It can be easy to plan a long-distance family vacation to a destination like Vail or Beaver Creek without all the right advice and information, especially for first time ski parents. It makes going to Florida – with its short sleeves, sandals, mickey hats, and sunscreen, look like a breeze. Taking the same vacation to a ski destination in Colorado can be comparatively called the gale-force wind. Its cold, its elevated, its strenuous, and we try to isolate the kids in ski school (“but mom! this is is supposed to be VACATION!!”) Inexperienced adults can generally make it on their own, picking up an extra pair of glove liners, socks, or Hot Chillys to stay comfortable and make the bathroom break a little less arduous. Kids don’t have that flexibility- even the flexibility to stop and use it while in ski camp. This makes it even more important to cover all your kids’ bases even over your own before they set foot on the snow. Even better, save a few bucks by gathering the gear and the plans before you get in the car or on the plane. While researching this topic I found a plethora of really good ideas- here are some links that should help you take care of the loose ends from the beginning:

• Keep them warm. Let them build confidence gradually. Be prepared to follow this list from a three-kid ski dad at ski-blog.com. More information about kids equipment can be found at ifyouski.com.
• Start them out on skis, unless they are of double-digit ages. First time skiers and riders need lessons no matter what.
• Ski a kid-friendly mountain. Varied terrain and award-winning ski schools are a plus. Suite101.com recently named Beaver Creek as one of the top ski resorts for kids. The other was Snowmass, a phenomenal 90 minute drive from the Eagle Valley.
• Start them out on skis– forward motion vs. sideways motion will be more intuitive to how they move, not to mention separation of feet. Make sure they know how to step in and out before they get on the lift, even if its a gondola. Have them practice it.
• Know where the deals are. Some companies are making efforts to attract family business, while others would rather have the frat guys and singles. Check out United Airlines kids fly free and The Parents’ Handbook for ideas.
• Keep a flexible schedule. Each day, be prepared to try alternate activities to keep kids occupied. Adventure Ridge offers great snow activities into the evening, and Beaver Creek offers skating from 10AM, the game garage after 3, or nightly fun by the fire pits or on the lower slopes.
• Know when your kids need company. Make sure to take a few runs with them after ski school or else ski with them all day. Watch them closely- theyre never too old or too young to stay out of trouble. Also know when to hire a babysitter- for that special night out at Splendido or Sweet Basil. Babysitters in the Vail / Beaver Creek areas cost more than in other areas of the country, but come with certifications, toys, games and often years of experience, so your child can enjoy the evening as much as you do. Try Mountain Sitters, Vail Sitters, Resort Sitters, or Care 4 Kids.
• Take a day off. Enjoy the beautiful scenery outside the resort, either in a historic Snowcat Tour or rental vehicle. Reminders of Colorado’s mining days line Highway 24, and the Hot Springs Pool in Glenwood Springs is open 365 days a year. Bonus: its located halfway between Snowmass’s treehouse and the Vail Valley.

  More than anything, keep up with the times by checking out our calendar or by asking the concierge at your place of lodging. These folks are trained to be able to find what you’re looking for in terms of restaurants, activities, and events. The more they know your preferences- on vs off resort, kid friendly vs adult, the better they’ll be able to assist you. Also, everybody knows something that others don’t. Dig deep and dig often- theres no telling what you’ll turn up.