The most up-to-date information for the Roaring Fork Valley

Summer: Anderson Ranch Arts Center offers full day art camps and half-day workshops for children throughout the summer. Available for ages 4 -17, kids are encouraged to explore their inherent creativity, experiment and have fun through making art. (970) 923-3181 or www.andersonranch.org
Winter: Anderson Ranch Arts Center offers half-day .winter workshops for kids and families on selected Saturdays, and weeklong full day art camps and half-day workshops for children throughout the summer. Available for ages 4 -17, kids are encouraged to explore their inherent creativity, experiment and have fun through making art. (970) 923-3181 or www.andersonranch.org

Summer: Aspen Art Museum offers a wide variety of fun and engaging hands-on, contemporary art-based summer workshops for children ages 4-14. Classes run from June 11 - August 17. Visit www.aspenartmuseum.org/workshops.html
Winter: Aspen Art Museum winter workshops are designed for children ages 4 to 10. Under the guidance of professional artists and educators, children develop artistic skills and expand their understanding of contemporary art through fun, hands-on projects, performances, group discussions, and off-site excursions. Class sizes are limited to 12 per class so early registration is encouraged. Details and enrollment at www.aspenartmuseum.org/workshops.html

Summer: ACES Kids and Adult summer classes are available now for online registration. Visit www.aspennature.org to sign up for a summer full of fun with ACES! Space is limited and filling fast, register today! ACES has something for everyone in the summer time! Visit the Hallam Lake Nature Preserve, a wild place in the heart of Aspen, featuring an environmental learning center, resident birds of prey, an indoor trout stream, self-guided trail, bird watching, and a naturalist on site to answer questions. Stop in to Rock Bottom Ranch, ACES mid-valley location for daily farm and garden tours. Throughout the summer ACES offers various programs for children and adults, as well as free naturalist-guided walks at Aspen Mountain, at the Maroon Bells and in Snowmass, including a Snowmass Ice Age Discovery Hike! Experience our popular Green World Day Hike, offered daily with lunch at the Pine Creek Cookhouse, or, hire a guide for an ACES adventure on your own time.
Winter: During the winter, daily programs include naturalist-guided snowshoe tours on top of Aspen Mountain, at Snowmass and at Ashcroft; naturalist-guided ski tours at Snowmass; Friday evening snowshoe tours at Snowmass; and weekly slideshows where local adventurers share tales from abroad and regional experts teach on naturalist topics. The Hallam Lake nature center in Aspen is open Monday through Friday from 9am-5pm where visitors can enjoy snowshoe walks and bird watching in the heart of downtown Aspen. Photo: ACES Staff.

Aspen Music Festival and School offers free programs to introduce your children to the joys of classical music. Age- appropriate experiences include Peanut Butter and Jam (ages 2-6), Gotta Move! (ages 2-7 with a parent), Tunes and Tales (ages 4-9), and Baby Got Bach (ages 3-6 with a parent). Also note that children ages 3-12 can attend any regular AMFS performance for just $5. For more information, call (970) 205-5027 or visit www.aspenmusicfestival.com.

Gourmet Girl on the Go offers hands-on cooking classes for kids - perfect for birthday parties. Their 2 1/2 hour classes are designed to give aspiring junior chefs, age 7 and up, a fun & interactive experience, filled with lots of learning opportunities. In addition to having fun - they'll be learning teamwork, math and exercising their creativity - kids love eating the creations they made. Reserve online or call them. Choose from a private or scheduled class with a wide variety of kid friendly menus.

Pitkin County Library offers programs and resources for all ages. Ongoing events include story-times for children, a teen’s club, and an adult book club. Special programs, from tech classes and book signings to movie nights are offered throughout the year. Visitors may apply for a temporary library card to access books, audio-books, DVDs, music CDs, and the online reference collection as well as to use our free public computers or wireless Internet. Visit www.pitcolib.org for an updated calendar of events.

