Upon reading other reviews on trekaroo about activities to enjoy in the Scottsdale area, I jotted this one down as a definite possibility. While I have older kids as well as a 6-year-old, we were all able to enjoy someting about the park to make the visit worthwhile.

One of the nicest things about this park is how clean and well-maintained it is. There is no trash and no overgrown sections. There is plenty of room for ball-tossing or a game that requires a bit of open space. For younger kids there is a large playground section as well as a mini adobe village set up that's perfect for pretend play. There are clean restrooms nearby and a snack bar as well. A carousel with music is also front and center and makes the visit here seem all that more spectacular. Tickets are available for purchase for the carousel, the train and the train museum for a very reasonable price. The train ride is co sute and worth a ride for everyone, especially on a nice day. We liked walking through the model railroad displays and my husband and 12-yr-old enjoyed a visit to the train museaum while my boys tossed a football or played on the playground. There were several birthday parties taking place here but in no way were they intrusive. They were on the outskirts of the park itself, which seemed to work nicely for everyone.

This is a great park for children and a nice place to take a break. There is a lot to do and I was impressed with the cleanliness. It lived up to the recommendations of others and if I am ever in the area again I woulld take my kids here for some outdoor fun!

The Pinnacle Grille is a nice casual place to grab a bite to eat. My family of five stayed nearby and this was ultra-convenient. We ate here twice, both times during their lunch hours. We were able to get a table very quickly (we were here in January), and we did note that in nicer weather you could eat at their patio seating which seemed like a nice option. Inside there were TVs with the latest games on so sports enthusiasts would be happy to be able to view the action while dining. Our waitress was friendly and answered our questions about the menu. She was attentive and we didn't have to look for her when we needed something.

Our food was good and the prices were reasonable. My kids enjoyed the child-friendly menu complete with the usual choices. I would definitely recommend a trip to the Pinnacle Grille if you are in this part of Scottsdale or after a trek up Pinnacle Peak. It's a great little place to dine as the food is good and able to be customized to your taste. I liked that I had a lot of freedom with the burger or chicken choices and they offered salads or other entrees as well. We noticed that there were several groups dining together here, so it looked like it was very accommodating to friends or small meet-ups. If you're in the mood for a good meal in this part of town, make the trip to Pinnacle Grille!

FAMILY SNOW TUBING
My family and I recently took part in Mountain Creek’s evening family snow tubing. It was a great way to get us out and involved in some old-fashioned winter fun! My husband and I arrived at the site on a cold and windy Friday night with our kids and our passes in hand. We had taken the shuttle from Grand Cascades Lodge, which we found to be a convenient, albeit slow option. Wet were eager to get started and whiz down the mountain, however we still had to wait in line at the ticketing booth to provide marketing information for all of our five family members. We then waited while our passes were printed and attached to our jackets. While I understand Mountain Creek’s reasoning for collecting marketing information and I didn’t have an issue providing it, I wonder if there is not a better time or more convenient way to accomplish this.

Once through this process, we got our tubes and rode the “magic carpet” lift to the halfway point up the mountain where the tubing was set up. I believe they often have the whole mountain available for tubing, but lack of snow might have played a part in why it was set up at the halfway point. No worries, as we had a 6-year-old with us, so this was more his speed. They had made snow, so there was plenty to tube on. There were other groups there to enjoy the fun and we did not find it to be too crowded. There were large tubes for adults as well as smaller tubes for younger kids. I found that there was plenty of time to get in line, get in your tube and get flung down the snow-covered mountain. I am a fearful person when undertaking activities and I loved the tubing, so I would have no problem recommending it. My kids (ages 12, 10 and 6) and my brother’s son (age 6) also enjoyed it and liked that the staff would spin them if they wanted or make them go extra fast on their trip down to the bottom. The staff members were also helpful if riders needed assistance at the bottom of the hill, as often some of the younger kids did. They were also great if you lost a hat or glove or other item on your journey down the mountain. We had the opportunity to take many trips down and I felt that the two-hour time span was plenty of time for us. It did get a bit crowded as we were leaving, but while we were there it was nice and very enjoyable. I thought it was a great way for families to enjoy some wholesome fun together and found us laughing and cracking up at each other as we whizzed past. I would recommend family snow tubing to families looking for a fun activity at Mountain Creek. It was a blast!


SKIING/SNOWBOARDING
One of the highlights of Mountain Creek is the skiing and the snowboarding. It’s convenient from both NYC and Philadelphia, so enthusiasts from both cities can come here easily and make a day of it. Rental equipment is available and the staff will help you get the right things for the sport you’re interested in as well as assist you with sizing and proper fit.

