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Planning a Winter Park ski trip with kids means making one decision before any of the others: which of the four lodging areas you book. Winter Park splits into Base Village, Old Town, the town of Winter Park and Fraser, and the right answer depends less on your budget than on how far you’re willing to shuffle a four-year-old in ski boots at 8:30 in the morning.
Kids’ ski school meets outside Sorensen Park, next to the Gemini Lift, and adults check in somewhere else entirely (at the West Portal Shop by the Arrow Lift) so staying in Winter Park with young kids rewards anyone who knows the layout before they book.
The good news is that this is one of the more forgiving mountains in Colorado for families. It’s the closest big resort to Denver, the free Village Cabriolet lift connects the resort entrance to the base village, and The Lift shuttle runs eight free routes from 7:30am to 2am between the resort and the towns of Winter Park and Fraser, frequent enough that a family ski trip to Winter Park works perfectly well from cheaper lodging down the valley.
Below, we break down where to stay at each price point, which buildings sit closest to the kids’ meeting spot, which condos actually have a kitchen and in-unit laundry (fewer than you’d think), and whether ski-in/ski-out is worth the premium with a toddler.
If you’re still debating on the perfect destination for your family ski trip, we broke down and ranked 16 total Colorado ski resorts for families and have an easy to read comparison table to help make your family ski trip destination decision quick and easy.
After you pick a destination, the next thing to figure out, of course, is ski gear. Skiing with kids requires a lot of equipment and being unprepared will ruin the vibe of your ski trip. Our kids ski essentials, warmest base layers and ski school packing list will help you come prepared for a great time.
Where kids’ ski school actually meets
Kids ages 4-14 meet on the snow at Sorensen Park, next to the Gemini Lift, at the resort base. Adults check in separately for their ski lesson at the West Portal Shop near the Arrow Lift. Full day lessons and morning half day lessons begin at 9:15am with check in at 9:00am. Afternoon half day lessons meet at 12:45pm and start at 1:00pm.
Ages 3-5 can also select a private lesson. Those meet at the Private Lesson Center. Pay attention to what type of lesson you book and the meeting location when picking where to stay in Winter Park for a ski trip with kids.
Unfortunately Winter Park does not have a nursery or daycare for babies for children under 4. If that’s a deal breaker for you, I’d recommend Keystone or Breckenridge. Both these family friendly ski resorts have a nursery that takes babies from 6 months of age and older.
Ski-in/ski-out vs. shuttle with a toddler
There are two layers of free transport at Winter Park, and understanding both is what lets you book confidently away from the base. The Village Cabriolet is a free open-air lift connecting the resort entrance area to the base village. This short ride replaces a walk most people underestimate in ski boots.
Then there’s The Lift, the valley’s free public transit, running eight routes in winter from 7:30am to 2am and connecting the resort with the towns of Winter Park, Fraser and Granby. Between them, you can stay a few miles down the valley and still be at the Gemini Lift for a 9am lesson.
Town lodging is meaningfully cheaper. The savings might buy you a second bedroom for the kids, a full kitchen so breakfast happens before the lifts rather than spending $19 on base, and in some buildings a washer and dryer, which with little kids is a huge bonus.
The main consideration when deciding where to stay for a Winter Park ski trip with kids is if you will have to do a midday return. A three-year-old skis until roughly 11:30, then they’re cold, hungry and finished. If you’re at Zephyr Mountain Lodge, 110 feet from the gondola entrance, you go back, dry all the ski gear, nap, and come out again at two. If you’re in Fraser, you’re committed to the mountain for the day, because going back isn’t worth the round trip.
One practical trick makes town lodging work far better than people expect: store your gear at the mountain. Use lockers or ski storage at the base and ride in regular boots carrying nothing. Nearly everything families hate about shuttles is hauling skis and a toddler simultaneously.
Our general rule of thumb for where to stay in Winter Park with kids… book Base Village if your kids are two to five and you’ll want midday breaks, or if this is your first family ski trip and you want every variable removed. Stay in town or Fraser if your kids are in ski school most days, if the money buys you a kitchen and in-unit laundry, or if you’re travelling with another family and need the space.
Best places to stay in Winter Park for families
Base Village
Zephyr Mountain Lodge – the only property Winter Park explicitly labels ski-in/ski-out, and it’s 110 feet from the main gondola entrance. The units have a full kitchen, however laundry is a shared facility. The lodge has a shared hot tub, but no pool.
Best for: first family ski trip, kids 2–5, anyone who wants the midday-nap option.
Check pricing and availability for Zephyr Mountain Lodge!
Fraser Crossing / Founders Pointe – 150 yards from the base and steps from the village gondola, but not labelled ski-in/ski-out. Full kitchen or kitchenette in unit, but no laundry. Shared hot tub.
Best for: small families that don’t mind room sharing and want all the perks of a ski-in/ski-out option.
