Face it, The days of family Scrabble in front of the condo fireplace went the way of rear-entry boots in the '80s. Nowadays, ski towns woo the underage set with an inflating menu of après-ski adventures meant to engage all ages and interests. So close the dictionary. Here's a sampling of the post-slope options.
Okemo, Vt.: RAMPAGE TEEN CENTER
Where 106 Main St. in Ludlow, a mile from the resort; 802-228-2400
Diversions Ride the indoor skate park's halfpipe and bowl, which one teenage blogger on the center's website officially calls "rad." Also, play basketball, volleyball, dodgeball, Ping-Pong, pool or air hockey-or kick back on Movie Night-from 2 to 4 p.m. weekdays and 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Fridays.
Best for Ages 10-18
Allowance damage None. It's free.
Bonus A DJ or live band rocks the house from 8 to 11 p.m. on Saturdays, and 13- to 18-year-olds can dance the night away for a $5 cover.
Park City, Utah: GORGOZA PARK
Where Five minutes west of Park City along Interstate 80; 435-658-2648
Diversions Gorgoza is a tubing resort, with three lifts to take you up and seven lanes to whisk you back down-including short rollers for beginners and steeper, speedy runways for "advanced tubing." (A new Olympic sport, perhaps?) The park is lighted and open until 8 p.m.
Best for Ages 3 and up
Allowance damage Not bad: Two-hour sessions are $19 (7 and up) and $10 (3-6).
Bonus Let the kids do the driving. For $9, unlicensed 5- to 12-year-olds can legally rip a half-dozen laps around the Gorgoza track on mini snowmobiles.
Vail, Colo.: ADVENTURE RIDGE
Where At the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola on Lionshead; 970-476-9090
Diversions Don a headlamp for an evening ride on a "ski bike" (a bike frame mounted on skis); race on a snowmobile-regular or pint-sized; snowshoe, ice skate, play laser tag or hit the multilane tubing hill. Open Tuesday-Saturday until 9 p.m.
Best for Ages 5 and up
Allowance damage Ouch. It's $18 for tubing; $62 for ski biking; $18 for snowmobiling; $10 for laser tag; $8 for ice skating; and $10 for the trampoline. Choose wisely.
Bonus The Night Owl program ($60). Kids 7 and up get dinner and a chaperone; mom and dad get a quiet night in town.
Squaw Valley, Calif.: HIGH CAMP
Where Midmountain at Squaw Valley, at the top of the cable car; 530-581-7246
Diversions Grab some skates and take a twirl around the enormous Olympic Ice Pavilion (elevation 8,200 feet) or nightski on a 3.2-mile run. The Riviera halfpipe and terrain park are lighted, too. Open until 9 p.m.
Best for All ages
Allowance damage Minimal. The cable car ride and nightskiing are free with your lift ticket, and ice skating is $9.
Bonus Conquer your acrophobia on Headwall, a 30-foot indoor climbing wall ($14) or on the Sky Jump ($10), a bungee-trampoline that hurls you up and away.
FEBRUARY 2005
