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The Best Ski Resorts in the US for Family Vacations

Heavenly Ski Resort is just what it sounds like ... Heavenly!
Heavenly Ski Resort is just what it sounds like ... Heavenly!
1/22/22 - By James Smith

Whether you prefer ski resorts in the powdery West or the slippery Northeast, taking a ski vacation with kids requires a lot of planning and a lot more patience. There are a lot of things to consider, like whether you should splurge on ski-in, ski-out lodging, which days are the most affordable, and most importantly, where are the apres ski spots? With all that in mind, we’ve got the skinny on the best kid-friendly ski resorts in the United States for everyone from first-timers who need the best ski schools to experts who want to race down thrilling new slopes.

For more fabulous ski resorts for families, be sure to check out our list of New England Ski Resorts that Cater to Families or our Guide to Skiing, Snowboarding, and Snowports for Kids. However, if all this talk of snow is too chilling, you might prefer to peruse the best Warm and Sunny Family Vacation Ideas!

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What Are the Best Ski Resorts in the US for a Family Vacation?

I learned early on that there are a few non-negotiables when it comes to picking a ski resort for my family. First, did it have a ski school for kids? Because as much as I love my little snow bunnies, being able to leave them in the hands of professionals, even for a couple of hours, ensures that everyone has a good time. Getting stuck on the slope with your beginning skier is NOT fun, and if I’m paying to enjoy time on the mountain, some of those runs need to be sans kiddos.

Second, are there a lot of green runs? That’s where kids learning how to ski or snowboard will thrive. And even though I do want those solo runs, there’s something to be said about watching my son pick up a sport that I love.

Other things to consider are whether the resort offers apres-ski activities, such as fire pits, a kids' zone with crafts or games, and whether you want to book a ski-in, ski-out spot or opt for a place that can be reached by shuttle. 

Our list of the most kid-friendly ski resorts in the US will give you answers to all these questions, plus more info, like whether or not there are other winter activities nearby, why each spot is great for kids, and even other family-friendly ideas for things to do while you’re there.

Which Ski Resorts Offer the Best Experiences for Kids and Families?

The Best Ski Resorts in the US for Family Vacations
Want to ski in the sunshine? Big Bear in California is perfect!

Best California Ski Resorts for Families

Big Bear Mountain Resort — Big Bear Lake

Best ski resort for a mountain town vibe. 
Big Bear calls itself “Southern California’s mountain lake escape” and is a mere two hours west of Los Angeles. The resort boasts two mountains—Snow Summit and Bear Mountain—with interchangeable lift tickets and a connecting shuttle. Bear Mountain is more wide open at the base and might be preferable for parents who like to keep an eye on their young skiers. Off the mountain, families can enjoy bowling, shopping, a nearby park, and the Minecraft Coaster thrill ride that debuted in 2021. Family restaurants populate the area, so kids won’t go hungry.

Heavenly Ski Resort — South Lake Tahoe

Best ski resort for incredible views and apres ski fun.
With ski and snowboard instruction for kids beginning at age 3, Heavenly Ski Resort is sure to ignite your child’s love of mountain fun. The snow is light and powdery, and the scenic views of Lake Tahoe are, well, heavenly. There is also a tubing park, a mountain coaster, ice skating, a bungee trampoline, and a host of other attractions. Heavenly Ski Resort also offers one of the best apres ski scenes in the West, so parents might want to enlist a sitter for at least one night. Those other nights can be spent at any number of family-friendly bistros in Heavenly Village.

Mammoth Mountain Ski The Best Ski Resorts in the US for Family Vacations
Mammoth Mountain Ski is one of our favorite places to teach kids to ski.

