Known as the Centennial State and Colorful Colorado, it is no wonder why it is also an awesome place to go for the best Colorado Ski Resorts for families. With its beautiful mountain ranges, there are loads of ski resorts to be found that you can take your family to and bask in the majesty of the scenery.
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1.Wildwood Snowmass
If you are looking to find one of the best Colorado Ski Resorts for families, look no further than Wildwood Snowmass. Want to do some mountain climbing, have a great skiing adventure, or simply partake in happy hour? There is always a good time in store for you and your family. Located 15 minutes from Aspen, this grand location sticks out with its great outdoor activities and access to a selection of skiing activities.
Depending on when you go for your trip, there are a variety of activities to choose from. From Hot-Air Ballooning to horseback riding, skiing, snowboarding. And even dogsledding, there is no shortage of fun activities to do with the entire family.
For the kids, they can enjoy hours of fun in the Treehouse Kids Adventure Center located at the Snowmass Village. It features lots of ski school programs and rentals that can teach children the essentials of skiing. This amenity is located on the 3rd floor and includes interactive nature-themed rooms designed for various age ranges. Let the children go on scavenger hunts, have sing-a-longs by the campfires, or even storytime with the locals.
Enjoy the local and cultural events that happen all year round. Would you like to listen to beautiful music by solo acoustic musicians? Head on over to the Artisan Restaurant and enjoy fine dining with a great treat for your ears.
With so much to do, you will have lots of fun with the family at this wonderful ski resort.
Website: https://www.wildwoodsnowmass.com/explore/ Address: 40 Elbert Ln, Snowmass Village, CO 81615, United States Hours: Resort will reopen on December 16, 2021, due to the pandemic; 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Cost: $$
2. Copper Mountain
The best Colorado family resort doesn’t just provide a location for skiing. There are also a variety of activities to keep you, your friends, and your family interested. As well as captivated by the breathtaking views. Copper Mountain is just like that. Located just west of Denver that is 15 minutes from Frisco, it is located in Summit County, Colorado. This ski resort has 2,490 acres of snowy skiable ground and is popular with both snowboarders and skiers alike.
There are three areas within the resort, each with its unique functions. East Village is where you can find the Super Bee high-speed chairlift. It takes skiers to more advanced terrain for seasoned skiers and snowboarders. Center Village is home to most of the events. It’s where you can find shops, restaurants, and places to hang out at night. West Village is the best location for families thanks to it being close to the ski school and the beginners’ terrain. There is also a free bus system that transports guests between villages every 15-30 minutes.
There is a wide selection of activities you can do with the children in this resort. Aside from skiing, you can go ice skating at the nearby West Lake. Go toasting marshmallows around the fire pits within the Copper Mountain resort. There is also Woodward Copper, a summer camp for kids aged 7 to 14 years old.
Website: https://www.coppercolorado.com/ Address: 509 Copper Road, Copper Mountain, CO 80443 Hours: 9:00 am-3:00 pm daily, open 7 days a week. (lift hours) Cost: $$$
3. Vail
Vail Mountain Resort is one of the most charming resorts. With a huge mountain and a village at the base that offers more than just skiing, it is one of the best Colorado ski resorts for families looking for a winter adventure.
Go on a Nordic skiing lesson with the family as you explore Vail while giving yourself a workout. It may be difficult at first. But with all the adrenaline flowing and taking all the scenery in, it will be worth it.
Want to go on a unique ride? Why not hop on a dog sled or a horse sleigh ride and travel in style? You can do so and have a cool voyage in the snowy frontier.
Take a trip down the art scene in Vail and discover the artistic side of the village. There are lots of works of art included in the public places made by artists in Colorado. From sculptures to paintings and even murals, there is no spot in town without a beautiful piece. Vail truly has some of the most creative people in the Centennial State.