I had never been on skis before, so this visit with my family was truly a first. My husband, daughter and younger son got skiing equipment while my older son went for the snowboarding gear. They had all participated in skiing and snowboarding before, so I was the only one who took a lesson.
We found the staff to be very helpful, although the wait to be very long to rent equipment. We were then asked for our marketing information and while I was not opposed to providing it, couldn’t help but wonder if there might be a master system so that I needed only to enter this just once during my family’s trip here. Since I had given all of this information the night before when we snowtubed, it would’ve been nice to be able to simply access it again the next day when we skied. But once this was accomplished we were off and running! We stowed our extra things in a locker nearby and head out to the slopes. The staff was great at assisting everyone in getting the proper equipment, and the best size. They were also great at assisting us once we got out to the base of the mountain, as it can be crowded and hard to know where to head on your first visit. I ended up taking a lesson from Melody who was very nice and got me started on the basics of skiing. She offered my group helpful tips and worked to improve our skills so we could enjoy the sport more. There were a lot of people on the mountain and on the practice hills and she did a great job of working around those obstacles.

My husband and children rode the goldola lift up the mountain and said it was very quick. They found the trails to be nice, easy to navigate and they were able to take a good number of runs. As is true anywhere, there were people all over the mountain, so as long as you were careful, it was a fun trip down. There are also trails on the South Peak for much more advanced boarders and skiers.

Mountain Creek has food and beverages as well as restrooms and sitting areas available. We ate lunch here and found it to be fairly good. It was just nice not to have to leave or be bothered with packing food for the day, although we saw people that had brought coolers, so it is an option if you’d prefer to bring your own grub. There is also a Kid’s activity club should you want to take advantage of this option for children in your group, and of course skiing and snowboarding lessons are available for all age groups as well.
I found my visit to Mountain Creek to be very enjoyable and I was able to pick up some of the basics of skiing while enjoying the day with my family. We liked the trails and found the staff to be very pleasant. I would recommend it for a quick trip from NYC or the surrounding areas to enjoy the day with friends or family while getting in a little exercise!

*This review is based on a complimentary visit to Mountain Creek. I received no other compensation and the business owner did not state any requirements that I express a particular point of view. The opinions I express are entirely my own.

My family visited Grand Cascades Lodge, a world-class Adirondack-style resort and part of the Crystal Springs Resort community to enjoy some winter fun. Located about an hour from NYC and about 2 1/2 hours from Philadelphia, it is a luxurious retreat full of elegance and charm. My family (5 of us with kids ranging in age from 12 to 6) visited on a busy Friday in January.

Grand Cascades offers valet parking as well as bellmen to help you with your luggage. Our bellman offered us nice tips about the community and the lodge as we traveled to our room and was very pleasant to talk to. It was nice to get an insider's view and hear about the many activities that go on there.

Our room was a one-bedroom-suite. There was also a kitchenette so preparing breakfast or a baby's meal or child's special diet would not have been a problem. There was even a washer and dryer there as well in case they were needed, although you would need to bring your own supplies. The living area had a couch (which converted into a bed) and gas fireplace. There was plenty of room to sit and read or talk with your family. Outside was a balcony with table and chairs that would be a lovely spot in the summertime to read or do a quiet activity. The bedroom was well-furnished and connected to the large bathroom complete with shower stall, tub, sink and toilet. Everything was clean and elegant and we felt pampered, although for a family of five the one-bedroom was quite cramped sleeping-wise, so I would recommend a larger room or adjoining suites.

Grand Cascades has its own concierge, so if you were at a loss for things to do, these people are available in the lobby and have loads of information on how to make your stay complete, or offer assistance if you run into an issue or two. We found them most helpful when we had questions on things to do in the area.

There are wonderful restaurants located on-site. We had dinner at the Springs Bistro, which was quite good, and the staff was very accommodating. We had asked to have another couple and child join us and they quickly moved chairs around to allow us to eat together. This was on a busy night, so I appreciated their ability to assist us even when things were bustling. Our server was WONDERFUL and she made our meal so relaxing and enjoyable. I was definitely impressed with all of the staff at the Springs Bistro and would recommend eating there to anyone, although be prepared that although delicious, it is an expensive treat.

My family also ate breakfast the next morning in the Tavern which was also good, although there were not a whole lot of affordable kid-friendly options. The options that were available were a bit too fancy (and costly) for a child who would not really appreciate them, but I can see that they're trying to make this an upscale eatery with a classier feel. If your kids are picky or not big eaters you may want to bring along cereal and milk and fruit and eat in your in-room kitchenette. That being said, I was happy with my meal and my server, again, was top-notch.

