Pondering where to take the family on your next winter vacation? Do visions of theme parks dance in your head? Well, theme parks are so yesterday. How about doing something novel like a family ski trip? You will definitely have more fun at a family-friendly ski resort than you would by traipsing around an enormous theme park. Plus, you’ll be sure to create loads of snow-laden memories.
Planning a successful ski trip might seem overwhelming. You’ve got to book the flights, arrange for transfer from airport to ski resort, make sure you choose the right lodging for your brood, purchase ski lift tickets, and pack a ton of ski clothing. There’s no need to fret because plenty of travel agencies offer packages which include all of this- minus the packing part, of course (that’s still on you).
What makes a ski trip such a perfect family getaway? There’s something to please everyone. Resorts offer ski lessons with professional instructors, some for kids as young as 3 years old. If you have a child younger than 3, babysitting is usually available for an additional fee. The idea of skiing doesn’t appeal to your kids? No problem. Send them to the resort’s “camp” while you enjoy some adult time on the slopes.
Ski resorts today cater to all ages and they offer entertaining activities. Some outdoor activities include snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and snow tubing.
In addition to outdoor excursions, many resorts have special areas designed with kids in mind, and programs chock-full of things like arts and crafts, games, movies, and scavenger hunts. These resorts will keep your teens so busy they won’t even have a chance to utter the oft heard, “I’m boooored”!
Below are two of my favorite ski resorts that cater to families with children. These are only two of many located throughout the US.
Camelback Resort in Tannersville, PA is one of my favorite kid-friendly resorts for the mere variety of activities and overall fun factor. Honestly, part of my bias comes from the ability to enjoy adult time in their indoor waterpark, Aquatopia. You can rent pool-side cabanas or hang out at the swim-up bar while the kids enjoy the thrill 13 separate waterslides.
Apart from their exclusive water park, Camelback boasts other indoor fun like putt-putt golf, a rock-climbing wall, an arcade, and laser tag course. Anyone in your family over the age of 3 who feels shaky on the slopes can take advantage of ski lessons. Their nursery offers babysitting for little ones from 1-6 years old.
Beaver Creek Resort is located in Colorado, approximately 2.5 hours from Denver International. It has a generous number of kid-oriented activities in the winter.
With an ice skating rink right in the heart of the quaint Beaver Creek Village, your family can glide across the ice in the open air. A local performing arts center produces works of children’s theater. Your kids will be captivated while exploring the kids’ adventure zones and intrigued by the resort’s alpenhorn-blowing mascot who dresses in traditional Lederhosen. The village’s weekly Family Funfest Carnival offers games and prizes, and every Thursday evening ends with a magnificent display of fireworks.
For those who need lessons, Beaver Creek offers them for all skill levels. If you have younger children who need care while you’re out on the slopes, you can take advantage of the resort’s childcare service.
With all the activities offered by family-friendly resorts, you may have trouble squeezing in time to actually ski! That’s the beauty of family vacation during ski season. There’s something for everyone. Athletes, adventurers, and even couch potatoes will find something entertaining to make the most of their winter getaway.
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