PICTURE EXCLUSIVE: Angelina Jolie hits the slopes with her kids during Colorado ski trip... as she enjoys NYE getaway in wake of Brad Pitt split 

By Ciara Farmer For Mailonline

Published: 12:14 EST, 2 January 2017 | Updated: 14:51 EST, 2 January 2017

She suffered a painful split from her husband Brad Pitt after over a decade as a couple. 

So Angelina Jolie was naturally keen to distance herself from the woes of 2016 as she indulged in a family ski trip to a luxury $4million home in Crested Butte, Colorado with her extensive family on New Year's Day - when she hit the slopes with her kids.

The 41-year-old actress, who announced her divorce plans in September, was wrapped up against the blistering chill as she proved herself to be every inch the snow bunny while joined by three of her six children - who include Maddox, 15, Pax, 13, Zahara, 11, Shiloh, 10, and twins Knox and Vivienne, eight.

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Proud mama: Angelina Jolie was naturally keen to distance herself from the woes of 2016 as she indulged in a family ski trip to Crested Butte, Colorado with her extensive family on Sunday - when she hit the slopes with her kids

Angelina was seen bumping along the slopes alongside Zahara, Knox and Vivienne, as the group appeared to indulge in a ski lesson while swishing along in the frosty weather.

The Girl, Interrupted star clad her slender physique in head-to-toe black with slimline salopettes sitting beneath a long-line coat with a stylish fur trim. Ensuring safety came first, she sported a helmet paired with huge goggles.   

For their luxury trip, she has rented a six bedroom mansion in which guests can ski from the slopes straight to the chalet. Despite her sporty frame, eyewitnesses claim Angelina struggled to maintain her composure at moments.

A source on the slopes said: 'She seemed to be struggling on the mountain and was seen falling occasionally during the steep parts of the slopes and opted to take off the skis and walk the rest of the way back to the bottom. She was also seen wearing electric thermic foot warmers.'

Snow mummy! The 41-year-old actress, who announced her divorce plans in September, was wrapped up against the blistering chill as she proved herself to be every inch the snow bunny while joined by some of her six children - who include Maddox, 15, Pax, 13, Zahara, 11, Shiloh, 10, and twins Knox and Vivienne, eight

Checking things out: As she removed her goggles, Angelina checked on her tot to ensure the ski session was going well 

Ice, ice, ice baby: Angelina was seen bumping along the slopes alongside Zahara, Knox and Vivienne, as the group appeared to indulge in a ski lesson while bumping along in the frosty weather

As the gang ventured up the slope, Angelina momentarily lost her balance when she took a tumble - in a rare moment for the ever-graceful and famously elegant beauty.

After her fall she managed to climb back up like an expert, by snapping off her skis and holding onto her pole to best help herself back up. 

Not content with looking incredibly stylish herself, her two daughters and son were also well-heeled as they opted for luxurious winter-wear alongside their glamorous world-famous mum.

Off they go! The ski instructor was certainly the best of the best as he held onto the tots with his best ability 

Oops! As the gang ventured up the slope, Angelina momentarily lost her composure when she took a tumble - in a rare moment for the ever-graceful and famously elegant beauty

Lifting them up: Looking every inch the expert, Angelina scooped her skis under her arm and walked along in her boots

Careful! Angelina managed to style out her fall by removing her skis and pulling herself up 

Following the ski session, Angelina and Vivienne took some time to explore the winter resort itself as they headed out for an ice-cream, where they looked the picture perfect duo in matching ski wear as they headed out hand-in-hand to indulge in the tasty treat.

Despite pulling the hood over her head, the brunette's naturally striking features and stunning complexion was still clear to see as she took her youngest daughter for an afternoon treat.

Clearly following in her mother's footsteps, Vivienne looked equally as chic despite her tender eight years of age in a similarly styled black ensemble.  

Hopping along: Not content with looking incredibly stylish herself, her two daughters and son were also incredibly well-heeled as they opted for luxurious winterwear alongside their glamorous world-famous mum

Happier times: Angelina's getaway comes shortly after sources told DailyMail.com that she is surprised by her estranged husband's recent legal move, as it is reported she believes it 'makes no sense'

The young blonde, who looks strikingly alike to father Brad, kept cosy in a thick black padded jacket and matching trousers and boots to her mother. 

Embracing the winter weather more than her mother, the youngster happily left her hood down as she laughed and played in the gentle snowfall. The pair were seen stopping at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for a hot chocolate and an ice-cream to take away.

