Editor’s note, 1/14/20: This post has been updated to reflect the most current information.

Aspen/Snowmass

At Snowmass, Very Important Kids (VIK) offers daily programming; Ullr Nights celebrate winter with tubing, ice skating, snow biking, snowshoeing, and music around a bonfire. Explore with Krabloonik Dogsledding, snowshoeing with a naturalist from Aspen Center for Environmental Studies. You can even go fly fishing!

Crested Butte

Soar across the slopes on a zip line 35 feet in the air. Visit year-round Adventure Park for miniature golf, bungee trampolines, a climbing tower, and lift-served tubing hill. Families bond on snowshoe, snow bike, snowmobile, and horseback. Little kids enjoy creative play at Trailhead Children’s Museum; older kids learn about history at Crested Butte Heritage Museum in town.

Keystone

Hard to choose between Kidtopia activities—outside, there’s ice skating, tubing, a huge snow fort, and fireworks on the mountain. Inside, get creative with crafting and face painting, or enjoy a family movie night. Many activities are free.

Steamboat

Hot air ballooning is a great family adventure. Horseback riding and sleigh rides are a natural with Steamboat’s ranching heritage. Relax with a family soak in natural hot springs at Strawberry Park or visit the Old Town Hot Springs pool in town (with fun water slides). There are also two tubing hills, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and a bungee trampoline.

This article was originally published in January 2016.
Claudia Carbone

Denver native Claudia Carbone is an award-winning journalist covering food and travel for magazines and websites.