Snowmass Village Guide: One of the Best Colorado Family Ski Resorts

I have so many fond memories from family ski trips as a kid. I’ve been dreaming of introducing my family to skiing for the 18 years that Bertaut and I have been together. We were thrilled to take our first family ski vacation at Snowmass, one of the best Colorado family ski resorts. Charming Snowmass Village, Colorado is nestled in the Rocky Mountains with views that left us speechless. Snowmass has so much to offer families both on-mountain and off-mountain. Even for families who don’t ski, there are myriad ways to stay entertained during every season. Snow tubing, forest trekking, an alpine mountain coaster, game lounge, selfie den, apres ski happy hour, free ice skating and s’mores treats enjoyed while sitting by the fire pits around the village were some of our favorite things to do in Snowmass Colorado besides skiing.

Snowmass is one of the best Colorado family ski resorts

With its award-winning ski school and family-friendly trails, Snowmass is a great place to learn how to ski. Snowmass is perfect for families and novices with its many beginner trails. There are also intermediate trails for families with more ski experience. If you’re planning a family ski vacation, read our guide to Snowmass Village to learn why we think Snowmass is the best family ski resort Colorado has to offer. In fact, it was rated the #1 ski resort of the West in 2020 by Ski Magazine! Beyond winter, Snowmass offers beautiful hiking trails, mountain biking, Snowmass balloon festival, music festivals, and more.

Covid protocols in Snowmass Colorado

Snowmass has strict Covid protocols in place to keep guests safe during the pandemic. During the time of our visit, Pitkin County required all travelers age 10+ staying overnight to have a negative Covid test within 72 hours of entering and to complete an online traveler affidavit prior to visiting. As of March 5, 2021, the pre-arrival testing requirement was dropped in lieu of the Traveler Responsibility Code. Travelers are required to complete the form online and asked to follow the CDC’s guidelines for travel, which includes getting tested 1-3 days before travel if not fully vaccinated. We recommend checking the requirements prior to your trip here, as the situation remains fluid and may change.

Snowmass Village has many other protocols in place to keep guests safe. Masks are required in the village and it is strictly enforced. Face coverings are also required on the ski lifts, ski lift lines, on-mountain restaurants, and anywhere on the mountain where social distancing is not possible. Most people wear buffs over their mouths and noses while skiing Snowmass to stay warm, which is an acceptable face covering.

It is also possible to purchase ski lift tickets online and then print the vouchers from machines at the base of the mountain for a contactless experience. On-mountain restaurants are accepting orders online through the Aspen Snowmass App for contactless dining experiences. Hand sanitizer stations are placed throughout the village and on-mountain, reminding guests to frequently sanitize their hands and to stay 6 feet apart from other people outside their group. We felt very safe during our time in Snowmass thanks to the many protocols to keep guests Covid-free. We were tested prior to our trip and upon return home, and remained Covid-free thanks to these strict policies.

Getting to Snowmass Village Colorado

Snowmass Village is just 6 miles from Aspen/Snowmass Pitkin County Airport (ASE), making is easily accessible by air. Currently United and American Airlines operate daily flights from 10 different cities to ASE. Many Snowmass hotels and condos offer a free shuttle to and from the airport as well as around town. Snowmass Village also offers a free shuttle around town, although the town is small and easily walkable.

We opted to fly to Denver since we found insanely cheap flights on Southwest Airlines for $98 roundtrip from Baltimore. We combined that with our Southwest Companion Passes, which allowed our kids to fly for just $5.60 each way domestically. Therefore, we flew the entire family to Denver roundtrip for under $220. We stayed overnight at Sheraton Denver Downtown, which gave us time to adjust to the altitude before driving to the mountains.

The drive from Denver to Snowmass is about 4 hours, but the views of the Colorado Rocky Mountains make it worth your time. We were oohing and aahing the entire roadtrip. Even the kids were snapping photos with their iPads of the scenic winter wonderland. We happened to drive the morning after a snowstorm, so the snow-covered landscape looked even more enchanting.

Make sure to rent a vehicle with 4WD in case there’s snow on the roads. We had a large SUV and had no problems driving after the previous night’s snowstorm in Denver.  It actually worked out perfectly to drive from Denver, since our kids were able to attend school virtually during the entire drive.

Snowmass Accommodations

Snowmass lodging ranges from luxury hotels to affordable condos for families. With 95% of Snowmass accommodation being slopeside, it is extremely convenient with ski-in and ski-out access. Hauling around ski gear with kids is not easy, so being able to stay slopeside makes things so much easier. Popular luxury Snowmass hotels include Viceroy Snowmass, Westin Snowmass, and the Limelight Hotel Snowmass. There are many options for Snowmass condos, which are ideal for families to give everyone space and save money by eating in for some meals.

We stayed slopeside at The Crestwood Condominiums and recommend it for families or groups of friends. We had a spacious deluxe loft condo with a King bedroom, loft that sleeps 4, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, and cozy living room with a gas fireplace. Check out our Instagram highlight feature on Snowmass here for a full tour of Crestwood condos, as well as stories from our entire Snowmass vacation.

