Glenwood Springs, Colorado: Bargain Ski Swim And Stay Package

The Hotel

You can choose from a variety of local hotels offering the Ski, Swim, Stay package. My wife and I decided on the Hot Springs Lodge due to its proximity to the pool and comfortable rooms. The hotel is in tip-top condition and offers excellent amenities. Newer carpets, bedding, towels, and bathrooms shine since the 2012 remodeling.

Rooms choices range from a standard room, premium, suites, and connecting rooms. The standard rooms provide ample space (288-315 sq ft/28.75-29.2 sqm) mini fridge, work desk, microwave, coffee maker, robes, towels for the pool, and some come with a balcony. Premium rooms boast 435 sq ft/40.41 sqm and all have a balcony or patio. Step up to a suite and get 721 sq ft/66.98 sqm with two separate bedrooms, each with a king sized bed plus a pullout couch. Bathrooms in the suites include a hot tub in one bedroom and a full bath in the other. All rooms come with a delicious full breakfast served at The Grill by the pool. A free shuttle takes guests to the Sunlight Mountain Resort and back if needed. Check with the hotel as departure and return times vary.

Spa and more

The Hot Springs Lodge offers access to the Spa of the Rockies at an additional price. If you stay at the Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge, you get ten percent off spa services. The stately spa building was built in the 1880s of native red sandstone and provides massage treatments, couples massage, facials, fitness center, and more. Triple pane windows add views from some of the spa treatment rooms while shutting out the noise beyond this tranquil refuge.

The Pool

The Glenwood Hot Springs Pool is one of Colorado’s best attractions! Packed with 15 minerals for health and vitality, this is one cool hot pool. With an astounding flow of 3.5 million gallons of hot springs water, the pool stays clean all day long. Although the hot springs water comes out of the ground at 122 F/50 C, the small pool is heated to 104 F/40 C, and the big one is around 90-93 F/32.2-33.8 C. If you don’t have bathing suits or towels, don’t worry. There’s an onsite shop selling bathing suits and the pool rents towels.

By the summer of 2019, there will be new aquatic attractions and more family-fun on the west end of the big pool. Towards the north end of the complex, find a tiny curious pool and water spout. Here you are welcome to try a taste of the healing waters if you dare. This small pool is boiling hot so you’ll want a cup to dip in the water and allow it to cool just a bit.

The Ski Area

Sunlight Mountain Resort welcomes skiers, snowboarders, and even offers snowmobile tours for non-skiers. Now in their 52nd year of operation, this is one of my favorite ski areas in Colorado. Although I’m an expert skier, I love the 2.5 mile/4.02 kilometers beginner run named Ute, after the native American tribe that frequented the area. Ute sweeps you along the north side of the mountain and has enough dips and rolls to make it fun for just about any level of skiing ability. The views are great and the crowds of larger ski areas non-existent. For experts, find almost half the mountain offering excellent tree skiing and one of the steepest runs in the state. A terrain park gives thrill seekers a safe place to leave the earth for a moment or just hit some fun bank turns.

Peace and quiet

Sunlight is quieter than the Colorado ski areas bordered by busy mountain highways. You won’t hear any big trucks grinding their gears or the rattling Jake brakes here. You can actually listen to sounds of nature as you enjoy this high-country wild spot deep in the tall pine trees. When you get hungry or thirsty, drop into Out of Bounds Grill. On warm days, the grill brings the cooks outside on the deck to serve up hamburgers, hot dogs, and brats for the happy crowd. Inside the lodge find a bar (Last Turn Lounge), restrooms, and plenty of tables for eating or resting.

Sunlight offers some of the most affordable ski/snowboard lessons in the state. With almost half of the mountain being beginner or intermediate runs, this is an excellent place to learn skiing or snowboarding. A shop on site offers things you might have forgotten like gloves, mittens, hand warmers, and more to make your visit a great experience.