Stop by Rock Bottom Ranch for a day full of hands-on fun! RBR is located along the Rio Grande Trail, just outside of Basalt, along the banks of the Roaring Fork River at the end of Hooks Spur Rd. off of Willits Lane. This sustainable farm is complete with community gardens and a variety of farm animals. Stop by for a free farmyard tour offered at 11am and visit the chickens, goats, pigs and ducks. Programs are available for adults and children year round. Rock Bottom Ranch is open during the summer Monday-Saturday, 9am-5pm and during the winter Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.

Theatre Aspen School offers family programming by and for kids with their Winter Teen Conservatory production of the Tony Award-winning The Drowsy Chaperone! The hilarious Broadway musical comedy plays January 10 through 13, 2013 at the Aspen School District Theatre. Full of unprecedented originality, The Drowsy Chaperone boldly addresses a great unspoken desire in all of our hearts: to be entertained. It all begins when a die-hard musical-theater fan plays his favorite cast album on his turntable, and the musical literally bursts to life in his living room; a tale of a brazen Broadway starlet trying to find, and keep, her true love. Directed by Graham Northrup, Theatre Aspen Director of Education.Theatre Aspen School also presents the Disney timeless classic The Little Mermaid, playing for 4 performances April 18-20 at the Wheeler Opera House. Based on the famous film, The Little Mermaid takes place in a magical kingdom beneath the sea. A beautiful young mermaid named Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. But first, she'll have to defy her father - the king of the sea, escape the clutches of an evil sea witch and convince a prince that she's the girl with the perfect voice. Participation is by audition or recommendation for children ages 10-14.

Balloon the Rockies! with the area's only locally owned and operated ballooning company. Spectacular sunrise views of the Rocky Mountains and wildlife. A wonderful family adventure. Kids love to participate and watch the balloon inflate.

Summer: Learn to fish on beaver ponds with fishing lessons in Ashcroft. The ghost town of Ashcroft also has a resident ghost to help explore the Old West. Take a guided hike on nature trails and enjoy a kid-friendly meal at the Pine Creek Cookhouse. Rustic wagon rides are available by advance reservation. (970) 925-1044 or visit www.pinecreekcookhouse.com
Winter: Ashcroft is the premiere cross-country area in the nation with miles of groomed trails. The towering 14,000-foot peaks of the Elk Mountains surround this pristine valley. Spectacular ski terrain offers something for the whole family. Snowshoe, ski, or sleigh to the beautifully renovated Pine Creek Cookhouse for lunch or dinner. Reserve the Star Peak Cabin, a luxury 5 bedroom log lodge for the ultimate family overnight backcountry adventure. Reservations required, phone (970) 925-1044. Phone the King Cabin for information on rentals and lessons, (970) 925-1971.

Summer: ACES Kids and Adult summer classes are available now for online registration. Visit www.aspennature.org to sign up for a summer full of fun with ACES! Space is limited and filling fast, register today! ACES is abuzz with children’s' voices and laughter during the summer months. Don't let your child miss out on this exciting, fun, and educational opportunity to experience and learn about the natural world! Classes are offered throughout the summer at the Hallam Lake Nature Preserve and Rock Bottom Ranch. Photo: ACES Staff
Winter: During the winter, daily programs include naturalist-guided snowshoe tours on top of Aspen Mountain, at Snowmass and at Ashcroft; naturalist-guided ski tours at Snowmass; Friday evening snowshoe tours at Snowmass; and weekly slideshows where local adventurers share tales from abroad and regional experts teach on naturalist topics. The Hallam Lake nature center is open Monday through Friday from 9am-5pm where visitors can enjoy snowshoe walks and bird watching in the heart of downtown Aspen. Check their website for school break classes for kids! Photo: ACES Staff

On the tracks of the free Aspen/Snowmass Nordic Trail system, the Aspen Cross Country Center offers a full range of ski school programs, guided cross-country ski and snowshoe tours, retail shop, rentals and a comfortable indoor meeting place. Located in the Pro Shop at the Aspen Golf Course. The ski school offers beginner to expert instruction in both classic and skate skiing. For group reservations, please contact Paul at Ute Mountaineer, (970) 925-2849.

