Visitors | Getting Here | Weekend | 7 Days | Kids | Facts
Last we heard, kids like to ski and snowboard, too. That should keep the whole family entertained like nothing else, but luckily, Vail knows that kids sometimes need more than one activity – exciting as it may be to bundle up and whiz down the largest ski mountain in North America – and there are all kinds of options.Active Pursuits
So you know the kids like to ski, but you’d rather go drop cliffs and hit moguls and not have to worry about them. As luck would have it, the Vail Ski School and Beaver Creek Ski School will whip your tykes into shape fast so they’ll be skiing circles around you in no time. Before you know it, they’ll be the ones who have you on a tether.If reaching high speeds on some form of board(s) isn’t enough of an adventure, take the little ‘uns to Adventure Ridge at the top of the Eaglebahn Gondola. Mini snowmobiles, snow tubes and snow bikes await.
If you’re taking the kids with you on the mountain, both Vail and Beaver Creek have loads of “secret” kids trails. At Vail, find a wild route of trees, bumps and teepees in Chaos Canyon off the top of Lion’s Way and Magic Forest off of Coyote Crossing. At Beaver Creek, the kid’s paradise can be found in Jack Rabbit Alley off the Drink of Water lift and in a special terrain park for the vertically challenged (small people) and those refining their freestyle skills – Park 101, located on skier’s left off the Cinch Express lift.
Unbeknownst to many valley visitors, there is an entire area dedicated to sledding. Meadow Mountain off of Highway 24 between 1-70 and Minturn. Comes with a lift tow and everything, so you and the cherubs don’t even have to walk up the hill.
Inside Options
Maybe the kids aren’t ready to hit the slopes yet. Vail Small World Nursery in Golden Peak and the Small World Play School in Beaver Creek are open until 4:30 p.m. seven days a week and welcome children from 2 months to 6 years old.
The kids still don't want to go skiing? Time to find new kids. OK, OK ... it’s just too cold and the family has unanimously agreed to stay indoors. Head 30 miles West of Vail to Eagle for bowling and arcade fun at The Back Bowl.
See if there’s a matinee that strikes your fancy at the Riverwalk Theater in Edwards or at Capitol Theater in Eagle. Also, the Vilar Performing Arts Center has been known to bring exquisite national acts from puppet shows to children’s theater. Check the Vilar calendar.Child-Friendly Hotels & Restaurants
So Junior’s not in the mood for foie gras at one of the valley’s French bistros. There are plenty of pizza joints around here that have child-sized pies, cookies and other yummy treats. We recommend Pazzo’s in Vail and Avon or the Blue Moose in Beaver Creek, where crayons are provided and drawing on menus is encouraged.
Most hotels in the valley have a swimming pool, but a few also come decked out with game rooms. The kids could get so hypnotized by virtual slalom racing you may have trouble prying them away to make turns on the real thing.
If they've got any remaining energy not expended on the slopes, the Park Meadows Lodge has a game and recreation room and is just a short walk to Cascade lift, the least-crowded base-area lift at Vail. Alternately, there's also a game room at the Sandstone Creek Club Condos across the highway, and even a raquetball court and basketball hoops.
What would pure luxury include if not a daily round of s’mores by the firepit. The Park Hyatt at Beaver Creek has every imagineable luxury for visitors of all ages.
Don't be surprised if your kids love Vail more than you do. Be it an arcade game at the hotel, a tree trail, or a masterpiece they've drawn on the menu at the pizza joint, the tykes will cherish their memories here forever. For extra special kid-friendly activities, check our events calendar. Do you have an idea for family fun? Let everyone know by posting a comment below.
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