15 Family Friendly Ski Resorts In Colorado

Buttermilk Mountain has an elevation drop of 2,030 feet or 618.74 meters. 

Buttermilk Mountain ski resort is one of the four Aspen resorts and among the family friendly ones.

It is best known for hosting X-Games which can be enjoyed by the guest staying at the resort. It offers several other facilities including staying and food for the guests.

On average a day lift ticket costs $209 for an adult and $149 for teens. Similarly, children under 6 years old can get in for free while seniors above 65 years old will need to spend $149 to get a day lift ticket.

The resort is often known for its beginner-friendly trails and routes but that does not mean the professional cannot have fun. While the majority of the slopes and ski lines are easy, there are some tricky and challenging trails awaiting experienced guests.

In total, Buttermilk Mountain Ski resort has 44 trails, 6 lifts, and 470 acres of enjoyable ski space, according to their website. Apart from the numerous trails, it also offers several terrain, pipes, and parks to showcase your freestyle abilities.

This ski season opened on December 17, 2022, and will continue operation until April 2, 2023. The average annual snowfall at the facility is around 200 inches. It has the highest elevation of 9,900 feet above sea level and the base sits at 7,870 feet above sea level. 

Loveland Ski Area has an elevation drop of 2,210 feet or 673.60 meters.

Loveland Ski Area consists of two parts; Loveland Basin and Loveland Valley Ski Area. Although both parts operate under the same company, they are tailored for different types of vacationers and skiers. 

Loveland Basin is bendier and has more steep drops and turns making it suitable for amateurs and professionals. Loveland Valley offers gentler slopes and fewer turns making it perfect for beginners. A shuttle bus service connects the two areas. 

An all-mountain lift ticket worth $119 for adults and $40 for children between 6 and 14 will be enough to enjoy all the 1800 acres of the ski area in both regions. However, you can also purchase $50 and $30 worth of lift tickets for adults and children respectively to enjoy just the beginner's side of the Loveland Valley ski area. 

Loveland Ski Area offers 94 trails and 11 lifts in the two areas. The longest trail, located at the expert side of the area, is nearly 2 miles long. It is one of the closest winter resorts to Denver making it one of the most popular ones among the residents of the region.

The facility also provides several other amenities on the mountains. There are a number of restaurants and bars to choose from for a quick bite or a drink with your friends and family. Similarly, the on-mountain cabins located at specific spots provide a place to warm up and rest, and most of them are free to use. 

There are also rental shops to gear up for your adventure and repair shops. Locker facilities will help safeguard your valuables and the daycare center at the facility will take care of your young ones. However, the area does not offer lodging facilities. 

Copper Mountain has an elevation drop of 2,729 feet or 831.79 meters.

Copper Mountain ski resort is located in Summit County, Colorado, about 70 miles or 120 km west of Denver, Colorado. The ski resort resets beside the interstate 70 highway making it easily accessible by cars. 

The resort has  2,490 acres of area that offer over 150 trails for skiing, and 25 total lifts serving the majority of the area. 21% of the trails are easy, 25% intermediate, 36% advanced, and 18% expert, making the facility suitable for all kinds of adventure lovers. 

Apart from the trails, the resort provides other amenities including lodging, flooding, and entertainment from its three villages. The eastern, middle, and western villages have restaurants, hotels, bars, and other facilities for the guests.

A day pass at the resort will set you back $169 for an adult lift ticket. Children above 13 years old will require an adult ticket to enjoy skiing in Copper mountain. However, kids between 5 to 13 years old will set you back $119, and those under 5 will be able to enjoy it for free.

The facility has several discounts and packages for the guests like booking two nights at the resort to get a third free, at the time of writing this article, so we recommend checking out the Copper Mountain website thoroughly before making a purchase. 

Crested Butte has an elevation drop of 2,787 feet or 849.47 meters. 

Crested Butte ski resort is located at Mount Crested Butte. The resort first opened its doors in 1960 after Fred Rice and Eflin purchased a ranch and got permission to operate a resort. After multiple changes in ownership and management, it is now owned by Vail Resorts since September 2018.

