Snow is like ice cream - cold but great fun for kids of all ages.

Okay, once you overcome the shock that not only did your child think you made a terrible mistake, but you could’ve saved a lot of money and stayed warmer by just visiting that beach boardwalk, even in winter – it’s time to hit the slopes.

The best way to do this with children of any age (once they can walk effectively and are over the age of two) is to get lessons. Kind, age appropriate, group or individual lessons that let mom or dad head off to the big slopes or the lodge for a fireplace and hot chocolate, or to ‘bunny slopes’ for slow old people, like me.

Of course you’ll need to get to that ski resort in the first place, and whether its Park City, Utah or a homespun Vermont resort geared to day trippers, you’ll need gear. You could rent it on site, like we did; or bring it with you from home – which is great if you’re planning to ski repeatedly, or are in fact an afficiando of the sport, otherwise, transporting cumbersome gear via plane or stuffed vehicle should be eschewed for the less sleek rental items available at any resort you’ll visit.

Mammoth Mountain – Mammoth Lakes, CA

Making a ski trip fun for kids should always involve great quantities of hot chocolate, grilled cheese sandwiches, and a rental condo, lodge, or motel room that’s conveniently located near the slopes. We took one such trip to Mammoth Mountain California, staying at the lodge, dining in the over priced but oh-so- convenient dining room, riding an enclosed lift car for a scenic view and then back down again to the baby slopes where we all had our respective lessons. A drive to picturesquely iced Reds Lake apres ski, and cozy rental-movie watching in our pine walled room made this one easy. Best of all was an outdoor jacuzzi which one could spend hours in and which one wanted to, at least in order to avoid getting out of it and hoping not to slip on the ice that formed as your wet footprints hit the red wood deck. Mountain views: A+, ski rentals and meals on the pricey side, convenience also great.

Skiing Park City, Utah

A different sort of a trip was found at Park City Mountain resort, where the kids were a bit older, and the ski instruction better and longer. A six hour day including lunch break took my son up amazingly high slopes when he gained fast skill and mobility in his small-fry group lesson. When his instructor called me and cajoled me into a private lesson praising his great learning ability, who was I to fight future Olympic ski champion greatness. Luckily for me I didn’t know just how high he was going, or that it was going to start snowing while he was up there. He returned triumphant, unscathed, and skilled. My daughter and I stuck to movies – we were there primarily for the Sundance Film Festival – and hot cocoa.

Tips for Parents

How early is too early to go skiing? Apparently, to my surprise, once your child can competently walk. Toddler classes are everywhere, and the babe who conquers a bunny slope will be thrilled with his or her abilities. Also apparently, the earlier you learn, the easier that learning comes, which may explain why my college age learning skill had severely limited my capabilities.

If you’re ski-inclined, a good time of year to pursue that passion is holiday time. Along with the obvious delight of children, snow, snowballs, and the ubiquitous cocoa offerings, there are usually some special events taking place. Park City Mountain Resort for example presents Santa. A skiing Santa, who will descend from the mountain top via the Town ski lift, where he waits for photo ops, carols, and cookies just after dark.

Park City Utah – snowy fun

I’m a big fan of Park City, because the resorts lessons were provably good, somewhat reasonable in price, and it’s not a glitzy show palace despite its location. It’s received several top family resort awards, and I can see why, particularly since its class sizes are for five children or less, and kids age six and up can choose lunch away from their parents in one of the resorts on-mountain restaurants. It’s toddler age program, for kids three and a half to five has only three kids per class, and these lessons are understandably shorter and do not include lunch.

For families with matriarchs braver and more adventuresome than me, there are family zip line tours, an arctic coaster, night skiing, and other fast moving pursuits. At the end of a three day stay, I no longer heard any mention of skee ball, although that would be an interesting activity to add to any ski resort willing to take on such an idea.

Powder snow, crisp mountain air, lush evergreens blanketed white… ski season has arrived, bringing an exciting array of winter sports that are great fun for the whole family. Listed alphabetically, the following ski resort towns and villages are among the very best for families in the western USA and feature a host of recreational activities on and off the slopes, lodging – including ski-in/ski-out access, and ski school lessons. For many families skiing is a longtime family tradition. Why not make it your own as well?

Beaver Creek – Colorado

Beaver Creek blends the warmth of the west with European appeal

Nestled among tranquil aspen groves with stunning views, Beaver Creek in Colorado’s central Rocky Mountains is an idyllic wonderland for families. This renowned winter retreat blends European appeal with the cordial warmth of the west. With over 1,800 acres of terrain, there is skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and tubing at Haymaker Tubing Hill. Ice skating in the village, ski and snowboard school for adults and children, and childcare for children and infants ages 2 months to 6 years are also available.

