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Taking the Kids: Having some fun in the snow

By Eileen Ogintz, Tribune Content Agency on

Got Skittles? Peanut M&Ms are good, too. The Aspen, Colorado, middle-schoolers I interviewed for my "Kid's Guide to Denver and Colorado Ski Country" opine that it's always smart to have "power candy," in your pocket when you hit the slopes. Lip balm and sunscreen, too.

So, what if you've never skied or snowboarded. There's plenty else to do in snow country in winter.

"Go snowmobiling," Keegan said. "You get a great view and have a good time."

"My favorite thing in winter is sledding," said Joana. "And jumping in the snow," added Leslie.

We've just posted our family fun in the snowsection, put together with our friends at Family Travel Forum. We think it may be the most comprehensive guide out there to help families plan this winter. If you're thinking a trip to snowy climes isn't in the budget this year, maybe it's time to think again, as long as you plan smart:

Book a package and you are privy to special bundling rates on hotels, transportation and as much as 45 percent off on lift tickets, explains Ski.com’s Dan Sherman, who adds that their mountain vacation specialists can steer vacationers to the best package for whenever they want to travel. Ski.com, based in Aspen, is North America's largest provider of mountain vacation packages.

 

Look for kids'-free deals.

In New York State, third- and fourth-graders ski or ride at New York Ski Areas free with the Learn to Ski Passport Program (you don't need to live in N.Y. either). Kids get a lift ticket, lesson and equipment at more than 20 ski areas -- all it costs is a $26 processing fee. (Each state's program is slightly different and may apply to different age levels -- COLORADO, IDAHO, MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, UTAH, VERMONT, WASHINGTON

Just in Colorado, there are more than a dozen kids'-free options without age restrictions. Keystone Resort, just a two-hour drive from Denver, however, wins the prize: Every day, all season long, kids 12 and younger ski for free at Keystone with no blackout dates, as long as guests stay two or more nights. There is no limit on the number of kids -- or the number of days (a lot of other places require one adult ticket per kids' ticket). Another plus: There are daily Kidtopia (mostly free) activities all winter long. You gotta love the snow fort, complete with throne and ice slide at the top of the mountain!

Children, 6 and under, always ski free at Aspen Snowmass. For children 7 to 12 years old, Aspen Snowmass allows kids to ski free when booking two or more nights of lodging through Stay Aspen Snowmass, or rent free ski or snowboard equipment from Four Mountain Sports (valid Jan. 1 to April 16, 2017).

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