A-Z directory of North America’s most family-friendly ski slopes

This season, the top family mountain resorts are touting everything from new lifts to resort renovations to more off the slope activities for everyone, including the non-skiers and riders in the crowd.

Start planning your trip to easy-to-get to destinations

Eco-friendly rides in Park City UT
Eco-friendly rides in Park City UT

You might even be able to grab a deal.  The historic town of Park City is only 25 minutes from Salt Lake City International Airport and take a shuttle rather than a rental car for a more sustainable getaway. Score  a $400 Delta credit voucher  as long as you book a minimum 3-night stay at a participating lodging company by June 30, 2025.  (There are some blackout dates.)    

Park City is one of the easiest-to-reach and best Western ski areas with a variety of terrain at Canyons Village and Mountain Village.  Since Vail Resorts opened the 7,300-skiable-acre wonderland, Park City Mountain Resort, it’s got all the terrain features — including six terrain parks — your riders and free skiers could want and your Epic Pass get you additional discounts on lodging and gear.

Park City is also home to Deer Valley Resort (no snowboarders ) which upscale skiers love for the food and exquisitely groomed slopes.  (Use your IKON pass here!)  

Look for lodging that offers community

Gravity Haus offers kid and pet friendly hotels, curated experiences, as well as equipment rentals, complimentary hotel nights and even more for those who opt for Gravity Haus membership. There are eight Gravity Haus destinations across four states—we recently stayed at the 87-room Gravity Haus Jackson Hole, in Teton Village WY, just north of the town of Jackson with easy accessibility to the tram to the top of the mountain and just a few miles from the south entrance to Grand Teton National Park.

Gravity Haus in Jackson Hole WY
Gravity Haus in Jackson Hole WY

The hotels are dog and kid friendly and each features a restaurant. At the Jackson hotel at Wild Pine, we enjoyed trout, steak, and lamb ragu for dinner, Unravel for coffee, a fitness center and big outdoor heated pool and hot tub. Wild Pine is also open for breakfast and lunch

The newest Gravity Haus outpost will open this snow season in Aspen just steps away from Aspen’s slopes with a bar featuring craft cocktails, a place to yea at The Boat Tow—Après all day, a fitness center, cold plunge and sauna, Unravel coffee (the company grows their own beans sustainably) private gear lockers, gear delivery service and even shared co-working desks and meeting rooms.

Go snowmobiling, snowboarding, or snowshoeing on local trails. Have fun in the snow on a tubing run, watch wildlife at a national park like Yellowstone, dogsled, or ice fish. Enjoy gourmet eats after a day outdoors. Families can easily choose from a ski and snow family vacation at one of North America’s top mountain resorts or a snow fun getaway at a smaller local one.

Always carry travel insurance

Wherever you go, consider getting travel insurance for issues before, during, and after. You never when some glitch or worse will try to ruin your ski vacation plans

Allianz Travel offers the  OneTrip Prime and OneTrip Premier plans, which cover kids aged 17 and under  for free* when  traveling with a parent or grandparent (excluding Pennsylvania residents). Having Allianz Travel Insurance for your ski trip is like having your own ski patrol.  Their  OneTrip Prime Plan includes24/7 travel assistance, emergency medical transportation, baggage loss/damage protection, trip cancellation or  interruption coverage, and more — providing you with peace of mind. Ski trips can be costly, so it’s essential to protect your investment.

Ship your gear and take the stress out of getting there

Family ski trips can be the most magical of winter vacations, but with the required gear and travel, they can seem more like a mountain of stress vs a carefree getaway.

Enter ShipSkis — the company will pick up your family’s ski gear and luggage at your home and seamlessly deliver it to your destination. No waiting at the airport baggage carousel with cranky travelers, no surprise overweight bag fees from the airline, and best of all, peace of mind knowing your gear is waiting for you at the resort.

Shipping the gear with ShipSkis makes your trip easier
Shipping the gear with ShipSkis makes your trip easier

Learn more about ShipSkis snow sports gear shipping services here.

