(Ed note: Updated March 2009)

ACTIVE PURSUITS

So you know the kids like to ski, but you’d rather go drop cliffs and hit moguls and not have to worry about them. As luck would have it, the Vail Ski School and Beaver Creek Ski School will whip your tykes into shape fast so they’ll be skiing circles around you in no time. Before you know it, they’ll be the ones who have you on a tether.

If reaching high speeds on some form of board(s) isn’t enough of an adventure, take the little ‘uns to Adventure Ridge at the top of the Eaglebahn Gondola. Mini snowmobiles, snow tubes and snow bikes await.

If you’re taking the kids with you on the mountain, both Vail and Beaver Creek have loads of “secret” kids trails. At Vail, find a wild route of trees, bumps and teepees in Chaos Canyon off the top of Lion’s Way and Magic Forest off of Coyote Crossing. At Beaver Creek, the kid’s paradise can be found in Jack Rabbit Alley off the Drink of Water lift and in a special terrain park for the vertically challenged (small people) and those refining their freestyle skills – Park 101, located on skier’s left off the Cinch Express lift.

Unbeknownst to many valley visitors, there is an entire area dedicated to sledding. Meadow Mountain off of Highway 24 between I-70 and Minturn. Comes with a lift tow and everything, so you and the cherubs don’t even have to walk up the hill.

INSIDE OPTIONS 

Maybe the kids aren’t ready to hit the slopes yet. Vail Small World Nursery in Golden Peak and the Small World Play School in Beaver Creek are open until 4:30 p.m. seven days a week and welcome children from 2 months to 6 years old.

The kids still don't want to go skiing? Time to find new kids. OK, OK ... it’s just too cold and the family has unanimously agreed to stay indoors. Head 30 miles West of Vail to Eagle for bowling and arcade fun at The Back Bowl.