Mountain Towns, Skiing, and 5 More Reasons to Plan a Red River Vacation

1. Mountain Towns

Going to a mountain town is reason enough to plan a vacation. With beautiful natural surroundings, a peaceful winter atmosphere, and plenty of quaint area activities, a mountain town is often a lovely retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

2. Skiing

Of course, people target a mountain town in the winter for the excellent skiing. One option is to hit the local ski resorts for lift tickets, lessons, and gear. Of course, if you are skilled and have your own gear, you can get off the beaten track and try cross country skiing.

3. Snowshoeing

If you can walk there, you can snowshoe there. Not only is the activity easy and age-friendly, it is also a great way to get safely in the treeline to see the wonders of the area forests and tree preserves. Make a game of it and see how many tracks you can find and identify.

4. Snow play

One free and always fun staple in any mountain town is snow play. Make a snowman for each person in the family, or have fun making snow angels. Make a target and create a game for snowballs. Find fresh snow and add a few ingredients to make a snow ice cream snack. The possibilities are endless.

5. Fishing

Mountain towns are known for their excellent fishing opportunities. With the right gear and fishing tips, a bright sunny day can bring an excellent catch. It is also a unique way to get out of the hotel room for the day.

6. Snowmobiling

For the more adventurous at heart, snowmobiles offer a fast and fun day in the snow. All mountain towns will have a variety of rental options and training for snowmobiles. There are also usually a number of trails for easy rides and challenging ones. Pack a lunch for a meal with a wonderful and private view.

7. Snow tours

The businesses in any mountain town know that the snow is a major attraction. They want to share all the beauty with visitors. Opting for a snow tour in a motor coach or car is the perfect way to take a relaxing (and warm) ride through the countryside.

If you would like to learn more about a mountain town in Taos, NM, visit LiftsWest.

5 Tips for Picking a Luxury Ski Hotel That's Family Friendly

1. Look for luxury ski hotels that feature an en-suite kitchen

Family vacations can be expensive...and busy. Exploring destination restaurants and delicacies is part of the fun of traveling, but eating out for every meal can be hard on the budget and can take a lot of time. Instead, look for luxury ski hotels that include a kitchenette in their rooms. This allows you to keep quick sandwich makings and breakfast options on hand for easier meals for the kids, not to mention your own hot cocoa supplies for an anytime cold weather snack.

2. Peruse their website

There are a wide variety of luxury ski hotels to suit all personality types. Some are for the rustic adventurer. Others are tailored for the high-end adult traveler. In order to find one that caters to family groups, just check out their website. They will have plenty of family-friendly verbiage and activity suggestions.

3. Ask around

Chances are, someone amongst your friends and family has been to a few luxury ski hotels and can share details about family friendliness with you. Ask them to be specific about the room layout, any kid-themed activities available, and the general ease of getting around the property and town with young ones in-tow.

4. Find a resort with a heated pool

A unanimous favorite amongst kids and adults alike is a heated pool. Parents instantly have an easy, go-to activity option for their kids. The kids have a favorite place to hang out, work out some energy, and meet friends. Almost all luxury ski hotels included a heated pool when they want and expect children to be amongst their guests.

5. Look for area activities for all age groups

While the draw to particular luxury ski hotels is their openness to family groups, it is equally important to make sure the area has plenty of easy to get to options to please the rage of age groups that you have in your gang. Obviously, there should be a variety of kid options to choose from at the ski area. However, also look to the surrounding town for fun things to do, like kid-friendly restaurants, live shows, museums, organized activities, and general hijinks.

If you would like to learn more about luxury ski hotels in Red River, New Mexico, click here.

How to Plan a Last Minute Family Vacation Without Losing Your Mind

Sometimes the only way to finally get to that family vacation destination is if you plan the trip at the last minute. With busy schedules for everyone in the family, it can be difficult to finalize dates for work meetings, volunteer obligations, ball games, and recitals. A big vacation is typically best planned several months ahead, to save money and plan for all the details. However, with a few helpful tips, even the last minute variety will go off without a hitch.