Want to teach your kids about the beauty of nature? Take them to the Nature Discovery Center and watch their eyes widen at the sights and sounds of the local wildlife. The Nature Discovery Center can be accessed by the Eagle Bahn gondola from the Lionshead in Vail. Anyone is welcome to join and is free to access. Just bring hiking boots, jackets, and some eye protection.
Website: https://www.vail.com/ Address: Colorado 81657, USA Hours: 8:30 am - 3:30 / 4:00 pm, depending on location Cost: $$$$
4. Steamboat Springs
Once known as a summer resort, Steamboat Springs slowly became known as one of the best Colorado ski resorts for families thanks to its world-class skiing and the equally famous Champagne Powder snow.
One of the things that make Steamboat Springs unique is the annual festival that showcases music, brews, and the great mountain. The WinterWonderGrass Festival features a number of bands and local breweries. People gather, sing, and enjoy a revelry of song and fun.
If you are looking to teach your kids how to ski safely under proper guidance, look no further than the world-renowned instructors from Ski Town USA. Steamboat Springs has the Kids Camps which teaches kids ages 17 and under the basics of skiing. Whether they choose to do it privately or with groups, they will certainly learn the essentials quickly. You can even sign up for the Local’s Programs and have a multi-week lesson. Watch them become seasoned pros during your stay.
When you are feeling hungry from all of that exciting skiing with the family, head on over for a bite to eat at the many restaurants in this resort. Whether you decide to eat on-mountain or have some fine dining at the base area, there is so much to choose from. Want lunch? Head to Thunderhead Food Court. Want a small bite to go? Go to the Rendezvous Tent and take it with you to the mountain. Looking for some wine? Ragnar’s and the Stoker Bar and Restaurant have you covered.
Website: https://www.steamboat.com/ Address: 2305 Mt. Werner Circle, Steamboat Springs, Colorado 80487 Hours: Hours are weather-dependent and may change. 8:30 am- 3:00 pm Cost: $$$$
5. Winter Park
Known as the Mountain Bike Capital of the United States, Winter Park or Fraser Valley is one of the best Colorado Ski Resorts for families known for the beautiful trails and scenery. It is also home to the National Sports Center for the Disabled. A unique center dedicated to showcasing that everyone can achieve their goals no matter what their individual circumstances are in life.
Have access to multiple lodging choices at the base village and stay in comfortable, luxurious accommodations. Each has its own magnificent views.
Learn the basics of skiing thanks to the guest-centered method of teaching. Where instructors base their lessons depending on the individual. From kids to adults, anyone can learn. You and your family will get the most out of this learning experience. And you can take it into your next skiing adventure.
No one goes to Winter Park just to ski, however, as it is mostly known for its beautiful hikes. Take your family to the family-friendly wildflower hike and see the beauty of nature. If you want a challenge, head over to the Rocky Mountain National park. Brave the steep climbs and long, yet easy strolls.
Take the kids to see a music event or family-friendly festival around town and witness the culture of Winter Park. Do some tubing and sledding with the family and feel like a kid once again. Go on a dog-sled or horse sleigh ride to make your trip a lot more memorable.
Website: https://www.winterparkresort.com/ Address: 85 Parsenn Road, Winter Park, Colorado 80482 Hours: 9 am - 9pm Cost: $$
6. Arapahoe Basin
Best known for North America’s longest ski season, with its laid-back vibe and a grand lodge. That will surely give you the feeling of being transported back in time. The Arapahoe Basin is one of the best Colorado ski resorts for families. The Arapahoe Basin typically opens its doors to families that are excited to ski during the month of October to June, that’s averaging 233 season days!
The laid-back feeling of the Arapahoe Basin has been a welcome treat for families who do not want the frills of a luxury ski resort. The younger kids and the beginner members of the family can enjoy the improved Pika place, kids can enjoy a magic carpet and mini terrain park near the base. The resort has a kids center as well. Parents can sign their kids to the Kids Club Arapahoe, where they offer fun and supportive programs for the little tykes. They can enjoy group adventures and learn about the mountains safely.
