A Winter Wonderland for the Family Traveler
“The Vail Valley is a winter wonderland for families!”
SKIING WITH THE FAMILY & TASTY TREATS
Check out the specially marked “kid zones” on the Vail and Beaver Creek trail maps for guaranteed family fun in specially designed kid areas around the mountains.
At the end of a Beaver Creek ski day, enjoy Cookie time! Enjoy freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies—served daily at 3 p.m. in the village and at the bottom of Centennial Express. Want s’more treat ideas? Making s’mores is the classic way to cap off a perfect winter day in the mountains. Many hotels have outdoor fire pits and offer a range of s’mores-making supplies, from house-made marshmallows in gourmet flavors, to the tried-and-true Hershey bars and Jet-Puffed marshmallows. And though s’mores are beloved by kids, grownups usually get in on the action.
ICE SKATING
The Vail Square Ice Rink is open daily during the winter season, located in Lionshead Village surrounded by shops, restaurants and the gondola; and so is the outdoor skating rink in Vail Village’s Solaris Plaza. For a larger indoor ice rink Vail, the Dobson Ice Arena is open year-round and features public skating, private lessons, hockey and special events like concerts. Beaver Creek’s ice rink is open most of the year located in the heart of the village. The eagle Pool & Ice Rink features an indoor NHL-sized rink and outdoor pool
Location: Vail, Beaver Creek and Eagle. Cost: Varies
SLEIGH RIDES & DINNER WITH BEARCAT STABLES
Enjoy horseback rides through the Rocky Mountains during the summer and horse-drawn sleigh rides during the winter. Excursions fun from 1 to 4 hours, or go for a spectacular catered overnight trek.
Location: 2701 Squaw Creek Road, Edwards, CO More information: Visit www.bearcatstables.com or call 970.376.4647 Cost: Starts at $70
LOVELY LIBRARIES
You don’t have to be a local to enjoy our four libraries. The Vail Public Library offers cards to visitors. In addition to books, there’s a robotics section and 3-D printers as well. A community center, the Vail Public Library also has free concerts and a healthy living series with activities like yoga in the park. The Eagle Valley Library District has locations in Avon, Eagle and Gypsum. Free story times throughout the week cater to children with sessions in both English and Spanish.
COLORADO SKI SNOWBOARD MUSEUM
The Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum, located in Vail Village’s parking structure and recently remodeled, preserves and interprets the history of skiing and snowboarding.
Exhibits cover the 10th Mountain Division, 100 Years of Ski Fashion and Function, Colorado ski resorts and Vail’s DNA, among other hands-on things to interact with. Collections include digital photos, vintage ski tickets and more.
Location: Inside the Vail Village parking structure. More information: Visit www.skimuseum.net. Cost: Entrance is free, with a suggested $5 donation per adult to help the privately funded, nonprofit museum.