While Vivienne happily indulged in the creamy dessert, Angelina opted for just a coffee as they proceeded to the toy store around the corner for a spot of shopping. 

Hopping along: Angelina momentarily removed her ski mask to expose her face beneath 

Doing her thing: The Girl, Interrupted star clad her slender physique in head-to-toe black with slimline salopettes sitting beneath a long-line coat with a stylish fur trim. Ensuring safety came first, she sported a helmet paired with huge goggles

Goes on: The Maleficent star also feels that if she really had no regard for his privacy 'she would have already revealed details about what happened on that flight in September'

Angelina's getaway comes shortly after sources told DailyMail.com that she is surprised by her estranged husband's recent legal move, which saw him seal the records of their six kids, as it is reported she believes it 'makes no sense.' 

Late last month, Brad's legal team requested an LA Superior Court judge to close the records of their children, claiming it violates their privacy, noting that information on the children's 'therapists and other mental health professionals' has already wound up in publication.

It was stated that Angelina 'appears to be determined to ignore even agreed upon standards relating to the children's best interest.' But the actress has already signed a deal agreeing to have the documents sealed, a source tells DailyMail.com. It was added by the insider that because this was already cleared up, the Oscar winner thinks it's a 'press move.'

Way back when: The family allegedly got into an argument aboard a private plane in September, causing an anonymous source to call the DCFS. The FBI was then involved. Brad has since been cleared

The whole group: A source told DailyMail, 'Everyone was surprised that he filed with the court because he already filed with the court before. Besides, Angelina had already signed an agreement to seal the court file. It protects the children and it also protects information about Brad'

Looking the party: The mother daughter duo were perfectly clad for their venture down the slopes 

And the Maleficent star also feels that if she really had no regard for his privacy 'she would have already revealed details about what happened on that flight in September.' 

The family allegedly got into an argument aboard a private plane in September, causing an anonymous source to call the DCFS. The FBI was then involved. Brad has since been cleared. 

'The filing makes no sense legally,' the source told DailyMail, 'Everyone was surprised that he filed with the court because he already filed with the court before. Besides, Angelina had already signed an agreement to seal the court file. It protects the children and it also protects information about Brad.'

Come on! Angelina had a great support network to best get her down the slopes

Watch me mummy! She looked on in pride as they made their way to the bottom

Perfect balance! The group opted for contrasting but equally stylish  looks 

Off they go! Using their ski poles to push their way along, Angelina and Zahara walked with their boots intact 

Brave girls: With no sign of a fear of heights, Vivienne and Zahara made their way up the ski lift with the instructor 

Ski school: The whole group were larking around while enjoying the exquisite views 

It was added: 'All parties have already agreed and signed. The accusation that she is not protecting the privacy of her children is clearly false.' The source then added that if Angelina really wanted to hurt Brad, she could have already done so months ago after the fight on the flight from France to the US.

'If Angelina wanted to detail what happened on the plane, she could have. Nothing has been released and Angelina has kept silent.'

In the documents, Brad's lawyer stated: '[Angelina] apparently has no self-regulating mechanism to preclude sensitive information from being placed in the public record, or she has other motives.'

The actress 'exposed the children by making public the names of their therapists and other mental health professionals,' his lawyers added that Jolie released the information twice, adding, 'Although she had already made them public, she did it again.'

School of hard Knox: Angelina joined her son on the approach up the mountain 

Bopping along: As they walked along, Zahara was helped out by her mum as she seemed to struggle with her pole 

Up, up and away: Angelina split her time between three of her six children who joined her on the slopes 

Bopping along: The whole group were certainly displaying increasingly impressive moves on the slopes 

Hard times: The actress 'exposed the children by making public the names of their therapists and other mental health professionals,' his lawyers added that Jolie released the information twice, adding, 'Although she had already made them public, she did it again'

Twinning! Twins Knox and Vivienne showed off their identical ski prowess as they hopped up the mountain

Swish, swish, swish! Vivienne looked to be concentrating heavily as she swished ahead of her big sister

Hitting back: It's the first time since Jolie's September 19 divorce filing in Los Angeles that Pitt has gone on the offensive against his estranged wife. At the time of the parting, the Allied actor said that 'what matters most now is the well-being of' the six children, adding, 'I kindly ask the press to give them the space they deserve during this challenging time'

It's the first time since Jolie's September 19 divorce filing in Los Angeles that Pitt has gone on the offensive against his estranged wife. 