The resort features 121 trails for the guests to enjoy and the longest among them is over 2.6 miles. They are divided into three categories, beginner 23%, amateur 57%, and expert 20%, meaning everyone will have a fair share of opportunities to have fun. 

Similarly, 16 lifts spanning all across the mountain from the base area to the summit serve the guests and help them get to their desired slopes and trails to have fun. The lifts also take the vacationers to three different restaurants located on the side of the mountains and enjoy a bite with an exceptional view of the valley.

Everyone aged 13 and above will require an adult lift ticket to enjoy the trails and it will set you back $166 per person. Children between 5 to 12 will need to purchase $96 worth of lift tickets while anyone below 5 will be able to enjoy them for free. Seniors above 65 years old can purchase a ticket for $139. 

Along with some renowned trails, Crested Butte Ski Resort also offers lodging and food facilities at the base of the mountain. We encourage you to check their website for discounts and bundle offers before making a purchase. 

Winter Park has an elevation drop of 3,060 feet or 932.68 meters. 

Winter Park Resort is located in Grand County, Colorado. The resort is just off US Highway 40, giving it a relatively easy access point with the rest of the state. It is only about 90 minute drive away from Denver making it a go-to place for weekends and escapes.

It is also accessible by train on weekends from Denver Union Station. Amtrack runs a 90-km rail route between Denver and Winter Park Resort, Colorado. Trains run on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from January to March.

The resort is divided into 7 territories and offers 166 trails to visitors in those seven areas. The areas are Winter Park, Vasquez Ridge, Parsenn Bowl, Terrain Park, Mary Jane, Eagle Wind, and The Cirque. 

The lift tickets for the resort will set you back $239 for adults, $149 for children between 5 years old and 13 years old, and $20 for anyone below 5 years old. However, they offer discounts and cheap prices every now and then, you can check the Winter Park Resort website for available offers.

It also provides several options for lodging from ski-in/ ski-out rooms to a townhouse with three bedrooms depending on your requirements.

Silverton Mountain has an elevation drop of 3,087 feet or 940.91 meters. 

Silverton Mountain ski resort is not your everyday family ski resort; it is an untamed and ungroomed mountain region with raw thrills. It is only available for expert skiers and snowboarders and not for amateurs or beginners.

The resort has one chairlift taking the adventure seekers to the mountain top for their untamed thrills downhill. Still, a helicopter takes the visitors to any location they prefer, a feature others do not include in their itineraries.

The facility requires visitors to wear avalanche gear at all times due to the dangers involved in the sport. It also requires guests to sign a liability release form prior to starting their adventure.

As the resort only offers guided tours for most of the season, it will set you back $229 for a day of lift ticket and $269 in the peak season. The helicopter-assisted drop will set you back $184 on top of your day-lift ticket. 

They also offer a variety of rental gear. Silverton Mountain experiences over 400 inches of snow per season and due to its expert-only policy, the crowd is considerably fewer.

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Keystone Resort has an elevation drop of 3,128 feet or 953.41 meters.

The resort is located in Keystone, Colorado, and has a total skiable area of 3,149 acres. It offers 130 different trails in three mountains, Dercum Mountain, North Peak, and the Outback. The trails are 12% for beginners,  39% for amateurs, and 49% for experts.

The vast area and a number of trails are served by 20 chairlifts, gondolas, and surface lifts. A day lift ticket costs $156 for an adult but the prices vary based on availability and time, you may get a huge discount for booking your ticket online.

As a family resort, Keystone Resort also offers fine dining and lodging facilities in its two base areas, Riverrun and Mountain House. Gift shops and fine dining are scattered all over the base areas serving guests all year round.

Furthermore, Keystone also features an ice-skating place and a terrain park called A51, not the US Military one but could be similar. Check out the Keystone Resort's website for a package to suit you and your family this ski season.

Aspen Mountain Ski Resort has a vertical drop of 3,267 feet or 995.78 meters. 

Aspen Mountain Ski Resort is located just above the city of Aspen in Pitkin County, Colorado, making it one of the most accessible resorts in Colorado. The resort is also known as Ajax among the locals and is part of Aspen Skiing Company's four-mountain ski complex.

