Hi! I am needing advice about where to ski. I have a family of four (husband, 12 yo, 8 yo) who have never been skiing. Previously, I had checked into staying at The Little Nell in Aspen when just my husband and I were planning a trip alone. However, I would love to take the family. We would have about a week to spend, thinking about Jan, Feb, or March time period, and are pretty sure that we'd like to stay in Colorado. I would particularly love an upscale ski lodge that is family-friendly, but doesn't have unattended screaming kids crawling up the walls. Also love quaint towns! Please share any and all advice! Thank you...

Steamboat Springs is a great family ski location. There are lots of activities for children and good ski schools. The town is quaint in a "cowboyish" sort of way. There is no place there as upscale as The Little Nell, but with a family you might consider renting a condo of which there are an abundance in Steamboat. Another possibility is the Home Ranch which is in Clark about 30 minutes from Steamboat. It is a very upscale ranch(member of Relais and Chateaux as is The Little Nell) they have cross country skiing there and provide daily transportation to the slopes. I think they have a minimum age for children but I believe it it 6, so you should be okay. In addition to the main lodge they have some beautiful cabins which are perfect for a family.

Make sure you look into Crested Butte Mountain Resort in Crested Butte Colorado. It's very quaint and a great ski area. There are numerous websites for you to research. It is small compared to the other Colorado ski resorts but has great charm and great runs.

My favorite place for family skiing is Crestted Butte. The Marriott is the most upscale place to stay and also most convenient ski-in ski-out access. The Sheraton is also good and there are several condos on the mountain. A great thing about Crested Butte is that kids pay their age for lift tickets. The town is a short, free, bus ride and is wonderful. Must eat at Slogar, family style fried chicken.
If you really want upscale and money is no object then go to Beaver Creek and stay at the Marriott. Beaver Creek is a great ski mountain and you can also ski Vail on the same lift ticket. When we go to Vail/Beaver Creek we usually rent a house or condo in Eagle-Vail or West Vail, but really helps to have a car in Eagle-Vail. Beaver Creek has no real town, just the hotels, condos, restaurant and shops in the ski village. Also has great outdoor ice arena. The town of Vail is not "quaint". It is too new, very cosmopolitan, and in my opinion, expensive for a family.
I would avoid Breckenridge as huge crowds, however, it is a large ski mountain and large town with shops and restaurants. Best ski-in ski-out is Beaver Run Resort.

I agree with Paige the above poster. Crested Butte is as quaint and charming of a town as you can get. Very romantic with wonderful restaurants. Avoid that whole Breckenridge/Copper Mountain scene even though it is lovely I don't think it is what you want. Vail and Aspen are huge. Beaver Creek is as upscale as it gets. I think it is the Hyatt not a Marriott there but I might be wrong. They wait on you hand and foot and it is definitely where the rich play. Another plus for you on Beaver Creek is that the easy green runs are at the top of the mountain so the kids can get great views while they conquer their lessons. Another wonderful spot is Telluride. It is in a box canyon and many stars have their homes there. Very quiet with a wonderful hotel on top of the mountain. I think a beginner has no better place to learn as there is a mountain that is so tame with wide runs that is perfect for learning. Telluride has a rep for being a black diamond mountain but there is this whole beginner mountain that is stunning. Hey have a good trip. E-mail me with any other questions. Oh Deer Valley in Utah is another plush spot that you might be interested in. The Stein Erickson Lodge is very pampering. They groom like no one's business. The lunch cafeteria is very gourmet and the bathrooms have marble. A different ski experience.