Colorado Family Ski Vacations

Colorado Family Ski Vacations
It's no surprise Colorado is home to some of the most prestigious ski resorts in the United States. With its fresh powder and diverse terrain, Colorado is by far one of the best places in the world to experience the thrill of riding. Hosting a number of renowned resorts such as Aspen and Vail, Colorado offers immaculately groomed cruisers, expert terrain and a number of family-oriented mountains. Also home to top-notch ski programs for adults and children, families can learn and perfect their skills together. A number of ski resorts offer children's programs along with slopeside lodging and ski-in/ski-out properties.

Colorado is the ultimate blank canvas for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts. Here are our favorite Colorado Ski Resorts:

Aspen, Snowmass
With four mountains collectively forming one massive ski resort, visitors from all over the world flock to this famous winter resort for some of the most mind-blowing riding on the planet. With more than 5,300 acres of terrain, four mountains and one lift ticket you can finally experience "The Power of Four."

With immaculately groomed cruisers and expert terrain, the Aspen Highlands mountain offers a variety of trails for all skill types. If you are looking for challenging big mountain terrain, look no further. The recently added 237 skiable acres adds up to some of the most thrilling terrain in North America.

As the oldest of the four areas, Aspen Mountain provides skiers and snowboarders with more difficult trails, bumps and steeps. This mountain does not provide beginner trails, so stick to the other mountains if you are a timid or novice rider.

If you are looking for a more family-oriented mountain to cruise down, Buttermilk is the perfect place for you. This ski area provides gently rolling hills and wide-open spaces catering to newbies and families. More experienced and expert riders shouldn't shy away from this mountain just because Buttermilk provides novices with perfect terrain. This mountain is also home to a 22-foot superpipe, two terrain parks and an X Games slopestyle course.

As largest of the four areas -- bigger then the previous three combined -- Snowmass features more than 90 trails, 21 lifts, three terrain parks, half pipes and more.

There are plenty of family fun activities and attractions if you are looking to get away from the slopes including snowmobile tours, ice skating, rock climbing, campfires and more. The nature-themed Treehouse Kids' Adventure Center offers children fun and educational ways of exploring the Colorado mountains. You may not be able to see it all in one trip, so don't bite off more then you can chew.

If you are looking for overnight accommodations, there are plenty of lodges, hotels and condo units throughout Aspen and Snowmass to choose from. See our list of the best family hotels, and you will be sure to find something that will fit your family's needs.

Beaver Creek
With a standout children's ski school, a variety of slopeside accommodations, and special touches like warm chocolate chip cookies served at the base of the mountain at 3 p.m. every day, Beaver Creek is a popular destination for families. A truly upscale mountain resort, Beaver Creek might make for a pricey family ski vacation -- but also one of the most enjoyable for families.

At Beaver Creek, there are three ski mountains with three separate base areas -- Beaver Creek Village, Bachelor Gulch and Arrowhead -- but you'll find most of the off-mountain action in the shops and restaurants around "the Village," a quaint pedestrian plaza that is fun to walk around in (and run around in for kids!)

In addition to skiing, Beaver Creek offers plenty of off-mountain activities for families such as tubing, ice skating (open year-round), family snowshoeing, on-mountain storytime, and a late-afternoon "parade" down the ski hill where kids can wave glow sticks in the air. Other weekly events include "family fun nights," including face painting and music, and rail jams, where kids learn how to master some elements of a terrain park. During peak vacationing times such as Christmas, President's Day weekend and spring break, "Beaver Creek Loves Kids" is offered, which includes activities such as special movie nights and fun photo-ops.

And don't dismiss Beaver Creek as a family vacation destination for the summer months. Summertime brings lots of kid-friendly activities such as mini-golf, bungee trampoline jumping, and wall climbing. There are also all sorts of outdoor adventure activities to take part in like horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, and whitewater rafting. The chairlift rounds year-round, so you can always enjoy a scenic ride to the top of the mountain as well. Whatever the time of year, you'll find plenty of ways your family can enjoy the outdoors at Beaver Creek.

