In addition to the hotels and resorts noted below, families can turn to the central reservations department at the Breckenridge Resort Chamber at 311 South Ridge Street, Breckenridge, Colorado 80424 or their last-minute specials site at www.gobrecknow.com .

Great Western Lodging
322B N. Main Street, P.O. Box 3355
Breckenridge, Colorado 80424
(970/453-1009, 888/333-4535)
This is a locally run management company with condos and vacation homes around town. We liked The Corral, a circular condo complex near Peak 9 that faced the mountain on one side and the town’s ice skating arena on the other. Conveniently located on the shuttle route, it was quiet and cozy. The two bedrooms (one with small twin beds) and two baths were filled with moose-themed paraphernalia and knickknacks. The living area had two queen sofabeds and a big stocked kitchen. Common amenities included ski lockers on the ground floor, our own washer/dryer with detergent provided, no pool, but an exterior hot tub that we didn’t see until checkout. Great Western’s staff was efficient and pleasant and rates are competitive. One-bedroom units around town range all the way from $ per night in summer to $$$$ over the Christmas holidays, when Breck rates peak.

Beaver Run Resort
620 Village Road
Breckenridge, Colorado 80424
(800/265-3560; 970/453-6000)
This complex is a totally different style hotel, located on the edge of the slopes near the main Peak 9 base and Beaver Run Superchair. It's a very large and unattractive concrete block, but it houses convention space and has the greatest number of accommodations, ranging from hotel rooms to studios and larger suites, with kitchens. All underwent a major renovation prior to the 2007-2008 ski season. Amenities include massage treatments, sauna and steam rooms, indoor and outdoor pools, eight hot tubs, an exercise room and a tennis court, video arcade, and miniature golf. There is a convenience store, two restaurants, a café and a lounge as well as laundry service, in-room games and movies. Jeep rentals are available.

In summer, the resort’s Kid's Day Off for children ages 5-12 keeps kids entertained from 9am-5pm with locally inspired activities including gold panning, swimming, the Alpine Super Slide, trips to museums, chair lift rides, and arts and crafts. Treasure hunts, miniature golf and other activities occur during the year-round Kid's Night Out, which runs from 6-9pm, with dinner included. The private daycare concession, KinderHut, has a nice outdoor playground and a trained childcare staff available for infants and toddlers from 6-weeks to 2½-years, for half or full days. In winter, KinderHut provides ski instruction and equipment for children 2½ to 6-years-old right, right outside the hotel's windows.

Grand Timber Lodge
75 Snowflake Drive
Breckenridge, Colorado 80424
(888/783-8883, 970/547-5003)
The wooded Grand Timber is located right between Base 8 and 9 and it has a little more of the mountain style that Beaver Run lacks. Accommodations range from studios to three-bedroom units with cooking facilities and other features such as washer/dryers. There is a Victorian Spa and Day Salon, and well-equipped exercise rooms and exercise classes. Children’s facilities include indoor and outdoor pools, a kiddie pool and kiddie water playground, as well as regular outdoor playground. Grand Timber’s activities director schedules weekly events for resort guests. Activities just for the kids include the weekly Kids' Fest, featuring arts and crafts, movies, games, and pizza. For all other needs, Grand Timber Lodge has a general store, Lodgepole Bar and Grill restaurant, a video arcade, video rentals, babysitting for a fee and a games room.

Mountain Thunder Lodge
50 Mountain Thunder Drive
Breckenridge, Colorado 80424
(888/400-9590)
Mountain Thunder, a Vail Resorts property, is nestled in dense woods, about a five-minute walk from town. The dark wood lodge's grand lobby is a focal point of socializing, with card games and board games laid out near the fireplace. Here too, you can find studios to three-bedroom units with kitchens, individual fireplaces and high-speed Internet access, each decorated in a style befitting its condominium owner. The newest units are at the base of Peak 8; these are luxury condos built in townhouse fashion, ideal for larger families and reunion groups. Among the common facilities, there is a child's play area, exercise facilities, and indoor and outdoor pools. Call in advance to arrange for crib rental, childcare and babysitting services.

The Village at Breckenridge Resort
Breckenridge, Colorado 80424
(800/579-6517, 970/547-5725)
Situated at the base of Breckenridge Ski Resort, The Village is centrally located and offers attractive hotel rooms, studios and vacation homes as large as three-bedroom Chateau suites. Like Mountain Thunder, it is a Vail Resorts property and can be booked like their nearly 600 other rooms in town, through Breckenridge Hospitality. For exercise and entertainment, this resort has indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs, exercise facilities, a fly-fishing school, paddle boating on Maggie Pond in summer, and an arcade. For leisure, the resort offers spa and massage treatments, video and DVD rentals, a restaurant, gift shops and laundry services. In winter, this complex hosts The Village Childcare Center; cribs are available upon advance request.