Top Ski Slopes For Kids Near Denver

It's the peak of the ski season and there is plenty of snow on the slopes around the state. While skiing, snowboarding and other snow sports are fun for the whole family, it can be tough to keep an eye on the kids. Whether your kids are experienced and can hold their own on some of the tougher courses or they are novices, there are plenty of kid-friendly resorts near the metro area. Take advantage of what's left of winter by taking the family to one of these family-friendly resorts.

Breckenridge Ski Resort 
1599 Summit County Rd. 3
Breckenridge, CO 80424
(970) 453-5000
www.breckenridge.com

Located about an hour and 40 minutes from the metro area, Breckenridge is a family-friendly resort with a lot to do both on and off the mountain. From a lessons program that is designed to be engaging and fun to terrain parks and easier runs, this resort has plenty to keep the entire family entertained. If your kids are newbies, there is a great ski school, along with a varied selection of small hills and a beginner terrain park. If they are more advanced, there are plenty of green and blue trails for them to ski alongside you. Breckenridge also has a tubing hill, plenty of dining options and many activities in town.

Loveland Ski Area
Exit 216 Interstate 70
Georgetown, CO 80444
(303) 571-5580
www.skiloveland.com

Not only is Loveland easily accessible from the metro area, it also features many family-friendly hills. Its Children's Ski and Ride School features instructors who are adept at working with kids and will keep their patience if your child gets a little frustrated. Additionally, 13 percent of Loveland's runs are listed as beginner, so kids who aren't up to the blues can find some trails that are more their speed. The resort offers a range of specialized instructional programs for skiers of many abilities, including classes on safety, so you can equip them with the knowledge they need to be safe on the hill.

Eldora Mountain Resort
2861 Eldora Ski Rd. #140
Nederland, CO 80466
(303) 440-8700
www.eldora.com

Eldora Mountain resort is conveniently located about 40 minutes from Boulder, which makes it a perfect place for a day of skiing without having to find lodging. This resort features its Kids Trek program, which is an interactive program for kids of all abilities. An intensive program, Kids Trek is a multi-week program that will help your child master skiing, snowboarding and cross country skills. If you're just headed up for the day, the resort features easy trails for beginners and a variety of intermediate and advanced trails for experts. Its terrain park is popular for the kids as well, serving as a place in which they can learn new tricks.

Related: Colorado's Top Ski Resorts

Winter Park Resort
100 Winter Park Dr.
Winter Park, CO 80482
(970) 726-1564
www.winterparkresort.com

Winter Park is a fun family destination all year but it is the winter season that attracts the most business. From the mountain to the village, there is a variety of activities, including tubing, shopping, munching s'mores and, of course, skiing and boarding. With seven different areas featuring a variety of trails, there is a place for anyone on the mountain. Guests can decide whether they prefer an easy ride or more of a challenge and spend the day with people of similar abilities, or they can try out different areas. The Winter Park Territory is one of the most popular, since it features a variety of terrain, but it's small enough for families to keep track of one another.

Arapahoe Basin
28194 US Highway 6
Keystone, CO 80435
(888) 272-7246
www.arapahoebasin.com

About 65 miles from Denver, Arapahoe Basin is an easily accessible, world class resort. For beginners, A-Basin features an entire learning area, so newbies can learn at their own pace without having to worry about holding up more experienced skiers and boarders. It also features a Kids Club, which is a four-week program where kids can learn skills from the same instructor each time. The resort's terrain parks are some of the most popular in the state and are fun for older kids who want to learn rails skills and other freestyle moves. It is located about 10 minutes away from Keystone, so you can go enjoy some off-mountain activities in town when you're done on the slopes.

Related: Top Places In Colorado For Family-Friendly Ski Or Snowboard Lessons

Alaina Brandenburger is a freelance writer living in Denver. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.