Family Fun in Keystone, Colo.

Are you part of a skiing family? We hearby present you with the Keystone Challenge: Partake of all the kidtastic family programming on tap in and around the resort and still find time to, oh, you know… ski.

Thanks to re-energized Kidtopia programming this season, the already family-friendly resort now features a blizzard’s worth of on- and off-slope family diversions. Weekly village parades led by resort mascot Ripperoo, kids’ après parties with live music and an ice-cream sundae bar, Parent’s Night Out, cupcakes-and-crafts nights, ice-skating soirees in both River Run and Lakeside villages. The list goes on.

On the mountain, four kids adventure pods, including Ripperoo’s Forest, with its ski-through doghouse and rollercoaster-type banked turns, are a hoot. And six lanes of lift-served tubing at the top of Dercum Mountain is almost as fun as zipping down on skis. Almost. 

While you’re up there, check out the Snowfort. The third iteration of the frozen edifice took seven days to construct and spans 240 square feet. Inside, an ice throne and a snow tunnel are a couple of the play features. Also of note for families: Book two nights in a Keystone–operated property and your kids 12 and under ski free. When they can carve out some time to ski, that is. keystoneresort.com

Quick Hits

Stay: The Chateau du Mont complex at the Mountain House base is among the closest lodging to any lift, about 50 yards to the Peru Express. The two- and three-bedroom condos are roomy, comfortable, and a quick walk to Camp Keystone ski school.

Eat: Der Fondue Chessel, at the terminus of two gondola rides, is a fondue adventure at 11,444 feet. Be prepared to partake in the Chicken Dance. You were warned.

Chill: The Last Lift Bar, upstairs at the Mountain House base lodge, has that classic ski-bar feel and a pile of nachos that’s five times the size it should be. Perfect for coming in from the cold.