Dear chuckx,
I suspect that you would find little novelty in going back to the
Gunflint Lodge. Nonetheless, if the two of you are interested in the
winter activities of Minnesota, you can book a Super Cabin for $337 a
day from December 26 to January 1.
Gunflint Lodge: December 2004
http://www.gunflint.com/december.htm
Another cold-weather destination is The Bridges, a family resort located
in Vermont, about 45 miles from Burlington International Airport. It is
immediately adjacent to the Sugarbush Ski Area and not far from three
other major New England ski resorts, namely Mad River Glen, Stowe,
and Killington. A one-bedroom condominium costs $310 nightly during the
holiday season, while a two-bedroom unit goes for $425.
Bridges Resort: Winter Packages/Rates
http://www.bridgesresort.com/winter.htm
If you'd like to patronize Sugarbush while you stay at The Bridges,
a 6-of-7-day flex ticket for an adult costs $330 during the holiday
season. The same for a child costs $210. Lessons for children 7 to 12
are offered in so-called Sugar Bears groups, for which you can purchase
a 7-day Bear Pack for $565, or individual days for $85 each. The Sugar
Bears program runs from 9:45am to 3:00pm every day.
Sugarbush: Tickets
http://www.sugarbush.com/winter/tickets/index.htm
Sugarbush: Kids' Lessons
http://www.sugarbush.com/winter/lessons/kids.htm
If you'd rather ski in the Rockies, you can go to The Canyons Resort,
which offers children's programs and is located 32 miles from Salt
Lake City International Airport. You have two choices when it comes
to accommodations, the Grand Summit luxury hotel and the Sundial
Lodge condominium complex. Rooms are going fast, so you'd better
book now if you have your eye on The Canyons. In fact, I learned in a
phone conversation with their reservation agent that only seven-night
accommodation packages are available over the Christmas holidays. For
one adult and one child, the most suitable booking would be a Grand
Summit room with two queen-sized beds, going for $508 a night. I am told
that there are plenty of children in the hotel during holidays. You can
make reservations by calling 1-866-604-4171. There is also an online
reservation system, but I got much better results by phone.
The Canyons: Grand Summit Hotel
http://www.thecanyons.com/grand.html
Children aged 7 to 12 can join the Canyon Carvers skiing or snowboarding
group for $138 a day, which includes equipment, lessons, lift pass, lunch,
and supervised indoor activities. The full Canyon Carvers program runs
from 9:30am to 3:30pm. In the meantime, for adults, a 6-of-10 day lift
pass costs $414 during the holidays.
The Canyons: Children's Programs and Clinics
http://www.thecanyons.com/ski_kids.html
The Canyons: Tickets
http://www.thecanyons.com/tickets.html
If a warm climate would be more to your liking, you can go to a
family-friendly resort near Cancun, Mexico, where the average daily
temperature on Boxing Day last year was 72 degrees.
Weather Underground: History for Cancun, Mexico on Friday, December 26, 2003
http://www.wunderground.com/history/station/76590/2003/12/26/DailyHistory.html
The Gala Beach Resort Playacar is a gated hotel complex located 45
minutes from Cancun International Airport. It caters to children through
its family beaches, Junior Suites, a supervised Kids' Club play area,
and numerous guided activities. See the About.com description and
TripAdvisor reviews for further information. I wasn't able to make
reservations online, but all-inclusive packages are still available if
you call 1-877-888-GALA. You can expect to pay $250 to $400 a night,
depending on your choice of room.
About.com: Travel With Kids: Gala Resort Playacar
http://travelwithkids.about.com/cs/mexicofamily/p/galaplayacar.htm
TripAdvisor: user reviews
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g150812-d153378-Reviews-Gala_Beach_Resort_Playacar-Playa_del_Carmen_Yucatan_Peninsula.html
Another family-friendly Mexican resort is El Cozumeleno, located on the
island of Cozumel, not far from Cancun. The resort is served by a local
airport. Rooms for one adult and one child cost $195 to $220 a night. I
was unable to use their online booking system for technical reasons,
but you can make a reservation by calling 1-800-437-3923. The TripAdvisor
user reviews are uneven but mostly positive.
About.com: Travel With Kids: El Cozumeleno - All-inclusive Resort
http://travelwithkids.about.com/cs/mexicofamily/p/Cozumelenoresor.htm
TripAdvisor: user reviews
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g150809-d153006-Reviews-El_Cozumeleno-Cozumel_Yucatan_Peninsula.html
El Cozumeleno Beach Resort: Rates
http://www.elcozumeleno.com/rates/index.html
During the Christmas holidays, I personally would not go to a family
resort that wasn't in a skiing area or near the equator, since even the
South of the United States gets rather chilly around that time. I was
about to suggest the very reasonably priced Holiday of Lights Package
at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort, but then I saw that the average
temperature on Boxing Day last year was only 44 degrees. If you and
your son do enjoy bracing air, this might be just the ticket. The Hyatt
Regency Tamaya Resort is a 30-minute drive from Albuquerque International
Airport. Their Holiday of Lights special runs until December 30, priced
at $155 nightly with breakfast for two. Children's holiday activities are
scheduled during this time. After December 30, the rate for a room with
double beds is $165. You can make reservations by calling 1-800-633-7313.
Weather Underground: History for Albuquerque on Friday, December 26, 2003
http://www.weatherunderground.com/history/airport/KABQ/2003/12/26/DailyHistory.html
Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa: Maps & Directions
http://tamaya.hyatt.com/property/areaguide/maps/index.jhtml
Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa: Holiday of Lights Package
http://tamaya.hyatt.com/reservations/flow4/soCheckAvailability.jhtml?corp_id=89935&pid=tamay&offerid=901049
I have enjoyed researching family-friendly vacations on your behalf. If
you find that any part of my answer requires correction or elaboration,
do let me know through a Clarification Request so that I have a chance
to fully meet your needs before you assign a rating.
Regards,
leapinglizard |
