Keystone Resort’s Snowed In Festival. With snow in the forecast this weekend, the timing is perfect for a Keystone Snow Day! This festival January 11-21, 2013 will feature  movie nights, Kids Concerts, Kids Terrain Park Rail Jam and Slopestyle competition, Science Experiments, and much, much more. This is in addition to their already-fun Kidtopia, a veritable kid extravaganza where the Littles can explore the Snow Fort at the top of Dercum Mountain, dance to live music, enjoy the Ripperoo’s Village Parade at 4 p.m., marvel at the fireworks and enjoy free cookies at Dercum Square Ice Rink.  Be sure to go here for more information. 

National Western Stock Show. Yee-haw! From January 12-27, 2013, this 16-day show at the National Western Complex serves as an entertainment arena, hosting one of the world’s richest regular season professional rodeos, largest horse show and Colorado’s largest tradeshow.  Little ones will love checking out the more than 15,000 head of horses, cattle, sheep, swine, goats, llamas, alpacas, bison, yak, poultry and rabbits. Other family-friendly favorites include the Super Dogs, Mutton Bustin’, Mexican Rodeo,  petting farm, the Activity Pavilion with Stick Horse Rodeo, pony trails and more. Ticket prices vary for each event so be sure to go here for more pricing information and hours.

Free Days. On Friday, January 11 and Saturday, January 12 the Denver Zoo will host its first free days of 2013 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Also, be sure to bookmark Wednesday, January 23 for yet another free day at the zoo.

Denver Preschool Program Showcase. Looking for a preschool? Join up to 1,000 other Denver parents on January 12 as the Denver Preschool Program showcases up to 250 of its high-quality preschool classrooms available and assists Denver parents with the best selection for their preschoolers. The showcase at Tivoli Turnhalle (Auraria Campus) will also include workshops and resources for parents as they navigate the world of early childhood. The showcase will go from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; light refreshments will be served and family-friendly activities provided.

Denver REI’s Winter Trails Day at Echo Lake. Snow is no reason to stop hiking.  Snowshoeing, after all, is simply hiking in winter. Winter Trails Day is a free snowshoe festival with hundreds of demo snowshoes for adults and children; guided hikes and snow activities. The event will be held at Echo Lake on January 12, 2013 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; beginning at 2 p.m., the available quantity of demo equipment will be restricted. For more information visit www.wintertrails.org. From Interstate 70: take exit #252 (CO-74/Evergreen Parkway), follow CO-74 for 2.8 miles, turn right onto CO-Rd 66/Squaw Pass Road and continue for 18.2 miles to Echo Lake.

Winter Trails Day.  REI isn’t the only company doing a Winter Trails Day event. Try snowshoeing or cross-country skiing for free at Nordic Centers across Colorado. Participants include Estes Park Winter Trails and Snow Mountain Ranch Nordic Center. Go to http://www.snowlink.com/wintertrails/findasite.aspx to find a location.