KidStuff

Child Care: Ages 2 months to 6 years. Supervised playroom and non-skiing programs cost $105 regular season. Reservations required; call (970) 754-3285. Small World Nursery is run by the ski school and is in the Golden Peak base area. It is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Of note, Vail's child-care programs are licensed and state of the art.

Other options: For a list of babysitters, call the Small World Nursery (970) 754-3285. Baby's Away (800-369-9030; 970-328-1285) rents and delivers baby needs, such as cribs, strollers, car seats and toys to your lodge. The company is very attentive to detail.

Children's lessons: Lessons are available for children as young as 3 years old (toilet-trained). Ski lessons are offered for ages 3–15; snowboarding lessons are for ages 7–12. Cost is $132 during regular season and includes lesson, lift and lunch. Holiday Camps are offered during holidays for kids ages 7–12 who are intermediate skiers and better. Call for prices and details.

Teens 13–15 can take a group lesson for $110 (lift tickets and rentals extra).

Register for all lessons at 8 a.m. or pre-register the day before; you also can register online at the website. Reservations are not required. Vail encourages kids younger than age 14 enrolled in ski and snowboard programs to wear helmets. Rentals are available; if you don't want your child to wear a helmet, you must decline in writing in order for your child to participate. Children's Ski and Snowboard Centers are located at both Lionshead and at Golden Peak. Both centers offer "one-stop shopping" for lessons and rentals. You can reach either facility via the town bus.

Skiing with your kids: The resort is sprinkled with Kids Adventure Zones. Chaos Canyon features weather-theme trails Ricochet Ridge, Tornado Alley and Thunder Lane. Thunder Cat Cave has a replica of a wildcat hovering over a cave entrance. Inside, kids will find ecological information about the Rocky Mountains' four-footed predators. A Kids Adventure Map highlights most of the zones so kids can find them, but some are left up to discovery. With the help of Vail mascots, Ranger Raccoon and Crazy Coyote, children also learn about SKE-Cology™, highlighting environmental awareness and responsibility on the mountain. Kids even have their own restaurant at Mid-Vail called Chaos Canyon Kids' Cafe.

Special activities: Night Owls is a supervised evening of dinner and activities at Adventure Ridge for kids ages 7–18. Meet at 4:15 p.m. to head up the mountain. Cost is $70 regular season for ages 7–12; $80 for ages 13–18. Reservations are made at the children's ski and snowboard school.