Vail Resorts offers Rocky Mountain family vacation package

Are you ready for an adventurous family getaway this summer?

The folks at Vail Resorts have put together what might be the perfect Colorado Rocky Mountain package to please everyone!

The ‘Epic Summer’ family adventure experience is an all-inclusive vacation for either four or seven days.

Trip itineraries combine the best vacation experiences at the Colorado mountain resort of Keystone, Breckenridge, Vail and Beaver Creek along with the services of knowledable local guides from the day of arrive to the day of departure.

These guides are experts in the history, culture and ecology of the region families will visit.

The six-night, seven-day itinerary includes all of the following included activities:

• Standing at the top of the Continental Divide in a trip to world-renowned Rocky Mountain National Park

• Whitewater rafting down a scenic Colorado river

• Horseback riding through groves of aspens, pines and fields of wildflowers on Beaver Creek Mountain

• Taking a gondola ride to the summits of Vail and Keystone mountains, followed by a nature hike and a picnic

• An historical walking tour through the Victorian mining town of Breckenridge (celebrating its 150th anniversary this year)

• A tour of an authentic gold mine with hands-on gold panning

• Fun at a Wild West cowboy campfire dinner with wagon rides and storytelling

In between the action is ample time to explore other optional activities such as biking, hiking and to shop the boutiques of Estes Park, Vail and Breckenridge.

All meals are included and planned with a mountain theme. For instance, three lunches are mountaintop picnics complete with magnificent Rocky Mountain views. Another is along the banks of a river during the rafting excursion. Dinners will be in iconic Colorado restaurants along with the outdoor cowboy campfire dinner.

Part of the adventure will be learning about local flora and fauna, geology, geography and history of the region. Also, in keeping with Vail Resorts’ commitment to environmental stewardship, the carbon impacts associated with the lodging and transportation portion of the trip will be offset to support development of renewable energy throughout the country.

Families looking for a weekend escape can enjoy an abbreviated version of the seven-day guided trip with white water rafting, a gondola ride to an easy guided hike and mountaintop picnic, horseback riding and time for shopping in the towns of Vail and Breckenridge. The three-night, four-day package is priced at $695 adults; $545 for children ages 12 and under. Packages begin on Thursday evenings with a welcome reception and dinner in Keystone Resort and ends after breakfast on Sundays.

The six-night, seven-day all-inclusive package is priced at $1,195 for adults and $895 for children. It begins on Sunday evenings with a welcome reception and dinner in Keystone Resort and ends after breakfast on Saturdays.

This family adventure is best suited for children ages 6 and older.

The ‘Epic Summer’ packages are offered from June 26-Sept. 6. Included are the services of experienced guides, accommodations in well-appointed condominiums or lodge rooms in Keystone or Breckenridge resorts, all featured activities, transportation to and from all activities, ground transfers to and from Denver International Airport and all meals. Airfare is not included.

Vail Resorts will begin taking reservations for the Epic Summer trips beginning April 1. http://www.epicsummer.com

AirTran is running a new sale through Thursday, March 26. One-way rates to Denver start from $119, based on a 10-day advance purchase notice. Sale rates are valid on trips completed by Oct. 30. http://www.airtran.com

Packages begin on Thursday evenings with a welcome reception and dinner in Keystone Resort and ends after breakfast on Sundays.