There is ice skating and many other family activities

A wide range of accommodations including ski-in/ski-out lodging, and complimentary shuttle service throughout the village make staying here and getting around worry-free. Luxurious day spas, shops and boutiques, art galleries, bars and restaurants offer relaxation and fun off the slopes. Plenty of entertainment await the whole family and include figure skating performances, movie nights for kids, winter parades, talent contests, live animal encounters, ice sculpture demonstrations, and more. A vibrant performing arts center features concerts, musicals, comedy and dance shows, and lots of family programs including acrobatics, stunts, and illusion shows. Beaver Creek is conveniently located about 30 minutes from Eagle Airport with non-stop service from 11 airports in the USA and one-stop international connections.  The Beaver Creek ski resort is located just south of the town of Avon Colorado, about 15 minutes east of Vail Colorado. For more information visit www.beavercreek.com

Big Sky Resort – Montana  

Big Sky Resort boasts some of the biggest skiing in the nation

Montana – the state known as “Big Sky Country” – is also home to some of the biggest skiing in the nation with over 3,800 acres on three mountains, 400+ inches of annual snow, short lift lines and activities galore. Located in the southwestern section of the state, Big Sky Resort in Madison County, Montana offers everything from traditional alpine skiing and snowboarding, to Nordic skiing, snowmobile and snowcoach tours, and romantic horse-drawn sleigh rides. It boasts exciting basecamp recreation centrally located at the front of the village with ziplining among the trees, scenic snowshoe tours, a high ropes course, climbing wall, bungee trampoline, laser tag, 500-foot long tubing park with carpet lift, and wellness studio with fitness classes like yoga, pilates and kickboxing.

Short lift lines mean more time on the slopes

The Kids Club hosts daily thematic indoor crafts and activities as well as outside playtime in the snow. Ski and snowsports lessons are available, as well as childcare and babysitting services. The picturesque and lively resort village features great dining and entertainment, shopping, a fitness center, a pampering spa, and assorted lodging accommodations by the slopes, all surrounded by nature’s mountain grandeur, teeming wildlife and stunning scenery. More than 25 daily flights into Bozeman, Montana are offered with several major airlines, which is about a 45 minute drive from the resort. For more information visit www.bigskyresort.com

Deer Valley Resort – Utah

An elegant day lodge at Deer Valley Resort in Utah

Ranked consistently as one of the top ski resorts in North America, Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah is known for its outstanding guest services, posh amenities, limited crowding through controlled ticket sales, high capacity uphill chairlifts, luxurious accommodations from condos and homes to ski-in/ski-out lodging and more. At just 36 miles from the Salt Lake City International Airport, it features over 2,000 pristinely groomed acres on its mountains and bowls. This classic skiing resort caters to the time-honored traditional skiing and prohibits snowboarding – something die-hard skiers will relish.

Over 2,000 groomed acres await skiiers at Deer Valley Resort

Guests can also go snowmobiling, NASTAR racing, snow shoeing, dog sledding, cozy sleigh rides, cross country skiing, hot air ballooning and more. Ski instruction is available for all ages including a children’s ski school. There is also a wonderful child care program with indoor playground through the Deer Valley Children’s Center that has engaging activities from arts and crafts, to music, games, story time and more. The resort also boasts an assortment of dining options, shopping, luxurious spas, free shuttle bus throughout the town, and access to historic Main Street’s vibrant attractions. For more information visit www.deervalley.com/

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort – Wyoming

Teton Village aglow in splendor (courtesy of Tristan Greszko/ Jackson Hole Mountain Resort)

Home to some of the most challenging terrain in North America, Jackson Hole in Teton Village, Wyoming has 2,500 acres for skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, heli-skiing, snowcat skiing, paragliding and snow kite boarding. Visitors can also take horse drawn sleigh rides, go dogsledding, and embark on nature eco tours where they will be treated to breathtaking sightseeing and wildlife with many dozens of native species of mammals and birds including bison, elk, bighorn sheep, moose and eagles. The Mountain Sports School offers programs and lessons for varying ages and abilities.

