To Keystone CO – one of the most kid-centric ski areas in the country

To Keystone CO – one of the most kid-centric ski areas in the country

Keystone is Vail Resort’s most kid-centric resort, with kids-ski free (as long as you book a two-night stay), night skiing tweens and teens love and daily “Kidtopia” activities. There’s a parade through the village on Saturdays with kids being twirled around in tires, free cookies and hot cider in the ice-skating rink, the chance to meet and greet the avalanche dogs and ski patrollers, free kids sundaes and more.

In Aspen, kids playing with their food is encouraged!

In Aspen, kids playing with their food is encouraged!

Never were two boys more unlike one another than mine when it comes to cooking. My elder son, Tanner, age 8, abhors anything remotely culinary, while my younger, Brady, age 5, was all but born with an apron wrapped around his waist, a wooden stirring spoon in his hand. The consummate chef and critic.

A ski area in Vermont owned by skiers who grew up on there

A ski area in Vermont owned by skiers who grew up on there

It’s easy to see why families are attracted to Bolton Valley—the low-key atmosphere reminiscent of when parents learned to ski in Vermont and the fact that lift tickets are about 20-30 per cent less than at neighboring Stowe.

First destination skivacation — blue skies in Park City

First destination skivacation — blue skies in Park City

It was our first destination ski vacation. My partner Dan Foldes and I had skied in Colorado throughout our college years, but we had only gone on day trips up to the mountains. This was the first time that we would be flying to a ski town, staying in a hotel, and skiing for three days straight, just the two of us.

Ski country is beautiful, but beware altitude sickness

Ski country is beautiful, but beware altitude sickness

It is no fun getting sick on vacation and altitude sickness is the worst. But when you are above 9,986 feet as we are in Breckenridge, CO, it isn’t that uncommon, the staff at the St. Anthony Breckenridge Community Clinic Emergency Center tells us.

A family reunion on the snow in Colorado

A family reunion on the snow in Colorado

There were round-robin emails in the weeks before the trip in which we discussed the menus and shopping lists. My husband, raised in Texas, brought his “famous” chili, frozen from home, and my British sister-in-law the ingredients for Shepherd’s Pie.

At Keystone Resort, kids having fun and eating healthy are a top priority

At Keystone Resort, kids having fun and eating healthy are a top priority

Keystone is Vail Resort’s most kidcentric resort, with kids-ski free (as long as you book a two night stay, night skiing tweens and teens love, daily “Kidtopia” activities. Think a parade through the village on Saturdays, with kids being twirled around in tires, free cookies and hot cider in the ice skating rink, the chance to meet and greet the avalanche dogs and ski patrollers, free kids sundaes and more.

Snowshoeing into history at the Breckenridge Nordic Center

Snowshoeing into history at the Breckenridge Nordic Center

We stop at one of the three historic miner cabins that contains a letter that a woman named Josie wrote to her husband, telling him she wouldn’t move to the miner district of Breckenridge “the most fiendish place…the red light district is visible to all…” until he built them a proper home.

No matter how old, Breck brings out the kid in you

No matter how old, Breck brings out the kid in you

At 31 years young, I found myself completely gassed on the slopes trying to keep up with my 22-year-old cousin Melanie Yemma (a senior at Colorado College). I’m a fan of breaks – even naps – but apparently when you’re 22 and you live in Colorado, you don’t take breaks on the mountain.