If you want to take your family on a real adventure, why not plan a family ski vacation to Colorado and see how much fun you can have in this winter wonderland? There are indoor and outdoor sports and activities that will allow you to put your skills and abilities to the test or just have fun learning how to move downhill slowly without doing that giant snowball imitation. Come to think of it, sometimes it can be more fun than skiing upright. If your family wants the chance to experience the adventure of skiing, ice skating or snow tubing, there’s no better place to set your course than the mountains of Colorado.
Good weather, fresh air and a wide variety of slopes and ski slopes attract visitors from all over the world and you and your family can experience this exciting vacation together. Did you know that Steamboat, Colorado has had more Winter Olympians than any other city in the US? This is easy to understand because, after all, this is one of the places where parents put their toddlers on skis as soon as they learn to stand up straight. Okay, maybe sooner. Don’t be surprised to see some of the smaller youngsters pull off some impressive moves. Just remember that balancing is easier for younger kids and your own kids will likely outgrow it unless you’re ready to bring your own “A game” to the slopes.
Children’s programs are available at local Colorado resorts that work with children as young as 6 months. They may not put little ones on actual skis and expect them to hit the slopes, but sledding and other activities are certainly on the program. The younger you start learning balance and coordination, the better and who knows, you may have a future gold medalist on your hands.
Colorado’s beautiful landscape is a perfect setting for other activities such as snowmobiling, dog sledding, sleigh rides, and snowshoeing adventures. If your family is up for the task, there’s cross-country, alpine, and Nordic-style skiing to choose from. For less experienced skiers, there are rabbit trails for you to tackle.
Adults and young children alike can be found experimenting with basic ski maneuvers on these less challenging slopes. You can always tell the kids that you just want to be by their side and make sure they have a safe skiing adventure, and they might not even guess that your heart is racing at a mile a minute. Just try to stay upright throughout the lesson and you just might be able to do it. If you don’t trust your own balance on a pair of skis, saddle up a horse and take the family out for a brisk backcountry ride.
Gunnison-Crested Butte is another Colorado ski hotspot that has plenty of family fun waiting for guests of all ages. If your group gets tired of being outdoors, you can visit some of the great restaurants and shops. Indoor ice rinks provide more winter fun in a controlled environment. If you want to get into a bit of culture, take your group to the museum or stop by the Center for the Arts where you can enjoy a live concert or play.
You can score extra points with the kids when you tell them about some of the family-friendly benefits offered at a resort like Crested Butte. Check out the dazzling high-tech arcade and late-night pizza parties. Adults can always join in or just relax in front of a cozy fireplace with a hot drink. It goes to show that all the fun of a Colorado family ski vacation doesn’t take place on the slippery, icy slopes after all.
