Choosing where to take your children on a ski vacation can be difficult. But in Snowmass, with kid-specific terrain, convenient lodging and transportation, an award-winning ski and snowboard school, loads of off-mountain activities and on-mountain food options that the kiddos love, the decision to spend time here with your family is easy. Here are the top 5 reasons Snowmass is perfect for kids:

1. The Terrain

Snowmass offers over 3,300 acres of incredible terrain, including a bounty of beginner slopes designed to help skiers and riders learn faster. The green runs are wide open, perfectly pitched, and allow for quick repeatable experiences (Assay Hill). Also, there are tons of kids’ tree trails that bring the sensation of exploration to the youngest of adventurers. While 48% of the mountain is rated blue (more difficult), Snowmass has some of the most forgiving black and double black runs that make the most challenging slopes an accessible experience, theirs for the taking.

2. Slopeside Lodging and Easy Transportation

There is no better way to enjoy a ski vacation than to have the family staying right next to the slopes. Also, Snowmass’ free shuttle service is fast, frequent, and incredibly easy. Slopeside lodging means two things. First, this means at the beginning and end of the day, you don’t have to haul your gear plus your kids’ gear to the slopes. Second, not having to drive means more time connecting with the family.

3. The Ski and Snowboard School

The Ski and Snowboard School at Snowmass can ensure a kid’s experience is second to none. Don’t want to split up the crew? Consider booking a family private lesson. The instructors and guides will ensure that your family has the best experience possible, together.

 4. Non-Ski Activities

Sometimes, a day off the slopes can do a kid a world of good. Enjoy the abundant assortment of kid-friendly events and activities happening around the village. The Snowmass Recreation Center has a gym, climbing wall, heated outdoor pools, and a hot tub to provide some off-the-slopes fun. Go tubing and ride the Breathtaker Alpine Coaster at Elk Camp. Go bowling at Slopeside Lanes. Enjoy free ice skating at one of two ice rinks: Base Village and the Snowmass Recreation Center. Take a turn on the indoor rock climbing wall at the Limelight Snowmass. Step into the artful and fun-filled Game Lounge and Selfie Den at The Collective. You will definitely have more options than time.

5. On-Mountain Dining

Nothing perks up a little skier like a warm lunch or a quick snack, and at Snowmass, on-mountain dining for kids is both delicious and affordable. All of Snowmass’ on-mountain restaurants have Kids’ Combos, and you’ll find free hot cider at the top of the Sam’s Knob and Village Express lifts! Looking for kid-friendly après? Check out Snowmass S’mores, free s’mores available at 3:30pm every day in Base Village and on the Snowmass Mall.

Don’t call it a run… at Snowmass we call it terrain.

Snowmass might have the reputation as an intermediate, family-friendly resort, but we want to let you in on our best kept secret: 30% of Snowmass is classified as black/double black diamond, expert terrain. Add 300 inches of annual snowfall into the mix and you find yourself in some of the best double black skiing/snowboarding the state of Colorado has to offer.

If you consider yourself an expert skier/rider, you know what a black diamond run looks like. It’s a steep pitch with the occasional unique fall line that is accessible to hot lap via the same chairlift. And while those “runs” are fun, they don’t quite feel like expert “terrain”. Here, expert terrain is actual terrain. It keeps you on your toes, offers a new line, entry and exit point with every lap. It’s a ‘build your own adventure’ of actual snowy adventure. And, it makes you feel like you ducked the rope into untouched side-country goodness. The thing is, at Snowmass, that’s part of the 1,000 acres of inbounds, expert terrain. We’re here to challenge the way you think about expert terrain. It’s time to explore the high alpine secrets of Snowmass and change what you thought you loved about the expert area of a ski resort.

Take the Hanging Valley Wall. It’s not just one run, instead it’s a compilation of nearly 23 named ‘runs’, and that doesn’t include the local’s secret stashes with names that don’t make the trail map. With such an expansive area, conditions range from cliff band splitting chutes, to gladed runs to wide open powder fields. It could take a lifetime to ski every single possible line in just this single area.

Local, Steve Karczewski, competed in the Colorado Freeride Championships when they were held right in the middle of the Hanging Valley Wall. If that doesn’t speak to the caliber of the terrain, we don’t know what does. And where does he ski on any given day? “When I want to lose myself and find some good turns, I hop into Weird Woods. It’s like a “Choose your own Adventure” in there,” says Steve.