Amazing wildlife - like this elk - are native to the area

Children ages 6 months to 18 years will find exciting age-appropriate programs designed just for them with caring, dedicated and enthusiastic instructors. There is even a kids’ night out (ages 4-18) with dinner, movies, games and sledding, so parents can have a few hours out on their own as well. Finding suitable accommodations is easy, from cozy cabins to rustic ranches, condos, luxurious hotels, country inns and slopeside lodging with ski-in/ski-out convenience. There is also shopping, a variety of spas with soothing treatments to hot tubs and steam showers, and dining with an assortment of cafes, bars, grills and restaurants. The Jackson Hole Airport is located in Grand Teton National Park at the base of the spectacular Teton mountain range and close to the resort. For more information visit www.jacksonhole.com

Keystone – Colorado

This 5-acre lake is an ice skating winter wonderland

Located in the White River National Forest in the beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountains, the Keystone ski resort has 135 trails, over 3,000 acres of skiable terrain, and the longest ski day in Colorado to enjoy it all from 8:30am-8pm. Keystone is about 90 minutes from Denver International Airport. In the winter, its five-acre lake becomes the largest outdoor Zamboni-maintained ice skating rink in North America and is truly a winter wonderland. This family park features day and night skiing and snowboarding, tubing (with its own lift), Nordic skiing, snowmobiling, snow biking, snowshoeing, scenic gondola rides and sleigh rides. There are ski school lessons for the whole family, and a premier child care and nursery as well.

This snow fort in Kidtopia is one of Keystone's many children's delights

Children will love Kidtopia with its snow fort, live music, arts and crafts activities, tubing and more at this seasonal winter escapade for families. Family lodging in Keystone is available to fit a range of budget and accommodation needs, but the best are the ski-in ski-out hotels that boast unbeatable convenience, being just steps from the lifts and gondolas, as well as the charming village with restaurants, shops and entertainment. For more information visit their website at www.keystoneresort.com

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Park City Utah with the Kids 

Park City, Utah snowy scenery – kids love snow ball fights!

We love going to Park City Utah. The town itself is charming, with many cute shops and galleries; a fun candy store dishing up fresh fudge with a giant plastic cow in front; and easy proximity to the Salt Lake City airport. 

Located mountainside at Deer Valley, not far from Main Street in Park City, the Stein Eriksen Lodge is a fantastic destination. Adults can thrill to the ski runs at this comfortable, elegant resort. Kids will love the lodge’s Scandinavian look with beamed ceilings and dark wood floors – and huge stone fireplaces located throughout the property. We had our quintessential hot chocolate with marshmallows moment before a large floor to ceiling fireplace off the main lobby; snow flakes batting against the windows outside. But best of all are the horse drawn carriages that take travelers through this scenic winter destination. Huddle under a blanket and enjoy the ride. 

Our kids loved the out door heated pool. It’s something really special to be afloat in tub-warm water, steam rising from the surface, snow covered peaks surrounding you. While the Glitretind Restaurant was on the expensive side, we found portions ample enough to share. The chef was kind enough to let the kids share a small scale version of the restaurant’s tasting menu, and make the entree vegetarian besides. The resort also houses a casual spot called Troll Hallen – the kids were disappointed not to see any actual trolls – where sandwiches, burgers, and soups are available all day. 

At the Park City Mountain Resort on the other side of Park City’s Main Street and historic district, you’ll find an ice skating rink, suitable for all ages. The children’s ski classes here and at Deer Valley Resort are gently run, with offerings ranging from a few hours to a full day combining slope time with video games, pizza, and craft activities. Another awesome adventure is available at the site of the 2002 Winter Olympics. Here you can ride a snowy roller coaster, other wise known as a bobsled mounted on an Olympic game track. While you can take your little ones aboard with you and hold on tight, the ride is windy and fast, and most recommended for kids over eight. 

Babes in arms? Bundle them up and take them with you on a guided snow shoe walk. Run by White Pine Touring Company, you’ll traverse snowy fields and pass through sylvan groves of aspens, pine, and birch. Older kids are welcome to strap on their own snow shoes and trek with their parents. The walks run twice a day and weekly include a moonlight walk. 

Telluride Colorado with the Kids 

We’ve also enjoyed taking the kids to Telluride Colorado. Like Park City, Telluride Colorado has galleries, shops, and restaurants to explore in town; kid-focused ski classes, excellent adult runs, and child care programs available at the Telluride ski resort, a self-contained Alpine Village outside of town. 