PLAN YOUR SNOW ADVENTURE NOW!

It looks like a big season ahead! We’ve had October openings at Wolf Creek and Keystone in Colorado. Check on planned November openings at:
Killington, Okemo and Stowe in Vermont
Breckenridge in Colorado
Sunday River in Maine
Mammoth in California
Park City and Alta in Utah

Thanks to our partnership with The Family Travel Forum   and Little Family Adventure, we present our brand new annual guide to “Fun in the Snow” at our favorite mountain resorts.

Think Big, Ski Local. Smaller resorts — those in the Midwest and Pennsylvania, for example —continue to attract families who prefer to stay closer to home. Smaller, cheaper but higher altitude mountain resorts in the West also are gaining in popularity. Check out affordable options with programs such as the Colorado Gems (below) and kids ski free and special kids passports around the country. (

Passes. The majority of big resorts have affiliated themselves with either Vail Resorts or the Alterra Mountain Company. Their asses are the only way to go this season for the best value. To ski or snowboard one day or a week, , get an Epic Day Pass (Vail) or and IKON Pass (Alterra).

For those who want to ski some of the most iconic slopes, The Mountain Collective gives you two days at each resort and unlimited half-price days after that from Alta to Aspen to Jackson Hole, Revelstoke in Canada and Chamonix in France for $659 ($259 for kids 12 and under.)

If you plan a ski and snow vacation regionally, a pass such as the Northeast Value Pass offers access to all eight Vail resorts in the Northeast including Stowe, Okemo, Mt. Snow and Hunter. The best deal, of course, is a season= pass  (bought early) for just one resort.  These passes also offer deals on food, lodging and gear.

Kids Free or nearly free. Many states including California, Utah, New Hampshire, Maine and New York have kids’ ski free deals for certain grades to promote a lifelong love of the sport. Each program is slightly different. Typically, you need to apply in advance.  Plus, kids under  Six ski free at many resorts  and some  including Keystone and AspenSnowmass habe broader kids-free deals available with a stay.   Check here where kids free deals are available this season.

Off the Traditional Slopes. Why not head to Yellowstone to snowshoe or snowmobile? One of America’s snowiest cities, Marquette, Michigan, is the place to try fat tire snow biking. Try a dude ranch like Vista Verde in Colorado and ride horses in the snow. Backcountry ski a place like the YMCA of the Rockies where you might also be able to snowshoe or dog sled. There are many options for fun in the snow beyond traditional slopes.

Disabilities Overcome. Include every family member on your ski and snow vacation. Many ski areas around the country offer special adaptive programs for those with physical and mental challenges. Check out adaptive programs and equipment with discounted pricing in Vermont, Colorado Utah  and California.

Tips to Make Snow Sports More Affordable Mountain Resort for your Family

Don’t head to the mountains when the resorts are most crowded and expensive, regardless of snow conditions. We mean the school holidays, weekends and special event days.  If you can, instead, let the snow be your guide. Do more to save:

  1. Book midweek at the more affordable ski and snow family vacations to save big .
  2. Drive rather than fly or stay regional. Save on airfare and carbon emissions.
  3. Skip the ski in/ski out hotels and book condos or houses with kitchens and room to spread out.
  4. Enquire about resort deals, especially if you opt to stay longer, at places like at The Antlers at Vail.

Some of The Top Family Ski and Snow Vacation Resorts A to Z

ALTA SKI AREA is celebrating its 86th season and the vibe is a little more natural than at neighboring Snowbird. Go and discover that the experience offered is all about skiing (no snowboarding at Alta) and community.  The semi-inclusive Alta Lodge offers yoga to start your day, a complimentary kids-club, kid escorts to and from the slopes, breakfast, and dinner daily so kids can eat early with their pals. Taking the Kids visited in 2021.

