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Most ski resorts now offer a variety of activities for children and families, but how many can say they were designed for families and children? Colorado's Silver Creek Resort enters its sixteenth season with a focus on learning and on families.

Parents will appreciate Silver Creek's central base area. It's easy to keep track of the family or group since all lifts emanate from one central area. Family members of different ages and skiing abilities can easily stay in touch throughout the day and all end up at the same place. Beepers are available for rent at the resort's Sterling Base Lodge.

Silver Creek caters to children with its ongoing special events. Children and adults together can take part in Ski with Santa days and the New Year's Eve skiing torchlight parade, followed by a fireworks display. Bring the family to the slopes for tours and races on Family FunDay Sundays, each Sunday in January. For alternative activity while on the slopes, five railroad-theme parks are open to youngsters age 14 and under. When parents want an evening break, they can enroll their children in the Sterling Base Lodge After Hours Program on Fridays and Saturdays. Children will be supervised and entertained with activities and events that include movies and games for no charge.

In conjunction with nearby YMCA of the Rockies/Snow Mountain Ranch, children nine years of age and older can participate in Education Adventure Programs. These programs are designed to introduce kids to the wonderful world of winter through sports and nature appreciation. Activities include alpine and cross country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, winter outdoor survival, team and confidence building exercises, winter ecology, and an indoor climbing wall. Programs last one to two days and are available on a first come, first serve basis mid-week only in January and February.

For younger children, six months to eight-years-old, Silver Creek operates a Children's Center. At the Children's Center, little ones will have fun and parents can put their minds at ease. Located in the Sterling Base Lodge, the Children's Center is open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Childcare is available during night operations, but by reservation only. Silver Creek throws in ice cream and pizza parties, movie nights, magic shows, lollipop races, mini-slalom races, and visits from BoJo the Bear. Be assured that the staff is professional, friendly and provides safe and attentive care.

Off Slope Activities Give Skiers the Choice

Statistics show that people on a ski vacation want at least one or two days off the slopes. So what's there to do?

"A lot," says Stephanie Carey, director of marketing and public relations for Silver Creek Resort.

Silver Creek, known for personalized guest attention and value prices, provides off-slope activities ranging from cross country skiing to dog sled racing and racquetball. The resort's small size easily allows one member of a group to participate in a non-skiing activity while others ski. Activities include winter horseback rides, ice skating, tubing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and swimming. More restful activities include horse-drawn sleigh rides that include hot chocolate or dinner at a rustic barn, hot-air ballooning, and watching the increasingly popular sport of dog sled races at nearby Lake Granby.

Snow Mountain Ranch/YMCA of the Rockies is located only four miles from Silver Creek via a free shuttle ride. Visitors can inline skate, swim, play basketball and volleyball, and use the library. The cost per day to participate in any or all of these activities is only $3/person. An indoor climbing wall is also available. For those who want to stay on the snow, Snow Mountain Ranch offers inexpensive snowshoe tours and a half-day winter survival course.

For a truly warm experience in the middle of winter, Silver Creek guests can head to the newly remodeled Hot Sulfur Springs Resort, just 11 miles away. Soak in the springs where the Ute Indians once came for healing, then pamper yourself with massages, facials and herbal body wraps.

Silver Creek guests can choose from a variety of on and offsite restaurants. Paul's Creekside Grill, located in the Inn at Silver Creek, offers a California bistro-style menu at moderate prices. The Silver Spills Lounge at the Sterling Base Lodge offers daily lunch and dinner specials, and features live music on the weekends. Nearby Winter Park, Granby and Grand Lake offer abundant shopping, as well as additional restaurants and nightlife.

Don't Ski? Don't Worry

If you enjoy winter vacations to Colorado's Rocky Mountains, but find yourself tired of being left behind at the condo or base lodge while the rest of your family or group slide their way down the slopes, then Silver Creek Resort has a variety of options that don't require strapping on a pair of skis or a snowboard.

Snowbiking, introduced to North America by Silver Creek in 1995, is an excellent way to take your sliding sitting down. It requires some balance, but is a quick-to-learn and easy way to enjoy the snow. One simply steps into ski boots that attach to "mini" skis. The bike is seated low and has runners in place of tires, and one simply turns the handle bars up-slope to stop.

Salamon Snowblades are another on slope alternative to skiing and snowboarding. Snowblades are short, fat skis that go on both feet and are easy to maneuver. Sound too good to be true? Try them for free at Silver Creek on Salomon Snowblade Demo Day, December 29, 1998.

If snowbikes and snowblades are not your thing, Silver Creek offers 40km of cross country skiing and snowshoeing trails at no charge. This is a peaceful alternative that affords spectacular views of the Continental Divide, Rocky Mountain National Park and various forms of wildlife. A lift ride to the trails costs only five dollars.

At night try tubing under the lights, or a dinner sleigh ride with Silver Creek Outfitters. Rental of all equipment is available at the Sterling Base Lodge. Childcare, dining facilities and live entertainment are also available.

Silver Creek is committed to the advancement of snow sports for all ages, family members, ability levels and interests. The resort is located 78 miles northwest of Denver on U.S. Highway 40. For more information call 888-283-7458 or visit Silver Creek's website at www.silvercreek-resort.com.