The Aspen Recreation Center is fun for the whole family! There is no better way to warm up this winter than by taking a dip in the pool and lounging in the hot tub. Ice skating, a climbing tower and weight and cardio rooms are also available. Completing your trip is the ARC’s Winter Wonderland – outdoor ice skating, sledding and cross-country ski trails. Visit www.aspenrecreation.com or call (970) 544-4100 for more information. Photo by Alex Irvin.

Summer: Summer classes and programs include soccer, volleyball, basketball, intramurals, gymnastics, day camps and much more! Enjoy fitness and wellness classes in aerobics, Pilates, Tae-Bo, yoga and more at the Red Brick Gym. Youth rock climbing classes are available on our 3,200-sq.ft. climbing wall. Take a private lesson with a trained professional and experienced instructor. We also offer tots gymnastics and a tot's playhouse for indoor playtime. Public ice-skating is offered at the Aspen Ice Garden and at the Lewis Ice Arena at the Aspen Recreation Center. The Aspen Recreation Department (Red Brick) is located at 110 East Hallam Street and Aspen Street off Main Street. (970) 544-4100 ARC (Aspen Recreation Center), (970) 920-5140 Red Brick, (970) 920-4117 Lewis Ice Arena (970) 920-5141 Aspen Ice Garden
Winter: Classes and programs include soccer, volleyball, basketball, intramurals, gymnastics and Winter Holiday Day Camp! Enjoy fitness and wellness classes in aerobics, Pilates, Tae-Bo, yoga and more at the Red Brick Gym. Youth rock climbing classes are available on their 3,200-sq./ft. climbing wall. Take a private lesson with a trained professional and experienced instructor. They also offer tots gymnastics and a tot's playhouse for indoor playtime. Public ice-skating is offered at the Aspen Ice Garden and Lewis Ice Arena (Aspen Recreation Center). Aspen Recreation Department (Red Brick) is located at 110 East Hallam Street, at Aspen Street just off Main Street. (970) 544-4100 ARC (Aspen Recreation Center), (970) 920-5140 Red Brick, (970) 920-4117 Lewis Ice Arena. (970) 920-5141 Aspen Ice Garden.

Aspen Whitewater Rafting is owned and operated by longtime local guides. Their professional staff has been guiding area rivers for over 25 years. They offer amazing whitewater rafting and inflatable kayak (ducky) adventures on both the Roaring Fork and Arkansas rivers. Aspen Whitewater provides an outstanding whitewater experience for individuals, families, and groups. They run a variety of river trips from mild class II / III trips, which are perfect for families, to class IV / V adventures for those looking for more excitement. They provide top-notch service, professional guides, new equipment, delicious riverside lunches, and all the gear needed for the river. Aspen Whitewater Rafting is a member of the Aspen Adventure Collection – for all your outdoor adventure needs. www.aspenadventurecollection.com - Rafting, Climbing, Hiking, Paragliding, Fishing, Biking. Phone (866)-37-RIVER or (970) 920-3511, or visit www.aspenwhitewater.com. Photo by Arkansas valley digital imaging

In addition to a variety of exciting cave tours, everyone can experience the thrill of the state's longest alpine coaster as it plummets 3400’ down the side of Iron Mountain. You’re in controrl of the speed, so go as fasst…or slow…as you’d like! For indoor fun kid's will love the 'Old West' shootout in our state-of-the-art laser tag arena. Then, take in Colorado's only 4D theater, combining thrill-ride action with digital animation...it's a wild sensory experience you'll never forget. There’s also a mountain-top restaurant where you can just relax by the fire and enjoy drop-dead views of Mt. Sopris along with the Roaring Fork and Colorado River Valleys. With their new Funday Pass, the scenic tram ride to the top along with unlimited turns on all 3 attractions is only $30! Add the cave tour for only $5 more! Call (800) 530-1635 or visit www.glenwoodcaverns.com for park hours and other information. Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is located midway between Aspen and Vail on I-70.

