Last updated: . Updated seasonal activity, ticket and package qualifications, pool and slide guidance, holiday show and exhibit context, allergy-arrangement qualifications, and family scenes and memories from our earlier Gaylord Rockies visits. Date information added October 30, 2026.
A family Christmas moment around the fire pit · Scene from our film (9 sec)
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Christmas is a serious love affair in our family, and Gaylord Rockies has become one of the places our kids ask to revisit. These are the experiences and memories we collected across three stays, with links to check the current season before making your own plans.
Is anyone else out there a self-admitted Christmas addict? If there was a Christmas Anonymous, I might need to attend. November 1st kicks off my love affair with the holiday (following my almost equally intense love affair with Halloween), and I love to inject as much Christmas cheer and experiences into our holiday season as possible.
When we happen to be visiting family in Colorado, enjoying a few days at Gaylord Rockies is one of our top Christmas wishes. My kids ask every year if we are going, and we have created very fond memories over our last three visits we’ve enjoyed as a family. The Gaylord has packed lots of extra Christmas cheer into their fantastic resort for the holiday season. From ICE, a literal ice playground, to the heated indoor and outdoor pool, the many restaurants and cafes to enjoy, and the deluxe family suites we love, the Gaylord Rockies is a highlight in our holiday season.
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The experiences below are memories from our family’s past visits, not a current activity schedule. Themes, shows, shops, hours, menus, and packages can change. For your dates, use the official Christmas site to check activity tickets, any timed entry, and exactly what your room package includes. A hotel reservation should not be treated as admission to every attraction.
Anyone who is raising kids in a place with cold weather knows how stir-crazy things can get after a few weeks of cold temps. You crave the kids running free outside and expending their energy, but the weather keeps everyone in. The Gaylord of the Rockies boasts the frequent winter sun of Colorado and offers some amazing outdoor spaces year-round.
Across our three visits, what worked for our family was having choices close together: we could spend time in the pool complex, step outside for the lawn and fire pit, or head back indoors for the Christmas activities. Having indoor and outdoor choices is helpful when Colorado weather changes. The outdoor offerings and seasonal activities can change, so I would check what is open for your dates before building a day around one particular attraction.
The pool complex is one of the reasons our kids ask to go back. Our holiday memories include indoor swimming and the outdoor water, with steam rising on a cold winter visit. I loved that contrast between the chilly walk and the warm water. Check which outdoor features are open for your dates; our past use of the lazy river is not a current winter-opening promise.
Indoor swims and the outdoor pool after dark · Scene from our film (35 sec)
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A favorite of my kids that entertains them all year long is the fantastic pool complex at Arapahoe Springs. The extensive indoor pool area can hold over 400 people! The heated pool has splash pads, two slides (the resort currently lists a 48-inch minimum for the indoor slides; check the posted rule for each attraction), an indoor hot tub, and a sports pool with a net in the middle.
The outdoor area impressed us with its fire pit, hot tubs, mountain views, and lazy river. The resort currently describes the lazy river as seasonal; confirm which outdoor attractions will be open during your stay and check current hours.
We were impressed with the attentive lifeguards on our visit. That is our observation, not a promise of staffing at every pool or a substitute for supervising children.
You can rent cabanas in warmer months and enjoy the day away under the sun. If your crew gets hungry, there is a cafe in the pool area serving hot dogs, burgers, pizza, and a couple of salad options.
On the Christmas visit described here, we enjoyed the heated outdoor hot tub and lazy river every day of our stay! We are Colorado natives and didn’t mind the chilly walk to the warm water. I loved the steam from the water and being outside in the colder months!
Roasting marshmallows outside is one of the simple treats I love about a Gaylord Christmas stay. There is plenty of room in this guide for the big attractions, but our time together around the fire pit belongs in the memories too. Check whether the outdoor fire area is available during your stay.
Fire up your chess skills with the outdoor oversized chess board or roast s’mores at the outdoor fire pit. Bring a basketball and play a pickup ball game at the many outdoor courts or play some tennis. The outdoor lawn area of the Gaylord of the Rockies has lots to offer!
Our family holiday footage also preserves time at the outdoor rink, including blue rental skates and a seal-shaped skating aid. It is another activity to look for when planning a winter visit. Check the current rink schedule, rental details and participation requirements rather than assuming it is included with your room.
A look back at the outdoor skating rink · Scene from our film (14 sec)
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Mistletoe Village makes a Christmas stroll feel like a string of little stops. We have browsed the shops, looked at Build-A-Bear outfits and sat down with gingerbread supplies during our holiday visits. Those small activities are part of what the kids remember along with the larger attractions. The shops and offerings can change, so check the current seasonal list.
Mistletoe Village shops and a gingerbread kit · Scene from our film (30 sec)
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Our first stop was Mistletoe Village! Its hours varied during the visit we describe; check the current season’s activity lineup and hours rather than planning around that old weekday pattern. Walk into a wintery Christmas main street with shops, carolers (occasionally), and activity options.
Mistletoe Village is the center of the Christmas holiday at the Gaylord!
Options include:
Enjoy chilled milk and a cookie while you sing with Mrs. Claus and her favorite elf! Soy milk and gluten-free cookies were available during our visit, making us very happy! Ask the organizer about current ingredients and allergy arrangements before booking.