The relatively small area of only 673 acres is served by 8 lift systems. The resort offers 76 trails among which 48 are intermediate, 26 are advanced, and 26 are expert, there are no beginner trails so keeping your kids home might be a good idea this season.

An adult day lift ticket costs $209 and children between 7 to 18 years old will need to pay $149. Everyone below 7 years old will ski for free at the facility. The Aspen Mountain Ski Resort also provided several choices for lodging from hotels to ski-in and ski-out rooms in the mountains.

Beaver Creek Resort has a vertical drop of 3,340 feet or 1018.03 meters. 

Beaver Creek Resort is located just 3 miles south of Avon, Colorado. The ski resort is fairly accessible via the I-70 road from Denver and other nearby cities and towns. 

The resort offers 166 trails in its 2,082 acres of skiable area. The trails are served by 25 lifts which consist of fleets of gondolas, chair lifts, and surface lifts. The skiable area is scattered in five mountains Beaver Creek, Larkspur, Bachelor Gulch, Grouse Mountain, and Arrowhead Mountain. 

The offered runs are 19% beginner, 43% amateur, and 38% expert, meaning everyone can enjoy different types of runs in the resort. Furthermore, Beaver Creek Resort is best known for its upscale family-oriented amenities and services making it the perfect ski holiday escape.

Everyone above 13 years old needs an adult ticket which costs $233, children under 12 years old and above 5 years old will need a ticket worth $161. Kids below 5 will get to enjoy their time for free at the facility. 

The Beaver Creek Resort also offers different types of lodging facilities, it also has ample fine dining and shopping complexes at the base. 

Breckenridge Ski Resort has an elevation drop of 3,398 feet or 1035.71 meters.

Breckenridge Ski Resort is located in Breckenridge, Colorado, in the western United States of America. The resort is located 104 miles west of Denver International Airport and 86 miles west of Downtown Denver. It is around 2 hour drive from either location.

The facility has incorporated 5 peaks and is numbered starting from the southernmost part, Peak 10, Peak 9, Peak 8, Peak 7, and Peak 6 sit at the northernmost part of the resort. Together they provide 2,908 acres of skiable area.

The huge area is served by 35 lifts which include gondolas, chairlifts, and surface lifts, and has 187 trails to conquer. 11 % of the trails are easy, 31% are for amateurs, and the rest are expert and advanced. 

A day lift ticket for the resort will set you back $207 for adults and $135 for kids under 12 years old. The resort also offers lodging facilities in several hotels and private homes in the facility. Breckenridge Ski Resort offers various family deals and packages so be sure to check their website before making your holiday plans. 

Vail Ski Resort has a vertical drop of 3,450 feet or 1051.56 meters.

Vail Ski Resort is located in Eagle County, Colorado. It is accessible via I-70 and is located 119 miles west of Denver International Airport. It is around a 2-hour drive from Denver and adjacent to Breckenridge Ski Resort. 

The resort is the third largest in the United States of America and the fourth largest in North America based on total skiable area. It has a mammoth skiable area of 5,289 acres, made up of seven bowls and both sides of the mountain. 

It features 275 trails among which 18% are beginner, 29% are intermediate, and 53% are advanced. The longest run is nicknamed Riva Ridge and it is four miles long starting at mid-vali and ending right at the bottom in Vali village. 

The resort is equipped with 33 lifts to help visitors take the mountains. It also has two terrain parks to help express your style and skills in the controlled space. 

A day lift ticket at US's third-largest ski resort will set you back $275 for adults and $190 for anyone between the age of 5 and 12 years old. It also offers several fine dining and lodging facilities in the town and on the property. Check out Vail Ski Resort website to find amazing deals. 

Steamboat Ski Resort has a vertical drop of 3,668 feet or 1118 meters. 

Steamboat Ski Resort is located in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, just 157 miles northwest of Denver. It is also 333 miles east of Salt Lake City, Utah, and 124 miles southwest of Laramie, Wyoming. The resort is operated by Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation. 

