Colorado Ski Resorts Offer Fun For the Whole Family

The Colorado Rockies with its many ski resorts is a great place to take your children for a family ski vacation. It used to be that ski vacations were geared toward adults, but within the past 10 years Colorado ski resorts have begun including activities for kids. Here's a peek at some of the best places in Colorado to take a family ski vacation. For more information, call or visit each resort's Web site to find out about family ski vacation packages and specials.

Winter Park
Just 1 ½ hours from Denver, Winter Park is known for receiving the most snowfall of any Colorado ski resort. Winter Park offers childcare for ages 2 months to 5 years, as well as programs that introduce children to snow and the sport of skiing. For the 5- to 10 year-old crowd there are full-day ski programs too. Other family activities include dog-sled rides, tubing, ice skating and sleigh rides. For a unique experience, take the ski train from Denver that winds through the mountains to several ski resorts, including Winter Park.

Breckenridge
Breckenridge is about a two-hour drive from Denver. There are a couple of different nurseries for babies, toddlers and preschool-age children as well as several ski schools for older children that are grouped by age: 3 to 4, 5 to 7, and 7 to 12. The charming town of Breckenridge is a wonderful place to visit as well. In January the town hosts a snow sculpture event, and in April there is usually an ice sculpture contest. Reservations are required for all children's programs.

Telluride
Telluride is located in the alpine-like San Juan Mountains near the historic town of Telluride. The resort is several miles away from the town itself but is connected by a gondola. It is usually more convenient for families to stay in Mountain Village, the lodging associated with the Telluride Ski Resort, rather than in town. The nursery at Mountain Village provides childcare for children ages 2 months to 3 years old. There is a children's ski school offering ski instruction for 3- to 12-year-olds and snowboard classes for children ages 7 to 12. Teens can enjoy ice climbing as well.

Beaver Creek Mountain
Also located about 2 hours west of Denver is Beaver Creek, the smaller "sister" resort of Vail. Beaver Creek offers all the pizzazz of Vail but on a smaller, more manageable scale. The Small World Playschool offers full- and half-day childcare programs for ages 2 months to 6 year. Downhill and cross-country ski and snowboard classes are available for older children. Parents and kids alike will enjoy ice skating on the village pond or taking a sleigh ride. Beaver Creek also offers ski and snowboard instructional programs for individuals with disabilities.

Steamboat Springs
Steamboat Springs, located 157 miles northwest of Denver, is a relaxed, down-to-earth ski resort with fewer crowds than most of the other Colorado ski resorts. Known for its family-friendly atmosphere, children visiting Steamboat Springs can ski on children-only slopes and ski lifts. Childcare programs are available for children 6 months and up. There are ski clinics for children beginning at age 2 with on-site equipment rentals. There is plenty to do at Steamboat Springs besides skiing, including snowshoeing, winter horseback riding, tubing or soaking in the town's hot-spring pools, complete with a waterslide.