Monarch Mountain is a great place to ski/snowboard and is super family friendly! They also have a tubing hill or just a great place to have lunch and enjoy some spectacular views of the mountains!
We know that not all of our friends and family enjoy the cold, so enjoy the heat instead at on of Colorado's most beautiful hot springs resorts - we love a good hot spring soak after a day of skiing or snowshoeing in the cold. Around Mt. Princeton there are plenty of great hikes to view the Chalk Cliffs on the south east face of the mountain and you can drive (weather permitting) snowshoe, snow mobile or cross country ski to the site of the St. Elmo Ghost Town ~10 miles up Chalk Creek Canyon from the Mt. Princeton hot springs site. "At Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort, you can soak in our hot springs while enjoying breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Our pools range in temperature from 70 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing you to choose the perfect level of heat to unwind and relax."
Hike along the CDT/CT! There is plenty of hiking around Salida and off of Monarch Pass. The most accessible is to the Monarch Crest Overlook, a 3 mile round trip hike that climbs ~600 feet up from Monarch Pass to one of the most spectacular views in CO with 360° views of 5 of our state's major mountain ranges! This hike starts on the pass at 11,400' and climbs up to just below 12,000' above sea level so make no mistake that it is tough - but if you are feeling acclimated and up for a challenge it is totally worth it!
Here are some additional resources for fun ways to explore this amazing area in the winter!