Snowmass, Colorado with Kids: The Ultimate Winter Family Guide
- Wanderluxe With Us
- 17 hours ago
- 7 min read
Snowmass, Colorado should be on every family’s winter destination bucket list.
Located in the heart of the Aspen Snowmass area, this world-class mountain destination is one of the best winter vacation spots in Colorado for families. Owned by Aspen Skiing Company, the region includes four unique ski mountains — Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass — but when it comes to traveling with young kids and toddlers, Snowmass Village truly shines.
With ski-in/ski-out lodging, a charming village atmosphere, and an impressive lineup of family-friendly winter activities beyond skiing, Snowmass offers the perfect balance of adventure and ease. From snowmobiling and tubing to ice skating, après-ski fun, and unforgettable dining, Snowmass is a winter wonderland for all ages.
Click HERE for the latest Snowmass trail map.
And if you’re craving a little extra sparkle? Aspen’s iconic shopping and dining scene is just a 20-minute drive away.
This is our Ultimate Winter Guide to Snowmass, Colorado with Kids — everything you need to plan a magical, stress-free family ski trip.
Table of Contents
Things to Do in Snowmass with Kids
Skiing & Snowboarding
Kids Ski & Snowboard Lessons
Ullr Nights
Ice Skating
Alpine Coaster & Tubing
Fireworks & Night Activities
Breakfast & Coffee
Lunch
Dinner
Date Night
Best Time to Visit Snowmass with Kids
For the most reliable snow conditions, December through February offers the best powder days in Snowmass. If you’re traveling with toddlers or younger kids and prefer fewer crowds and slightly milder temperatures, late February through March is ideal.
We visited in mid-February and experienced both sunshine and fresh snow — truly the best of both worlds.
Popular winter activities include:
Skiing & snowboarding
Snowmobiling
Snowshoeing
Tubing & alpine coaster rides
What to Pack for Snowmass with Kids (Winter Essentials)
Snowmass in winter looks like a real-life snow globe — which means packing properly is non-negotiable. The right gear is the difference between joyful snowy memories and cold, miserable meltdowns.
Family Packing Must-Haves
Base Layers: Merino wool (Smartwool, Woolino, Helly Hansen)
Insulated Jackets & Snow Pants: Obermeyer, Burton, Patagonia
Gloves: Waterproof with sealed seams (especially for toddlers)
Snow Boots: Waterproof boots (Sorel for kids) + wool socks
Accessories: Beanies, neck gaiters, ski goggles, sunscreen, lip balm
Baby Gear: Stroller muffs and buntings (7AM Enfant)
Pro Tip: Thicker isn’t better — wool is king. It regulates temperature, stays warm when wet, and prevents frozen toes and fingers.
Packing Tips from a Mom of Four
Keeping kids dry is the biggest challenge. Quality gloves and boots matter more than anything. Many kids’ gloves aren’t truly waterproof, which can be dangerous for toddlers who can’t communicate when they’re cold. (I bought my two snow diggers two pair and I dry the alternate pair fully by the fire while they sport the dry ones the days in between.
For toddlers, we swear by one-piece snowsuits (Burton is our favorite). Snow can’t sneak in no matter how wild they get.
Altitude Tips for Families
Altitude sickness is real — especially when flying in.
Adults: Altitude adjustment tablets
Kids: Oxygen canisters + Liquid IV Kids
Everyone: Stay hydrated
This combo has helped us avoid altitude issues every trip.
Getting to Snowmass (Transportation)
You can fly directly into Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, just 20 minutes from Snowmass Village. However, for larger families, flying into Denver International Airport and driving (~3 hours 40 minutes) is often far more affordable.
The drive itself is stunning — watching the scenery transform into a snow-covered wonderland is part of the experience.
Many hotels also offer airport shuttle services, which can be a great option.
Where to Stay in Snowmass with Kids
For larger groups, we’ve stayed in a townhome-style Airbnb, which worked perfectly when traveling with a nanny.
For ski-focused trips, we highly recommend ski-in/ski-out lodging, including:
Chamonix by Snowmass Lodging
Limelight Hotel Snowmass
Staying in the village gives kids easy access to the ice skating rink, restaurants, and evening activities — which is a huge win after long ski days.
Things to Do in Snowmass with Kids
Skiing & Snowboarding in Snowmass
We’ve skied all over Colorado — Keystone, Breckenridge, Steamboat, Winter Park, Aspen — and Snowmass is our top pick for families.
While Breckenridge has more green runs, Snowmass offers:
Better beginner terrain for snowboarders
A fun kid-friendly learning area
Less flat terrain (no endless “booty scooting”)
Kids Ski & Snowboard Lessons
Snowmass excels at kids’ lessons. Even our 3-year-old was skiing confidently after a few group lessons.
