Our family will be going to Steamboat over New Years (kids age 14 & 8). It's our 1st ski trip to the mountains! Any suggestions...restaurants (especially for New Year's eve--Hazie's is adult-only that night). Thanks.

L'Apogee is a fancy restaurant in downtown Steamboat; Harwig's is the grill connected to it and might be more suitable for families. We ate at Harwig's this summer and enjoyed it. We also ate at an upscale attractive Mexican restaurant in Ridgway (about 10 miles fr. Steamboat); food was very good and atmosphere very lively. Sorry can't remember the name, but anyone in either town will know the place.

Sorry, I had a senior moment and confused our July trip to Steamboat with our Labor Day trip to Ouray/Telluride. Ridgway is 10 mi. from Ouray, not Steamboat. I was right about Harwig's though.

You had me going there for a minute. I thought that's the longest 10 miles I've ever experienced!

We were in Steamboat 4 years ago and had such a great time. Your first trip to the mountains will be a great experience for the kids. My suggestions for the trip as far as plannig NYE is that you will be so tired from the altitude and skiing go easy. We always make big plans and then a hot tub and pizza wins out as we are dead tired.

Make sure all the kids gloves and goggles are labeled with the place you are staying phone number. Go to Wal-Mart before you leave and get those heater hand packs to bring as they save cold hands for everyone. Bring detergent and check out laundry facilities before you go. You will find you are going to wear your ski clothes out at night. Buy a disposable camera for mountain shots and then you won't have to worry about falling and breaking a good one. Pack a little of everyone's things in each suitcase in case one bag does not make it. If you are renting skis try to do that the night you arrive as the morning can take you way over an hour with lines.

This is a mish mash but I hope you will find something useful. One you have a ski vacation in Colorado, you will be addicted. We love Telluride and Crested Butte.

Don't forget the hot springs. There a pool hot springs in town and Strawberry Hot Springs outside of town in the woods. Bathing suits in the day, au natural at night.
There is a kids torchlight parade on Dec. 29 at 5:00 and and New years Eve torchlight parade at 7:00

Just thought of something else that would be fun for New Year's Eve in the mountains--a dinner/sleigh ride. I believe there are several outfits around Steamboat that take you out for a ride and bring you to a log cabin or other rustic setting and serve you dinner. They're expensive but it is New Year's; probably best to book as far in advance as possible. The Steamboat area is gorgeous,you'll love it. Great for x-country skiing too--try Rabbit Ear's Pass.