Christmas at the Gaylord Rockies is so much more than a hotel stay — it is an event! We had a magical weekend at the resort enjoying the ice sculptures, the Christmas decor, and even a Cirque performance. This is something you will want to add to your list of Christmas traditions!

Our Room

We began by checking in to our room which was a Deluxe Suite. This was the PERFECT accommodation for families as it has a dining table, a pullout couch, and a king bed. The king bed and pullout couch are in two different rooms separated by a door, which was great for putting our little one down early and being able to stay up a little later. We always know we’ll get a great night of sleep at The Gaylord because the beds are SO comfortable. This room also includes a mini refrigerator and 2 TVs! They also provide pack n play’s for the kiddos. We could have been comfortable in this room for an extended stay!

ICE! featuring A Christmas Story™

There was so much to do at the Gaylord, we couldn’t fit it into one weekend! We started with a visit to ICE! featuring A Christmas Story™. ICE! is really something you have to see to believe. It takes 40 artisans six weeks and 2 million pounds of ice to create these classic scenes from A Christmas Story. You can also ride a two story tall ice slide! Whether you are a lover of this Christmas classic or not, you will surely be wow’ed by this event! Pro tip: they provide blue parkas for you to wear in side (it’s kept at a chilly 9 degrees), so no need to bring your big coats.

Cirque: Spirit of Christmas

This 75-minute performance was another thing you have to see to believe. They had acrobatics, high flying stunts, Broadway singers, and so much more. The performers were all so talented and my jaw dropped multiple times throughout the show! This was a great event for the whole family! Pro tip: there are multiple food and beverage stands outside the performance, and you can grab a drink to bring inside! RIght now, there is an amazing deal on tickets — Buy 2 Get 2 Cirque tickets with code BUY2GET2 (Valid: Dec.1 - Jan.1; Not valid: Saturdays 12/9, 12/16, 12/23).

Dining

There are multiple dining options at the Gaylord. We grabbed dinner at the Mountain Pass Sports Bar ahead of Cirque, and it was super family friendly. Not to mention, there is a 75-ft flat-panel TV playing every sports game. We liked the casual atmosphere and the drinks were delicious! This is a favorite among hotel guests as there was a 1 hour wait for dinner (and they do not do reservations). We recommend getting on the wait list and then walking around Mistletoe Village until you get a text notifying your table is ready! In the morning, we enjoyed an elaborate breakfast buffet at the Vista Montagne. Highlights included the omelette bar, the fresh honeycomb, and the waffle station. They had just about anything you could ever want for breakfast. We did not make reservations, but we had no trouble getting a table around 7:30 am on a Saturday morning. The breakfast buffet will definitely be on our list for future stays at the Gaylord!

If you have yet to experience the Christmas magic at the Gaylord Rockies, we highly recommend it! In addition to the events we attended, they have photos with Santa, stories with Mrs Claus, a Gingerbread workshop, and so much more! Whether you are looking for a family getaway or a staycation with your significant other, there is something for everyone. We can say for certain we will be back next year!