When the family gets hungry with all the skiing, A-basin as the locals call it offers 6 restaurants to choose from. The Arapahoe basin is well known for its excellent homemade foods. Parents can enjoy their very popular bloody mary, which is ranked number 1 at the Summit County 2021. Families can either choose to dine at the 6th alley bar and grill. It offers indoor and outdoor dining or the legends cafe, black mountain lodge, the perch, Steilhung hatch, Il Rifugio at Snow Plume.
One notable area for the parents and the teenagers of the family to enjoy is the events at The Beach, A-basin’s front row parking. It is home to locals organizing parties and drinks. And also the best place for a reunion and meeting new friends. It is also best to note that the A-basin does not offer lodgings. Though they have a partner lodge, The Pad Silverthorne, which is a 30 mins drive from the area.
Website: https://www.arapahoebasin.com/ Address: 28194 US-6, Dillon, CO 80435, United States Hours: Monday to Friday 9 am to 4 pm, Saturday and Sunday 8:30 am to 4 pm Cost: $$$
7. Keystone Key Resort
Located 2 hours from Denver airport is Keystone Key Resort. Keystone is tucked away at the Rocky Mountains’s White River National Forest. It boasts around 3,000 acres of skiable terrain and is the largest ski area in Summit County covering 3 peaks and 5 bowls. It offers a ski playground for all levels of skiers in the family. From the little kids to beginners and higher levels, truly one of the best Colorado ski resorts for families.
Keystone offers designated fun trails for beginners. They can enjoy going from top to bottom safely which is not possible with trails that are too high. The resort also has fun key ski trails for family, adventure trails for the kiddo’s on Dercum Mountain, long fun cruisers like the Wild Irishman and the Frenchman and also the Flying Dutchman, which is a sure fun cruiser returning to the base village.
In Keystone Key Resort, kids have a special place with their Kidtopia Snow fort. Which the resort boasts is the largest snow fort in the world. They also have festivals designed just for kids. There are weekly fireworks shows every Saturday evening. The resort also features super snowy science, cookie time, the Ripperoo parade, family snowshoeing, and more. What is great about it is that these events are free at Kidtopia.
While the Kids are having a blast at the Ski Camp, mom and dad can enjoy their own time. And treat themselves to one of the fabulous restaurants in the vicinity like the Bavarian Der Fondue Chessel or the Alpenglow Stube. It offers a good array of a la carte menus, a nice table by the fireside, and they even offer a break from your winter boots, slippers! Another unique feature of the Keystone Resort is its night time skiing. It is the largest evening skiing operation in Colorado. Truly Keystone has a plethora of activities for the whole family, making them one of the best Colorado ski resorts for families.
Website: https://www.keystoneresort.com Address: 100 Dercum Square, Keystone, CO 80435, United States Hours: Open daily 8:30 am to 4:00 pm Cost: $$
8. Breckenridge Ski Resort
A former mining town, now the largest ski resort in Summit County, Breckenridge is a must-go-to place for families who are looking for an adventurous time on the snow and slope. The resort is connected to a huge base village via the Gondola to the ski slopes. This resort is for those families who would like to experience higher elevation lift-served skiing. Across the resort’s 2903 acres of land, there are a total of 23 lifts for families to choose from.
Breckenridge Resort caters to skiers with beginner level to advanced level. What is nice about the resort is that they have family zones. They have yellow diagonal marks, so families can go enjoy skiing together. The resort also has many beginner areas for the kids and teens who are just eager to learn to ski. Breckenridge also has a Kid Adventure Zone scattered all over the five peaks! They also offer various ski lessons for different ages. There’s a child group ski lesson for ages 3 to 14, child group snowboard lessons, and private lessons.
One of the allures of the Breckenridge resort is its charming downtown. There are shops that we know moms will surely enjoy seeing. They also have restaurants and coffee shops in case the family gets hungry with all the skiing, and for the mom and dad and the young adults in the family, they offer spa and massages too!
