Life has changed for families in 2020. Everyone has their own reality and difficult choices that have had to be made. One of those tough choices may be tackling remote learning. Sometimes that requires that parents have the ability to work remotely themselves. But maybe, just maybe that means they can identify and visit some fun places to work remotely.
Header photo: Courtesy Town of Vail/ Jack Affleck
2020 has been full of silver linings. For us, one has been taking the time to explore our home state of Colorado more thoroughly. It is a beautiful place and we are grateful to have explored corners new to us.
I am fortunate to be able to WFH (yes, Working From Home is now an acronym!). But unfortunately remote learning hasn’t been right for us this year. Sometimes I dream of taking a gap year to travel and homeschool. Maybe when my youngest gets to middle school. If I did, certainly Colorado would be a great place to start. There are some ideal places to work remotely, and to learn remotely in Colorado.
What Makes a Place Ideal for Remote Work
I’ve always wondered why coworking spaces were popular. I’ve been doing some form of WFH for most of my career. All you really need is your cell phone, good WiFi, a good computer, a printer and a quiet place to concentrate. That’s the GenX in me. But I do think that for the socially distant future, coworking spaces are no longer a requirement of the best places to work remotely. So, what are those requirements of a great place to work remotely?
If you are going to both work remotely, and also homeschool or learn virtually you need the four things that I mentioned above: especially good WiFi and a good computer. Other than that, the ability to use the place and culture around you to learn is key. Beautiful scenery and access to the outdoors would be our next requirements. Several places in Colorado offer just that.
YMCA of the Rockies: Estes Park Center & Snow Mountain Ranch
YMCA of the Rockies and Snow Mountain Ranch offer a variety of cabin options ranging in size from 2-, 3-, or 4- bedroom vacation homes, as well as expansive 6-8-bedroom group cabins for extended families, groups or a learning pod.
Both properties offer peaceful mountain getaways where social distancing comes easily and inspiring spots abound for learning and working remotely. Cabins feature stunning views, complimentary Wi-Fi, family-friendly floor plans, and large well-stocked kitchens. Just as importantly, they offer lots of enriching and fun activities perfect for supplementing remote learning.
Snow Mountain Ranch near Winter Park is an ideal autumn destination with pet-friendly private cabins, and hotel-style lodge rooms. On-site activities include mountain biking, hiking, crafts shop, mini-golf, horseback riding, roller skating, and fishing.
New this season are the Family Adventure Packs, a new experience for families to explore the outdoors at their own self-guided pace.
YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park offers wide open spaces on over 800 acres bordering Rocky Mountain National Park. Bring your laptop to work or study from wraparound porch and then take a break to enjoy the turning aspen leaves, huge herds of elk roaming the property, and fun fall activities such as horseback riding, hiking, miniature golf and more.
New this season is the Outdoor Education Curriculum, free easy-to-follow science and ecology kits with lessons on local wildlife, outdoor living skills, geocaching, and more. There are also special fall events such as Fall Photography Fridays, Spy Weeks, and the Halloween Spooktacular on October 31 featuring a haunted house and safe trick-or-treating throughout the property.
Insider Tip: Cabins in Colorado abound and are great places to work and learn remotely. Just make sure there’s WiFi!
Vail, Colorado: Antlers at Vail
Antlers at Vail offers spacious studio up to four-bedroom condominiums, all with free high speed WiFi, full kitchens, private balconies with gas grills and an ideal location on Gore creek facing Vail Mountain. The bike path runs right along the back of the hotel along the creek. It offers easy access to getting around town and enjoying the local parks.
With the Golden Days in Vail package by the Antlers at Vail, book an extended stay and spend one to three weeks among spectacular autumn foliage and the mountains of Vail, Colorado. Whether you’re working from home or helping the kids through distance education this fall, take a break and experience the expansive terrain of Vail, Colorado.
Leave the screens at Antlers and enjoy a nature walk with Walking Mountains Science Center. Explore the highest elevation botanical garden in North America at the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. Take the kids on a field trip and go on a Vail photo scavenger hunt provided by Antlers and the folks at Make a Date of It followed by ice cream at Sundae in Vail Village. Come back to the comfort of your home away from home and enjoy dinner and a loaner board game from Antlers in front of the cozy fireplace in your Platinum-rated Antlers at Vail residence.
