Family Fun in Steamboat Springs and Aspen

Aspen is a ski resort in the state of Colorado in the Rocky Mountains region of the United States. Its little sister is the family-friendly Snowmass Village, which is about 10 miles from downtown Aspen.

In the winter, visitors can ski at the four city’s ski areas: Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Highlands and Buttermilk. You can also hobnob with celebrities and jetsetters as Aspen also is known for its ability to attract both. Other family-friendly winter activities include sleigh rides, sledding, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.

There’s plenty to do in summer as well: mountain bike, hike, golf, take the chair lifts for scenic views, whitewater rafting, fly fishing or hot air ballooning. Visitors can also take in a rodeo, or one of the area’s many outdoor concerts and festivals.

A deluxe hotel in downtown Aspen, just one and a half blocks from the slopes, within walking distance of the town center, and three miles from Pitkin County Airport. Local attractions include skiing slopes and lifts in the winter, the nearest of which is less than one mile from the property. Year round, guests benefit from being within walking distance of the towns distinctive shopping and fine dining.Hotel amenities include Todd English's Mediterranean-inspired cuisine at Olives Aspen, the Lobby Lounge, 24-hour room service, fitness center, and a heated swimming pool.Guest rooms feature wireless Internet, CD players, TVs, DVD players, video games, minibars, room safes, humidifiers, twice-daily housekeeping, bottled water, fresh fruit, telephones, bathrobes, slippers, scales, and toiletries.

It is not often in life when one can feel perfectly normal yelling 'yippee kio' and 'yee-haw.' But the Snowmass Rodeo is an exception. For well over 20 years, it has brought the Old West to Snowmass Village. Every Wednesday it features professional cowboys vying for cash prizes in team roping, bareback riding, barrel racing and the always exciting bull riding. Prior to the show kids can learn rodeo skills on the roping machine, pan for silver and roast marshmallows. Make a complete evening out of it and show early for the cowboy barbecue featuring chicken, ribs and cornbread muffins.

Rated as the easiest of Aspen's four mountains, this gem of an area is the perfect environment for beginners to find their ski-legs. Seven lifts service 43 trails that are predominantly rated for beginners and intermediates. Most of the mountain is groomed nightly so as to aid the skiing confidence. It is a great place to drop off the kids while you ski one of Aspen's other mountains. Snowboarders can get radical at two terrain parks and a half-pipe. Lessons are available for all levels. Three restaurants cater to hunger and thirst.

If you are looking for an adrenaline jolt of mountain adventure that will cause you to shout, "zingo, do I feel alive!" then call these outdoor-excitement pros. For 30 years, this touring-company has helped upgrade vacations from okay to memorable. It offers full- and half-day rafting trips, jeep tours, bike rides and hikes. All the trips, which range from beginner to expert, are piloted by qualified guides. Most include either a snack or lunch, and transportation to all trips is provided. Advanced reservations are encouraged.

Located in a trailer park, places like this eccentric restaurant are rare. The tiny dining room is always full. The walls are papered with snapshots of regular patrons, including famed gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson. The menu features burgers, steaks and Mexican fare. Save room for real Key Lime pie. Expect a crowd as this restaurant is very popular with both tourists and locals.

If you've never explored Southwestern cooking, here's a good reason to start. Vail's answer to great cooking, Southwestern style, is La Montana. The restaurant serves well-known dishes, such as Guacamole dip, Fajitas and a menu full of Tex-Mex dishes, such as Enchiladas, Burritos and Tacos. Visitors should look out for the Signature Southwestern dishes on the menu, which is a great place to start your education on this region's cuisine. Grab a bite of the Stuffed Chicken breast, the Southwestern Enchilada (whose claim to fame is being featured in Gourmet Magazine) and the exotic sounding Scallop Veracruz made from glazed scallops. La Montana also has a full stock of Tequila made from 100% blue agave - so you know it's the real McCoy.

A deluxe hotel in downtown Aspen, just one and a half blocks from the slopes, within walking distance of the town center, and three miles from Pitkin County Airport. Local attractions include skiing slopes and lifts in the winter, the nearest of which is less than one mile from the property. Year round, guests benefit from being within walking distance of the towns distinctive shopping and fine dining.Hotel amenities include Todd English's Mediterranean-inspired cuisine at Olives Aspen, the Lobby Lounge, 24-hour room service, fitness center, and a heated swimming pool.Guest rooms feature wireless Internet, CD players, TVs, DVD players, video games, minibars, room safes, humidifiers, twice-daily housekeeping, bottled water, fresh fruit, telephones, bathrobes, slippers, scales, and toiletries.

Steamboat Springs is known as “Ski Town U.S.A.” for its reputation as a breeding ground for U.S. Winter Olympic Athletes, but its also just as popular for its family-friendly hotels, slopes and activities. The town is about three to four hours away from Denver by car in good winter conditions.

The town of Steamboat Springs is essentially separated into several areas. One is the mountain area (known simply as “the mountain” or “the base area”) surrounding the base of the Steamboat Ski Area on Mt. Werner. There are multiple shops as well as dining and nightlife, though the area is currently undergoing a major renovation and reconstruction. The area also includes many hotels, condominiums and rental homes.

In summer, try hiking Fishcreek Falls, Mt. Werner, Buffalo Pass and Rabbit Ears pass. Or visit the Yampa River for kayaking, rafting, tubing or fly-fishing.