Around to the right of the Hanging Valley Wall, is the Cirque Lift. It’s an old poma that elevates skiers to the highest point of all four mountains, 12,510 feet. From there, high above tree line, the Cirque stretches in both directions around a bowl loaded with every kind of extreme terrain you could want. And, snow. Lots and lot of snow.  This is one of the many massive ‘nooks’ where snow has a tendency to unapologetically pile up. The top of the Headwall rolls away into a sheer open face, punctuated with snow covered rocks. The next set of entrances offer a series of technical chutes, splitting cliff bands and offering varying cliff drops to those in need of some air time. Don’t be fooled by a lower gate, the Burn Cliffs wait at the bottom of the Cirque with mandatory air time to launch into gladed forest turns.

Snowmass photographer Tamara Susa gets her favorite shots there. “Rock island is one of my favorite places to shoot because of all the cliff drops and pillow lines. Gowdy’s off the cirque is the steepest run on the mountain, with amazing views of the cirque and the valley.”

Maybe cliffs aren’t for you. And that’s a-okay! Just head over to the other side of the mountain for a second serving of exciting terrain. Powderhorn, is a double black that runs from the top of Sam’s Knob all the way to the bottom of Campground. The steep pitch and challenging bumps make this a mogul lovers paradise. On a bluebird day, this marathon run has stunning views of Mt. Daly from top to bottom. Likewise Garret’s Gulch and Powerline are hidden gems for experts, just off the more traveled blue runs of Big Burn Lift.

Whether you are on the lookout for fresh, bowl powder turns, steeps, or drops, Snowmass has it all. Just remember, it’s not just expert runs… at Snowmass it’s terrain. And plenty of it.

                                                                                                                  Jordan Curet

Tips and tricks to know as you prepare for your visit

Snowmass— the quaint yet vibrant mountain village where you go to escape the hustle and bustle of home and connect with your loved ones. As you begin preparing for your trip, we are here to lend a hand with insider knowledge, so you can relax and enjoy every moment once you arrive. 

Transportation

The Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) is only 15 minutes from Snowmass. Many hotels offer complimentary transportation to and from the airport. Between this and our free, reliable public transportation through the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA), you do not need to rent a car. The RFTA buses run directly to and from Snowmass to the airport and nearby Aspen. Once you arrive in Snowmass, utilize the free Snowmass Village Shuttles to get from one place to another within the town.

For those who fly into Denver International Airport (DIA) or Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE), Roaring Fork Express offers transportation between Snowmass Village and these locations.

Please note that the Aspen Snowmass area does not have a significant Uber/Lyft presence. We recommend not relying on those shared ride providers as your primary mode of transportation. You can schedule a taxi or limo service through one of the many options listed on our transportation page. 

Lay of the Land

Snowmass is made up of the Snowmass Mall, Base Village, and the Snowmass Center. The Snowmass Mall is located up the hill from Snowmass Base Village, and the Snowmass Center is located a 10-minute walk from Base Village. You can walk between all of these locations, but you will want to make sure you have shoes suitable for the winter weather. There is also a small gondola, the Sky Cab (Skittles), that runs between the Snowmass Mall and Snowmass Base Village. The Snowmass Mall and Snowmass Base Village hold a multitude of lodging, shopping, and dining options. The Snowmass Center holds the grocery store, liquor store, and a few other shopping and dining options.

Snowmass With Kids

Snowmass is the perfect place to stay for those traveling with children. From 95% of lodging being ski-in/ski-out (hooray for not carrying gear everywhere!) to the Treehouse Kids’ Adventure Center located in Base Village, you can’t go wrong choosing Snowmass for your family vacation. Check out this page for a list of our favorite things to do with kids in Snowmass. 

Maximize Your Time on the Slopes

Purchase your lift tickets ahead of time for the biggest discounts, as well as making it easier for you once you arrive in town. Pre-purchased lift tickets can be picked up without ever entering a ticket office by utilizing the pickup boxes located around Snowmass Base Village and the Snowmass Mall. If you book through a hotel concierge, you can also opt to have your lift tickets delivered to your hotel. 

Another way to maximize your time on the snow is to pick up rentals the day prior to your first day skiing or snowboarding. Many places allow you to pick up rentals the afternoon or evening before your first paid rental day. This is a great way to avoid the morning crowds in the rental shops and add extra laps on the chairlift instead. 

What to Wear

You can leave your high heels at home when you come for your mountain getaway. Casual clothing is great both during the day and in the evening for Snowmass. Generally, a sweater and pair of jeans with boots are a great staple for dinners out, though you’ll still fit right in if you decide to go a bit fancier or a bit more casual.

