Best Ski Resorts for Families in Colorado

Children aged 2 months to 6 years will have a terrific time in Vail’s colorful vacation child care centers. They have separate playrooms for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.Vail’s Micro Mice Ski Program is available to kids’ ages 20 months and older participating in the full-day program at Golden Peak. This is a 30-minute real skiing experience with snow boots and learning skis that focuses on games that teach balance and beginning technique. Low student-teacher ratio optimizes learning and fun. Gore Range Natural Science School Naturalists provide brief slope-side lessons about Rocky Mountain Wildlife as part of the Curious Critters Ski School. Each week programs focus on a different category of winter critters including Climbers, Diggers, Jumpers and Flyers. Kid's Snowmobile at Adventure Ridge allows kids to cruise around Blizzard Speedway in specially crafted mini-snowmobiles. Designed for children 6-12 years of age and less than 110 pounds, the snowmobiles travel at a child's preferred pace.

At Beaver Creek Children's Ski School, children are grouped by age (3-6 Alpine, 7-14 Alpine / Snowboard, Teens 15+ Alpine / Snowboard). Ripperoo’s Rockin’ Registration is a fun check-in experience the night before your child’s lesson starts, during holiday periods. You can expect Ripperoo providing hugs and high-fives! Great music playing to promote the party, balloons, hot popcorn and face painting! Ultimate 4 Children’s Group Lesson is limited to 4 kids and provides students more one-on-one time with Pros. The day is a little longer and will get kids on the hill earlier for first access to the powder or beginner carpets. Small World Play School and Nursery is where younger children can have their very own vacation and is designed to stimulate kids from 2 months to 6 years old. Every afternoon at 3 o’clock, an unmistakable aroma sweeps the village. Chefs serve heaped trays of warm, fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies. 495,000 cookies a year! Beaver Creeks restaurants welcome kids with custom menus, special dining times and even magicians. Take a sleigh ride to dinner, dine in a meadow, an aspen grove, or a Western museum. Here eating is a family adventure! Beaver Creek offers special family programming every day of the week, including the popular Thursday Night Lights, Rail Jam Playground, On-Hill Story Time, and more.

There is no reason why your little ones should miss out on a bit of snowplay and that is where Critterland comes in. •The Ducktopus Tubing Carousel – a ride the kids won’t want to get off. Think of it as a trip around Ducktopus in a tube, where you can wave HI to mom on every revolution; where even the littlest of kids can get the sensation of sliding on the snow in a tube. •The Bearilla Snow Den – the play area has super fun tunnels to crawl through, ropes to climb up, a snow climbing fort (Fort Bearilla) and other assorted play features. •The Critter Crooked House – a cool escape for the kids to hide from big brother. •Squeal Hill – a mini-mini tubing hill, so the kids under 36” tall can have some fun tubing, just like their big sister, mom & dad. The Belly Button Babies & Bakery is an on-site childcare facility offering quality care and programming for children ages 8 weeks to 6 years. Open 7 days per week during the winter season. Have your child experience the wonders of skiing or snowboarding as early as 24 months. Copper's Youth Ski and Ride School 2- 5 year old specialist will take your child out in a 1:1 on one hour snow lesson. Looking for some quality time off the hill? Have a kids' night out! A FREE childcare service offered to parents on the condition that $30 per child is spent in any commercial outlet at the resort during the hours that your children are in the program.

Wee Willie's Child Care is available daily from 8am-4pm during the ski season for ages 2 months to 6 years. Just Because I’m Three is Winter Park Resort’s introductory program, specifically tailored to make sure your 3 year old child has the most fun while getting acquainted with a new sport. Extra time is spent on getting used to skis and ski boots before tackling the mountain in a special snowmobile. Skiers and Snowboarders ages 4-6 will have a blast learning new skills while exploring Winter Park's huge mountain playground. Groups spend the day learning proper technique and valuable skills to jump start their skiing for years to come. Skiers and Snowboarders ages 7-14 is a program to help build the skills and the confidence your child needs to have fun while exploring more challenging terrain. Free Ice-Skating Lessons are available daily mid-December through mid-March, 4-5pm at The Village at Winter Park. S'mores by the Fire on Wednesdays, December 14 - April 11 from 4-5pm is a FREE family activity, but s'mores are on a first come, first serve basis, located in the Private Lesson Center plaza. The Village at Winter Park introduces Kids' Night Out on Thursdays, December 22 – April 5, 5:30-8:30pm. This fun, activity-filled evening is for 4-12 year olds, and is loaded with activities – including dinner and a movie! After a day on the slopes, swing by the Village Gazebo to meet Willie, Winter Park's mascot, before starting dinnertime activities on Saturdays, December 10 – April 14, 4-5pm. Kids are sure to love hanging out with Willie, slapping high-fives, and getting hugs while munching on cookies and sipping hot chocolate. This FREE family activity and snacks are on a first come, first serve basis.