There are several slopside resorts to choose from at Beaver Creek, offering the added convenience of ski-in/ski-out. You'll find everything from luxury hotel rooms to suites to condos, all with beautiful views of the mountains and top notch amenities for families. To find the best place for your next Beaver Creek getaway, check out our list of the recommended hotels and resorts.

Breckenridge Ski Resort
Spanning across four massive peaks, Breckenridge has beautifully groomed trails, endless amounts of terrain and extraordinary views. With well over 2,000-acres of terrain for skiers and snowboarders, this resort is the perfect winter paradise. Breckenridge features 30 lifts and 155 trails, with its longest trail sprawling more than 3.5 miles. There is plenty of terrain for all riding abilities including beginner, intermediate and experienced trails. More experienced riders can shred down the double black diamond bowls for extra thrills and excitement. Breckenridge also features five terrain parks -- one for every skill level and riding ability.

At the base of the mountain, the resort offers three conveniently located childcare centers. Each childcare location provides exciting and fun activities for children 8 weeks to 5 years.

%0ASince there is more to Breckenridge then just skiing and snowboarding, families can take a snowshoeing tour, go ice skating or take a dog sledding ride with Siberian Huskies.

From luxury hotels to four-bedroom condo units and cozy bed and breakfasts, Breckenridge has a wide range of lodging options to choose from. Conveniently located ski-in/ski-out hotels and condos offer slopeside lodging and a variety of family amenities. Families can also choose from several in-town hotels, which are located only a short distance from the mountain in the charming town of Breckenridge. To find the best place for your next Breckenridge getaway, check out our list of the best hotels and resorts.

Steamboat Ski Resort
Nestled in an old western community and stretched out over six peaks, Steamboat offers skiers and snowboarders more than 2,900 acres of diverse terrain. With its claim to fame "Champagne Powder" snow -- snow that is very smooth and dry -- Steamboat offers some of the best riding conditions in the Colorado area. With it's longest run over three miles long, and beginner and intermediate trails taking up approximately 55 percent of Steamboat's terrain, families will have more then enough trails to explore. For more experienced riders don't worry, Steamboat hasn't forgotten about you. With steep, challenging black and double black diamond trails as well as a terrain park and superpipe, you will be more then satisfied.

Also known for its top-notch ski programs, children and adults alike can learn and develop their skills in an exciting and controlled environment. There are several children's ski options available with programs starting for ages 2 1/2 and up. Specialty and private clinics are perfect those looking to get some extra one-on-one time. Childcare services are also available for 6 months to 6 years, offering a variety of fun age-appropriate activities.

With home away from home accommodations, families are sure to find the perfect place to fit your family's needs -- and budget of course. To find the best place for your next Steamboat getaway, check out our list of the best hotels and resorts.

Vail Ski Resort
Boasting more than 5,000 acres of terrain, Vail is one of the largest ski resorts in the U.S. Featuring three distinct skiing experiences, the Front-side, the Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin, this mountain resort offers plenty of wide open terrain for all skill levels. With 193 trails, three terrain parks, one superpipe and one halfpipe, Vail Mountain is the ultimate blank canvas for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts. And Vail's never-ending, diverse terrain is just the beginning.

Vail's Ski & Snowboarding School offers both children and adult programs for the ultimate learning experience. Whether you are just starting out, or your looking to perfect your skills on the slopes, there are programs for everyone. Children's private and group lessons are available for ages 3 and up. Kids can learn the basics or take on new and exciting skills as they learn and grow. A childcare facility offers supervised, age-appropriate activities for kids 2 months to 6 years. Kids can enjoy games, movies, snow play, snacks and more.

With an expansive ski area and endless amount of terrain, Vail's accommodation options do not disappoint. Spread across eight parts of town, families can choose from a wide range of accommodations no matter what your budget. From spacious condo units to lodges, luxury hotels and private homes, Vail Mountain has it all. See our Vail Hotels and Resorts page to find more information on places to stay.