Find a hotel with plenty of things to do in walking distance

Sometimes, the trouble with last minute travel is trying to fill the itinerary. By looking for a family vacation destination in the center of an entertainment area, the days are easily filled once you get there. You may have one or two special outings to book ahead of time, but other days can be spent simply strolling through town and discovering fun things to do.

Look for last-minute deals

Often, major discounts are gotten when planning several months out from the travel date, however, many airlines, car rental companies, and hotels offer special discounted rates for last-minute travel. Even during holiday weekends, it is common for a tourism-based companies in a family vacation destination to try to maximize sales and fully book their services through last-minute discounts.

Don’t forget the home preparations

With so much focus on the family vacation destination, it can be easy to forget to prep your home to be empty for a while. Obviously, it is good to notify the neighbors and ask someone to help feed the pets. You can easily hold your mail by stopping by a post office or visiting the USPS website. The same goes for the newspaper or any other services you regularly receive. Grab a few timers for a lamp or radio in the house, and several options exist for simple home security cameras that can be viewed from a mobile device.

Don’t be daunted by last-minute family vacations. Sometimes, they are the most fun, because you didn’t spend too much time dwelling on the decisions.

If you would like to learn more about a family vacation destination in Red River, NM, visit LiftsWest.

5 Tips for Planning Awesome Ski Vacations

When looking for luxury condominiums in a ski resort area, there are a few best practices to help plan an awesome vacation.

1. Know what you want

Before you start your ski vacation planning, make a list of the things you want out of this vacation. It could be a trip for fun family time, a romantic getaway, or a retreat with friends. Whatever the reasons, there are so many options in most vacation areas that it can be easy to be distracted.

2. Check the map

It is surprising how many times a person that doesn't know an area books an activity or lodging that is too far away. For the most relaxed ski vacation, find an area with luxury condominiums that are in a town with everything in walking distance, or available by a shuttle.

3. Review area attractions

The slopes should be great, but It is important to find an area with plenty of other options, like outdoor activities, shopping, and restaurants. Luxury condominiums also typically have spas located in them or near by. Check into other winter sport outings, like cross country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and even winter fishing.

4. Ask lots of questions

Once you find a town that has everything you need, then find a source and ask lots of questions. How are the ski conditions the time of year you want to go? Are there any special packages available? Is there a property that has a great view, free Internet connection, a kitchenette, and is walking distance to everything? You can find a lot of helpful information, simply by asking.

5. Book directly through the property

When you finally do have your location chosen and favorite of the luxury condominiums narrowed down, it is best to book directly through the property. The concierge there may have access to entertainment packages, and the booking agents there can typically offer the best deals.

If you would like to learn more about luxury condominiums in the Red River area, click here.

How to Find the Perfect Vacation Rental

Looking for vacation rentals can be a daunting task. The area you want to visit might be new to you, you have to make decision about what you want to do several months in advance, and there are likely budget restrictions. The Internet is full of information, but the trouble is in learning how to fine tune the searches to find what you need. You can start your lodging hunt by asking friends that have been there before, or by visiting tourism sites and those that offer user reviews and comments about properties. The best bet is to simply dive into the project, learn what you can about the town and properties, make notes, and then make informed decisions.

When looking for vacation lodging, the key is to start the search early. There are a number of national and local rental websites to use. Also, if you find a particular property that stands out from the rest, you could find better information if you visit their website. There could also be better rates if you book directly through them. Remember that it takes time to learn about the vacation rentals in an area, compare the amenities, and make a decision. If the property is good, it is likely sought by others, too. The earlier you start, the better the chances that your ideal spot is still available when you need it.

