kids' vacation center

My child hadn't skied in a few years, and hadn't done much before that, so she was intimidated about ski school (and skiing in general). She started in group 1, since she couldn't remember anything much, but she quickly advanced, and went from timid and a bit frightened to tackling easy blue runs in a week's time. The teachers make it fun. Rob was her favorite instructor. She wasn't wild about the food, though. ;-)

I have to base my review on how happy my 5 yo daughter was to go each day! Her first day she was a little reluctant to go. One of the workers met us at the door and went ahead and put her ski boots on her. She had her name taped to everything she owned and emergency contact numbers zip-tied to her jacket. They have a HUGE room behind the counter where the kids go until it is time to start class. Same room to eat in. She has skied for 1 week for the past 2 years at the Canyons. She ended the year last year on the Green Slope. I was a little reluctant to start her out at that level so she spent her first day on the Magic Carpet and remembering what she had learned. When I got there to pick her up, she was crying and her instructor said she had a great day until she started missing me after lunch! My husband and I are not above bribery so took her to a t-shirt/gift shop and let her look at the toys and told her she could pick one out ($10 limit - Yes, they actually had some little stuffed animals for $10!) each day that she had a good day. So when we arrived the next AM, we stopped by the store to let her look again and pick which one she thought she would get. There was a ski repair shop next door. One of the workers had a yellow lab (Zeza?) who became her good luck charm. Sarah would stop in every morning and love on her for good luck and stop every afternoon and tell her how she did! By Day 5, they had her skiing greens and "bumpy blues". Not sure what that meant! My husband wanted her to ski with us the last day. I had asked the instructor what runs she could do. But it was a HUGE mistake. There was a little bit of powder on top of spots of sheets of ice and she got scared. After a long lunch we took the service road trail all the way down. She regained confidence but I think she would have been much happier if she had stayed in ski school that day! She did say that she liked the lunch each day. She was able to draw pictures each AM before skiing and she loves doing that. She had the same teacher for 2 1/2 days and really seemed to progress with him, but I never could read his name on the report card so I cant give him a shout out. So other than the 1st day, she was excited about going and always smiling when I picked her up and she made friends while she was skiing that she had a great time with! Oh, one side note. Sharpshooters makes pictures of the kids each day. I wish they would work something out so that you could compare all the photos at the end of the week and pick the best. I bought the first one and saw one later that I wished I could have switched it out for but they told me company policy wouldn't allow it. I realize that is Sharpshooters and not KVC, but maybe they could put their big foot down and come up with a better way of doing it.

My six year old had "the best day" at adventure vacation camp this week. While he only went one day he begged to go again! It was great for him to go do age appropriate activities with kids his own age while I had some adult time. I had no trouble booking him in this camp and found it extremely organized. When we visit Steamboat Springs again we will come here! Thank you AVC.

We used KVC last year when our daughter was barely skiing. This year at 3.5 we put her in the Mavericks class. My husband wanted to put her in the 4yo class, but I fought it because she'd never skiied a long day before. She did so well in the morning that they bumped her up anyway. She had a blast and was an even better skier than we dropped her off. They were extremely organized and checked the skis (if you had your own) as you came in and had people helping you label everything. There was a playroom/lunchroom and our daughter loved every minute of her day here. I highly recommend it.

First the positive- Our son and daughter both really enjoyed their days in their respective ski programs. My son (age 3) was in the Palamino kids program for his first day on skis. The program is effectively a child care program, but they take the kids out for an hour and a half while the older kids are having lunch. Our son was one of two kids on the magic carpet with an instructor for most of his time on the snow. The instructor did a great job with him and he enjoyed his first time. Now for the negatives - Steamboat's kids program is incredibly unorganized. This was our second time putting our daughter in the program and we had the same experience both times starting when we first called to sign up. We were passed around to no fewer than four people before someone could sign us up. We were sent to three different places when we dropped our son off (and filled out the same paperwork twice). The 9:30 am drop off for the older kids at the red barn was a nightmare. Kids were everywhere and none of the instructors seemed to know what was going on. My wife and I came back a half hour later and our daughter was still sitting in the snow with her group in the midst of complete chaos. We then watched her get on the magic carpet by herself, start downhill and fall about halfway down. She lay in the snow for five minutes while instructors passed by her. Someone finally stopped and helped her get down. She got back in line (still no instructor), and went back up the carpet twice more before her instructor(different from the one we dropped her off with) tracked her down and gathered the group to start the lesson. We ended up behind her original instructor in the lift line later that day when one of his kids FELL OFF THE CHAIRLIFT! One of the most horrifying things I have seen, but luckily the child didn't appear to be hurt. We were also disappointed that Steamboat does not appear to have any method in place to ensure that only their parents pick them up. The entire check in and check out process is very informal and it appears that anyone could pick up your child. We love Steamboat but will not be putting our kids back in ski school.

