Best Ski Resorts in the US for Families

 

After almost a year of being encouraged to stay home, you may be ready for a new adventure. Whether you are a ski family who can’t wait for the first snow and the season to begin, or newbies looking for something new to experience – skiing is a great way to spend your upcoming February vacation. 

With skiing itself being one of the best winter socially distanced activities there is, ski resorts are making many accommodations this year to ensure families have a fun — but safe — experience. And if skiing isn’t quite your thing, check out my blog post on Destinations You Can Still Visit in 2020.

Bretton Woods (New Hampshire)

Adults will love the 97 different trails at this New Hampshire resort that offer a wide variety of difficulty. Kids will love the fact that there are so many activities designed just for them (aside from skiing and snowboarding lessons). They can go for a ride on a snowmobile in the Kid’s Snowmobile Park or enjoy their very own après ski with clowns, storytellers, and musicians.

Smugglers Notch (Vermont)

This family-friendly Vermont resort caters to every age. Adults won’t run out of runs to explore (there are 78 trails to try). And kids will love unwinding after a long day of skiing or snowboarding with some hot chocolate at a nightly bonfire. Don’t miss the torchlight parade and fireworks on Thursday nights. Parents can enjoy some adults-only time while their kids go crazy during the Kids’ Night Out program (but with pizza, laser tag, ice cream and more, adults may be tempted to sneak in on the fun).

Northstar Resort (California) 

This year-round destination resort in Lake Tahoe, California, goes beyond skiing to keep the whole family entertained day or night. Glide on the ice-skating rink or escape from the cold in a heated cabana. A playground that overlooks the ice-skating rink presents more opportunities for family fun with snow tubing and build-your-own hot cocoa and cupcake stations (if you have room after eating the S’mores served by the fire every afternoon). There’s even a movie theater showing family-friendly films.

Keystone (Colorado)

Of all the Colorado ski resorts (of which there are plenty), Keystone is the hot spot for kids of all ages. Sure, there are the highlights like dog sledding, snow tubing, ice skating and sleigh rides, but the pièce de résistance is Kidtopia. It is a giant snow fort where kids can enjoy fresh après-ski cookies or stay indoors with a variety of games, crafts and activities located within the Expedition Station headquarters. Plan your visit to be there over a Saturday night as you’ll be able to watch fireworks and enjoy family fondue events.

Crystal Mountain Resort (Michigan)

Tucked in a secluded corner of Northwest Michigan, Crystal Mountain Resort offers a bevy of activities to keep the kids busy when they’re not on skis. Seasonal scavenger hunts and board game rentals are free, as is use of the ice skating rinks, though skate rentals cost extra. During winter, the outdoor water playground turns into a snow-filled laser tag adventure for kids 7 and older. After the sun sets, share stories and roast marshmallows at the family campfire.

Whiteface (New York) 

Lake Placid is such a perfect winter destination that it has not once but twice hosted the Winter Olympic Games. The town of Lake Placid offers a plethora of kid-friendly activities and dining, but it’s Whiteface Mountain that offers non-skiing young kids a camp with arts, crafts and more. Beyond the offerings for ages 6 and younger, Whiteface combines ski lessons and off-slope activities for children, while parents enjoy more than 300 skiable acres in the upstate New York mountain resort.  On your non-skiing dates, make sure to check out the Olympic sites and activities, including a chance to experience bobsledding like the athletes.

These incredible resorts are all one stop shops where you have everything you need to keep kids entertained right at the slopes. Having said that, any ski trip is going to require some car time for you and your kids to get to the mountain so here are some helpful tips on How to Survive a Car Ride with Kids. If you are starting to think about your 2022 ski adventures there are some great kid friendly hotels in breathtaking places like Park City, Utah, Sun Valley, Idaho, Big Sky, Montana, Jackson, Wyoming and nearby Canada as well.

Not sure which would be the best place for your family?

Schedule a call with me by clicking the button below so I can get to know your family’s interests and I will pair you with the perfect resort.  Take all of the stress out of planning your vacation and go on a trip you can your family will actually enjoy with my help!

 

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