 

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The views of the Rocky Mountains and Snowmass Village from our condo, which had a wraparound balcony and vaulted ceilings, were incredible. We savored our morning tea in front of the fireplace while watching the snow fall outside. The Crestwood also has a fitness center, outdoor heated pool, 2 hot tubs, and a steam room. Everything but the pool requires reservations to keep guests safe during the pandemic. We appreciated having the entire hot tub to ourselves after our days on the mountain, which is the perfect way to end a day of skiing. Our muscles thanked us the next day.

Snowmass Ski Rental & Lift Tickets

Since we had not skied before, we had no ski clothing or gear. Normally it’s possible to rent ski clothing, but that has been suspended due to Covid-19. We purchased ski pants, waterproof ski coats, thermal underwear, ski goggles, neck warmers/buffs, and warm waterproof gloves- which are all must-haves for a ski trip. We rented everything else, including skis, ski boots, poles, and helmets from Four Mountain Sports in Snowmass Base Village.

Another reason Snowmass is rated one of the best ski resorts for families is that kids age 6 and under ski free. There’s also a promotion for kids 7-12 years old to ski free when renting skis and booking lodging through Stay Aspen Snowmass. Skiing can add up, so the kids ski free promo is a great way to save money on a family ski vacation.

Skiing Snowmass Mountain

Snowmass ranks among the best ski resorts in the U.S. thanks to its spectacular scenery and pristine skiiing conditions, with hundreds of inches of fresh powder every ski season and 3,300 acres of terrain. Snowmass ski lift tickets include access to four mountains- Snowmass Mountain, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk. We never left Snowmass mountain, which had more than enough to keep us entertained.

Snowmass is ideal for beginner snow skiers and skiing kids because of its easy wide open green trails that are not too steep and beginner areas like the Meadows. The Meadows is accessible from the Elk Camp Gondola and is where we started out until everyone was comfortable with the basics. We saw a lot of skiing children and even parents skiing with toddlers at Snowmass.

Since this was our first family ski trip, we made the smart decision to take ski lessons. Instead of enrolling the kids in the Snowmass ski school, we opted for a private family lesson so we could all stay together. This allowed us to watch our kids and each other learn to ski and have quite a few laughs throughout the day. Bertaut almost took down our ski instructor and the kids, but stayed positive throughout his many falls.

To see skiing footage that is guaranteed to make you laugh, check our Insta-story highlight feature on Snowmass here. I laughed so hard (at Bertaut) I almost peed my pants. 😂 Our awesome ski instructor Katie laughed so hard she cried. We have not laughed that much in a long time. We made so many memories skiing in Colorado and had the most fun we’ve had together in a very long time. Family skiing is a bonding experience for sure! The Snowmass ski lifts are open from 8:30am-4:00pm, and we were out there the entire day enjoying every last minute.

I (Alexis) grew up skiing every year as a kid, but had not skied in over 25 years. I loved watching my family learn to ski and was so proud to see my kids skiing like naturals. I’d actually been trying to convince Bertaut to ski for the 18 years that we’ve been together, but he’d always come up with excuses until this trip. It was a truly special moment to see my family experiencing something that had been such a monumental part of my childhood. We had so much fun skiing that we’ve decided to make a family ski trip an annual tradition. We’ll definitely be back to Snowmass!

Snowmass Snowtubing and Breathtaker Alpine Coaster

Our second day on Snowmass mountain was filled with adrenaline-pumping thrills. We had a pass that included 3 rides on the Breathtaker Alpine Coaster and a day of snow tubing. The alpine coaster was the kids’ second favorite experience on the Snowmass trip, after skiing of course. Two people can ride together, with the adult in the rear. The coaster reaches speeds of up to 28mph but you are able to control the speed by pulling back on the brakes. We went full speed through the snowy forest and screamed the entire ride. It was a blast! Check out our TikTok video of the full experience!

A short walk from the alpine coaster is the snow tubing hill at Snowmass. There are 3 different slopes and a magic carpet that takes you back up to the top of the slope so you don’t have to walk back up the hill. You can go individually or together with your snow tubes tied to each other. Make sure to get the spin on your way down for extra fun.

Off-Mountain family-friendly activities in Snowmass

What really makes Snowmass stand apart from other ski resorts is the plethora of family-friendly activities off the mountain. There are so many fun things to do in Snowmass, many of which are completely free! There’s weekly live music at Snowmass Mall. Snowmass Base Village offers free ice skating daily from 12-9pm, even including free skate rentals. Make sure to say hi to Happy, the adorable Australian Sheppard puppy that hangs out at the rink all day with his owner who runs the skate rental Airstream.

On Saturdays evenings there’s an Ice Rink Disco Party with a DJ spinning tunes and disco lights flashing over the rink. On Fridays afternoons the rink hosts The Game of Stones where you can try curling, also free. Fire pits and cozy couches surround the ice skating rink, so parents can sip on drinks around the fire while the kids ice skate. I can’t think of a better setup!

