This year the first chairs turn on Thanksgiving. Opening day for Snowmass and Aspen Mountain is set for Thursday, November 26, 2026. Buttermilk and Aspen Highlands join them on December 12. It's also the 80th winter for Aspen Snowmass, so expect a little extra celebration.

But anyone who's skied with kids knows the day doesn't end when the lifts stop. Little legs get tired, attention spans run out, and someone is always asking "what's next?" by 2 p.m. The good news is that the Roaring Fork Valley has some of the best off-slope family fun in Colorado. Here are our top five picks for parents, from Aspen down to Glenwood Springs.

Dates, hours and prices were current as of November 2026 and can change with the weather. Always check before you head out.

1. Free Ice Skating (and Free S'mores) at Snowmass Base Village

The Rink, Snowmass Base Village · Free admission and free skate rentals

It's hard to beat free. Once the snow flies, an open-air rink takes over the middle of the Base Village plaza, and skating costs nothing, skate rentals included. First-timers can grab a skating aid to hold on to while they find their feet. Fire pits ring the ice, so parents can stay toasty while the kids loop around under the evening lights.

Last season the rink ran every afternoon and evening, 1 to 9 p.m., when the weather cooperated. Saturday nights turned it into a disco party with music and lights, and it was still free. And the treats are free too: every afternoon from 3:30, Snowmass Tourism parks its giant-marshmallow carts in Base Village and on the Mall and hands out s'mores at no charge.

Parent tip: For a calmer skate, try Snowmass's other free rink. It's set up each winter on the Town Park tennis courts by the rec center. There are no rentals there, so bring your own skates.

2. The Breathtaker Alpine Coaster, Tubing and Ullr Nights at Elk Camp

Elk Camp, Snowmass (take the Elk Camp Gondola from Base Village)

For kids who want speed without skis, ride the gondola up to Elk Camp. On the Breathtaker Alpine Coaster, two-person sleds race along a raised rail that winds over a mile through the trees, topping out around 28 mph. The driver works the brake, so the ride can be a thrill or a gentle cruise. Little riders can go along as passengers once they reach 38 inches, and drivers need to be 54 inches or taller. Ride as much as you like for $70 a day. The coaster runs 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. every day through April 4, 2027. It does sell out, so get there before 1 p.m.

Next to the coaster is the tubing hill, where a lift tows you back up so the kids can do run after run. Last season it opened in mid-December, and one combo ticket covered both tubing and the coaster.

The highlight of the winter is Ullr Nights. On a handful of evenings, Elk Camp turns into an after-dark party honouring Ullr, the old Norse snow god. Families take the gondola up for tubing under the lights, coaster runs, bonfires, live music, dinner at the Elk Camp Restaurant, and balance bikes for the littlest kids. This season's dates: December 23, January 1, February 12, February 19, March 12 and March 19. A basic ticket gets you up the gondola and into the free fun, and you can upgrade if you want unlimited tubing and coaster rides.

Parent tip: Ullr Nights over the holidays sell out fast. Book the December 23 and January 1 dates as soon as you can.

3. The Aspen Recreation Center (the ARC)

0861 Maroon Creek Rd, Aspen (on the way to Aspen Highlands)

The ARC is the valley's best rainy-day, snowy-day, too-tired-to-ski-day plan, and locals know it. Kids head straight for the warm leisure pool, where they can float the lazy river and race down a giant indoor waterslide. Grown-ups get lap lanes and a hot tub. There's also a full-size indoor hockey rink with rental skates, a tall climbing wall and batting cages. And when the kids still have energy to burn, there's a sledding hill right outside.

It's an easy way to keep kids moving for an afternoon without spending a fortune, and parents can relax in the lobby while the kids hit the slide.

Parent tip: Day passes are inexpensive by Aspen standards, but rates and open-swim times change. Check the ARC's current schedule before you go, especially on holidays.

4. Winter on the Mountain at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

51000 Two Rivers Plaza Rd, Glenwood Springs · Late November through early January

Every holiday season, the theme park perched on top of Iron Mountain lights up for Winter on the Mountain. Ride the gondola above Glenwood and you'll find the summit glowing with holiday lights, festive music, a Christmas tree that plays songs, and Santa taking requests. Kids can toast marshmallows at the fire pits, and since cave tours keep running all winter, you can also head underground to explore the caverns the park is named for.

The festivities kick off with a party on November 21 and continue through the holidays. On select Fridays in late fall, there's a bonus: show up after 4 p.m., say the word "Friday" at the ticket counter, and your gondola ride is free.

Parent tip: Go just before sunset. You'll get the views from the top in daylight and then watch the lights come on.

5. A Snowy Soak at Glenwood Hot Springs Pool

401 N River St, Glenwood Springs · Open daily, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.

Swimming in a steaming pool while snowflakes drift down is one of those experiences kids never forget, and parents enjoy it just as much. Glenwood's famous hot springs pool has welcomed swimmers since the 1880s and holds the title of world's biggest. The main pool is longer than a football field (about 405 feet) and sits in the low 90s, perfect for kids. Grown-ups can slip into the smaller, hotter therapy pool to soothe ski-sore legs. You don't need a reservation for a day pass.

Families just learning to ski should also know about Sunlight Mountain Resort, Glenwood's relaxed, wallet-friendly local hill, which is aiming to open December 11. Last winter, a Ski, Swim, Stay package bundled Sunlight skiing with hot springs access, and kids 12 and under skied free with each paying adult. Watch for a similar deal this season.

Parent tip: Pack flip-flops and a warm hat. The walk from the locker room to the pool is the only cold part, and the hat makes soaking in a snowstorm much more comfortable.

Honorable Mentions

  • ACES naturalist snowshoe walks: Guides from ACES, Aspen's environmental education nonprofit, lead easy, unhurried snowshoe outings on Snowmass and Aspen Mountain. Kids learn how animals and trees get through the winter. Best for ages 7 and up.

  • Wintersköl, Aspen (December 10–13, 2026): Aspen's long-running winter festival hits 75 years this season. It's a classic small-town party.

  • Iron Mountain Hot Springs, Glenwood Springs: A calmer alternative to the big pool. Its roomy family pool has a sloped, ramp-style entry that makes it easy for toddlers to wade in.

Plan Your Family Ski-Season Weekend

Spend a morning on the slopes at Snowmass, ride the coaster and go tubing at Elk Camp in the afternoon, and finish with free skating and s'mores in Base Village. The next day, head down valley to Glenwood for the caverns' holiday lights and a soak in the hot springs. However you mix it up, the valley has enough to keep every age busy, and tired enough to sleep well, all winter long.

What's your family's favourite winter tradition in the valley? Let us know and it could make our next list.