Check pricing and availability for Fraser Crossing / Founders Pointe!
Old Town / Resort Entrance
The Vintage Hotel – At the resort entrance, steps from the Village Cabriolet. This hotel also has a year round heated pool. Kitchen or kitchenette units available. Shared laundry facility.
Best for: If you want a pool and a simple hotel room at the resort entrance, with the Cabriolet doing the walking for you – just don’t count on a kitchen or a washer.
Check price and availability for The Vintage Hotel!
A-Frame Club – Has kitchenettes rather than full kitchens. But one huge perk is it is pet friendly.
Best for: a short stay or a smaller family on a budget or traveling with a pet.
Check price and availability for A-Frame Club!
Town of Winter Park
Gravity Haus Winter Park – in the heart of downtown, about 5 minutes to the base by car or free shuttle. One room fits a family with bunk beds and trundles. Two outdoor hot tubs, and a coffee shop and taco spot right on site. No kitchen.
Best for: families who’d rather eat out than cook, and want one nice room with bunks rather than a condo.
Check price and availability for Gravity Haus Winter Park!
Beaver Village – Full kitchen in every unit, indoor heated pool open year round, hot tub and sauna. 2 miles from base with a free town shuttle.
Best for: the best kitchen plus pool combination in town. If you’re cooking most meals and want somewhere for the kids to swim after lessons.
Check price and availability for Beaver Village!
Best Western Alpenglo Lodge – Free hot breakfast before hitting the slopes. Microwave and fridge in room, but no kitchen. Large hot tub, located downtown on the free community shuttle route.
Best for: a predictable, brand-name budget hotel where breakfast is handled.
Check price and availability for Best Western Alpenglo Lodge!
Valley Hi Hotel – Cheapest of the group. 450sq ft rooms which is the biggest hotel room in the Fraser Valley. Free continental breakfast, a hot tub, and pet friendly. Walk to restaurants or the Fraser River Trail. Located on the free shuttle route, 2 miles from the resort.
Best for: The cheapest reliable roof that still gives you room to spread out.
Check price and availability for Valley Hi Hotel!
Winter Park Chateau– A 10 room boutique property makes for a quiet and uncrowded lobby. Guest laundry facility on site and an outdoor hot tub with a view deck.
Best for: Families that prefer a quiet place with character.
Check price and availability for Winter Park Chateau!
Silverado II Resort – Full kitchens, indoor heated pool open year round, hot tubs, sauna, game room with arcade. Another perk is it has interior walkways from covered parking to the amenities so you never have to walk out in the cold. Located on the Lift’s free route, 3 miles from the ski resort.
Best for: bad weather and kids who need to burn energy indoors. The arcade and interior access make it the most forgiving option when plans fall apart.
Check price and availability for Silverado II Resort!
Fraser
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Fraser – Indoor heated pool and hot tub. Free hot breakfast. One bedroom suites with a private bedroom plus sleeper sofa making it a nice set up with a baby. The Lift stops at the front door so free rides to downtown and the ski area. Located 4 miles from the resort.
Best for: Booking with Chase credit card points. the most reliable family stay down-valley. Pool, breakfast, a door between you and the kids, and a shuttle outside — nothing to figure out.
Check price and availability for Holiday In Express & Suites Fraser!
Twin Rivers Condominiums – Full kitchens and the only 3 bedroom option in Fraser. Can sleep up to 8 people. Has a BBQ and recreation area, fireplace and private balconies.
Best for: families that need 3 bedrooms.
Check price and availability for Twin Rivers Condominiums!
Fraser is the biggest savings and the longest commute. The Lift’s eight winter routes run 7:30am to 2am, so it works – but it’s a bus every morning, and that’s the trade you’re making.
Enjoy your Winter Park Ski Trip
Our bottom line recommendations. If it’s your first trip with kids under 5 years old, we’d book Zephyr Mountain Lodge. The most practical with a toddler is Fraser Crossing / Founders Pointe. If you’re looking for the best value with a pool your answer is Beaver Village Condominiums. The simplest option with nothing to figure out, or booking with credit card points is the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Fraser. Valley Hi Hotel is the cheapest that still works. Looking for one room for the entire family, your answer is Gravity Haus Winter Park, or if you’re traveling with another family book Twin Rivers Condominiums.
That concludes our guide to where to stay in Winter Park for a ski trip with kids. If you’re still not convinced Winter Park Ski Resort is the right resort for your family check out our complete comparison of 16 Colorado ski resorts for families.
Don’t forget your ski gear. Skiing with kids requires a lot of equipment and being unprepared could spoil your trip. Our kids ski essentials, warmest base layers and ski school packing list will help you come prepared for a great time.
Whatever place to stay your family chooses, we hope you have a wonderful ski trip with kids! These are the hard years but just imagine, in a few years you’ll be ripping blacks with your kids. Our oldest was skiing blues by age 3 and blacks by age 4!
