Top Three Family-Friendly Ski Resorts in Colorado

Do you want to plan a family ski vacation to Colorado, but you just don't know which resorts are best for families? With my husband and two little boys in tow, I am always on the lookout for the best family-friendly ski resorts.

Here are the top three in Colorado:

Arapahoe Basin

Are you anxiously waiting for the ski resorts to open in November? You don't have to at A-Basin, which opened Oct. 13. This resort is located in Summit County and is my favorite Colorado ski resort. With a 13,050 ft. summit elevation, the mountain is ideal for alpine skiers. The Molly Hogan beginner hill is an excellent place for your kids to learn how to ski. We like to wrap up our day at the Legends Café at the base of the mountain; they have some spectacular burger and salad choices. If you're staying for the weekend, the Arapahoe Inn is only 6 miles away, and they offer free continental breakfast during the season. While the rooms are just average, the sauna and 12-person hot tub make up for it by giving you an amazing way to relax at the end of an exhausting ski day.

Vail Cascade Resort

The Vail Cascade Resort is a beautiful ski getaway in Vail, Colo. The first-class resort houses stunning rooms and several dining choices. Best of all, it has a private chairlift straight to Vail Mountain. This resort is great for kids because they have a KidVenture service, which provides fun activities for the kids that are overseen by a staff member. My husband and I took this chance to try some of the more advanced courses on the mountain. With over 5,000 acres of ski-able terrain, it has some serious powder and massive carving potential. We loved our time alone on the slopes, and our son would not stop talking about how much fun he had when we returned. When you're ready to take the kids out, Vail Mountain has nine kid skiing zones. I was truly impressed with how family-friendly this resort was.

Snowmass

This resort in Snowmass Village is great for intermediate skiers, and it has an impressive 5.3-mile run. With 21 chairlifts, I found the wait to be much shorter than other resorts. At the base village, you'll find some great food at Sneaky's Tavern, which is right next to the Tree House Kid's Adventure Center. This is a daycare facility that provides many educational activities and even beginner ski lessons. Since they take babies as young as 8 weeks, we were able to bring both our baby and preschooler on this trip.

Recommendation: Call ahead to register because they do run out of space. For an overnight stay, the Hayden Lodge is a great choice because they offer two or three bedrooms and a full kitchen. Best of all, they are so close to the mountain that you can ski right out your door!

Note: I have been a skier for more than ten years, and I enjoy alpine and cross-country styles. I am currently in the process of refining my snowboarding skills. Over the years, I've had the opportunity to visit many of the top destinations for both of these winter sports.

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