Nestled at the base, just 200 yards from the gondola, ski village shops and restaurants, The Lodge at Steamboat makes an ideal home base for fans of all things outdoorsy. Keep stashes of hand warmers, clementines and protein bars near the front door for pocket-stuffing on the way out – after you do one last helmet/goggle/glove check. Onsite ski storage keeps your living space blissfully free of dripping gear, and the clubhouse offers a comfortable place to kick back with a book or tablet. A daily stop at the indoor or outdoor hot tubs is non-negotiable as far as the kids are concerned, but there’s plenty of time for après ski drinks before you go. Planning a summertime stay? You’ll have access to a few additional perks, like tennis courts, BBQ grills and the outdoor pool – assuming you can rally after hiking and biking all day.

Individually decorated one- to three-bedroom vacation condos are all equipped with private balconies, and cozy living areas with gas fireplaces ready at the flip of a switch. Full kitchens invite you to work your breakfast magic, flipping omelets or making a cinnamon-sugary french toast bake drizzled with syrup. Overslept? No worries, Plan B is on standby. You’ll find complimentary coffee and doughnuts ready for you in the lobby. Grab as much as you can balance along with your gear (and the kids’) on your way to the guest shuttle. Spacious living rooms give you plenty of room to spread out board games or construct an elaborate blanket fort for movie night. And the housekeeping crew does a light run-through every other day, leaving you with more time for the hot tub or tennis courts, depending on the season.

In addition to the seasonal private shuttle, you’re right on the free city bus route – a great way to get to downtown Steamboat Springs for dinner or boutique and gallery browsing. (Ask the concierge for insider tips on local hot spots.) Across the Yampa River, you’ll find Howelsen Hill, home to dozens of winter Olympians and the only ski area listed on the Colorado State Register of Historic Places. Today, it’s open year-round for winter snow tubing and summer rides down The Howler Alpine Slide, a speedy, 2,400-foot run of banks and turns. Got a crew of golfers? Play the Keith Foster designed Haymaker course, with its gorgeous, uninterrupted vistas in every direction. Get your steps in with a walking cart or golf bike, then afterward, reward yourselves with burgers from the Patio Grill. (Grab a table on the terrace if you can.)