Family fun at Alta in Utah

APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN CLUB in the White Mountains of New Hampshire provides hundreds of miles of trails to hike or snowshoe, plus guided custom adventures at both AMC’s Joe Dodge Lodge at Pinkham Notch and Highland Center Lodge at Crawford Notch. The AMC’s 100-square-mile wilderness in Maine can be toured via groomed, backcountry ski trails on day trips. Many families enjoy trying to ski between rustic lodges and private cabins, where home-cooked meals are served to overnight guests. Read about a weekend getaway to an AMC club.

ASPEN SNOWMASS At Aspen Snowmass, take your pick of four mountains  and 5,700+ acres where  kids ages 7 to 12 ski free with lodging (valid Jan  1-April 20,2025.) Get  a complimentary child lift ticket for every day of Four Mountain Sports equipment rentals when you book with at least 2 nights of participating lodging through Stay Aspen Snowmass.   Ullr Nights at Snowmaass offer the chance for rides on the Alpine Coaster, snowbiking and s’mores at the bonfire.

ATTITASH MOUNTAIN, located in the heart of the White Mountains, offers 68 trails across two mountain peaks. Attitash is known for steep and winding trails that deliver beautiful views of Mount Washington and the neighboring Presidential Mountain Range. Discover lodging and gear-shopping bargains in New Hampshire.

Top Family Mountain Resorts – Beaver Creek to Breckenridge

BEAVER CREEK offers unparalleled service, gourmet cuisine, a terrific ski school, and experiences geared towards families. The McCoy Park offers  beginner and intermediate adventurers several natural, groomed and gladed runs. The beloved Cookie Time is a decades-old tradition in the base village. Join the Thursday night glow-stic k ski procession followed by fireworks.  Consider a stay at the Westin Riverfront Resort, that has just refreshed all of its guest rooms and also has condos,  a good bet with or without kids,

BIG SKY RESORT is home to the “Biggest Skiing in America,” offering 5,850 skiable acres, 300 acres of skiing off Lone Peak, and 4,350 feet of vertical drop with rarely another skier in sight. Off slope adventures suited to teens include a giant swing, bungee trampoline, climbing wall, guided snowshoes tours, and two zipline tours. Take a day off to snowmobile or snow coach through Yellowstone National Park (read about our visit to Yellowstone in Winter). Families also test their skills at winter fly fishing or rock and ice climbing throughout the Gallatin Valley.

BRECKENRIDGE SKI RESORT and its hometown are affectionately known as ‘Breck’ to locals and visitors alike. Breck serves up big mountain views and 3,000 skiable acres of terrain . From its Five Peaks to the charming Western Main Street, this vintage village is practically ski-in, ski-out. . Hit Breck’s vibrant après scene or one of the numerous community events and festivals including Ullr Fest, the Breckenridge Snow Sculpture Championships and much more. Spring skiing is one of the best times of the year and Breck plans to operate into May

The 2021 ULLR Festival Parade in Breckenridge CO
The 2021 ULLR Festival Parade in Breckenridge CO

BRIAN HEAD SKI RESORT, near Cedar City, Utah is ensuring that the newest skiers and snowboarders on their slopes have the ultimate introduction. Check out their “Free On-Snow Experience” for those 13 and older, a step-by-step, self-guided clinic to better prepare first-timers on their big day. Check out the gladed terrain. Kids 12 and under ski free with a Power Kids pass good at any Power Pass Mountain.  Check Ski Utah to see other resorts where kids, especially those under 6 ski free. 

BRIGHTON RESORT in Utah boasts the Crest6 Chairlift while the terrain parks cater to beginners up to pros. It’s not as fancy or expensive as some of its neighbors land you can base the family in affordable Salt Lake City.

Top Family Mountain Resorts – Club Med to Grand Targhee

CLUB MED QUÉBEC is Club Med’s is the brand’s first resort in Canada. Take a stress-free, all-inclusive ski and snow sports vacation while also experiencing Canadian culture. There is Unlimited ski-in/ski-out access, lift tickets and group ski and snowboard lessons at no added cost. Sample the apres-ski including a spa and day and night entertainment including kids’ clubs for children ages 4-17.