Glenwood Hot Springs, featuring the World’s Largest Hot Springs Pool, a three-hundred foot long swimming pool kept at 90 degrees all year long, and a therapy pool that relaxes muscles and relieves aches at 104 degree water. Bring your family and enjoy diving boards year round, and waterslides and mini golf during the warmer months. The two thrilling water slides get your blood flowing. The Green Amazon (min. height 48") and the Blue Comet (min. height 36") offers 300 feet of twists and turns, cascading more than 4 stories. There is a cold water kiddie pool for the younger ones. Spray-on tattoos and shaved ice are also a favorite. Fun for kids of all ages. Don't worry if you forgot your swimwear or sunscreen, because our Sports Shop has everything you need plus more. Bring your own cooler with food and beverages, or stop by the Poolside Grill to grab a bite. Come visit us at Colorado's premier hot springs.

The Kid’s Gym, at the Aspen Club & Spa offers an enjoyable supervised environment for the children for our guests to play in. You can enjoy a SpaAspen™ treatment in absolute relaxation while your children are cared for by responsible attendants in a fun and active play gym designed especially for children. The Aspen Club & Spa offers something for the whole family. Call for details about programs running today!

Aspen Ice Garden & Lewis Ice Arena at the ARC offer a variety of skating activities which is going to keep your child busy throuh out the whole season. The activities include public skating, skating lessons, figure skating, youth & adult hockey, group and private rink rentals, birthday parties and skating shows.

Snowmass Chapel wants to help families raise extraordinary kids. To promote that, they offer a number of different age specific youth educational experiences during their morning worship service. They reach high school students by gathering on the slopes, around a campfire, at community service projects and through fun, social activities. Many of their programs are completely non-religious in nature and simply designed to encourage and inspire families.

On the tracks of the Snowmass Club Golf Course, the Snowmass Cross Country Center offers a full range of ski school programs, guided cross-country ski and snowshoe tours, retail shop, rentals and a comfortable indoor meeting place. Located next to the Snowmass Club in Snowmass Village.

Summer: Snowmass Tourism offers a full season of activities, festivals and events for visitors of all ages. June 3-4, Chili Pepper and Brew Fest features International Chili Society Cook-offs, 50 microbreweries, live music with the Tedeschi Trucks Band and reggae with Black Uhuru. June 30-July 3, EMU-the Eco-musical Festival brings world renowned headlining bands to perform in a pioneering, carbon neutral festival. June 30-August 18, Snowmass Summer of Free Music Series - hear some of the country’s best rock, funk and Cajun music. July 23-24, Snowmass Culinary & Arts Festival brings foodies, wine connoisseurs, and art lovers together. August 12-14, Forty highly respected dealers participate in the Snowmass Antique Fair. The 36th Snowmass Balloon Festival September 16-18 is one of the highest-altitude balloon events in the country. www.snowmasstourism.com or call (800) SNOWMASS.
Winter: Winter in Snowmass is a season long, action packed adventure both on and off the slopes. From the free daily activities such as campfire sing-a-longs to the diverse 3,100 acres of massive mountain terrain, Snowmass Village boasts something for everyone. Don't miss the Treehouse Kids' Adventure Center, Sheer Bliss lift and new nightspots and restaurants. Season highlights range from holiday extravaganzas around Christmas, Mardi Gras and St. Paddy’s Day to the Colorado Free Ride Series, one of the foremost extreme skiing competitions (February and March) to weekly Friday Big Air competitions with some of the nation’s hottest athletics. Visit www.snowmassvillage.com to find out more.

