If i were to go up and ski I would go to Beaver Creek or Vail. http://www.beavercreekresortproperties.com/properties.cfm?subpage=propdetail&propid=9

2nd choice might be Breckenridge or Winter Park.

I’d suggest Breckenridge, though I’m biased having lived there and worked at the mountain. I would also recommend Steamboat Springs, Telluride or Vail/Beaver Creek if you have lots of dough.

Personnally, I don’t like to spend tons and tons of money at those hi-end resorts like Vail and Breckenridge (although Breckenridge less so than Vail). I prefer to go to Powderhorn resort which is near Grand Junction. You can rent a lodge for quite a bit less and the cost of living isn’t nearly as high, so the prices won’t be unreasonable. Since you are taking your large family, you will find that this place is perfect. They have several “bunny” hills and some other slopes for the more advanced. They had a good ski school there when I was a kid. This place is great esp in the summer months, too. There is great horseback riding and beautiful scenery, plus some hiking trails as well. You could probably mountain bike it, if you felt so inclined to do that. The only disadvantage is that it is at least a good hour away from a hospital if you needed that, but they do have onsite medical support.

Hope this helps and you have a blast.

Personally, I’d go with Steamboat Springs in that it has more of a real town feel and not so much tourist trap. Crested Butte is great too but would be a little more out of the way if you are coming in from out of town.

Breckenridge. I’ve skiied/lodged at several different places in Colorado (though there are some I haven’t been to) and I think for your situation – Breckenridge.

The slopes have a variety of terrain and difficulty for all levels of skiiers/boarders and the town has an equal variety of things to do. Very quaint and nice, but also chalk full of activities and events.

I went to Winter Park and Breckenridge. I found it essential to have a car and visit a couple of places. Winter Park has some truely wonderful runs through the woods, but there is VERY little to do in the evenings, whereas Breck’ had a lot more going for it.

However, I’m planning on coming back to the US this season and am planning on Breckenridge with a long day trip to Winter Park in the middle.

Steamboat Springs would be my choice!

Sorry, I haven’t skiied in over 15 years. I remember liking the towns of Steamboat and Breckenridge. Good luck, have fun!

I would definitely reccomend Breckenridge. It is VERY family friendly and doesn’t have the huge costs associated with Vail or Telluride. The less frequented resorts will have an even better value for your dollar, like Powderhorn or El Dora, but Breckenridge has tons to do off the slopes, too. You don’t have to stick with skiing day in and day out to have fun. There are lots of fun shops and restaurants to visit, including BubbaGump Shrimp Co. You can visit

www.coloradoski.com or www.MtnRes.com for more information on all of the resorts. Good luck and have fun!

Snow Mountain Ranch/YMCA outside of Winter Park. It’s close to the town but not in it , so you can do downhill sking.

The ranch is an access point to the Fraser trail system, which is great for cross country skiing and in the summer this is some of the best mountain biking in the country.

I spent a Christmas there and it was the perfect “winter wonderland”

http://www.ymcarockies.org/page.php?code=7

Agreeing with emptyowe, go to Crested Butte (www.skicb.com).

crested butte is great…the best skiing is in Winter Park…we stayed at the west YMCA closeby…it was great…wonderful; view and good breckfast!

Breckenridge is lovely. Not only is there skiing, but the town itself is cute and has lots of little shops and places to see. I’ve actually never skiied there, but have heard wonderful things about it, and I’ve visited the town a good bit. It’s lovely

I would NOT recommend Crested Butte or Telluride for a big family ski trip. These towns are a little more adult-oriented than other ski towns in CO, and the ski mountains are a little more challenging (especially the Butte) if you’re with beginner skiers. Aspen/Snowmass is a very accessible ski area for families, if a little on the expensive side. Otherwise, Steamboat Springs, Vail/Beaver Creek, or Winter Park are my recommendations.