Top Terrain Parks For Kids At Colorado Ski Resorts
(credit: CBS)
Colorado is known for skiing, but if you have younger kids, you may not realize just how many different options are available. From beginner lessons to advanced classes, your kids will have a blast learning all the techniques and tricks needed to ski like a pro. Or, if your kids aren't in need of lessons and you just need a few great places to ski as a family, these resorts have you covered there too. Many also offer special services and accommodations for families, including family lessons, wagons for carrying around your gear and much more. So find some time this winter to schedule a long weekend on the mountain as a family. You'll make lots of lasting memories and the kids will love every minute of it.
Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort
40 Carriage Way
Snowmass, CO 81654
(970) 923-1220
www.aspensnowmass.com
Aspen Snowmass is considered one of the biggest and best ski resorts in Colorado, as adults and kids of all ages love riding the many different slopes and terrain in this picturesque park. The kids area is really something special here with a huge treehouse for kids called the Treehouse Adventure Center. It's the perfect spot for kids to play before or after you sign them up for one of the great classes designed just for kids. When your kids are ready to try out the different terrain parks, they'll love exploring all the different areas. There are three different terrain parks in Snowmass, including a 22-foot superpipe and a beginner pipe, so there is a little something for every skill level. With lots of ramps, boxes and jumps, they'll find plenty of places to perfect their tricks.
Beaver Creek Ski Resort
40 Village Road
Avon, CO 81620
(970) 754-4636
www.beavercreek.com
It's the staff at Beaver Creek that makes skiing for kids so much fun. With lots of extra care and attention, the team here makes sure everyone is safe and happy while they learn all the tricks and techniques for skiing like a pro. Even the youngest kids will love the special kids ski lift as they are taken up to The Ranch, the school designed just for the kids. There are three terrain parks here, with Park 101 being the perfect place for kids to start out. Park 101 is home to small jumps, boxes and rails all designed for beginner riders to learn. Once your kids have graduated from the beginner side, they can check out The Zoom Room with 20- to 30-foot jumps, stall features, rails and more boxes to enjoy. For advanced riders, The Rodeo is the best of the best, with some very large and very technical features including 40- to 60-foot jumps. Make sure your kids are in the terrain park that is best suited for their ability and they'll have the time of their lives.
Related: Colorado's Top Ski Resorts
Breckenridge Ski Resort
1599 Summit County Road #3
Breckenridge, CO 80424
(970) 453-5000
www.breckenridge.com
Breckenridge Ski Resort is another fantastic resort that your kids are sure to love. The school offers lots of great classes for children as young as three with different themes and other fun activities to keep the kids active and engaged. The kids will even get to spend time with the Breckenridge mascot, Ripperoo. When it comes to terrain parks, there are four awesome places to check out, including a 22-foot superpipe. Beginners will want to start out with Bonanza, with smaller jumps and rails perfect to learn the basics. If Bonanza is busy, you can also head over to Trygve's, which is a bit more moderate, but still good for learning the ropes. Once they've perfected their skills, and they are ready for some tougher terrain, Park Lane and Freeway are the two advanced terrain parks. Both feature lots of rails, jumps, boxes and other places to show off your stuff, or you can just head over and watch the pros do what they do best.
Crested Butte Ski Resort
500 Gothic Ave
Crested Butte, CO 81224
(970) 349-6173
www.skicb.com
Enroll your kids in Crested Butte's Camp CB to make the most out of your vacation to this beautiful resort. Camp CB is designed just for kids ages three through 15 and it offers the perfect skiing adventure. There are several different classes offered, including a Cubs class for kids as young as three that focuses on both indoor and outdoor activities and still offers them up to two hours of skiing. For kids that are ready to try some tricks, there are two terrain parks here to explore, starting with Painter Boy. It's a great place for learning how to use all the jumps, rails and boxes or to work on new tricks before you move onto more difficult terrain. The second is Cascade Park, with 25- to 35-foot jumps, and even a section with three large jumps in sequence to really thrill even the most experienced of riders. Just be sure to follow all the safety rules and you'll all have a great time at Crested Butte.
Related: Top Ski Areas For Beginners
Steamboat Ski Resort
1847 Ski Time Square Drive
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
(970) 879-8000
www.steamboat.com
Steamboat advertises itself as a ski resort for families and nowhere is this more evident than with the resort's specific attention to the younger skiers. Kids of all ages will find a fun place to test their skills with five different terrain parks to explore. It starts with Lil' Rodeo, which is the smallest park with lots of small jumps and rails to learn on. Then you can graduate to Sunbeam or Rabbit Ears, both offering more features, more rails and more jumps for moderate skill levels. Advanced riders can head over to Lower Mavericks or Mavericks, both offering all the rails, jumps and boxes for the most advanced riders. Mavericks is home to the Mavericks Superpipe and jumps that range from 50 to 70 feet. The five graduated terrain parks make Steamboat Ski Resort a great place to start and then perfect your skills as you move through to the harder terrain.
Deborah Flomberg is a theater professional, freelance writer and Denver native. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