COLORADO GEMS are 11 smaller Colorado snow resorts that are less expensive and less crowded than the big resorts and, for younger families, easier to navigate. At one of them, Sunlight in Glenwood Springs, enjoy the world’s biggest hot springs pool. For just $48, the GEMS Card provides your choice of either two 2-for-1 lift tickets or two 30% off lift tickets. There are also multi-mountain passes ($67) for kids that include rentals; a teen pass for those 12-17 for $199 with 22 days of skiing and riding and a Gems Parents Pass for $325. 

CRESTED BUTTE (a longtime favorite of our family) challenges skiers and riders with untouched powder, towering peaks, heart-pounding terrain and a vibrant town with a mountain culture all its own. With 561 acres of double-black-diamond terrain, CBMR is known as the North American birthplace of inbounds extreme skiing and riding. That doesn’t mean it’s not for beginners. Read about our visit in 2019.  The resort has trails especially for kids including one that winds through the tris , through a cave and more.

GRAND TARGHEE in Alta, Wyoming is only 50 miles from Jackson Hole but it’s worlds away in style and ease of access. Families love the moderate rates, friendly staff, and tender childcarefor infants and toddlers 2 months to 5 years. It’s hard to get lost in the compact base village no matter your age. Not so small, Targhee boasts 2,602 acres of fine terrain and a whopping 500” annually of fresh powder. Note that under-5s always ski free and they sell half and full-day lift tickets. See our review of Grand Targhee Resort.

Top Family Ski and Snow Vacation Mountains – Heavenly to Jackson Hole

HEAVENLY MOUNTAIN RESORT tops the Sierra Nevada, straddling the California / Nevada border and providing iconic views of Lake Tahoe’s sapphire-blue water. With nearly 5,000 acres of skiable terrain and 97 trails ranging from groomers to chutes, you won’t get bored exploring the mountain.

HOLIDAY VALLEY provides one of the best value family ski and snow sports vacations in tiny Ellicottville, New York. Since 1938, it has drawn crowds from Buffalo, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh,. On mountain, there are friendly instructors and cool trails marked with “treasures” from the local Seneca Nation that highlight the history of Native Americans in the region.

HOODOO SKI AREA Hoodoo’s night skiing has 23 runs with lights with custom filters? so you can ski and ride from 4-9 pm  Wednesday to Saturday. Gear up and hit the slopes at Hoodoo Ski .

HUNTER MOUNTAIN is just a 2.5-hour drive through the northern Catskills from Manhattan and appeals to metro area travelers. With a history marked by wild downhill racers and weekend party-goers that began in 1960, the resort has matured with a state-of-the-art learning center, consistent snowmaking and grooming, and dedicated children’s areas. 

Gravity Haus at Jackson Hole Ski Area

JACKSON HOLE in Wyoming, operating for over 50 years, is more popular than ever. There’s non-stop airlift from major cities, and special family deals including a $1600 airfare credit for a family of four as long as you book by end of November. The slopes and 3,000 acres of backcountry offer groomers, deep fresh powder and four Burton Stash Parks. Families love the authentically cowboy town of Jackson, National Elk Refuge, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks nearby, which offer unparalleled opportunities to see wildlife in the winter. Snow King is Jackson’s hometown hill just blocks from Town Square – and a great bet with fewer people , value rates a new planetarium and a tubing park .

Top Family Ski and Snow Vacation Mountains – Keystone to Mount Sunapee

KEYSTONE RESORT has over 3,000 Colorado acres of skiable terrain including three peaks, five above-tree-line bowls, night skiing and, over 550 acres of lift-serviced high alpine terrain with the addition of the Bergman Express. Families love the mountaintop Snow Fort along with non-stop activities including high-speed snow tubing, scenic horse-drawn sleigh rides and unparalleled ice-skating on  5-acre Keystone Lake and more. . Book two or more nights and kids 12 and under get a day of free skiing (an additional day for each room night booked.) We love the complimentary red wagons that help parents tote gear (and excited kiddos) to and from the slopes.