One of the highlights of Grand Cascades Lodge is the pool! If your kids are like mine and ask about swimming as soon as we pull up to a hotel, they'll LOVE what they see here! Complete with plants, rocks, hot tub, indoor/outdoor pools, heated water and a huge water slide, the Biosphere pool is heaven! You cannot stay here and not experience this pool. While on busy weekends it does get crowded, and we were dismayed by how many parents and staff members allowed kids into the hot tub, it was otherwise a nice experience and great way to relax. There are no lifeguards, so just be aware. Towels are provided and there are changing rooms with showers, lockers, toilets, hairdryers and bags for your wet clothes. They were clean and close by and very comfortable to use. I was happy with the pool area and although crowded, was a very nice place to relax.

While at Grand Cascades you can have a free shuttle take you to nearby Mountain Creek for snow tubing, skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities. While convenient and affordable, I was most disappointed with this offering. My family spent so much time waiting for this shuttle that we were angry and irritable by the time we either got to our destination or got back to the lodge. The drivers were very nice and seemed to be hustling and doing their best, but they simply could not handle the amount of shuttling that was demanded of them. I had heard this had been an issue with others in the past, and it seems to still be true. Leave yourself more than enough time to get where you need to go, and be prepared to wait. I wish this service could be improved because it is a great offering, it's just very, very slow and hard for young children (and their parents) to wait and wait. Hopefully in the future this will be addressed and improved, because it was nice to be dropped off at our destination and not have to drive.

Staying at Grand Cascades is a treat and a luxury experience I would recommend to anyone looking for an upscale escape. There is a two-night minimum stay required, but it is a mice opportunity to settle in and enjoy the finery. Whether you prefer the spa, a great meal, a relaxing dip in the pool or just some time away from the usual, Grand Cascades has something for everyone. Treat yourself!

**This review is based on a complimentary stay here. I received no other compensation and the business owner did not state any requirements that I express a particular point of view. The opinions are entirely my own.

I never thought I was missing out, having never been dogsledding before. When a visit to Skytop Lodge in the Poconos prompted an afternoon excursion with Snow Cap Sled Dogs, I realized I had been! Running year round, either in snow or as part of a dry land cart or scooter tour, dogsledding is a great way to "see" the great outdoors while also "experiencing" it! It's also a terrific family activity and way to get everyone out and involved!

Before our dogsled ride here, we were able to take a kennel tour where we met each individual dog and heard stories about how they had come to be a part of the team. Many of the dogs had been rescued and had had to learn to be part of a team. It reminded me of kids who run into trouble, but are given a second chance when they become part of an organization that truly understands their needs and lets them be themselves and showcase their talents. These dogs are quite friendly and my family and I were able to get up close and personal and pet them. They seemed to really like the attention and my shoes are testimony that they marked me as someone they liked! My kids (ages 12, 10 and 6) loved the fact that they could experience the dogs firsthand!

Jared and Alex and the crew here know their dogs. They answer questions and volunteer information on all kinds of dog and sledding issues. Ask them how they ended up here with a team of dogs - they'll tell you! They'll also educate you on huskies if you're interested, pointing out they're running dogs and are happiest when allowed to run - a lot! It was a great opportunity to learn while involved in a fun activity - perfect for kids!

Once through the kennel tour, we watched as they got the dogs set up for our ride. Although January, we were here on a snowless, 55-degree day, so our experience would have to be the dry land tour! No worries, we were so interested to see our new dog friends in action that we seated up and got started!

What a cool experience to ride along behind a team of Siberian huskies in a picturesque mountain setting! Jared led us around and passed along information on the Lodge and his team. He answered my family's questions and let us enjoy the beautiful scenery. He also told us that in snow, you can also have the opportunity to mush the dogsled yourself if you so desire! He (or a member of his team) follows along in a snowmobile so you're not on your own, but in reality, you're the musher! How cool and what an experience to bring home from your next vacation! I was bummed we had no snow, but will put that on my list of activities to come back to!

You owe it to yourself to put a visit to Skytop Lodge and Snow Cap Sled Dogs on your list of things to do! Great for the adventurer, for team-building activities (such as corporate retreats and such) as well as the casual activity-participator. It's just plain fun! Mush!!

*This review is based on a complimentary visit to Skytop Lodge. I received no other compensation and the business owner did not state any requirements that I express a particular point of view. The opinions I express are entirely my own.