We like the resort’s Inn at Lost Creek. Unlike Park City’s Stein Eriksen, this is a small hotel with only thirty-two rooms. The staff feels like your own personal retinue, offering to stock your kitchen, baby sit, or arrange free transportation into town all day and into the evening. Our favorite amenity is the winter hot chocolate bar – yes, you can ask for your own special chocolate brew from the chocoholic bartender and settle down by an enormous fireplace to enjoy it. Our kids chose a peppermint flavored option. 

This is an elegant, expensive resort but we cut corners without feeling the pinch by dining in every night in our luxurious hotel kitchen. Our kids loved the sleigh style beds in the second bedroom and access to an eclectic DVD library that contained a surprising amount of family films and old classics. Like Park City, Telluride also offers a family snow shoe tour – this tour focused on pointing out animal footprints and edible forest berries, and was lots of fun. Telluride Ski Resort offers great ski classes including a selection for ages three and four. A fun, safe way to learn the rudiments of skiing, including a lunch break and interaction with Telluride’s mascots – Olivia the Otter, Eddie the Eagle and Morris the Bear. Along with the ski lessons, kids are also taught a little bit about Telluride’s history. 

A winter wonderland for kids – ski resorts in Utah and Colorado!

Speaking of history, in town our kids also enjoyed the Telluride Historical Museum, with some great exhibits exploring the geology of the Colorado mountains, gold and silver mining, and the Native American culture of the Ute tribe. The Rio Grande Southern Railroad’s history was particularly engaging; especially as the museum combined the exhibits with local ‘story tellers’ relating tales about the past with family friendly flair. 

There was more local hands-on at the sweet, toddler-focused story time offered every Monday, Wednesday and Friday Morning at the Wilkinson Public Library. After a cozy mid-morning reading, we walked over to the Telluride Cornerhouse Grille restaurant. This comfortable, retro restaurant has sandwiches, soups, and pastas and crispy tater tots on the menu. Naturally, more hot chocolate is served, along with access to a closet full of board games including Candyland and Goofy Gumbus. 

Full and warm, we were more than ready for a snowball fight at Ute Park… and more winter wonderland memories. 

Related Articles – Ski Resort Vacations: 

Skiing Vacation Holiday in Keystone Colorado
Vail Winter Vacation at Lion Square Lodge

Outside Lone Eagle Lodge Keystone Colorado

Our skiing holiday in Keystone, Colorado of February 2007 was cold and eventful. As natives to Southern California, the temperature change was a bit shocking. We just happened to be traveling at a time of year when blizzards were commonplace and getting snowed in was very likely to happen.

We flew from LAX International Airport to Denver, where we had made arrangements for transportation to drive us to Keystone two hours away.  I was not excited about the prospect of having to sit in a heated van – no matter how comfortable – after our 3 hour flight, especially as we were traveling with our two young children, ages 2 and 4 at the time. We made sure to take my son’s car seat and stroller. The car seat was very useful during the flight, as he was accustomed to it already, and was able to sit there without much of a fuss. Having a portable DVD player and the children’s favorite videos was a great idea, as it helped to keep them quietly entertained.

Relaxing in the living room of our Lone Eagle Lodge

We stayed at Lone Eagle Lodge, tucked away in the woods at the base of Keystone Mountain located across from the gondolas and ski lifts in River Run Village. The luxurious accommodations include heated outdoor pool, hot tub, full health club facilities, a well equipped fitness room, spacious common lounge and library, concierge, ski lockers, and shuttle service to nearby shopping and restaurants.

Our spacious and beautifully appointed 2 bedroom 2 bathroom penthouse had a full kitchen with dishwasher,  granite counter tops, slate floors, tumbled marble baths, living room and gas fireplace. Although the kitchen was stocked with all the tools necessary for the gourmet chef, we opted to eat out most of the time, as cooking was not on the holiday’s agenda. A washer and dryer came with the suite, and proved quite useful as anyone with young children knows.

Ski School Conveyor belt for kids in Keystone

We enrolled our children in ski school for the first time, and they seemed to enjoy it. It was by the main ski lifts, and a short walk from the lodge itself. Enclosed in a fenced off area, the ski school had a conveyor type belt that would take the little skiers up a short slope, only to return by plowing slowly behind their instructors like little ducks in a row. It was very cute to watch them all bundled up with their gear and helmets. This allowed us time and freedom to enjoy the slopes on our own.

We spent the days skiing, and every evening having dinner at local restaurants. Then we would get cozy by a roaring fire in the hearth of our suite, watching the snow fall in a parade of softly shimmering light. There is plenty of shopping and nearby dining all within walking distance, including Starbucks coffee, the Great Northern Tavern, Blue River Bistro, Paesano’s or Kickapoo Tavern. There is also an opportunity to go ice skating on the frozen lake, although we did not do so. We did however, take the children tubing and sledding which they loved, as made evident by their squeals of delight.