KIRKWOOD MOUNTAIN RESORT is an affordable Lake Tahoe area resort for adrenaline seekers where the steep and deep produces hair-raising cliff drops, bumps and open bowls. The skiing and riding in the Timber Creek base area offers an ideal place to progress your skills and enjoy perfect groomers, moderately pitched tree runs, and small gullies.

MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN is California’s highest resort, topping out at just over 11,000 feet, with more than 150 trails and 3,100 vertical feet. Use the Ikon Pass to combine a stay with play at Palisades Tahoe and Big Bear Mountain Resort; do it midweek at 20% off and weekends take 15% off. Mammoth has dedicated learning centers for kids and myriad off-slope activities including tubing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. At Woolly’s Adventure Summit, families with young kids can build a snowman, hit the six lift-accessed, groomed tubing lanes, and try out the all-new mountain coaster.

MONARCH MOUNTAIN near-near the “College Range” is perched atop the Continental Divide on Scenic Highway 50. The ski area, part of the Colorado GEMS collection, is a hidden gem with something for everyone. Diverse terrain accommodates skiers and boards of all levels.

MOUNT BACHELOR With over 4,300 acres of lift-accessible terrain, Mt. Bachelor is the the largest resort in the Pacific Northwest. Go for light, dry snow, diverse terrain, family-friendly facilties and one of the longest seasons in the country. Some advance purchase lift tickets allow kids 12 and under to ski free (one kids’ ticket per paying adult.)  Mt. Bachelor is located just 20 min west of the thriving town of Bend, Oregon, home to many of the country’s top craft breweries, tax-free shopping, and great après-adventure entertainment for all ages, plus 300 days of sunshine. Read more about Bend Oregon here.

MOUNT SNOW is Vermont’s closest destination ski resort to Boston and New York City. Easy access to its massive terrain park, efficient modern lifts, and the most powerful snowmaking system in the East make it very popular. ll. The Carinthia terrain park boasts more than 100 acres of features providing a virtually endless playground of progression and adventure. Expect fine dining options, upscale lodging and plenty of off-mountain attractions and activities for families.

MOUNT SUNAPEE  is one of Boston’s closest, most accessible and most affordable mountains with the  South Peak  offering terrific learning terrain. Check out the ski-through lighthouse, inspired by Lake Sunapee’s three iconic lighthouses.

Top Family Ski and Snow Vacation Mountains – North Star to Park City

NORTHSTAR CALIFORNIA is the perfect place for exploratory cruising with its moderate pitch, sweeping views of Lake Tahoe, and wide-open runs. Families can progress together in family-designated learning zones, the Kids’ Adventure Zones, progressive terrain parks and over 400 acres of advanced terrain on Lookout Mountain and the Backside. Kick back after a fun-filled day with fireside s’mores and hot cocoa (or a specialty cocktail from Vous) in the Village. This is the place for the passionate family snowboarder.

Learning to ski at Okemo in Vermont

OKEMO MOUNTAIN RESORT, located in southern Vermont with easy access from Boston, New York, and other East Coast points, relies on advanced, energy-efficient, tower-gun technology and a fleet of modern snow groomers to ensure quick snow-surface recovery. It’s a small mountain with 122 trails and glades, and . Two express lifts access the summit and are outfitted with retractable, transparent domes to keep passengers comfortable and protected from the elements. Read how it compares to Stowe here.

PALISADES TAHOE is Lake Tahoe’s largest premier resort destination spanning 6,000 skiable acres across eight peaks. Hosting the 1960 Winter Olympics and home mountain to esteemed Olympic and World Cup athletes, the 75-year-old resort enjoys an average annual snowfall of 400 inches, offering Lake Tahoe’s longest winter season. It boasts beautiful views of the lake, a tremendous spring skiing season and more perks that families love.

POWDER MOUNTAIN Utah is for folks who might not be looking to ski or snowboard.  Try the network of trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.  Explore the backcountry terrain via a guided experience. You can alternatively hike to James Peak on the designated boot-pack track for some of the steepest black and double black diamond terrain.

