Sure, some of us, myself included, like our mountains best when they are covered with snow. And that means vacations to the mountains are packed with gear, loaded with time pressure and never without at least a few tears.  Let's face it: family ski vacations are rarely easy.  But summer in the mountains?  That's different.

The air is crisp and clear.  The mountains are beautiful, snowcapped and uncrowded.  Activities and nature abound.  Low rates make it an ideal time to check out gorgeous hotels at many resorts. 

Yup ...

When I mention that my family and I just returned from a trip to the Grand Tetons, the response I hear is “I’ve always wanted to go there.”  Well now is the time.  We had an awesome time thanks to the “Experience the Tetons” package at the Jackson Lake Lodge and the Snake River Lodge & Spa.

Jackson Wyoming and the Grand Teton mountain range provide a stunning backdrop for an awe-inspiring family vacation.  The Tetons are the most spectacular mountains in the continental US.   They are huge, rising 7 ...

For those in the Metro NY area, summer in the mountains usually conjures up images of endless car rides north or plane flights west.   But this doesn’t have to be the case.  If your idea of summer in the mountains includes hundred mile views, vertical crags, pristine lakes and historic lodges, then check out Mohonk Mountain House, about an hour and half from New York City.

Mohonk is perched high on the Shwangunk ridge overlooking the Hudson Valley.  Right outside the door is a crystal clear lake and a ...

Ready?  Here are just a few of the things you and your family can do in Vail this summer.  You can hike.  Or bike.  You can take the kids horseback riding.  Or teach them to golf.  You can compete in the annual Teva Games or collect wildflowers.  Wait, summer is about water right?  Okay … you can swim.  Or fish.  Or kayak.  Or paddleboard.  You can hit the river for everything from gentle scenic cruising to heart-pounding class IV white water rafting.
 
Vail ups the ante on its incredible natural beauty ...

Close your eyes and picture yourself gliding across a beautiful mountain lake in a canoe, hiking through a green mountain forest, and then soaring high above the trees to get a bird's eye view of mature strands of hemlock, white birch, and sugar maple. Imagine days filled with tennis, golf, pools & water slides, family picnics, and  geocaching. Well, all of these adventures await you at  Macaroni Kid sponsor Smuggler's Notch Resort in Vermont.

How do you teach your children to enjoy hiking?  Start early and make it fun! So says outdoor enthusiast extraordinaire and author Jeff Alt.  “Getting kids outside is more important than ever,” he says. “TV, computer and video game addictions are replacing outdoor play time. Passive inside entertainment is contributing significantly to the national obesity epidemic! It’s time to get off the couch, America! Get the kids outside!” 

Jeff is an avid hiker.  In addition to walking the 2,160-mile Appalachian Trail, he also walked the 218-mile John Muir ...

The west is overflowing with guest ranches that range from uber-luxury to affordable.  Here are a few to check out.

Vista Verde Ranch in Steamboat Springs, Colorado is a small luxury ranch with beautiful facilities and accommodations.  An extensive family program is coupled with an effort to maintain its down-to-earth, warm and friendly vibe. With only about 40 guests at a time, Vista Verde strives to provide a personal and tailored experience for its guests. With a new pool, a mountain setting and lots of other activities, like most guest ...

Is your Superman leaping tall mountains all summer long?  If so, remember that sun protection is critical whenever you are out and about with your kids, not just at the beach or pool.  Keep reading for great tips and the chance to win the coolest sun protective gear going!

It’s important to educate yourself and your kids about the effects of UVA & UVB radiation and to teach your children how to enjoy fun in the sun safely.  Though we all need a little Vitamin D, prolonged sun exposure increases ...