Moutain view from Gondola Keystone Colorado

Because of the icy cold weather, riding on the ski lifts was not an option. Instead, the gondolas were used to transport the skiers up the mountain to the slopes.  Each night, the freshly fallen snow made the ski conditions lovely, although one of the days the weather did get a bit too blustery, affecting visibility and making it just too cold to brave the slopes.  Unfortunately, both my children caught colds, and my son developed an ear infection that required us to take him to the emergency room nearby for treatment and antibiotics.

The day of our departure proved to be quite an adventure starting with a bottle of medication pills I had left unattended on the living room table for mere minutes.  But that was all it took for a curious 2 year old to help himself to what he may have thought was candy.  Within about 20 minutes of taking the pills, he stumbled groggily about while we panicked and gathered him up to take him to the emergency room once again. It just so happened that a blizzard was coming and the roads were closed. So between taking my son to the emergency room, praying for the roads to open so that we would not be snowed in and miss our return flight to Los Angeles, and attempting to find accommodations in case we missed our flight, we were in a state of utter frenzy.

Melting away in the hot tub of the Lone Eagle Lodge

Our stay in the emergency room lasted a couple hours, and aside from appearing like a little drunken sailor, my son was ok. Luckily he had only taken one pill so he did not require any treatment other than observation and monitoring his vitals. Our driver arrived as my son was finally released from the emergency room, and we hastened to climb into the van and begin the 2 hour drive back to Denver when we discovered that the roads were closed.

As our penthouse had already been leased by other occupants, my husband searched to find us other accommodations for the night. Shortly after checking into a condominium at another lodge, we got word that the roads had opened, albeit briefly, as another blizzard was expected. Not wasting a moment, we jumped in the van and our driver took off, as we prayed that the roads would remain open and that we would not miss our flight. We arrived at Denver International Airport in a flurry, and literally ran to the gate with minutes to spare before boarding.

Top of inner tubing slopes at Keystone Colorado

Our return flight was not at all pleasant because both my children were sick. They cried almost the entire flight back, making me cringe as I counted the minutes before we landed. Although our holiday had been mostly pleasant, the final episode left its indelible mark, assuring me that I did not wish to return. It is just easier to fly directly to the town where you will be staying (like our recent ski trip to Vail), rather than having to fly and then drive a couple of hours. It made it a bit grueling, especially with the unfortunate events of our departure day. Yet time has a way of softening some of the blows of yesterday, and allowing us to fondly reminisce and laugh about our experiences. Perhaps someday we may return now that the children are older and more independent.

My husband in town with the kids in Keystone

View of Lionshead while riding up the Gondola

Our holiday in Vail, Colorado was by far one of the best skiing vacations we have enjoyed yet. It was mid January 2009 and we flew non-stop into Vail’s Eagle County Regional Airport from Los Angeles where our shuttle driver was waiting to take us to the Lion Square Lodge in Lionshead Vail. Big Mountain Transportation is the company we used to book our “Executive Van” where we paid $200 in advance of the trip (not including tip). This van was able to accommodate our whole family including my husband and two kids (ages 4 and 6), my parents, and my brother and his wife. The airport was about 45 minutes away from our lodge, and we decided to stop off at a market to pick up food and a few supplies before continuing on to our destination.  We knew our lodge was equipped with a full kitchen so we wanted to make sure we had everything we needed for the duration of our stay.   

Inside our Lion Square Lodge suite. There was a loft for the kids to sleep, master bedroom and full kitchen.

Some of the amenities offered by Lion Square Lodge included 24-hour front desk, concierge services, ski rental office, ski storage, complimentary ski valet, and ski and grocery store shuttles in the winter. One thing worth noting is the complimentary cookies and hot chocolate available at the ski valet each day.  They were absolutely irresistible – what a nice touch!  The lodge also had an outdoor pool with three spa tubs and a small fitness center on site. They also provided complimentary passes to the Vail Cascade Resort’s health club and spa, one mile away. Complimentary wireless Internet access was available in the lobby, lounge, and business center.   

There is an Italian restaurant on site called the Mezaluna restaurant. There are also several restaurants within a short walking distance from the lodge as well as plenty of shopping. We ate at the Mezaluna Italian food restaurant on our first night and the hostess had no trouble seating our family of 8 despite the last minute reservation.   