Next to the rink is The Collective, home to the Selfie Den and Game Lounge. Both were free during our visit, but starting in March 2021 will charge a small entrance fee. The Game Lounge was a huge hit for the kids, with foosball, skee ball, ping pong, pac man, wacky mirrors, video games, and more for us to play together. The selfie den is another must-visit with colorful backdrops and props for fun family photos. Masks are required and hand sanitizer is readily available.

Every day at 3:30pm, Snowmass Village offers free s’mores treats, sponsored by Snowmass Tourism. Treats are given out at stands at Snowmass Base Village and at Snowmass Mall. The tasty treats are made with toasted marshmallows, chocolate ganache, and a graham cracker crust. If you have a sweet tooth, don’t miss this!

Another fun (and free) activity in Snowmass is to ride the Skittles gondola between Base Village and Snowmass Mall. Especially if you’re not going to ski, it’s fun to get the ski experience and take in the views on the mountain. There’s also a free village-wide scavenger hunt, Snowmass Mountain Mission, for things like the giant Snowmass chair in Snowmass Mall.

Art lovers will find many attractions in Snowmass, including ice sculptures, colorful reflective prisms scattered around the village, and exhibits and classes at the Anderson Ranch Arts Center.  Snowmass Luminescence is an interactive light display that you can walk through on the slopes after sunset. The kids loved playing under the dangling strings of light and walking through the illuminated tunnels. Luminescence ended February 28 but hopefully will be back next winter.

If you like hiking, don’t miss the free guided naturalist treks by ACES through the snowy forest. The 2-hour tours are offered daily at 10am and 1pm during the winter and take you through breathtaking scenery. The kids loved playing in the snow over their waists and discovering an old abandoned trapper’s cabin. Make sure to dress for skiing for this activity.

Best Snowmass Restaurants

There’s no shortage of delicious options for dining in Snowmass, from on-mountain restaurants overlooking the slopes to cozy spots in the village with seating around toasty fire pits. Fuel is a favorite among locals and visitors, with tasty burritos, tacos, paninis, and more. If you like crepes don’t miss The Crepe Shack, which has savory as well as sweet options with outdoor seating only. Another must-visit for breakfast for lunch is Jus, which has delicious smoothies, fresh squeezed juices, and healthy bites. The floor-to-ceiling windows offer a relaxing view of the mountains while eating.

For a sit down meal with a cozy ambience, we loved the healthy and flavor-packed protein bowls at Mix6. The restaurant has indoor seating by the fire as well as outdoor seating with fire pits overlooking the ice skating rink. Limelight Hotel is another great option for dinner with its apres ski happy hour specials including local draft beer and tasty appetizers and burgers. Venga Venga serves Mexican cuisine overlooking the slopes at Snowmass Mall with fire pits and gorgeous views of the mountains, especially at sunset. Other popular Snowmass restaurants we didn’t have time to try include The Stew Pot, Slow Groovin’ Chophouse BBQ, Base Camp Bar & Grill, and New Belgium Ranger Station.

On-mountain, there are many ski-in ski-out restaurant options. We enjoyed the lively atmosphere at Elk Camp Restaurant, which has indoor and outdoor seating, fire pits, upbeat music, and an outdoor bar. We couldn’t help but dance in our seats while having lunch outside in the Colorado sunshine. Check out all the dining options in Snowmass here.

Know before you go to Snowmass Colorado

Make sure to drink plenty of water to avoid altitude sickness when first arriving to the village. Snowmass altitude ranges from 8,104 feet at the base elevation to 12,500 feet at the highest elevation. We were given the advice to avoid alcohol in the first 24 hours and to drink tons of water. We did that and we never experienced altitude sickness. One alcoholic drink affects you like two at the high Snowmass elevation, so drink in moderation.

Make sure to wear several layers because the weather in Snowmass can change quickly and you want to be prepared. Although the temperatures dropped into the teens during our visit, we surprisingly didn’t feel cold because we were dressed appropriately. Don’t forget sunscreen since you’ll be spending all day in the sun on the slopes.

Last thoughts on Snowmass

We had a fantastic family vacation in this beautiful Colorado ski town. We understand why it is consistently ranks as one of the best ski resorts Colorado has to offer and even one of the best ski resorts in the U.S. We are already thinking about when we can return. There are a lot of great Colorado ski resorts, but Snowmass truly caters to families with a plethora of kid-friendly (and free) activities. Snowmass Mountain was perfect for our family to learn on, but also is ideal for intermediate and experienced skiers with a variety of terrain. We were pleasantly surprised by all the off-mountain family-friendly fun in Snowmass Village. The charming ski village offers so much more than world-class skiing to entice guests to stay in town. Let us know if you visit and don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. Check out GoSnowmass for help planning your trip and to explore what Snowmass has to offer in each season.

Disclosure- We were hosted by Snowmass Tourism for this trip, but all opinions are our own.

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