Bring your kids to Kidtopia, a festival designed just for them. Explore a Snow Fort at the top of Dercum Mountain, dance to live music in the plaza, make arts and crafts, or go Disco Tubing. On the Saturdays following Kidtopia events, join in for a special dinner for the family - Kidtopia Medieval Dinners: Dec. 31, Jan. 14, Feb. 4, Feb. 18, March 3 and March 17. For children between the ages of 3 and 15, the Keystone Ski and Ride School provides unrivaled lessons and a fun-filled experience on three mountains. Ski and snowboard instructors provide special care and attention to teach little ones the correct way to ski and ride, from basics of carving turns to safety instruction to advanced lessons and multi-week programs. Children who are still in diapers or pull-ups cannot attend Ski and Ride School. However, convenient daycare programs for children 2 months to 6 years old are available at the Keystone Children’s Center. Do you have a potential “little ripper”? Keystone wants to help you turn your youngster into the next superstar! Keystone Explorers is a three-week program designed for kids’ ages 3-4 year old.

ThreeMosabes is a mutli-day program for those three year olds that just can't wait to get started! Four week sessions are Monday and Tuesday mornings from 10:00 - 11:30 in January and again in February. Skimosabes (4-6 years olds) session is four consecutive weeks, one session in January and one session in February on either Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday or Sunday. MountainMoSabes (Full Day Program- 5 and 6 year olds) is a full-day lesson program that takes place on Saturdays. This program is geared towards little skiers that are a bit more advanced. They must be able to stop, turn and ride the lift. Kids learn hockey stops, matching skis, using poles and safety on the hill. Lunch is included! Child Care is also available for hourly, half or full day kids 18 months to 6 years.

Childcare Ages 8 Weeks to 4 Years located in the Treehouse Kids’ Adventure Center caters to infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers, with each group having their own private area. Two pre-school group lessons are offered for ages 2 ½ to 4; Cubs on Skis for children not yet potty trained and not ready to spend most of the day outside. Snowmass Bears is for children that are potty trained and ready to spend most of the day outside on the slopes!

Telluride Ski Resort offers Children's Ski School, children are divided into programs that offer age-specific learning experiences. Snowboard instruction is available for children ages 7 - 12, while ski lessons are offered to children ages 3 -12. The Afternoon Kids Club entertains kids after their lessons so that parents can enjoy a full day on the mountain or around town. Complimentary for all children enrolled in the Children's Ski & Snowboard School, the club runs from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Children’s environmental education programs can be booked daily, during which experienced interpreters and instructors give your child an opportunity to connect with, and learn more about Telluride’s unique, local environment.

Camp CB is the place for kids to learn how to ski and snowboard. Kids get their own trail map to show them some awesome trails where adult skis won't even fit. The Kids' Terrain Park and a Jib Park are perfectly suited to getting the youngsters rippin' in style. The new and improved Camp CB is located slope side, at the ski base area in the Whetstone Building. Kids have nothing to do? Parents need a night out? Bring your child to Camp CB to join fun-loving instructors for an exciting Kids' Night Out. Kids who take part in kids night out will have entrance to the adventure park and all the activities it has to offer, which includes, tubing, ice skating and bungee jumping. Ages 4-12 Welcome. Cost is $65 per child. Kids' Night Out takes place nightly from 4:00pm – 8:00pm. Reservations must be made in advance. Childcare is available, ages 2 months to 3 years.

Loveland has all day and half day ski and snowboard school for kids 4 to 14. All children regardless of ability, who complete 3 full day lesson packages, receive a free unrestricted season pass to keep practicing their skiing or snowboarding skills for the rest of the season. They also have childcare for kids 1 to 12 years for hourly, half or full day sessions (must be walking.) Loveland Explorers offers a 6-week program in conjunction with the Loveland Racing Team. Top-level coaches from both the Ski & Ride School and the Loveland Racing Team work together to develop skills of intermediate & advanced skiers and snowboarders ages 7-14. Price Includes Full-Day Lessons, Lunch and a Unrestricted Season Pass!

Childcare is provided at the Kiddie Corral (6 months-6 years.) Full-day Kiddie Corral runs from 8:00am-4:00pm with lunch. Little Toots Wednesdays or Thursdays (3½-5 years) is a multi-week program for 3½ to 5-year-olds that maximizes learning for little skiers over three weeks. Mini Busters Saturdays (Ages 5 & 6) is a multi-week Saturday program that maximizes learning for little skiers or snowboarders. Participants are grouped by ability, remain with the same instructor and lesson runs from 10:00am-3:15pm. No lift ticket required. Private Whippersnapper (2½-4 years) clinics are offered. Staff will instruct your child in a one-hour private lesson. Private Family Clinics are also available. It's recommended that all participants be of similar skiing/riding level, and all children must be at least 1st grade. Kids 12 & under Ski Free when a parent or grandparent purchases a 5 or more day adult lift ticket, one child per paying parent or grandparent.

Buttermilk offers preschool group lessons age 2 ½ to four. Price includes childcare, lesson, lift, and equipment. • Lunch and snacks are provided • Programs meet at Powder Panda building at Buttermilk • Drop your child off ready to go by 9:15am • Please plan on arriving early on the FIRST day to fill out required paperwork.

Snow PACK (Purgatory Adventure Camp for Kids February 20 – 24) is a NEW, exciting, fun day camp for children ages 7-12 who love outdoor winter adventures! What’s included: daily hot lunch, daily bus transportation to/from Durango/Purgatory, winter program gear, arts & craft supplies, and receive a coupon for 50% off one lift ticket (valid all days except Christmas holiday blackout period). The Animas City Adventure Park, an area featuring store fronts from the old west designed for kids of all ages to ski and ride through, is being enhanced this year. New for the 2011/2012 Season: - Family Powdercats (specially priced for families; kids ski for $100 with a full-paying adult.)