Mammoth Mountain Ski — Mammoth Lakes

Best ski resort for a first-time family ski vacation. 
Located in the Sierra Nevada mountains, five hours from Los Angeles and six from San Francisco, Mammoth is aptly named. It’s a massive facility with dozens of trails for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. Lessons begin at age 3, and there is also an adaptive ski school for kids and adults. Whether you’re skiing or boarding, chances are you’ll meet Woolly, Mammoth’s charming mascot. There’s a mountain playground, an adventure zone, a tube park, and cross-country and snowshoeing trails. Kids 4 and younger ski free all season long.

Keystone Family Resort The Best Ski Resorts in the US for Family Vacations
Keystone Family Resort allows all kids under 13 to ski for free, making it fantastic for families.

Best Colorado Ski Resorts for Families

Keystone Family Resort — Keystone

Best ski resort for families with elementary-aged kids. 
Keystone is so family engaging it has worked the name into its brand. It’s properly Keystone Family Resort, a mere 75 miles from Denver’s airport and easily accessible from even the East Coast. In addition to three mountains and a seemingly endless sea of trails, Keystone dedicates a section of terrain exclusively for young learners. Families can enjoy night skiing, snow tubing, and even the world’s largest snow fort, not to be missed. And here’s a bonus for budget-conscious travelers: Kids 12 and younger ski free when families book two nights of accommodations.

Steamboat Springs Ski Resort — Steamboat Springs

Best ski resort for families that want to do more than ski. 
Steamboat, located 160 miles from Denver, requires more of a travel commitment for East Coasters. But those who make the trip are rewarded with a site full of family entertainment, including sleigh rides, ice skating, the longest mountain coaster in the U.S., and even a water slide and a hot spring, hence the name. And then there’s the mountain: nearly 3,000 acres of skiable terrain with an average snowfall of 314 inches annually. Did we mention kids 12 and younger ski free with the purchase of a five-day adult lift ticket?

Winter Park Resort — Winter Park

Best ski resort for families looking for budget-friendly deals.
At about 90 minutes from Denver, Winter Park is popular with city residents looking to escape the concrete for silky powder. Winter Park offers a host of family bargains, including discounts on first-time equipment and lesson packages, as well as season passes for less than $50 for kids 4 and younger. Away from the mountain, enjoy snowshoe and snowcat tours, a village playground, and even Kids Night Out at Camp Idlewild, where young ones can enjoy a night of supervised fun away from their parents. More than one-quarter of the trails are targeted for beginners, making Winter Park an ideal place to learn.
 

Solitude Mountain Resort The Best Ski Resorts in the US for Family Vacations
Solitude Mountain Resort is off the beaten path and makes for a great getaway.

Best Utah Ski Resort for Families

Solitude Mountain Resort — Solitude

Best ski resort for families who don't love a crowd,
At a mere 40 minutes from Salt Lake City's airport, a Delta hub, Solitude is surprisingly accessible from just about anywhere in the country. And the resort lives up to its name: Solitude puts forth a peaceful, easy, and rustic vibe. Off the beaten path, it's rarely crowded and boasts great intro-to-skiing opportunities. Kids 6 and younger ski free, making Solitude a nice option for families on a budget.


Omni Mount Washington Resort at Bretton Woods is our favorite resort in New Hampshire.

Best New Hampshire Ski Resort for Families

Omni Mount Washington Resort at Bretton Woods — Carroll

Best ski resort for families with skiers of different ages.
The state's largest ski resort, at 450 acres, is also one of our favorites in the East. Its diversity of terrain ensures a memorable time for skiers of all abilities. And it's a mere 2½ hours from downtown Boston. Expect crowds; it's a popular place that boasts one of the top kids' learn-to-ski programs in the East. Off the slopes, enjoy sleigh riding, snowmobile tours, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and outdoor ice skating. There's even a year-round zip line for those who can't get their daredevil fix from the mountain's 63 trails and 35 glades.

Whiteface Mountain The Best Ski Resorts in the US for Family Vacations
Whiteface Mountain offers cross-country skiing, too.