It offers 2,965 acres of skiable surface in Mount Werner. The resort currently has 171 trails to offer to visitors and 21 lifts provide access to most of the areas waiting to be conquered. It has 14% beginner, 42% intermediate, and 44% advanced trails with no expert double black diamond trails in operation.

On top of all the exciting trails and lifts offered by the resort, Steamboat Ski Resort also offers 4 terrain parks to the visitors. The parks operate within the lift operation hours and encourage visitors to showcase their skills. 

A day lift ticket for an adult costs $249 and children between 5 to 12 years old will need to pay $186. Unlike other similar resorts, your child under 5 years old will also require a ticket worth $10 to enjoy their day in the snow. You will be eligible for some discounts if you book your ticket 7 days in advance. 

However, apart from skiing and adventure, Steamboat Ski Resort offers a family-friendly stay at the property. They offer several types of lodging facilities including upscale hotels to cabins. Fine dining restaurants and shopping centers are also scattered all around the base area.

Aspen Highlands has an elevation drop of 4352 feet or 1326.48 meters.

Aspen Highlands is a part of the Aspen/Snowmass resort complex operated by Aspen Skiing Company. It is best known for its Highland Bowl located right at the top of Highland Peak and provides some best-known expert-only trails in the state of Colorado.

It has 1,010 acres of skiable area which offers 118 total trails. The trails are divided into three categories and consist of 23 Intermediate trails, 12 Advanced trails, and 65 Double Black Diamond Expert trails. The area is served by 5 lifts.

Highland village sits at the base of the area providing dining options and other activities for the guests. Although there are several warming and rest huts located in the mountains and base area, the facility does not provide lodging. 

However, as the resort is part of the Aspen/Snowmass resort complex, there are great options for lodging available in the nearby areas of the complex. Check out Aspen Highlands' website to learn more. 

A day ticket at the ski resort will set you back $209 for adults and $149 for kids between 7 to 17 years old. Everyone below 7 years old will ski for free at the facility. 

Telluride Ski Resort has a vertical drop of 4,400 feet or 1341.12 meters. 

Telluride Ski Resort is located in Mountain Village in San Miguel County, Colorado. The resort is 6 hour's southwest drive from Denver or you could take a 1-hour 5-minute flight from Denver International Airport to Telluride Regional Airport.

It is operated by Telluride Ski and Golf and features 2,000 acres of skiable space on the northwestern side of the San Juan Mountains. The area features 149 trails with 59% of trails rated beginner and intermediate providing plenty of opportunities for adventure seekers. The remaining 41% is the advanced and expert trail. 

The area is served by 19 lifts which consist of gondolas, chair lifts, and surface lifts. The resort also operates a free gondola service from Mountain Village and the town of Telluride that runs between 6.30 am to 12:00 midnight. 

A day lift ticket at Telluride Ski Resort will set you back $209 for adults and $106 for kids between 7 years old and 12 years old. The Telluride Ski Resort also offers lodging facilities in its ski-in and ski-out rooms and hotels. 

Some of the featured lodging spaces sitting right at the footsteps of the resort include The Peaks Resort & Spa, Inn at Lost Creek, and See Forever Village, among others. 

Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort has an elevation drop of 4,406 feet or 1342.94 meters, the highest of all in our list of Family Friendly Ski Resorts In Colorado. 

Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort is part of the Aspen/Snowmass ski complex and sits right above of Aspen city. It starts at the very top of  Aspen Mountain and has made Aspen city its base area. The ski resort is noted for its family-oriented atmosphere and variety of trails and runs.

It offers 94 trails out of which 6 are for beginners, 47 are Intermediate, 17 are Advanced, and 30 for Experts. It offers all kinds of atmospheres to everyone and even operates ski schools and lessons for the first timers. 

All of the resort's 3,362 acres of skiable surface are served by 16 lifts in their incredible lift system. They consist of gondolas, chairlifts, and surface lifts. 

The resort has extensive ski-in and ski-out lodges and offers a wide selection of hotels in Aspen city to visitors. The choices of fine dining and shopping areas are also incredible. The resort also offers spa and relaxation facilities.

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A day ticket at Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort will set you back $209 for adults and $149 for children between 7 and 17 years old.