ArcaMax

Got your ChapStick? "I always have ChapStick when I'm skiing, because my lips get SUPER dry," said Grace, 12, who lives in Aspen.

And make sure to drink a lot of water. "When you first come to a place with high altitude (Aspen is 8,000 feet above sea level) you need to drink a lot of water, or you'll get headaches," said Katie, 13, who goes to Aspen Middle School with Grace.

"Welcome to Colorado and have fun exploring. The mountains are beautiful," said Grace, 14, who lives in Gunnison.

They were among the 100-plus kids across Colorado I interviewed for my new "Kid’s Guide to Denver, Boulder and Colorado Ski Country," the latest in the series written for traveling kids. The kids opined that you should have tissues, Band-Aids, sunscreen, snacks, like a protein bar, and "power candy," like Skittles or M-and-Ms, which will provide a burst of energy on the slopes. A phone is essential, "Because once it snows, you can't be too careful," said Katie. So are headphones. "Whenever I go skiing, I love to bring headphones and listen to music," said Mary, 13, who also lives in Aspen.

"My favorite thing to do is ski race with my friends," said their classmate Ellie, 13.

Others said they preferred snowboarding, or switching back and forth, depending on the conditions, or their mood. "I do both," said Taylor, 13.

If you are a newbie, there is no better time than January, the nationally designated Learn to Ski and Snowboard Mont to hit the Colorado slopes. There are well-priced programs in Colorado as well as across the country that offer discounted lift tickets, lessons and rentals. (Check out the Taking the Kids FUN IN THE SNOW section to see what snow resorts are offering families this year.)

If you already know your way around a ski mountain, invite a friend who hasn't tried snow sports. The new Bring a Friend Challenge offers incentives to skiers and snowboarders who introduce newcomers to snow sports this January and February.

A tip: Look for discounted air-hotel-lift packages from sites like www.ski.com and discounted lift tickets from www.liftopia.com. For rentals, companies like Ski Butlers will deliver and fit gear right where you are staying and in some places, may offer a kids-rent-free deal with adult rentals.

If your kids are fifth- and sixth-graders, apply for a Colorado Ski Passport. Fifth-graders get three free days of skiing or snowboarding at each of Colorado Ski Country's 20 member resorts; sixth-graders get four days at each resort for just $99 -- a great deal when a one-day kid's lift ticket can be $70 or more. There are also discounts for lessons and rentals.

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