Vacation ideas: Snow mountain ranch or family summer camp

[SusanBAnthony]

I am looking for a vacation destination that has a lot of variety of things to do, and works for groups.

We have stayed at Snow Mountain Ranch multiple times and like it. We may end up going back there but kind of want to try somewhere new. We have also stayed at Black Butte Ranch in OR and liked it.

Must have:
Lodging that works for a group and includes a kitchen. Could be multiple cabins or a single cabin/house. Do not want hotel rooms with no kitchen, we want to be able to cook and have a dining room, living room, deck, etc to hang out as a group.

Activities on site or close by like: arts and crafts, pickleball, swimming pools, bikes, etc

Not a million degrees in July/August

Nice to have: mountains, restaurants nearby, within 2 hours of a major airport, hiking, nature, walkable to all the activities on site.

The group will be adults and older teens.

[nicolewi]

Our long-standing family vacation is changing after this year. Can you tell me more about these ranches? I looked up Snowmountain and it looks like it’s part of YMCA of the Rockies? We have a multi generational group of 20ish people. How far in advance do you have to book? Do you think it’s even possible to get a large group in at a place like this? It would be far for us, and everyone would have to fly, but we are investigating any options right now for the future.



Pretty much everything you listed as what we want. Cabins or houses with at least one having a large gathering space and larger kitchen. Activities for various ages available… Like beach, kayaks, fishing, hiking, etc. Preferably close to some restaurants and shops.

[mcsangel2]

My family had several family reunions at SMR in the eighties. We had to be pushing at least 100-150 people if not more (my grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins were about 30 people, and grandpa was one of 11 kids). The way the lodges were set up were perfect for us. I haven't been since 1988 and I still think about it. The setting is absolutely majestic.

[emilyinchile]

Have you looked at Sunriver?

[SusanBAnthony]

You can rent the really big reunion cabins or smaller ones at SMR. The last time we went we got one 2 bed a d one 3 bed cabin. The time before that we got whatever the biggest "normal" cabin was, I think 5 bedroom.

For the normal cabins, the reservation process is a huge pain in the butt. For each season you can't book until maybe 5 months before- it's like Feb for the summer season. So that is the downside.

It is indeed a Y facility. You don't have to have any affiliation, but you can reserve a little sooner if you join.

[SusanBAnthony]

Jul 20, 2024 13:23:21 GMT -5 emilyinchile said:

Have you looked at Sunriver?

No, I'll check it out!

[186momx]

Brasada Ranch it is located in Powell Butte Oregon about 20 minutes from downtown Bend.

[InBetweenDays]

Sun Mountain Lodge in Washington is fabulous. It is more than 2 hours from the Seattle and Spokane airports but you may be able to fly into a closer regional airport. They have the Patterson Lake Cabins that have full kitchens, etc.

So many amazing activities and a stunning location.

You could also look into Suncadia. They have lots of large vacation rentals you can book and have access to the resort amenities. It's about 1.5-2 hours from SeaTac.

[SusanBAnthony]

Jul 23, 2024 14:01:53 GMT -5 InBetweenDays said:

Sun Mountain Lodge in Washington is fabulous. It is more than 2 hours from the Seattle and Spokane airports but you may be able to fly into a closer regional airport. They have the Patterson Lake Cabins that have full kitchens, etc.

So many amazing activities and a stunning location.

You could also look into Suncadia. They have lots of large vacation rentals you can book and have access to the resort amenities. It's about 1.5-2 hours from SeaTac.

Thank you!!! H and I stayed at the Suncadia lodge and loved it. I forgot they ha e other options too. I'll also check out Sun Mountain Lodge. The airport distance is flexible, just not willing to drive a whole day. I want to be able to fly there and drive in one day that's not horribly long.

[SusanBAnthony]

Jul 23, 2024 13:38:44 GMT -5 186momx said:

Brasada Ranch it is located in Powell Butte Oregon about 20 minutes from downtown Bend.

I will check it out, thank you!

[sdlaura]

We have done Sunriver several times with big groups. We like that there’s lots of different types of houses (condos, townhouses, large houses) and lots of bike paths around the area and a nice pool with water slides. We can fly non stop into Bend airport from San Diego.

I’ve stayed in Brasada ranch to run a relay race with girlfriends and it’s like a newer/fancier Sunriver - more spread out and more expensive. I think Sunriver is better for a multi family group.

I looked at Suncadia, but to use the pools, you have to rent through Hyatt and pay their pricey resort fee.

[InBetweenDays]

Jul 23, 2024 21:17:24 GMT -5 sdlaura said:

I looked at Suncadia, but to use the pools, you have to rent through Hyatt and pay their pricey resort fee.

I wonder if that is new. We stayed there a few years ago and rented through VRBO and were able to use the pools, etc. Although it was December so not sure if that makes a difference.