Family Ski Area?

[RKC]

Thinking of skiing with my family in Colorado. Trouble is, I've skied quite a bit, my wife a bit less, and the kids are newbies (5 & 10) with just a couple of local midwest resorts under their belts.

From trail maps, I'm thinking that Beaver Creek, Telluride and Buttermilk/Snomass might be best.

Anybody been to Colorado lately? How're the kid's programs? Which resorts have the most beginner space all near a chairlift or two (had a rotten time once cat-tracking with my then-beginner wife across Vail to get to the other beginner area).

Would like to have the kids with 1/2 day lessons and 1/2 skiing together as a family on easy runs - don't want to just stick them in daycare, so green runs are the key....

[Jims5543]

While expensive the Kids Ski program at Vail is second to none. The adult was good too, just expect some eurotrash instructor to hit on your wife all day.

We went to Snow Shoe West Virginia one Feb. not expecting much and I was delighted with the place. VERY kid/Family friendly the schools were good and the layout of the entire mountain was great. The lodging is at the top so you ski out in the morning without having to get on a lift until your warmed up after your first run.

The snow conditions in West Virgina were typical east coast though packed granualar. We did get a good snowfall one night which made for a fun morning the next day.

[RKC]

We have the same thing here near Chicago - the kids have been to two resorts: Chestnut in Galena, IL and Sundown in Iowa (near Field of Dreams). Both start at the top, have a vertical of about 500ft, and have great kids programs. Sundown, the one in Iowa, has nice, unassuming Iowa instructors, and a chairlift for the tiny beginner area (along with carpets). The terrain park was fun too, though it replaced the old Nastar course that had a bit of a jump in the middle, which was great!

[gr8fl4porsche]

The summit area of Colorado is fine for the family.

Keystone has some nice greens to learn on as well as Breckenridge.

Vail is great.

[stevepaa]

Never took the kids to CO. They all learned how to ski at Mt. Bachelor in Bend, OR.

[Rodeo]

Winter Park, CO

[teenerted1]

take the kids over to the Mary Jane side at Winter Park...they will be great skiers by the end of the week. that or you will be visiting them in the hospital a lot. Winter Park has a great reputation too. can take the train over from Denver to really make a unique experience.

summit co. areas are great. copper mtn is set up real good terrain wise. the mountain goes from expert areas on the east side of the mtn to easier areas as you head to the west.

[Grezdlitn]

Rodeo and Ted have said it all.........Winter Park, geared toward family skiing

[slodave]

Vail is good. I spent many years in lessons their. Buttermilk is a good hill for kids/beginners. You also have the choice of Snowmass, Aspen Highlands and Aspen mtn. Aspen mtn. is only about 10 15 minutes away by bus. You could ski there in the morning and meet your family for lunch at Buttermilk.

Dave

[Roadrunner911]

I like Ski Cooper, outside of Leadville. It's not as commercialized as other Colorado/Summit ski areas. Nice family atmosphere, moderate prices, good skiing, less crowds.

[Tim Hancock]

Unless money is no object, just take em to the nearest small place. Why blow major bucks when the kids are just going to be on "bunny hills" anyways? Young kids enjoy skiing no matter where they are doing it. Take the kids just to local spots for family fun, then just take your wife out west so you can really enjoy yourself and get your monies worth.

Just my two cents

(PS I liked Copper the most out of the Summit ski areas)

[ken_xman]

Stayed at the Ritz, Beaver Creek last year. Fantastic skiing, great service, top notch instructors.... wifes first time on skis. Nice long runs, and a cool outside bbq area.

[rattlsnak]

Buttermilk would the best for you. It was designed specifically for that. Once they get a little better, than move over to Snowmass.

[Rich76_911s]

Watch the snow reports. Telluride has nada, nothing, zero, zilch in the snow category. And honestly they are more of a advanced ski area than most of the others, although they have expanded their begginer intermediate area a lot since I have skied there.

Summit County has had a lot of snow this season. Beaver Creek is really nice, but also really expensive. Depending on how long and when you are going Vail and all of summit county can get very crouded, don't plan on driving down to denver on sunday evening! Winter Park is pretty nice and doesn't get as crouded as the I-70 ski resorts. Vail resorts nearly gives away season passes to locals (Denverites) for their 5 resorts so that is where most of them go. Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone, Breckenridge, and Arapahoe Basin. So those five can get crouded on weekends. I've never skied the aspen buttermilk, so I can't help ya there.

I am a little biased but if we had some good snow, which we don't, Durango Mountain Resort is a great family ski resort, but honestly you'll want to stay in town and not at the ski area, which is a 35 minute drive. There are never any crouds, the variety of terrain is good for begginers to intermediates, the weather beats the snot out of summit county, and the views are great. And if you are good enough, not isuinuating that you are not I just don't know, but Silverton Mountain is an experience every powder skier should experience at least once.

[johncj8989]

Breckenridge. I used to live in Co and that was always my favorite all around. My Daughter just got back from there last week and loved it also.

[mtelliott]

If you want to go to one place and stay, then either Steamboat or Vail. If you want to go to a bunch of different resorts, then Summit County is the answer. You have Breck, Keystone, Copper, Vail (45+ minute drive), A-Basin. Nothing against Winter Park / Mary Jane however I would take Vail or Steamboat over them in a heart beat. WinterPark is great for getting to if you live in Denver but if you want to go to an area that has a lot to do, Winterpark isn't it (town is small, not a lot of other activities besides skiing).

You can go to Vail and not need a car. If you go to Summit County, you might want to have a car so that you can go to the different resorts.

Cost wise, Vail is expensive. Steamboat is probably next on the expense chart. Summit County is where you can find decent deals for lodging.

Aspen is on a different realm then the others. Excellent skiing (not sure how their snow is this year though). They have a lot of mountains to ski but it's ultra expensive and good deals are hard to come by. Plus, getting there can be another travel day by itself.

As for kids programs, they all have excellent programs now days. That is their standard to keep families coming back so I really don't think one excels over another.

Michael

[schamp]

I lived out there for 10 plus years and would recommend Crested Butte as a great place with kids. Winter Park is also good. I would stay away from Aspen, Vail. Steamboat Springs is a great place and Copper is OK.

[sammyg2]

http://www.skimonarch.com/

[TSNAPCRACKLEPOP]

copper is great for beginners and family outings. long slow runs, and a few more difficult. and fast chairs!!!