Ski rental office in our Lions Square Lodge

Situated right on the slopes, Lion Square Lodge offers lovely views of the mountains, the slopes, wooded areas, and the meandering creek below. There were deer and other animal tracks in the freshly fallen snow that added to it’s natural charm. Each morning we dressed and walked down to the lifts located just a few paces from the lodge’s door. The lifts were a smooth and easy ride to slopes that seemed endless and surrounded by breathtaking beauty. We learned from our driver that Vail is the largest ski area in North America with over 5,000 acres!   

Our two children were enrolled in the ski school which kept them entertained while freeing up our time to play. The price was $139 for the full day ski lesson and lunch. The cost was $20 more for children ages 5 to 6  who wanted access to the lifts, which my 6 year old daughter did on our last full day. Throughout the day we would peek in on them in their helmets, plowing down the gentle training slopes at the foot of the Gondola next door to Lion Square Lodge. The location could not have been better – for us or for them – and we had complete peace of mind leaving them in the most capable hands of the instructors. The instructors were patient, kind and had plenty of energy to match that of the children in their care. All the children were fed as well, making it even easier for us to enjoy ourselves, knowing that our children were well looked after.   

On one particular day my husband took the kids inner tube sliding at the top of the mountain.  Inner tubing was only available for a small window of time (between 12 noon and 4pm), so immediately after lunch they purchased their tickets on the main floor next to the ski school (only about $12 to $15 each for 1 hour), and rode the Gondola up to the top.  The inner tube tracks where off to the side, next to where the ski school held lessons for the older kids. It was  just a few feet away, and there were 4 or 5 tracks specifically groomed for the occasion.  A special lift for inner tubes was in operation and would tow each inner tube along with its passenger up a hill with short cables and latches.  Kids and adults alike couldn’t get enough of the exhilarating rides and took full advantage of the paid hour of sliding.  There were cameras located in fixed places along the tracks automatically snapping pictures, which were available later for purchase.   

Vail ski school for young kids just outside lodge

For lunch, we would either stop at the chalet on the mountain, or on ocassion, I went back to the lodge to prepare myself a quick peanut butter and jelly sandwich, along with a hot cup of tea.  There was a restaurant at the top of the mountain near chair 3 called Wildwood Restaurant.  We had lunch at this 11,000 elevation food oasis not just because of the convenience, but also because of the wonderful mouth watering barbeque menu choices.   

After a long day on the slopes, we would take a dip in the heated pool and hot tub to melt away the day’s stiffness. It felt dreamy as the thick steam billowed into the icy air around us. The setting was picturesque with the nearby flowing river and snow covered trees.  Here we met people from all over the world where we engaged in entertaining conversations and exchanged our day’s experiences.  Even after a full day of mountain activities, the kids still found the energy to participate in snow ball fights around the pool.   

Spa and heated pool at our lodge in Vail

Each evening we went out for dinner in our group of six adults and 2 children. Everything was walking distance in Lionshead, which made it ideal. One of our favorite restaurants was the Vail Chophouse, where my brother ate a 42 ounce Porterhouse steak all by himself! The food and ambiance was so good that we dined here on two separate occasions while on our vacation.  On our second visit a magician dropped in at our table just before dessert and dazzled the kids (and us adults) with some wonderful magic tricks involving coins and cards.  My 6 year old daughter was especially wide eyed with wonder!  It was a very nice, unexpected and a memorable surprise.   

After dinner we would stroll and peek in the windows of the various shops on the way back to our lodge.  There was an open ice skating rink in the center of an outdoor shopping area where we would stop to admire the scenery. It was a winter wonderland with all the Christmas lights still decorating the square.  Eventually the bone chilling cold nudged us back to the warmth of our lodge, where we would sip red wine by a roaring fire and share the day’s adventures.   

Ice skating rink in Lionshead Vail Colorado

We’ve been to many Colorado ski resorts in the past including Winter Park and Keystone.  They were all marvelous, but many of our family members experienced altitude sickness because of the extremely high elevations.  Our Vail trip proved to be a much more pleasant experience because of the lower elevations.  This is definitely something to consider when travelling with young kids.   

Our return flight was later in the day, so we first had lunch at Garfinkles in Lionshead just after checking out of our hotel.  As expected our Big Mountain Transportation driver picked us up on time and transported us to the Eagle County Regional Airport with plenty of time to check in and relax. The flight back to Los Angeles was non-stop and easy.  This was a holiday I would very much like to repeat in the future with my family.