The Best Kid-Friendly Hotels in Our Favorite Ski Towns

The snow has finally started to fall which means that it's time to take a ski vacation with the family! Whether your kids are future Olympians or have yet to perfect the "pizza," they probably won't want to do just that -- and hey, you might need a break from the kiddies yourself -- so we've rounded up the best kid-friendly hotels in our favorite cold weather destinations. After (or in lieu of) a day on the slopes, tots can enjoy numerous kid-friendly amenities -- everything from swimming in the year-round pool to bowling to participating in activities at the kids club -- at these luxurious resorts.

WHY: The Four Seasons Vail opened in 2011 and has been one of the area's top hotels since then: All the rooms have stone fireplaces, balconies, and huge marble bathrooms with standalone soaking tubs. (How cozy does that sound?) Not only do families enjoy the beautiful, heated outdoor pool (open year-round), but the Teen Club, with an air hockey table, video games, foosball table, and iMac computers, is also a popular hangout for the young ones as well. Plus, there's on-site daycare in the kids' club and young children receive a welcome gift upon arrival.

WHY: The family-friendly Viceroy Snowmass features units with either full kitchens or kitchenettes that include stoves, microwaves, fridges, and utensils which allow for you to cater to even the pickiest of eaters. Top-notch amenities include a lovely pool area with heated saline water and a firepit to warm you up on super-chilly nights. Our favorite, though, would have to be the Ski Valets, who take care of everything from scheduling lessons to putting your boots on for you and a prime ski-in, ski-out location.

WHY: One Ski Hill Place is one of the most luxurious lodges in Breckenridge, with attractive condo-style units featuring gourmet kitchens, beautiful bathrooms (almost all with soaking tubs), and moss rock gas fireplaces. There's so much indoor fun that you'll barely want to go outside including a two-lane bowling alley, two screening rooms, a billiards room, and an indoor pool.

WHY: A popular choice among families (with large residence-like suites available), the Four Seasons Whistler offers children's menus in each of its restaurants (room service, too), a welcome gift for kids (like a stuffed animal!), child-size robes, games, crafts and babysitting services (for an extra fee). The pool may be the most popular spot among younger guests, and it's open year-round. The resort also runs summer and winter children's programs (for an additional fee), with activities like bear watching and rock-climbing during the summer and skiing lessons and snow tubing during the winter.


RELATED LINKS

• A Non-Skier's Guide to a Ski Town
• Most Romantic Hotels in Breckenridge
• Best Kid-Friendly Hotels in Park City