Another place to visit on Breckenridge is their Nordic Center. Families can rent snowcats and snowshoes for an alternative fun adventure in the snow. It is good to note that here children under the age of 12 are free. Families can also visit the Breckenridge Recreation Center when the tiny tots or the teen tots have enough fun on the slopes, where they can do swimming, ice skating, and rock climbing. With Breckenridge’s vast space to explore, families will never run out of things to do, this is why Breckenridge Ski Resort is one of the best Colorado ski resorts for families.
Website: https://www.breckenridge.com/ Address: 1599 Ski Hill Rd, Breckenridge, CO 80424, United States Hours: Open Daily 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Cost: $
9. Beaver Creek Ski Resort
For families who are looking for a fantastically unique experience that goes beyond just skiing, Beaver Creek Ski Resort does not disappoint. This resort boasts a mix of the modern resort vibe and the mix of the old yet spectacular ambiance of the drop-dead Rocky Mountain Range. This resort offers its visitors world-class resort amenities and skiing with its 1,862 acres of land with its 10 high-speed quad chairlifts and the terrain is extremely well-groomed it is truly one of the best Colorado ski resorts for families.
There is something for every level of skiers at Beaver Creek, visitors can enjoy skiing at the Red Buffalo Park which offers the ultimate on-mountain skiing experience. Families looking to discover new adventures will totally have a blast learning in this area that is under a controlled environment so parents do not need to worry about safety while making an unforgettable experience with the kids.
Kids should hold on to their sweet tooth as they are treated like Royalty at the Beaver Creek Resort. They can stop by at the Candy Cabin to grab their favorite candies from a variety of assortments like M&M’s, warhead, Nerds, and many more! Another signature of Beaver Creek is the freshly baked cookies that are handed out at the Beaver Villages Cookie Cabin after good skiing at the slopes.
Everyone can find something to do at the Beaver Creek Ski Resort, and it’s not entirely related to Skiing. The Village at Beaver Creek offers a variety of shops, spas, and restaurants. If you have planned to stay here for a couple of days then it is recommended to go to the Performing Arts Center that offers year-long concerts, family shoes, and many others. It is also good to time your vacation during the Birds of Prey Worlds Cup, one of the world’s premier ski events. Truly Beaver Creek is worth checking out during your family ski adventures.
Website: https://www.beavercreek.com Address: 210 Beaver Creek Plaza, Beaver Creek, CO 81620, United States Hours: Open Daily 7:00 am to 6:00 pm Cost: $$
10. Monarch Ski Resort
If your family wants just a pure uncommercialized ski experience with fewer crowds than the other resorts in Colorado, then the Monarch Ski Resort will not disappoint. Located perched atop the mountain top of the rugged Sawatch mountain range, its 800 acres of terrain offers families a simple yet memorable experience.
At the Monarch Ski resort, families can enjoy a great diversity of terrain that is good for the novice skiers in the family and the little ones that are just eager to learn. The Monarch offers various ski programs that are tailored to fit with age, which they named after insects that kids are familiar with such as the caterpillar for kids 3 and 4, and butterfly for kids 5 and 6. They also have a program called the Mini and Me, where parents can accompany their little ones as they learn how to ski.
Monarch is very beginner-friendly, at the lower mountain beginners can ski friendly. They even have a unique covered magic carpet and the Tumbelina Lift. Other activities that families can enjoy at Monarch outside of skiing are horseback riding, or families can rent a snowmobile as the Monarch Mountain is vastly rich in natural untouched beauty that is worth being included as one of the best Colorado ski resorts for families.
Website: https://www.skimonarch.com/ Address: 23715 US-50, Salida, CO 81201, United States Hours: Open Daily 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Cost: $$$
Conclusion
The Centennial State truly offers a wide selection of the best Colorado ski resorts for families, and it is no secret as to why. The beautiful landscapes, the wildlife, and the variety of outdoor activities brings this state to life. With so much to offer you and your family, any vacation here will last a lifetime thanks to the many memories you will create once you step into the picturesque frontier.
