster. There is a newly opened hot tub and pool and community center at our condo. Winter Park has all the winter-time activities you might be looking for--downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, etc.

I think you would find our condo very comfortable and warm and kid-friendly (We all have children, too!) Take a look!

Good Luck
Cindi

Bear Lake up Logan way is awesome. Aspen Grove, Park City- look up Utah.org and find tourist things and places.
I love your idea about skipping the gifts and giving memories. So much more lasting!

Midway is a cute little swiss town next to Heber City. The Homestead is a great place to stay. It's really close to the Visitor Center and the Wasatch Mountain State Park.

Hey C.,
We have a cabin up in the Uintas, and near it is Bear River Lodge. I know that they rent cabins and snowmobiles. I think it is pretty affordable. You travel up I-80 to Evanston, then turn onto the Mirror Lake Highway. It is about 30 miles south of Evanston (back into Utah). The area is beautiful, and only about 1 1/2 hours from SLC. Check it out. Good luck on finding the right destination, and have fun!!

S.

www.bearriverlodge.com

Island Park, or West Yellowstone. I lived in Rexburg, Idaho for 3 years and LOVED going on weekend retreats with the hubby to Island Park! West Yellowstone is really nice too. They have all the toys and cabins you would be looking for. My husband went up for a few days with some friends snowmobiling so if you want some more info on rental places, drop me an email and I can get you the info. Its a wonderful place and SOOO much fun only about 5 hours from SLC. I don't think it was all that expensive either. Very family friendly!

S.

This past Mother's day we went up to Park City and stayed at Marriot's Summit Watch. It was a huge suite, with a full kitchen, dining area, living area, and bedroom, with a sweet two person jetted tub. AWESOME view of the mountains and steps away from main street! I would totally recommend it! I know it will be more pricey because winter is their in season, but I would stay there again in a heartbeat. There was an electric fireplace and an entire wall of windows that looked out onto the mountain side. They also have a kids program with a HUGE gameroom that has a wii, tons of books, puzzles, games, and activities. The pool connects to the game room as well and is indoor/outdoor, so its cool to go swimming when its freezing at night and the steam rises off the pool, and when you get too cold, the inside part is nice and warm like an indoor pool. It was so much fun! VERY close, if not in the same building as the hotel(i can't quite remember) there was a drop off day care, if you wanted to escape sans kids for lunch or something. Park City is so quaint and gorgeous and any time we want to go somewhere, its our mini retreat! Good idea with skipping the presents, we're always left feeling like, "Well? Thats it?" with nothing to do the rest of the holiday! Have a blast!

We have spent two Christmas's in Sedona, AZ and have enjoyed every minute. Not only is the scenery gorgeous, but it is much warmer than n Utah. Do the Wild Jeep Tour, Jerome and the southwest shopping in wonderful. It is about 11 hours from Logan.