SKI COOPER is an authentic, non-profit Colorado ski resort with uncrowded slopes and some ofthe state’s most affordable day passes. Just outside of high-altitude Leadville, the base is at 10,500 feet; the summit at 11,700 feet blanketed with soft powder and freshly groomed slopes. Expert skiers can try out the steep tree skiing of the Tennessee Creek Basin area. Cooper has a rich history as this is where the 10th Mountain Division trained during World War II. We visited Ski Cooper on a blue-sky day.

SMUGGLERS’ NOTCH in northern Vermont is Ski Magazine’s pick for families in the Northeast. Smuggs has a licensed nursery, zip line canopy tour, snowshoeing, nightly hot cocoa by the fire, tubing, and glow tubing. The Fun Zone 2.0 is open day and night with laser tag, a rock-climbing wall, a Ninja Warrior Course, large inflatables, an arcade, and a separate place for younger ones to safely play.. Check out the value Club Smugglers’ ski and stay packages including lift tickets, lodging, indoor pool and hot tubs and many other extras.

SNOWBIRD in Utah offers a Kids Freeloader Pass. Anyone under the age of 18 will qualify for a FREE Snowbird season pass when linked to an Adult, Military, Senior Snowbird Summit Pass or ALTA-biRD PASS. Families and support systems come in all forms, so the Kids Freeloader Pass is meant to be inclusive while fostering the future generations of skiers and shredders. 

Strawberry Park Hot Springs in Steamboat Spring Colorado
Strawberry Park Hot Springs in Steamboat Spring Colorado

STEAMBOAT SKI RESORT, in its 61th year in Colorado, has a reimagined base area with better crowd flow and a second gondola to a new learning facility on mountain.  Kids 12 and younger ski and ride free for the same number of days as a parent, grandparent or legal guardian when they purchase a 5 or more day adult lift ticket.  Kids can also get free rentals for the same number of days. But you must purchase before the start of ski season. Alternatively, relax, ride horses, go snowshoeing or X-country skiing – plus dine on great food — check out nearby Vista Verde Ranch. Read about Taking the Kids’ visit here.

STEVENS PASS is home to a community of full-time, part-time, and first-time winter crusaders enjoying the very best of the Cascades in Washington State – from numerous bowls, glades and faces to extensive lighted terrain for skiing and riding well into the evening. Locals love the annual snowfall averaging 460″ each year and 1,125 acres of diverse skiable terrain.

STOWE MOUNTAIN RESORT has a one-of-a-kind, world class appeal and postcard-perfect village that make it a truly unique Vermont fun in the snow destination. Discover experiences both on and off Mount Mansfield that range from carving alpine turns and ice skating to enjoying a cross-country outing through pristine forest. The Sunrise is the first-ever six-passenger chairlift for Stowe in its 87-year history. This upgrade directly services he  Adventure Zones, which are becoming more and more popular as an introduction to tree skiing. Read how it compares to Okemo here.

SUGARBUSH. There’s nothing prettier than a Vermont winter to show off Sugarbush resort and its scenic, small town base village in the Mad River Valley. Beyond skiing, there are several snowshoe trails, Cabin Cat Adventures like candlelit dinners, first tracks experiences and sunset rides. This resort focuses on culinary, with locally sourced meats, dairy, breads, and vegetables featured on menus.

Top Family Ski and Snow Vacation Mountains – Sun Valley to Telluride

SUN VALLEY is the crowning jewel of Idaho resorts since 1936. Expect a highly regarded ski and snowboard instruction (ski classes begin at age 4, snowboarding at age 6)  and posh, jetset amenities.  Learn more about Sun Valley from Family Travel Forum’s recent visit.

SUNDAY RIVER is located minutes from picturesque Bethel Village in western Maine’s Mahoosuc Mountains. A Boyne resort on the IKON Pass, it has 12-hour skiing and riding Fridays, Saturdays and select holidays, a tubing park, fireworks most weekends and holidays, and family-friendly entertainment for the little ones.

