Colorado
There’s nothing like a trip to the mountains of Colorado for a luxury family holiday to make the more adventurous families feel alive. With 25 ski areas and resorts, a wealth of unique attractions, 54 mountain peaks rising more than 14,000 feet above sea level, (and not to mention 600 more at over 13,000 feet), Colorado has everything from skiing and snowboarding to dog sledding that keeps adults and children of all ages happy and extremely worn out at the end of each day. And don’t overlook it in the summer either as the alpine views, fresh air and endless hiking trails make it a fabulous summer vacation destination for active families, too.
Hotel Boulderado
Hotel Boulderado offers seriously old school decadent luxury blended with plenty of family fun in the heart of Boulder.
Hotel Boulderado is a decadent hotel in Boulder where fun, family holidays in Colorado are made a priority by the very family-friendly staff. From the stained-glass ceiling to the original cantilevered Cherrywood staircase, which runs from the basement all the way to the fifth floor, Victorian elegance only acts to...
Baby-friendly / Family-friendly Ski / Pre-Teen friendly / See this Hotel & Book »
Beaver Creek Lodge
Beaver Creek Lodge offers mountainous, ski-slope views and very luxury lodging for all the family in Colorado’s Beaver Creek.
Beaver Creek Lodge is a stunning property in a gated village, featuring 72 guest suites and several luxury condos overlooking the snowy ski slopes of Beaver Creek. With a fireplace to curl up at, leather pull-out sofas for the kids, pillow-top beds and a smoke-free environment, Beaver Creek Lodge is the perfect...
Baby-friendly / Family-friendly Ski / Family-friendly Spa / See this Hotel & Book »
St Julien Hotel and Spa Boulder
St Julien Hotel & Spa offers a serious hit of luxury in luxury in Boulder's historic downtown district.
The St Julien Hotel and Spa in Boulder is an amazing property slap-bang in the middle of everything you could want in the city. The St Julien Hotel and Spa is just steps from the historic Pearl Street Mall and a wealth of shops and restaurants, plus you’ll be a stone’s throw from some stunning hiking trails,...
Baby-friendly / Family-friendly Ski / Family-friendly Spa / See this Hotel & Book »
Jill’s Restaurant
Saint Julien Hotel & Spa, 900 Walnut St, Boulder
The vegan lunch buffet at Jill’s Restaurant that is served every Friday includes the city’s most delectable chocolate fountain, which kids love. But everything about Jill’s, the signature restaurant in the St Julien Hotel & Spa, will leave an impression. Don’t miss the shrimp scampi, the Filet Mignon Diane flambé (served table side with brandy and mashed potatoes) or the incredible Banana’s Foster.
Fate Brewing Company
1600 38th Street, Boulder
Mac ‘n Cheese, boneless chicken bites, even a fancy kids’ paella with smoked chicken and sausage light up the kids’ menu at this family-friendly brewery and restaurant in Boulder. The city’s first brew-bistro is a cosy, bustling spot for lunch or dinner with no less than 30 beers on tap. Both grown-ups and their little ones find the backyard BBQ dip difficult to resist.
The Dusty Boot Steakhouse and Saloon
St. James Place, 304 Beaver Creek
This family restaurant, The Dusty Boot Steakhouse and Saloon in Beaver Creek, will welcome the children with open arms at the end of a long day skiing the slopes. $6 will get you your choice of 2 Sliders, Fish Tacos, a Chicken Quesadilla or a Chix Sandwich with any draft beer between 3-5pm daily. Grab a booth or set yourselves up at the bar while the kids meet other children their own age and play happily in this spacious, very inviting restaurant.
Beaver Creek Loves Kids
Beaver Creek Loves Kids is a much-loved traditional event that takes place during peak times throughout the winter (see website for details). Honouring families with children, Beaver Creek works to enhance everyone’s holiday experience by offering activities such as the Load Buckaroo Express Gondola and the New Year’s Eve Torchlight Ski Down to the slopes – a glowing ski set to music and fireworks. Beaver Creek Loves Teens exists too, designed specially those who want to learn new ski and snowboard tricks, flips and stunts at the Anti-Gravity Center in Edwards.
Eldora Mountain Resort
If you’re staying in Boulder, Eldora Mountain Resort is an easy 30-minute drive through Boulder Canyon from downtown Boulder. Here, you’ll find snow activities for all the family without going as far as Vail or Beaver Creek. The whole family can enjoy snowboarding, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Eldora Mountain Resort offers 12 lifts, 680 acres of terrain and the laid-back Eldorables is especially designed for kids. Need lessons? No problem.
Dog Sledding
Boulder was recently rated the Number 1 Sports Town in America by Outside Magazine so, unsurprisingly, there’s no shortage of outdoor activities to keep the whole family entertained. From mid-November to mid-April one particularly popular activity is dog-sledding. There are dog-sledding companies in many skiing and mountain towns throughout Colorado, many of which can be reached in a couple of hours from Boulder. Try Mountain Musher in Wolcott, Durango Dog Ranch or Grizzle-T in Steamboat Springs if you have older children and teens who would be keen.
Night skiing
When the lights go down in Steamboat (just 3 hours by car from Boulder), families take to the slopes for some night skiing on Christie Peak, (located at 8,000 feet). The Express high-speed chairlift will whisk you and the kids to top of Christie Peak from which you can blaze across five renound trails including Sitz, See Me / See Ya, Vogue, Stampede and Lil’ Rodeo. Glide down 1,100 vertical feet of terrain under state-of-the-art Ultra-Tech Lighting in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. (Cost for one night: adult $20, teen $10, child $5)
About
Dial 911 for an ambulance and emergency medical assistance in Colorado. The Boulder Community Main Hospital is at 1100 Balsam (North Broadway & Balsam) Boulder, Colorado, (001 303 440 2273). During the ski and snowboard season, Beaver Creek Medical Center stays open 8 am to 5:30 pm, 7 days a week, including public holidays. The medical center is located in the Strawberry Park Building, 1280 Village Road, across the skier bridge. (001 970 949 0800).
When to go
The ski season in Colorado ranges from the middle October to the beginning of July, and there are numerous opportunities for family escapes all over the state. While the big resorts offer a variety of accommodation both in and away from the ski resorts and villages, the best deals are to be found in the off-season. If your family is learning to ski, perhaps a smaller resort with fewer crowds would be best. (We recommend Copper Mountain and Keystone). And don’t write it off as a summer spot – there is ample to do at all times of year!
Currency
American dollar
Language
English