Planning Christmas Vacation in July for Steamboat Springs, CO

We are planning a 6 day vacation in Steamboat Springs, CO end of December/New Years. There were a few family friendly ski resorts we were looking at; Jackson Hole, Sun Valley, and renting a cabin close to home in Stevens Pass. However Steam Boat Springs, CO was chosen for a few reasons; a direct flight, kids always ski free, an inexpensive experience out of all three, and my brother lives in Denver. This will be the first time DMC will experience a ski resort since last winter we literally had no snow in the mountains and DMC wasn't quite old enough to get on skis.

We booked a great town home close to the ski resort via www.vrbo.com 

Tip: Free bus shuttle that runs in the neighborhoods by the ski resort
Tip: Book in June/July, we received a free night and our cleaning fee waived

Services to make travel easier: 

Shuttle Service from Airport (book online and receive 10% discount)

Luggage Service to ship your Ski/Snowboarding gear (book early save 15%)

Grocery delivery service

Kids Programs:
There is a childcare center 'Kids Vacation Club'. That has a drop off care program for babies at 6 months of age-6 years old. Lessons start at 3 years of age, however most places will allow 2.5 year olds to ski.

Other activities: 
Sleigh Ride
Toddler Storytime @ Steamboat Library 

Kids Ski Free and Lift Tickets (Adults) Steamboat's Kids Ski Free and Grandkids Ski Free programs enable children 12 years of age and under to ski free the same number of days as their parents/grandparents when parents/grandparents purchase a 5-or-more day Adult lift ticket. Seniors (ages 70+) must purchase an Adult ticket to be eligible for this program. Purchasing a Senior ticket does not qualify for Kids Ski Free. Each qualifying purchase allows one free child per paid parent/grandparent.
(purchase online 7 days in advance 15% off)

Child's Meal on a Plane

Our second international trip, DMC had his own seat which meant his own meal. We flew on British Airways, so about two weeks before our trip I had the option of selecting a child's meal (free) for DMC. There are also 'upgrades' for the meals provided to adults for $23.00, which I highly recommend if you are flying coach.  

For our flight from Seattle to London we each received a meal (lunch or dinner) and a snack. There is alot of food on the childs meal tray.

This was was what on the child's meal from Seattle to London:

• Broccoli, Chicken, Pasta
• White Bread Roll
• Jello
• Kit Kat bar
• Ruffles Potato Chips
• Cups of Grapes
• Cup of carrot and celery sticks
• Mini bottle of water

Snack:

• Blueberry Muffin
• Granola Bar
• Apple juice box

This is what was on the child's meal London to Seattle:

• Chicken nuggets, peas, mash potatoes
• Wheat bread roll
• Fruit cup
• Raisins
• Strawberry yogurt
• Ellas organic food pouch
• Milky bar buttons (white chocolate chips)

Snack:

• Finger sandwiches (cheese, chicken salad)
• potato chips
• chocolate bar

NYC with a Toddler

New York City, NY

Flight Time: 5 hours (delay 4 hours)

Trip Length: 4 days

Age: 14 months (lap child)

Our second time to NYC with DMC is my earliest memory, somehow I cannot remember the first which he was not walking. This flight we decided to fly in the evening on a red eye so that DMC would sleep. Even with a 4 hour delay, DMC slept almost the entire flight in my lap. This was also the trip that I realized DMC needs his own seat, its not 'mandatory' till toddler is two years old. But I have had flight staff ask what his age is and if he is a lap child.

One main reason I knew DMC needed his own seat when he slept it was hard length wise to hold him without his legs resting on the person next to us. Even in the window seat with a few extra inches.

We arrived at our hotel around 3am and were able to transfer DMC, for our entire trip he stayed on west coast time. 

TIP: When we travel in the US I attempt to keep DMC on our timezone (Pacific).

We had a great time in NYC, lots of walking. We brought the umbrella stroller which is perfect. We try not to take cabs. So we stay around Timesquare. We eat breakfast at the hotel or go to a local cafe for a quick pastry and coffee, lunch we typically will eat outside of the hotel, and dinner almost always at the hotel or take out.

Hotel: Hyatt Timesquare New York

We stayed here since we were joining the hubs at the end of a work conference for him. The room was small, but fit a crib and gave us enough space.

Kid Friendly Activities:

Central Park Zoo, this was a great family activity. DMC was the perfect age to enjoy the zoo and he was learning animal names as well.

Kid Friendly Restaurant: there are many restaurants to choose from, remember most neighborhood restaurants are small so its tough to bring a sleeping baby/toddler in. Also make a resveration ahead of time so you are not waiting with a fussy baby/toddler.

Babysitting Service: Babysitters Guild, we used this service recommended by hotel and yelp. I would suggest booking a babysitter 1-2 days ahead, especially on a weekend. The sitter was great and very easy to book.