Taking the Kids: Kid tips for hitting the slopes for Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month

You'll also find kids-free options throughout the season in Colorado. Kids 12 and under ski free all season at Keystone Resort, as long as families stay two nights. Kids ski free at Steamboat the same number of days with their parents and grandparents, as long as they purchase a lift ticket for five days or more. In Aspen/Snowmass, kids stay and ski free in March and April. In Crested Butte, kids up to 17 can Nordic ski free at the Crested Butte Nordic Center with miles of groomed trails around the quintessential tiny ski town.

"I like Crested Butte because the people there are nice and it has the best ski resort food ever," said Millie, 10, who goes to the Orsch School in Gunnison, Colorado. "The French fries are really good if you want to fill up your stomach, but not enough to get a bellyache."

Aspen kids, of course, are partial to their four mountains -- Aspen, Buttermilk, Aspen Highlands and Snowmass -- and offered their picks for best mountain eats. "I almost always get mac and cheese. I love it!" said Taylor, 13.

"Fresh pizza and warm hot chocolate is the best on a cold day," suggested Emma, 13.

"Grilled cheese warms you up," added Grace, 12.

This year, Aspen/Snowmass is unveiling a new state of the art Hideout Childrens Center at the base of Buttermilk, designed to mix indoor play with outdoor instruction. "Make sure to take a lot of pictures," says Kiley, 12. "When you bring them home, you will be able to look at all the awesome memories you made here in Colorado!"

That's just as true off the slopes as on with ice forts, tubing, snow-biking, sledding, shopping. (Buy a snow globe, one of the kids suggested. Another said, "A cool rock with crystals.") and snowmobiling.

"Snowmobiling is my favorite thing to do outside because you get great views and have a good time," said Keegan, 13. (Families certainly will gravitate to Snowmass with its Treehouse Kids’ Adventure Center offering new lift-served snow tubing that will be included in all kids' ski school lessons, and Ullr Nights at Elk Camp where families gather at the top of the mountain for snow-biking, ice skating and s'mores and hot chocolate by the bonfire.

At Keystone, Kidtopia is bigger than ever this year with its giant snow fort to explore and daily special activities for kids -- everything from free arts and crafts in the plaza to snow-tubing, weekly fireworks, snow fort building, scavenger hunts and the chance to explore the winter night sky on Fridays.

"Colorado is a great place to be outside," said Leslie, 13, from Aspen. "You'll never get bored!"

Just make sure to dress warmly, the kids said, and forgo playing with your electronic devices.

"Look at your surroundings in Colorado," said Ruby, 11, from Gunnison. It's better than any screen!"

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For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com and also follow "taking the kids" on www.twitter.com, where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments.) Check out Eileen's nine-book Kid’s Guide series. Other new books in the series include The Kid's Guide to San Diego and The Kid's Guide to San Francisco.