Pay attention to the details. It is easy to get wrapped up in fancy construction and vacation rentals with the best views, however pay attention to the details of the property. Some have restrictions that may not fit with your schedule. Others my be less expensive, but are further away from the attractions, meaning you might have to rent a car or spend a significant part of your vacation traveling to what you want to do. When considering price comparables, take into account those added costs that the best location can save. Ask questions about the available amenities that could help save money, like in-room kitchens, free Wi-Fi, and access to laundry facilities. Of course, the jackpot is when you find a property that has everything you need, is close to town, and has a great view.

If you would like to learn more about vacation rentals in Red River, NM, visit Lifts West.

5 Tips for Awesome Blended Family Vacations

When looking for fun family vacation destinations, knowing how to plan the trip can be the difference in success and a flop. Especially for a blended family, or one with a wide range of ages, it can be easy to please some and leave others unhappy. By taking time to plan ahead, the time you spend together on holiday will be memories shared for years to come.

1. Get everyone involved

When in the research phase of looking at the best family vacation destinations, get the whole family involved in the process. Younger children can draw pictures and share with you the things they like to do and older ones can help with Internet searches.

2. Stay flexible

Even the best laid plans can go awry. By keeping calm when things don't turn out as expected, you can set the example for the rest of the family. If rain deters the campfire s'mores, make a pow wow in the room with sheet tents and treats. If unusually sunny weather makes for bad ski conditions, plan a nature hike instead. Keep an open mind and remember that family time is the key.

3. Keep everyone informed

Print full itineraries for all family members, to keep everyone informed of what is happening each day. Older children and adults will likely appreciate knowing when they have free time to make plans with new friends, and no one is disappointed because they missed something.

4. Plan “together time” and “independent time”

In order to keep from having any meltdowns, it's okay to have times when everyone has their own activity. Most hotels and family vacation destinations have full lists of children's activities for all times of the year. Of course, you will want to check out all credentials and safety precautions, but giving the kids their freedom to make new friends in group activities also lets you have adult time fun.

5. Find a place with something for everyone

A fun family vacation is supposed to be just that, fun for the whole family. Keep in mind all age groups and skill levels when you search for family vacation destinations. Vacations that highlight the outdoors, that include small towns, lakes, mountains, and outdoor activities are usually a good bet, because of the variety of activities to do.

For more information about family vacation destinations in Red River, NM, click here.

5 Ways to Have Fun on a Mountain Vacation

When visiting a mountain town, the trouble sometimes is that there are too many things to do. With fresh air, beautiful surroundings, and an interesting mix of locals and other vacationers from around the world, simply taking it all in and visiting is fun. However, if you want a little more activity for a day, here is the short list of guaranteed entertainment.

1. Hit the slopes

When the hills around town are covered in snow, take advantage of the opportunity to ski, sled, snowboard, or rent snow mobiles. For those times when it is warmer, the same scenic areas are good for hikes, jeep trails, and horse riding. Either way, getting outside to enjoy the mountain air, streams, flora, and fauna are the perfect way to enjoy the area.

2. Visit local shops

Small towns each have their own local shop gems. Find locally made hand crafts and specialty items, along with antiques. Luxury clothing, food, and beverages are also typically available in small stores. They often are big on charm, hospitality, and quality.

3. Find a festival

Mountain towns are known for their fun festivals. Music, food, hand crafts, and rides are typical characters to expect. Festivals are fun for couples as well as families. There are often festivals at all times of the year, celebrating all major holidays, as well as local traditions, too.

4. Drop a line

Being in a mountain town usually means that there are cold, fresh mountain springs nearby. They are perfect for fishing, most all times of the year. Although different methods may be better for winter fishing, with the right gear and clothing, it can still be an original and fun outing.

5. Go to the spa

If relaxation is the point of your getaway to a mountain town, then the perfect activity for you is in a luxury spa. Most facilities offer an array of services including massages, manicures, pedicures, facials, and body wraps.

For more information about mountain town fun in Red River, NM, contact Lifts West.