Vail, Colorado: Grand Hyatt
No question that Vail is an excellent place to work and learn remotely. The Grand Hyatt Vail is also offering a Work from Grand Hyatt Vail deal.
Here you can transform your work from home routine into a memorable working vacation with the new Work from Hyatt getaway packages. Abundant outdoor spaces and spacious guestrooms and suites let the family spread out. Private work areas and high-speed internet make remote work and school a breeze. Hotel amenities from room service to refreshing pools provide an escape from the everyday.
Also available are one- to five-bedroom private, well-appointed condominiums.
Available when booking now through December 31, 2020 for 7+ night stays through March 31, 2021.
Snowmass, Colorado
Snowmass is really an ideal place for families to visit and spend time in the great outdoors. The Lost Forest, Elk Camp Gondola and Snowmass Bike Park are all open on weekends through October 4th. Also guests can hike in Snowmass with an Aspen Center for Environmental Studies guide on weekends through October 4th. The golden colors of fall foliage typically last through October. All 90+ miles of hiking trails and cross country mountain bike trails are open. For other ideas of fun family activities and learning opportunities visit the Snowmass website.
Here are a few of the lodging options with plenty of space for families to spread out, work and learn.
Destination Residences Snowmass
Offering privately owned residences ranging from studios to 5 bedroom condominiums, Destination Residences Snowmass has many options within walking distance of the slopes. In addition, here you will find all the amenities of a hotel with all the comforts of home.
Book an extended vacation in one of their Snowmass condo rentals and settle in for long adventurous days, replenishing nights, and all the down time in between to restore your mind, body, and soul. Special rates are valid on stays of 14 nights or longer.
The Crestwood
The Crestwood’s slope side location, fully furnished condominium accommodations and endless list of services and amenities, welcome families for remote work and learning. Long term vacation rentals are available with discounts from 30% to 50% off.
Timberline Condominiums
Guests can take advantage of savings of 30% when staying 7 nights or longer at the Timberline Condominiums. Timberline Condominiums offer slopeside Snowmass condominium rentals, just steps from a variety of activities that Snowmass Village buzzing is known for. Their condominium suites range from studios, 1, 2, and 3 bedrooms.
Viceroy Snowmass
Offering an uplifting getaway, surrounded by the country’s best hiking and biking trails and the majestic peaks of Snowmass, Viceroy Snowmass is sanctuary to create lifelong memories.
Viceroy Snowmass is offering luxury extended stay accommodations. Enjoy peace, solitude, and ample space to hold conference calls or tackle that next big project. With inspiring mountain views, high-speed wi-fi, and all the added luxury amenities, work and play in Snowmass with 1-2+ monthly extended stay rates.
Aspen, Colorado: The Gant Aspen
Visiting Aspen Center for Environmental Studies is a fun and enriching fall activity for families. Also, fall is an ideal time to visit the spectacular Maroon Bells. Or take the Aspen Mountain Gondola (running weekends through the first weekend of October) up the mountain for some sightseeing, leaf peeping and lunch at the top.
Situated upon five acres of open space within a tranquil enclave at the base of Aspen Mountain, The Gant’s location complemented by residential style accommodations and resort amenities and services are ideal for remote work and learning.
Residential style accommodations provide the comforts of home, including: one- to four-bedroom floorplan options, private, well-appointed kitchen, wood burning fireplaces, washers and dryers and Wi-Fi.
Guests opting for an Aspen base camp enjoy 30% extended savings on one- to four-bedroom private condominiums for direct bookings of 14 or more nights, pending availability. Tax exemption applies to stays of 30 or more consecutive nights. To inquire about extended stay reservations, individuals may call a reservations specialist at 800-549-0530.
Have you discovered any other great places to learn and work remotely in Colorado? Let us know in the comments below!
You must be a millionaire to be recommending such expensive places for remote working!
The mountains in our home state of Colorado are not a cheap place to visit or live. But they are beautiful. And, there are times of the year when prices are much less, such as May and October to November. It is also quieter during those times of the year.