TAOS SKI VALLEY is home to one of North America’s highest lifts and is the best known among New Mexico’s eight alpine and three Nordic ski areas. Altitude assures it is typically blanketed with 300” of snow each season. There’s a very upscale, stylish 115-room & suites hotel, The Blake, at the base area, with larger family-sized condos in the adjacent building. Take advantage of a snowcat-pulled sleighride to dine at The Bavarian. As the only B Corp ski resort in the world, Taos claims to be fully certified Carbon Neutral, and is on track to be net zero by 2030.

TELLURIDE, a southwestern Colorado mountain town, is a favorite snow sports destination because of its century-old architecture, free pedestrian-friendly gondola between resort and town, and striking mountain views in every direction. More than 60% of the terrain is for beginners and intermediates, with at least one blue run from every lift, making it a perfect mountain for groups with different abilities. Backcountry fans love Black Iron Bowl, a hike-to playground set against the dramatic backdrop of Palmyra Peak. Read our review here.

Easy access to some of the world's best skiing from the Grand Hyatt Vail
The gateway to the back bowls at Vail

VAIL is the flagship Colorado mountain of a snow sports empire. The original Vail Resort has more than 5,300 skiable acres including the seven legendary Back Bowls spanning 7 miles. Add high-touch service to a terrific ski school, a new massive snowmaking upgrade and expansion project, intermediate and expert moguls, tree skiing and even some cliffs, to see how quality rules. Vail offers a variety of complimentary mountain tours, the multi-lane tubing hill at Adventure Ridge and more. Families can try the 50-foot-long, ski-through Coyote’s Den cave, checkout the teepee in Sherwood Forest and join the Nature Discovery Center at Eagle’s Nest for frequent nature walks, snowshoe tours and programs led by local naturalists. Opt in for family Private Lessons to learn and experience the mountain together. Read about it here.

WILMOT MOUNTAIN in Wisconsin, just a short drive from Chicago and Milwaukee, offers affordability, less vertical and a smaller footprint to quickly build confidence – the benefits new skiers reap when visiting smaller ski hills. Additionally, the resort’s Ski and Ride school caters to newbies so you can learn to ski yourself or give your kids a gift that will last a lifetime.

WINTER PARK in Colorado is one of the closest large ski areas near Denver and offers mass transit access via the Winter Park Express, a partnership between Amtrak and Winter Park Resort. The train leaves Denver’s Union Station early in the morning and chugs through the scenic foothills to the Continental Divide, through the historic Moffat Tunnel and to the doorstep of the ski resort on weekends. Winter Park is also home to the National Sports Center for the Disabled with many programs for those with physical and mental challenges,

WHISTLER BLACKCOMB in British Columbia welcomes powder hounds, glade lovers and groomer aficionados who won’t want to miss the unmatched variety of terrain at North America’s largest ski resort. An instructor from its world-class snow school can help with tips and tweaks for your turns, while acting as your local guide to the best powder stashes among the 16 alpine bowls and 200+ runs of these dual mountains. Whistler is growing its offering of ski and ride camps for kids and adults this season, while Extremely Canadian’s ski and snowboard clinics maximize what the Coast Mountains have to offer including Steeps Clinics, avalanche skills training and more.

WOODWARD PARK CITY  boasts  66,000-square foot Adventure Hub and its outdoor wonderland of jumps, rails, halfpipes, and progressive features. Tubing guests will enjoy an improved lighting system under the night sky.  Visit Woodward’s website to learn about various Winter Camp training opportunities that include training with US Ski & Snowboard team athletes as guest coaches.  There are also Woodward locations  in Pennsylvania, California, Snowbird, UT, Eldora and Copper CO and Mt. Bachelor, OR.

This special FamilyTravelConsulting.com travel section has been brought to you by our sponsors, Allianz Travel Insurance, Park City UT, Gravity Haus hotels, and ShipSkis. All other content and opinions are based upon the authors’ actual travel experience and knowledge.