Aspen’s premier snowmobiling tour operator. The T-Lazy-7 Ranch offers frequent two-hour snowmobile tours to the world-famous Maroon Bells as well as popular lunch tours to the Klondike Cabin. Hot refreshments are served at the Maroon Bells and lunch tours include naturally raised beef hamburgers. The Klondike Lunch Tour leaves twice a day and takes you to a small, cozy cabin offering stunning views of 14,000-ft. Pyramid Peak. No experience necessary. Call early for reservations. Closed on Sunday and Monday.

Summer: Explore the backcountry with a four-wheel-drive all-terrain vehicle, or with an off-road dirtbike motorcycle or side by side. Guide yourself with maps and outlines to popular destinations such as Marble, the Frying Pan, Redstone, Woody Creek or Independence Pass for a fun family adventure. Western Adventures supplies you with all you need for a scenic tour of your choice. Private lands are also available. You can pick up the vehicles at their yard (2” ball required) or rent a truck from them. Delivery available (some restrictions apply). Weekend service available by advance reservations. Closed on Saturday and Sunday. Contact Western Adventures at (970) 923-3337 for more information and reservations. Visa and Mastercard accepted.
Winter: Western Adventures offers snowmobile tours from Lenado, north of Aspen and Snowmass, to Kobey Park, one of Colorado's most scenic areas. Kobey Park has panoramic views of all four ski areas, the Maroon Bells, Pyramid, Capital, Daly and Sopris Peaks. Tours travel on miles of groomed trails with open parks available for some free ride time with a more customized feel. Daily "go on your own" rentals are also available. Tours have U.S.F.S. approval.

Known as The Fitness Hoop Coach, Betty entertains and instructs at outdoor and indoor kid's events. From conferences and weddings, to kids parties and classes, her energy is contagious. After she performs in the crowd, she stands by to coach all the excited guests. They learn how to hoop up and then try all the fun tricks. Betty holds 2 World Records and has appeared in Aspen Magazine, Hollywood Events and on Good Morning America. Try the Kids Hoop Jam to stomp, swim, jump and soar through rock and pop music. Betty has the ultimate hoop obstacle course & relays. Try Hoop Decorating where each child receives a durable properly sized hoop to decorate with fuzzy fabrics, rainbow colored tapes and 3-D stickers. Product Cost: $10-20 each hoop

Perfect for kid’s parties, conventions, and any time you need someone to keep the kids happy and entertained so the adults can relax! Many costumed clowns and characters available! Face Painting, Balloon Animals, Magic Shows, Kid’s Bounces, Specialty and Seasonal Acts, and more. Owner is Aspen native, Tammy Baar.

Summer: Aspen’s best selection of summer casual wear, camping equipment and shoes for all of your outdoor activities for the whole family. Six summer locations: In Snowmass Village at the Snowmass Mall (970) 923-6111 and Snowmass Center (970) 923-3566. In Aspen at 408 East Cooper Avenue (970) 925-6331; in the St. Regis Hotel at 303 East Durant Avenue (970) 925-6332; Aspen Gondola Plaza inside Starbucks coffee shop. 555 E. Durant (970) 925-1360.
Winter: It has over 3000 pairs of rental ski and snowboards. Rent and return at any location. Full service ski shop including custom boot fitting, Snowell ski/snowboard tune center, great children’s and adult ski wear from Obermeyer and Spyder at our concept shops. The North Face, Kjus, Nils, Marmot, Patagonia and many more. Group rates and multi-day rental discounts. Aspen: Gondola Plaza, Cooper Avenue Mall, St. Regis, Sky Hotel, Hyatt and The North Face Summit Shop, across from Aspen Sports. In Snowmass: Snowmass Mall (slopeside), Snowmass Outlet at Snowmass Center, Demo Center at Snowmass Base Village.