Best New York Ski Resorts for Families

Whiteface Mountain — Wilmington

Best ski resort for families with members who don't plan to ski. 
We’ve written about the beauty of Whiteface and the Adirondacks before. Whiteface, near Lake Placid, hosted the Alpine skiing events of the 1980 Olympics and is one of the highest peaks in New York State, with terrain suiting skiers of all abilities. Of course, another draw is the delightful community of Lake Placid itself, with its quaint shops, Olympic museum, pond skating, snowshoeing, and cross-country trails, toboggans, and coaster areas.

Windham Mountain The Best Ski Resorts in the US for Family Vacations
Windham Mountain has the best ski school around for kids just learning to ski.

Windham Mountain — Windham

Best ski resort for families who need an amazing ski school. 
Windham, in the Catskills, wins our gold medal for the best ski school out of all the ski resorts in New York State. The children’s learning center begins lessons at age 3, and kids ages 2-6 can be dropped off at the center for half- or full-day supervision while the grown-ups explore the mountain’s 54 trails. Other amenities include an adventure park, multiple dining facilities, and nearby lodging. Windham's proximity to Manhattan—less than 150 miles—makes it a welcoming choice for a weekend getaway.

Camelback Resort The Best Ski Resorts in the US for Family Vacations
Camelback Resort is an easy getaway from New York!

Best Pennsylvania Ski Resort for Families

Camelback Resort — Jackson Township

Best ski resort for families who also love a good waterslide. 
At 92 miles, Camelback Resort is actually closer for Manhattanites than Windham. In the heart of the Poconos, it offers 40 trails, snowboarding and tubing parks, and a ski school that accommodates family lessons. In fact, its tubing park is one of the few destinations in the region that allows kids to share a tube with Mom or Dad. The fun doesn’t end when the lifts shut down, either. Camelback’s Aquatopia indoor water park operates year-round for apres ski relaxation.

Pico Mountain Ski Resort The Best Ski Resorts in the US for Family Vacations
Pico Mountain Ski Resort is a super family-friendly ski resort.

Best Vermont Ski Resorts for Families

Pico Mountain Ski Resort — Mendon

Best ski resort for families who are visiting with babies. 
Killington’s little cousin offers a small-mountain experience with only 468 skiable acres. But before you head over to the larger “Best of the East,” as Killington is known, know that Pico is a wonderful place to introduce kids to skiing and boarding at a reasonable cost. It’s rarely crowded and one of the most overlooked mountains in Vermont. Pico’s vibe is so family-friendly, you’re likely to see a mom or two breastfeeding in the lower lodge. Tickets start at $59 for kids, and a lesson package that includes rental gear and a lift ticket can be had for $175.

Stowe Mountain Resort The Best Ski Resorts in the US for Family Vacations
Stowe Mountain Resort is a parent favorite for the charming village and fabulous beer.

Stowe Mountain Resort — Stowe

Best ski resort for families who want a Swiss experience without a pricey plane ticket. 
We’re big fans of Stowe and have told you why more than once. The complex consists of two mountains, Spruce Peak and Mount Mansfield, so there is plenty of terrain and rarely a long wait at the lift. The Alpine environment at Stowe is unlike anything in the region, with ice rinks, sleigh rides, snowshoeing and tubing, cross-country trails, and a village atmosphere that will take you back to Bavaria. It can be pricey at peak times, but for an upscale family getaway that won’t be forgotten, it’s worth it. Parents take note: The world-famous Alchemist Brewery, among the leaders in Vermont’s craft-beer revolution, is just down the road from the mountain.

Stratton Mountain Resort — Stratton

Best ski resort for families who want to make sure there's good snow. 
Stratton, in Southern Vermont, makes our list of best ski resorts because of its proximity to New York (5 hours) and Boston (3½), as well as its self-contained village at the base of the mountain, where kids can almost entertain themselves. Its ski-school staff is among the best in the East, and the mountain is rarely short of snow. The abundance of easy trails makes it an ideal place to learn, but Stratton has enough challenging terrain to keep experts entertained as well.
 
