Less rushing. Less screen time. More snow, fresh air, laughter, family traditions, and Christmas magic.
There is something special about Christmas in the mountains. The fresh snowfall, the smell of pine trees, the quiet of a winter evening, and the excitement in your children’s eyes when they discover that the best Christmas memories aren’t found under a tree—they’re made together. Whether you’re dreaming of finding the perfect real Christmas tree, soaking in an outdoor hot tub beneath a sky full of stars, or watching your children glide across a backyard ice rink, a little planning can turn a simple getaway into a magical family tradition.
Here’s how to welcome Christmas the right way!
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Start with the Most Important Thing: Make the Reservation
The secret to a stress-free Christmas getaway? Get the big details taken care of first.
Reserve your family’s cozy, screen-free cabin and let the rest of the experience fall into place. With accommodations, breakfast each morning, family-friendly dinners each evening, and access to all the fun included in your package, you can spend less time coordinating and more time enjoying each other.
And here’s an extra reason to make this the year you go: For a limited time, kids under 12 years old stay FREE!
Once your reservation is confirmed, you can start looking forward to the fun instead of worrying about all the little details.
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Make a Christmas Tree Hunt Part of the Adventure
Forget the tree lots and fake trees! One of the most memorable ways to kick off the Christmas season is to head into the mountains in search of a real Christmas tree. Bundle up the kids, grab some hot cocoa, and make a day of exploring the winter landscape. Let everyone participate in the excitement of finding the perfect tree.
A few ways to make it special:
- Let each child choose a favorite ornament to add to the tree when you get home. (see #4—we’ll help you out!)
- Take a family photo with your mountain Christmas tree discovery.
- Bring a thermos of hot chocolate and a few holiday treats.
- Turn the search into a friendly family competition for the best tree.
Get your Christmas tree permits before heading out. We will send you a reminder to check that off your list before your stay. If cutting a tree isn’t in your plans, you can still turn your outing into a memorable mountain adventure. Ask us about sledding hills in the mountains!
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Trade Screen Time for Game Time
Remember when family game night was the highlight of a weekend? Bring that tradition back! With a screen-free cabin and access to board games, cards, and a pool table in the kid-friendly John Wayne Saloon, you’ll have the perfect opportunity to reconnect over a little friendly competition. Teach the kids a game you loved growing up or discover a new family favorite.
Some ideas:
- Christmas-themed trivia
- Classic board games
- Card games
- Family charades
- A friendly tournament with a silly prize for the winner
You might be surprised how much fun everyone has when there are no phones, tablets, or video games competing for attention.
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Create a Christmas Keepsake Together
The best souvenirs aren’t always something you buy—they’re the memories you make together! Your family package also includes a DIY Christmas ornament kit for each member of the family. Gather around, get creative, and enjoy a little hands-on Christmas fun right here at the ranch. Our ornament pack will have all the supplies you need for an effortless, simple project. Each family member will have a special handmade ornament to take home and hang on the tree. Years from now, when you pull it out of the Christmas decorations, you’ll remember the laughter, the creativity, and the special time you spent together at the ranch.
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Soak Under the Stars
After a day of winter adventures, there’s nothing quite like slipping into a warm outdoor hot tub. It’s the kind of peaceful moment that makes you realize how much you’ve needed a break.
Make it a family memory:
- See who can spot the first constellation.
- Look for shooting stars.
- Tell favorite Christmas stories.
- Talk about the best part of everyone’s day.
No notifications. No schedules. Just warm water, crisp mountain air, and time together.
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Lace Up for Some Backyard Ice Skating
Few things say winter quite like ice skating!
The Vee Bar Guest Ranch has a backyard skating rink available during your stay. Make time to enjoy it together, whether your children are seasoned skaters or taking their first wobbly steps on the ice, the laughter and memories are sure to follow.
What to know:
- Bring your own skates and helmets.
- The rink conditions are largely determined by the weather (snowfall, temps, etc.) so check with staff before you head to the ice!
- Take plenty of family photos.
- Warm up afterward with hot cocoa.
Sometimes the simplest activities become the stories your family tells for years.
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Let Someone Else Handle Meals
One of the best parts of getting away should be not having to plan every meal! Start your morning with a hot, home-cooked breakfast before heading out for the day’s adventures. Then, return from the cold to enjoy dinner together without worrying about who’s cooking or cleaning up.
Your family package includes a delicious, family-friendly dinner each evening and breakfast each morning. The Vee Bar Ranch crew will pack you a lunch to enjoy during the day, no matter the activities you choose to do! That means fewer grocery lists, fewer decisions, and less packing. It’s a little thing that makes a big difference in how relaxing your getaway feels.
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Leave Room for the Unplanned Magic
Here’s the most important tip of all: Don’t over plan! The beauty of a mountain Christmas getaway is having the freedom to slow down.
Maybe you’ll spend an entire afternoon playing games. Maybe the kids will want to go ice skating again. Maybe you’ll find yourselves sitting together, watching the snow fall, with absolutely nowhere else you need to be.
Give your family permission to unplug, unwind, and enjoy the moments in between the activities. Those are often the moments that matter most.
Make This Christmas One Your Family Will Remember
The best Christmas gifts aren’t always wrapped in paper. Sometimes they’re found in a cozy cabin, around a family dinner table, beneath a sky full of stars, or in the laughter of children making memories with the people they love most. This Christmas, give your family something truly special: time together.
Our Family Christmas Escape Package Includes:
- A cozy, screen-free cabin for the night.
- A hot breakfast each morning.
- Family-friendly dinner each evening—either buffet-style or family-style service.
- A packed lunch (2-night stay required) to take with you on your day adventure.
- Use of the outdoor hot tub, games, and ice rink.
- A hot cocoa basket for the family.
- An unpack-and-begin DIY tree ornament pack (one per family member).
- Plenty of opportunities to unplug, unwind, and enjoy the season.
And for a limited time, KIDS under 12 years old STAY FREE!
Don’t wait until the holiday rush begins. Make your reservation online today and start planning a Christmas getaway your family will treasure. This package is available from November 30-December 12, 2026. The package deal ends on November 16—reservations made after this date will not receive package discounts.
RESERVE YOUR FAMILY CHRISTMAS GETAWAY TODAY!
USE PROMO CODE: CMASESCAPE
Rates: $560 per cabin per night (valued at $720).
Includes lodging, meals, activities, and amenities as described above for up to two adults and two kids.
Additional adults or kids 12 and older will be charged $62 each.
Because the best Christmas memories are made together.