Private lessons are also available and well worth it for kids transitioning to snowboarding.
Ullr Nights Snowmass
One of our favorite experiences.
Ullr Nights is a ticketed evening event at Elk Camp featuring:
Snow biking
Tubing
S’mores & hot cocoa
Ice castles
Live winter fun
Kids under 6 are free, and it’s magical whether you ski or not.
Ice Skating in Snowmass Village
The outdoor ice rink sits right in the village near the Limelight Hotel. Rentals are free, and parents can enjoy après-ski while watching the kids skate — truly the best of both worlds.
Shopping in Aspen & Snowmass
A trip isn’t complete without a visit to Aspen.
Our favorite stops:
Aspen Thrift Shop
Little Bird Consignment
Susie’s Aspen
High-end gear at incredible prices. We’ve scored Moncler, Bogner, and Gucci pieces for a fraction of retail.
Dining in Snowmass
Breakfast & Coffee
Fuel Café
Base Camp Bar & Grill
JUS (smoothies, juice, protein balls)
Lunch
Venga Venga Cantina (family favorite — don’t skip the churros)
Crepe Shack (perfect post-skate treat)
Date Night
Aurum Food & Wine
Kenichi Snowmass (fresh wasabi will ruin you forever)
Know Before You Go: Family Travel Tips for Aspen & Snowmass
Traveling to Aspen and Snowmass with kids is absolutely doable — and incredibly rewarding — but a little planning goes a long way. These are the things we’ve learned firsthand that made our trip smoother, warmer, and way more enjoyable with young kids and toddlers in tow.
1. Prioritize Location Over Size
When traveling with kids, walkability matters more than square footage. Staying in Snowmass Village — especially near the gondola or ice rink — saves your sanity at the end of long ski days. Being able to walk to dinner, skating, or the lifts without piling everyone back into the car is a game changer.
2. Don’t Overschedule Your Days
Snowy mountain days are more exhausting than they look, especially at altitude. Plan one main activity per day, and treat everything else as a bonus. Kids will enjoy the trip far more if they’re not rushed from lesson to lesson or activity to activity.
3. Dress for Comfort, Not Just the Slopes
You’ll spend plenty of time not skiing — walking through the village, watching lessons, grabbing hot chocolate, or hanging out at après-ski. Make sure everyone has comfortable, insulated boots and warm layers that work off the mountain too.
4. Plan for Altitude (Especially with Kids)
Altitude affects kids differently, and symptoms can be subtle. Headaches, fatigue, or irritability can all be signs. Keep everyone hydrated, take frequent breaks, and don’t push it the first day. For little ones, oxygen canisters and electrolyte drinks can be incredibly helpful.
5. Build in “Warm-Up” Breaks
Cold hands and frozen toes can end a great day fast. Schedule warm-up breaks indoors — lunch, hot cocoa, or even a quick gondola ride. Snowmass makes this easy with family-friendly lodges and restaurants near the lifts.
6. Take Advantage of Ski School
Even if you’re confident skiers, kids’ ski school is worth it. Not only do they learn faster, but they also get breaks, snacks, and encouragement from instructors who know how to keep things fun. It gives parents a chance to ski together — or simply breathe.
7. Use Aspen as a Side Trip, Not a Base
Aspen is fun, glamorous, and worth visiting — but Snowmass is far more relaxed for families. We recommend staying in Snowmass and taking a short drive into Aspen for shopping, dining, or a date night rather than trying to manage kids full-time in Aspen proper.
8. Grocery Shop on Arrival
Between early mornings and layered chaos, breakfast out every day can be overwhelming. Stock up on groceries when you arrive so mornings are calmer and everyone can fuel up at their own pace.
9. Embrace the Village Evenings
Some of our favorite memories weren’t on the slopes at all — ice skating under the lights, fireworks over the mountain, s’mores by the fire, or simply wandering the village. Snowmass shines after dark for families.
10. Expect the Unexpected (and Laugh)
Kids will get cold. Gloves will get lost. Someone will cry over melted snow in their boot. That’s part of it. Go in with flexibility and humor, and the memories will be worth every mitten mishap.
Final Thoughts: Is Snowmass Worth It for Families?
Absolutely.
Snowmass combines world-class skiing, family-friendly amenities, incredible dining, and unforgettable winter experiences — all without the chaos of larger resort towns.
It’s one of our favorite places to visit with kids in winter, and we can’t wait to return — both in winter and summer.
Next up: Steamboat Springs with Kids — coming soon.
Comments