My husband and I chose Steamboat Springs, CO for our four-year-old son to learn to ski because of the resort's premier ski school for kids. We enrolled our son in the Sundance Kids program at Kids' Vacation Center and were very pleased with the results. The staff is friendly and helpful. At the end of each day's instruction when you pick up your child(ren), the instructor for your child(ren) briefly discusses how they did and how their day went. We found this feeback helpful and encouraging. We assumed our son who has never skied would know how to use the lifts and be able to ski with us after three days of lessons. That was not the case so we opted to enroll him for a fourth day. That fourth day was the key for him. By Friday (our fifth day skiing), he was fearless and proficient in his skiing with us on several green runs. (Tip: If you haven't skied with little kids before, as we had not, purchase a "Lucky Bums" harness for them. This harness helps an adult pick up their child so they can sit on the ski lifts, whose seats are too high for kids to sit down. We will have this device with us for next year's trip.) I also recommend you book your child(ren)'s sessions online in advance to save money on those sessions. We are so glad we enrolled our son at Kids' Vacation Center for skiing - he is anxiously awaiting our return trip to ski at Steamboat Springs next year!

We had heard this was one of the best ski schools in the world and we weren't disappointed, our kids aged 5 & 6 had a great time.

We put our daughter in the KVC for one day so we could enjoy the mountain and ski. She did miss us alot they said but when we picked her up she was all smiles. They gave us a note about her day and what she ate I really appreciated that. Also the children get to take a ride on the Gondola and due to the weather my daughter didn't get to while there but they gave her a pass and I was able to take her on the Gondola which she "loved the ride". They did tell me that they did a 1 teacher to 4 child ratio which was nice and explains why child care there cost so much. The rate for child care only was $129 per day.

Our children loved ski school here (5 full days each ages 3 and 5) - teachers were fun, enthusiastic, supportive, caring and great at teaching little kids - even whiney, tired, cold little kids. Our kids particularly liked the daily trip up the gondola - they give them plenty of rest break according to age and ability. Our 5 year old went from total beginner to intermediate in 5 days so the instruction is clearly excellent! It's expensive, but it includes their lift ticket - so you can take them skiing afterwards if they still have the energy. You have nothing to worry about leaving your children in the quite capable hands of this program.

They had a New Year's Eve program for kids which allowed parents to enjoy a night out while they kept the kids safe and entertained. First they took the kids outside to watch the New Year's Eve torch parade and fireworks. Then they took the gondola up and the kids had a sleigh ride. My kids had a good time and the staff was super friendly. My husband and I had a fun time out while knowing that the kids were safe and having fun.

The staff was great with my 4 year old. I felt completely comfortable leaving him in their hands. He had fun and even got a nap in! And I got to ski ALL day!

My 5 year old son had never been on skis. We have hardly had snow in the last couple of years. We put him in a 6 hr class and were very content with the supervision and care. They have a great system set up for getting the kids outside but providing breaks, lunch and a gondola trip. My wife and I were able to have fun and check on him when we wanted to watch his fun as well. I would recommend this for at least an afternoon or consecutive days if you really want your child to learn. The number of instructors was great too.

I ski almost every day which puts me on the Gondola with young kids heading to the top with their parents or their instructors. I hear these young kids begging their parents to let them go to ski school because it is so much fun - much more fun than skiing with mom and dad. Or the kids joking with their instructor. Great to hear. No wonder we are ranked # 1 for Kids Ski Schools.

they are very accommodating and instructors are very nice and professional. check in is quick and efficient. It is pricey, but our kids always have a good time.

The KVC is excellent .. they really look after the kids well, they have fun and dont feel neglected.