Colorado Resort Facilities

All the major resorts and most of the small centres have their own ski schools, and offer a high level of tuition in both basic learn-to-ski packages and specific disciplines, with language obviously not a problem. Guiding is available and recommended in the expert-only resorts. 

 

Most of the major ski resorts provide childcare, with facilities available for babies as young as 2 months, and skiing lessons available for the over 2 1/2's in some resorts. Specific Child and Teen programmes, adventure centres, playgrounds, Kids Night Out and special touches such as free chocolate chip cookies and storytelling nights around the fire enhance the experience for families, with Keystone, Breckenridge, Beaver Creek and Snowmass in particular being known for their excellent childrens' facilities. 

 

Shopping ranges from charming village shops and Western stores to upscale boutiques, with each town providing ski hire and rental equipment, as well as sporting goods, supermarkets and grocery stores, and the major centres boasting a vast array of clothing, jewellery, gift shops, and art galleries. Prices vary tremendously, and it's always worth locating the nearest outlet mall for bargains and special deals whilst skiing in Colorado.

 

Varied and ranging from excellent value to upscale and high-priced. Choose from delis, diners and coffee shops, to breweries, steakhouses and chain restaurants, as well as gourmet establishments and elegant dining rooms requiring reservations, particularly in Vail, Beaver Creek and Aspen. Keystone has an excellent reputation as a culinary centre, and Breckenridge is great for family dining. 

 

Again very varied, with down-to-earth saloons, pubs and sports bars, as well as world-renowned hotspots and cosmopolitan clubs with dress codes. Generally the apres-ski is relaxed and friendly, with excellent prices for drinks and plenty of evening entertainment to suit all members of the family, from Wild West Nights, live music, cinemas and bowling, to performing arts centres, and the theatre, ballet and opera.

 

Major resorts are fully-equipped and have access to banks, post offices, tourist offices, bus services, rental cars, taxis, hairdressers, launderettes and internet cafes, and more. 

 

There are medical centres and doctors throughout the ski areas, and chemists either in the resort or the town centre. (Always make sure you take out the correct winter sports policy before a ski holiday in the US.)