What do elves do best? Make toys! During your time at Elf Training Academy, you can learn from the best as you create your special toy to take with you. We painted small Nutcrackers while we chatted with Santa’s Head Elf of Security for the North Pole.
Having the houses already assembled meant we could concentrate on the decorating. Nutmeg was a hit with our kids, and the holiday footage preserves a character pose near the gingerbread tables. Kits and character appearances vary, so check the current activity details if those are high on your family’s list.
Meeting Nutmeg near the gingerbread tables · Scene from our film (14 sec)
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We adored the pre-made gingerbread houses this year! It made decorating a snap. Nutmeg, a live gingerbread man, was also a hit with the kids. Each gingerbread house kit has everything you need, but you can purchase more candy in the sweet shop for decorating or snacking purposes.
While dangerous for the wallet, this store is a massive hit with the kids. Pick out your stuffed animal, accessories, and interior items, such as a special scent or recorded message. Then, fill your stuffed animal and perform a “heart ceremony” to bring them to life. It’s all quite adorable!
You’ll find some fantastic ornaments and Christmas decorations in the shopping area at the back of Mistletoe Village.
Take a break from shopping and enjoy some hot cocoa, a holiday-themed bar, and Auntie Annie’s Pretzels. Sit and enjoy the sights while you sip your hot cocoa.
The movie details were what impressed me about the A Christmas Story exhibit we visited. The Chop Suey Palace scene became a display of colorful ice figures, and we explored in the long blue parkas. That is a memory of a past theme, not the current programme; use the official ICE page linked below for the season you are booking.
The A Christmas Story ice exhibit we visited · Scene from our film (9 sec)
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One of the main attractions at the Gaylord Rockies is the massive walk-through attraction, which is all made of ice! The Gaylord Resorts around the county start receiving 600+ lbs of ice blocks in September and use teams of ice carvers from China to design an incredible experience.
The entire walk-through exhibit is kept at freezing temperatures and is truly spectacular. We enjoyed the ice slides and the provided long parkas. For your visit, check the attraction’s current footwear, clothing, and slide rules; participation requirements are not the same as admission to the exhibit. We were so impressed with the quality of the displays and the detail that matched the movie A Christmas Story. We saw Ralphie, his house, the famous leg lamp, and so much more. The official ICE! page lists the current season’s theme.
Being big fans of acrobatics and talent spectaculars, we love Cirque. The production we saw followed Noel as she searched for the real spirit of Christmas. Check the current season’s show lineup and performance calendar; our old Monday-and-Tuesday closure pattern is not a current schedule. Various talents show string together, such as acrobatics, dancing, roller skating, etc. Our 6-year-old girl especially loved it!!
Get to know the stunning Gaylord complex even better while you hunt for clues around the hotel with the Reindeer Games Scavenger Hunt. You can also turn in your booklet for a prize at the end!
For anyone 18 years and older, the Relâche Spa at Gaylord Rockies offers a peaceful sanctuary from the busy world. The locker rooms are extensive, with steam rooms, showers, and prep areas. Head into the co-ed lounge area with your comfy robe, and you can relax near the roaring fireplace or on a private couch.
I was lucky enough to experience the 100-minute scrub and massage, which practically melted me onto the massage table. The apple cinnamon body scrub smelled delicious and left my skin glowing and silky smooth. My muscles were expertly massaged into relaxation, and I left feeling refreshed.
As a busy mom of five kids with three businesses and many church commitments, I am constantly on the go. Taking time for myself is a challenge, but burnout is real! Massages are an excellent way to regroup and collect my thoughts once more.
While we don’t drink alcohol, we know that’s an integral part of vacation for many adults. The Gaylord offers a massive Sports Bar for dinner, watching the game, or enjoying some time with friends.
The Christmas Tree Bar in the lobby offers adult drinks to enjoy by the various fireplaces and amid the amazing Christmas Trees.
Vista Montagne and Monte Jade restaurants delight the culinary senses of anyone staying on the property or stopping by for a dinner visit. We thought the Asian Fusion food at Monte Jade was some of the best Asian food we’ve had in years. The tempura shrimp dish was so good we had to order another! I also appreciated the clear gluten-free options, which are not easy to find at all Asian restaurants.
These two films preserve different holiday moments, while this article gathers memories from three family stays. The activities, exhibits, guest interviews and menus in the films belong to those past visits, rather than this season’s programme.
Our family Christmas visit and resort highlights at Gaylord Rockies · Full film (4 min 15 sec)
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Our family holiday film includes resort highlights and guest voices from a past visit. It is a look back, not a promise about current shows, themes, menus or inclusions. Guest speakers retain their own on-screen attribution. The selected scenes from the other family film are identified by their exact source.
Watch our other family Christmas film from Gaylord Rockies, including the pool, rink and village memories excerpted above.
Overall, the Gaylord Rockies hosts one of the best family destinations in the country and is especially magical at Christmas time. We are leaving our third (of hopefully many more to come!) visit full of Christmas memories and cheer. The kids are already begging to know when we can return, and I can’t say I’m much different! Be sure to check out their early-season specials on their website here.
Xoxo,
Leslie
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