Heavenly Ski Resort The Best Ski Resorts in the US for Family Vacations
Heavenly Ski Resort has perfect snow, a tubing park, a mountain coaster, ice skating, and more.

How Do You Choose the Right Ski Resort for Your Family?

Picking a ski resort that checks all your family's boxes isn’t easy. But there are a few things you can do to narrow down your choices. Proximity is a big. For people living on the East or West Coast, it makes sense to choose one of the awesome resorts within driving distance. For people who live in areas that require a flight, consider how far the ski areas are from the airport. Do you want to rent a car? Ride on a resort shuttle? Hire a ride-share? These are all important details, especially when you need to get back to the airport.

If you aren’t a family that skis on the regular, I need to emphasize the importance of ski school. Even a half-day lesson is worth every penny. The kids get expert instructions, the parents get a few hours to themselves, and when it’s time for everyone to hit the slope, the chances of a mid-slope meltdown are less likely because the kids have some idea how to pizza their way down the mountain.

There are also other winter activities to consider. Do you have one kid who wants to go tubing and swim in the resort’s indoor pool, while the other one spends all day zipping down the hill? Make sure that there are activities for the whole family before booking.

Lastly, since a ski vacation is expensive, be on the lookout for package deals, try to ski during the week or any time that isn’t a big spring break week, and choose the resorts (like Keystone) that offer free skiing for kids, or opt to visit a resort that’s smaller and off the beaten path (like Solitude in Utah).

What’s the Best Time to Plan a Family Ski Trip in the US?

If you want to plan a family ski trip to the West Coast, Idaho, or Utah, while the snow can be great in December, it’s best to book a trip between January and March. This is a region of the country that tends to get the best snow after the holiday season. If you’re looking to ski on the East Coast, late November/early December can be a good time if it has already snowed; tickets tend to be cheaper, but January to March is the sweet spot. Spring skiing in April can also be a good time, especially if you're on a budget, but the snow might be icy; it just depends on the year! 

Best Family Ski Resorts FAQ

Q: What is the best ski resort in the US for families?
A. A few of the best ski resorts in the US for families include Keystone, Steamboat Springs Ski Resort, Mammoth Mountain Ski, and Stowe Mountain Resort
 
Q: Which ski resorts have the best ski schools for kids?
A. Steamboat Springs, Windham Mountain, Northstar at Tahoe, and Smuggler's Notch all have incredible ski schools for kids. 
 
Q: What’s the most affordable ski resort for families?
A. Affordable ski vacations for families don't really go together. But there are ways to save on the slopes. Look for resorts like Keystone, Mammoth, Sun Valley, and Purgatory, where kids can ski free. Also, consider going to a smaller, independent resort like Powder Mountain in Utah (near Park City), as lift tickets at these places tend to be much more affordable. 
 
Q: Which US ski resorts have non-ski activities for kids?
A. Steamboat Springs, Mammoth, Whiteface, Stowe, and Heavenly ski resorts all have fun non-ski activities for kids. 
 
Q: When is the cheapest time to ski with kids?
A. If you can take your ski vacation during the week, anytime other than spring break or ski week breaks for schools, and non-holiday weekends, this is when you'll find some of the best ski deals. The end of the season is also a good time to look for discounts, but the snow might not be as fresh. 
 
Q: Which ski resorts are closest to major airports?
A. Park City in Utah, Northstar California Resort in Lake Tahoe, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Wyoming, and Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont are all just 45 minutes away from the closest airport. 

Photos courtesy of the resorts

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About the Author

James Smith
James Stephen Smith is a seasoned journalist who transitioned from reporting at Newsday to a more relaxed life as a father and director of media relations at St. John's University. He manages the university’s messaging while also contributing to Mommy Poppins, a site he discovered after his third daughter was born in 2011. Fun fact: James nearly made it on Jeopardy but missed a Final Jeopardy question on art history—only to watch a colleague nail it and become a two-time champion.
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