At the time of the parting, the Allied actor said that 'what matters most now is the well-being of' the six children, adding, 'I kindly ask the press to give them the space they deserve during this challenging time.'

The Fight Club star was exonerated in November by officials with the FBI and Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services amid accusations he was physically abusive to Maddox during a Europe-bound flight in September.

Ski break: Angelina and her Vivienne took some time to explore the ski resort itself as they headed out for an ice-cream 

Yummy: The actress and her eight-year-old looked the picture perfect duo in matching ski wear as they headed out hand-in-hand to indulge in the tasty treat

Ice day out: The pair were seen stopping at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for a hot chocolate and an ice-cream to take away

Cosy: The jacket was complete with a chic fur hood, pulled up to protect her from the cold and snowy temperatures

Gorgeous: The pair looked to be enjoying their afternoon together as they made their way from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory to a toy store around the corner

It's over: Angelina and Brad announced their shock split in September, after twelve years together

Quality time: The pair looked happy to be spending a relaxing afternoon away from the slopes as they chatted animatedly on their way into town

The ongoing strife has caused tension in the household in the holiday season, according to an In Touch Weekly report, as an insider said that the children were at odds because Maddox and Pax had 'no interest in seeing their dad' during the tough time.

'Some of the girls are accusing their older brother of being responsible for their not seeing Brad either,' the source said. Another insider told the publication that some of the kids 'can't understand why they're being kept away' from Brad.

The couple - whose romance began while filming 2005's Mr & Mrs. Smith, while he was still married to Jennifer Aniston - are due back in court next month for a hearing in the ongoing case. 

Rarimg to go: Ready for a session on the slopes later on, the Maleficent star paired the jacket with a set of black salopettes and chunky snow boots

 Style icon: However despite her casual outfit she was still sure to accessorise with her trademark oversized and glamorous sunglasses

Effortless: Despite pulling the hood over her head, the brunette's naturally striking features and stunning complexion was still clear to see as she took her youngest daughter out

 Huddling up: The young blonde, who looks strikingly alike to father Brad Pitt, kept cosy in a thick black puffer jacket and matching trousers and boots to her mother

What troubles? The Fight Club star was exonerated in November by officials with the FBI and Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services amid accusations he was physically abusive to Maddox during a Europe-bound flight in September

Defying gravity: A jump in the air proved the snow was no obstacle 

A help from my friends: Vivienne stood out in her bright pink trousers as she went ahead of the instructor 

Look at them go! The mummy daughter duo expertly worked the slopes in their chic garb

Follow me! Vivienne's face was fraught with concentration for her ride down the slopes 

Moving on: The couple - whose romance began while filming 2005's Mr & Mrs. Smith, while he was still married to Jennifer Aniston - are due back in court next month for a hearing in the ongoing case

She knows what she's doing: The whole group appeared extremely supportive of one another 

The whole gang! Angelina and the group gathered for a debrief at the bottom of the mountain 

At the head of the operation: Angelina took the lead while Zahara was hot on her heels down the slope 

Taking it ice and slowly: Vivienne's determination was clear to see as she hopped along the slopes 

He is requesting to share joint physical and legal custody of the six kids with his estranged wife, who wants sole physical custody, with Brad receiving scheduled visits.

Angelina - who currently retains temporary physical custody of the children - remains undaunted in her attempts to get sole custody of the kids in spite of her advisers have telling her it's an unlikely scenario, the source told the magazine.

'There is just no reasoning with Angie,' the source said. 'She wants what she wants and nothing is going to stop her.' 

The whole gang: As the group hopped down the slopes, they showcased some fantastic moves 

 Holding on: Ever the doting mum, she held on as they staggered along the slopes 

Come here mummy! The group stayed super close to their mum as they bumped along the slope 

Waiting patiently: Knox sat at the bottom of the slope waiting for his mum and sister 

Start them young! Angelina seemed set on allowing her children to develop early skills on the slopes 

A careful descent: The group slowly inched down in a bid to avoid injury 

Chilling out: The girls appeared to be taking a relaxing break from skiing - having spent their morning in action on the mountains with Vivienne's siblings

Troubled: The star seemed zen in the face of her woes - leaving the troubles of 2K16 behind her

Flying solo: Angelina has been enjoying the ski break with her children - while estranged husband Brad remained at home

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