The Spread:
Beaver Creek has world-class spas, five-star lodging and dining, and the ambience of a secluded European mountain village. Situated in a narrow alpine valley surrounded by awe-inspiring Rocky Mountain peaks, Beaver Creek, like Vail, its sister resort eight miles east, is a four-season playground. Convenient to Denver, two and a half hours away by car, and to the nearby Vail/Eagle County Airport, Beaver Creek attracts an upscale, often international crowd.

The 274-room Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, one of the resort's most family-oriented hotels, offers Camp Hyatt for ages three to 12 in summer. The hotel has pools, hot tubs, and activities such as story time around the firepit in the evenings. Another good bet for families: the 180-unit Charter at Beaver Creek, which offers lodge rooms to five-bedroom condos, and is situated off the golf course.

Why Families Love It:
Beaver Creek offers childcare for kids as young as two months, plus it has several camps for ages five to 14 (9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays). At Discovery Camp ($90 per day), ages five to seven pan for gold, go on pony rides, and tour Vail's Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, an educational botanic garden of high-mountain flora. Adventure Camp ($95), for ages eight to 14 includes rock climbing, swimming, zipping down the alpine slide, and some nighttime events, while 5-Star Camp offers a variety of activities from river rafting to jeep tours (ages five to 14, some restrictions apply; $95).

Families can take horseback rides, hike, mountain-bike, play golf, and go kayaking or rafting nearby. If you like fly-fishing or want to learn, there are several outfitters who can help and plenty of crafty Colorado trout to test your skills. Up on Adventure Ridge, a gondola ride from the village, families can try disc golf, horseshoes, croquet, orienteering, and laser tag—or just take in the awesome views while having lunch.

Special Events & Activities:
The place to be on Thursday nights is the Beaver Creek Summer Rodeo with bull riding, bareback bronco riding, team roping, barrel racing, and mutton bustin' (young cowpokes up against sheep).