Temperatures vary widely from day to night, meaning you will want to pack plenty of layers. Aside from the basics you think of when packing for a winter mountain getaway (waterproof outer layers, beanie, gloves, puffy coat, and snow boots), be sure not to forget sunscreen, lip balm, moisturizer, and base layers made of moisture-wicking fabrics, such as wool. Packing plenty of layers will allow you to adjust your outfit based on the current weather conditions.

Altitude

Snowmass resides at 8,209 feet. The best way to prepare for the high altitude is to hydrate well before arriving and continue to hydrate once you are here. Upon arrival, use lip balm, moisturizer, and a humidifier (offered at many lodging options) to aid in adjusting to the dry climate. You will also want to take it easy on alcohol your first night in town, as you may feel the effects more than usual as you adjust. 

We hope you feel more prepared now that you know what to expect upon arrival. Use these tips and tricks to plan your vacation so that you can relax and enjoy your mountain getaway from the second you arrive.

Your tickets are booked, rooms reserved, you’ve found yourself on a ski vacation with your tribe… and you don’t ski. Whether it’s an aversion to heights and chairlifts or your knees have had enough downhill for one lifetime, there is no need to feel left out! A ski vacation without the skis – or snowboard – is just as much fun and a lot less exhausting lugging around all that heavy gear. Sometimes the best adventures are off the mountain anyway.

Looking for an up-close experience with the nature of Colorado? The naturalists of Aspen Center for Environment Studies (ACES) lead daily snowshoe tours along the mountain waterways and through the forests of Snowmass. Tours are offered at 10:00am and 1:00pm at the top of the Elk Camp Gondola and start at $56. The Breathtaker Alpine Coaster is also at the top of the Gondola for those with a need for speed.

Ok, so you aren’t into the style of skiing that requires a chairlift but maybe flat land skiing is in the cards. Snowmass is home to one of the largest free groomed cross-country ski systems in North America. Over 60 miles of trails for all levels wind out from the Snowmass Cross Country Center on the Snowmass Golf course. The center also shares a space with the best place to fuel or replenish your day on the track, Black Saddle Bar & Grille. If you are in need of rentals, cross country ski equipment can be rented at the Aspen Cross Country Center.

You may have opted out of skiing but you don’t have to opt out of on-mountain lunch plans. Elk Camp Restaurant, High Alpine, and Alpin Room are three on-mountain restaurants accessible without skis, via the lift. Elk Camp Restaurant and High Alpine offer market-style food and beverage options, while Alpin Room offers a sit-down experience

Twice a month at the top of the Elk Camp Gondola, the mountain comes alive for Ullr Nights. The restaurant serves locally sourced meals alongside live music, while outside there is tubing, s’mores, snow biking and the Breathtaker Coaster. Gondola tickets are $12 for Ullr Nights, while food and activities can be purchased à la carte.

Located in Snowmass Base Village is The Rink. Open daily from noon-9pm, The Rink features not just run of the mill ice skating, but themed skating nights and free curling series, Game of Stones. The Rink is surrounded by cozy fireplaces, perfect for s’mores, which you can get free at 3:30pm every day at the branded s’mores carts. Above it all at The Rink towers Colorado’s largest indoor climbing wall at Limelight Snowmass. Guests of all ages at can test their skills on the wall, which features an auto-belay system with three different lanes and six routes of varying degrees of difficulty. For happy hour specials and live music to round it all out, check out Limelight Hotel and The Collective.

If the weather rolls in and you are looking for some time inside, there are great art classes and speaker series available down the road at Anderson Ranch Arts Center. This historic campus is a premier destination for art making, workshops, lectures even a free tour around the studios or lunch among the artists in the Café. For a more casual creative setting check out Cocktails and Collage or Painting Peaks at Straight Line Studio Thursday nights in Base Village. And don’t miss the eclectic speaker series at the Collective. Throughout the year, local organizations such as Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES), Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Pitkin County Library, the Thunder River Theatre Company, Aspen Film, and more, round out The Collective’s programming, each presented free or for a nominal fee.

No trip to a Snowmass is complete without a little self-care. There are several spa options, yoga classes at Viceroy Snowmass and the Snowmass Recreation Center. Be sure to find some time in your busy schedule to sit back and relax in the mountains.  

While our resort is world-renowned for the on-mountain activities, sometimes time out of ski boots is even more memorable. Your skiing companions may even be jealous of all your non-skiing activities and take a day off the slopes to enjoy all Snowmass has to offer.