Snowmass Village with Kids: Travel Guide for Families (2026)
Snowmass Mountain at dusk
Snowmass Village, Aspen’s mellow, family-friendly neighbor, is one of our favorite ski resorts for families. While it sits ten minutes from Aspen it operates at an entirely different pace. Where Aspen can feel glamorous and fast, Snowmass is genuinely relaxed, a self-contained mountain village where kids can move freely, ski runs are accessibly for every level, and the base village has everything you need within walking distance. As local residents, we can guaruntee it is one fo the best mountain destinations in winter or summer. Read our recommendations below for a fabulous stay in Snowmass Village and read our Best Restaurants in Snowmass Village here.
For a full overview of Snowmass Village including hotels and dining, see our Snowmass Village Travel Guide. This guide focuses specifically on the best experiences for families with children.
WHAT TO DO IN WINTER
The alpine coaster is a great activity for families
Ice Skate: Free ice skating at the base village is open all winter (weather permitting).
Game Lounge at the Collecive: Open daily (except Mondays) and free from 2-4 the game lounge can keep kids of all ages entertained with a ball pit, arcade and other games.
Ride the Alpine Coaster: Take the Elk Camp gondola to the top of the mountain to ride the Breathtaker coaster that meanders through the trees on Snowmass Mountain.
Sunset sledding on Snowmass golf course
Sledding: There is no shortage of sledding options in Snowmass Village. If you want a more formal experience, you can buy a ticket to go tubing at the top of the Elk Camp Gondola on Snowmass Mountain. If you’re looking for a cheaper (i.e. free) option, bring a sled to the Snowmass Club golf course and enjoy.
Ice skating at Snowmass Base Village
What to Do in Summer
Summer in Snowmass is genuinely underrated and significantly less crowded than winter. The hiking is excellent, the village is walkable, and the pace is slower in all the right ways.
Hike — Snowmass has some of the best accessible hiking in the Roaring Fork Valley. Trails range from easy valley walks to more ambitious routes with significant elevation. See our Best Hikes in Snowmass Village guide for the full breakdown by difficulty.
Ride the Elk Camp Gondola — Runs in summer for sightseeing and trail access at elevation. The views from the top are worth the ride even if you're not hiking onward.
Bike — Snowmass has an extensive trail network for mountain biking in summer. Bike rentals available in Base Village. Works well for families with kids old enough to handle trails.
Snowmass Rodeo — Runs Wednesday nights in summer and is exactly as fun as it sounds. A genuine local institution and one of the better family evenings in the valley.
Anderson Ranch Arts Center — Worth knowing about for families with kids interested in art. Summer workshops and programs run throughout the season.
STAY
Limelight Hotel Snowmass: In the heart of Snowmass Base Village and steps from the gondola, this is a great option for those who want to be in the heart of the Snowmass action.
Viewline Resort:A true ski-in/ski-out hotel set at the top of Fanny Hill ski lift and at the end of the Snowmass Mall, this is a great option if you want to pack in as many runs as possible. The free “skittles” gondola will also take you to Base Village as well.
Viceroy Snowmass- A great ski-in/ski-out option with it’s own lift outside the back door. An especially nice option for beginner skiers. Walking distance to Snowmass Base Village.
EAT
The short version: Heather's for a reliable dinner, Sam's on the mountain for the best lunch of your ski trip, Limelight for easy family meals, Sundae for ice cream after. See our full Snowmass restaurant guidefor everything.
Practical Notes
Snowmass is about 10 minutes from Aspen by car or the free Roaring Fork Transportation Authority bus, which runs frequently and is worth using to avoid parking headaches. Aspen has a broader restaurant and shopping scene for evenings when you want something different.
The RFTA bus also connects to Basalt, El Jebel, and Glenwood Springs if you're doing a longer Colorado trip. Rental cars are useful but not essential if you're staying in Base Village — the walkability is genuinely good for a ski resort.
FAQs About Snowmass With Kids
Is Snowmass or Aspen better for families? Snowmass. The village is more self-contained, the ski terrain is more beginner-friendly, and the pace is more suited to traveling with children. Aspen is ten minutes away for when you want it.
What age is Snowmass good for? All ages — but it's particularly strong for families with kids in the 4-12 range who are learning to ski. The ski school is well set up and the beginner terrain is excellent.
Is Snowmass good in summer? Yes — and more so than most people expect. Hiking, biking, the gondola, the rodeo, and significantly fewer crowds than winter make it a strong summer destination.
How do you get to Snowmass? Fly into Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (direct from several major cities) or into Denver and drive about 3.5 hours. Eagle County Airport is also about 70 minutes away with additional flight options.
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