Top 10 Western Ski Resorts for Families
Our family ski trips out west to Colorado, Utah, Montana, California and
Oregon have brought us to this Top 10 Rocky Mountain Ski Resorts lists. Of
course, we have yet to ski all of the Rockies, still need to ski Idaho,
Wyoming, Washington, and New Mexico..so stay tuned and keep checking back.
Snowmass at Aspen Colorado
Snowmass is the largest of the four Aspen ski mountains, skiing the
Big Burn at Snowmass will make
everyone in the family feel like the big cheese – or a ski movie
star. With lodging at the recently revitalized Snowmass
Village, and the
state of the art Tree House child
care center – Snowmass is ideal for families. Aspen's Buttermilk is
teen heaven in January when they host the trendy Winter X-Games.
Siblings Aspen Highlands and Ajax are also worth a day of skiing
during a ski week in Aspen.
Steamboat, Colorado
Steamboat is a Wild West cowboy town
with a very tame side – a soft spot for families. Steamboat’s ski
terrain is mostly gentle (with a few sweet steep Glades), the
Colorado snow and sun abundant, and the on mountain accommodations
aplenty including a Sheraton and the Steamboat Grand. Our family
loved the Strawberry Park Hot Springs for après ski, and our son
loved racing Billie Kid in NASTAR – and beating the Olympic ski
racer in the gates (which was gracious of the old cowboy).
Keystone
Keystone is near Vail, Breckenridge,
Copper, Arapahoe Basin – all the big mountains, but this Colorado
resort is self-contained with a gondola from the base of the
beautiful slopeside village. Keystone is great for growing families,
and you can always day trip to Vail or Breck or Loveland from your
Keystone accommodations.
Northstar At Tahoe, Lake Tahoe California
Northstar is the place to ski in
California if you have young
children or growing kids who love terrain parks. Northstar has
dialed into young skiing families. The resort village is proof, so
is the all natural Burton terrain park called The Stash. A Northstar
Ritz Carlton now graces the mountainside with a ski valet and spa. This Lake Tahoe ski
resort is a good choice for a winter family ski trip, and you can
day trip to Lake Tahoe, Squaw Valley and Heavenly.
Beaver Creek, Colorado
Beaver Creek is like Vail – though more
upscale. While not as big as Vail, this resort is posh, well-pitched
and has the personal touch I like on a family ski holiday. Maybe
it’s the free, fresh homemade cookies in the village for après ski,
or the centerpiece ice skating rink, or it could be the World Cup
Downhill Course – Birds of Prey… Beaver Creek has something for
everyone. Stay at the Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch for the best
Colorado ski vation.
Big Sky, Montana
Big Sky is not so easy to get too - just
one of the reasons we like it so much. This
Montana ski resort is vast, very friendly and offers the most
spectacular vistas in ski country. Now that Big Sky interconnects
with Moonlight Basin, you have the biggest skiing in America. Staying slopeside at Big Sky’s
Summit Hotel, you can walk to the lifts, to kids ski camp and to the
new plaza with skier services, shops and restaurants. Take a day off
to visit Yellowstone National Park
-Old Faithful still goes off in winter, and the geysers and animals
tracks are easy to spot in the snow.
Deer Valley, Utah
Deer Valley ranks as the top ski
resort for service, food and grooming. I would add Deer Valley is
top shelf for families – as long as there are no snowboarders in
your ski group (snowboarders ban). This first class ski resort in
Utah has great lifts, excellent grooming
and well trained ski ambassadors to make your ski and stay at Deer
Valley the best. Warning: Deer Valley real estate is hot, and
happening with a new Deer Valley St Regis Hotel, and a Montage Hotel
at Deer Valley, and magnificent Deer Valley ski mansions for rent.
Vail, Colorado
Vail is the grandfather of Rocky Mountain
ski resorts (circa 1962). With so much terrain, Vail makes the top
ten ski resort list easily. Golden Peak at Vail is the family ski
hub, with A Small World Play School, Vail ski and snowboard lessons,
and Vail ski camps emanating from here. On the mountain, look for
Vail’s Kids Adventure Zones. Vail Village has that European ambiance
for your family to explore after a day on Vail’s Front Side or the
Back Bowls. For Vail nightlife (family-style), look for the weekly
free concert block parties at 6pm.
Mammoth, California
When in California, Mammoth is king. Mammoth ski resort is
immense, and recent upgrades including a pedestrian ski village, a
gondola and some of the best terrain parks and pipes make this
California ski area rock -
especially for skiing teenagers, and youthful snowboarders. A week
at Mammoth Mountain Resort is a treat;
their kids’ camp with mascot Wooly Mammoth is a definite kid
pleaser. The California sunshine on the Sierra Nevada’s, the
frequent snow fall, and the super-sized ski season make Mom and Dad
happy. And hey, Mammoth to Disneyland, Hollywood and LA is just 5 ½
hours away!
Snowbird, Utah
Snowbird is a favorite ski area
amongst core skiers. Snowbird’s Cirque offers the country’s foremost
expert terrain serviced by the tram. But for families, there’s tame
terrain around the base, and slopeside hotel lodging at the Cliff
House and The Iron Blossom. Just a half hour drive from Salt Lake
City also makes this Utah family ski
trip a winner as you can ski and fly the same day as East or West
Coast ski travelers. A
Snowbird/Alta lift ticket gains you access to two phenomenal resorts
(Alta is a skiers only resort, no snowboards allowed). Snowbird is a
top resort for spring skiing -staying open till May.
Honorable Mention = Idaho. Your
own private Idaho is perfect for a family ski vacations with more
snow and less crowds. A bit harder to get to, but landing in Boise,
you can tour Sun Valley,
Soldier,
Brundage,
Bogus Basin and
Tamarack. Even take the
kids cat skiing!
All Stories by Heather Burke
All Photography by Greg Burke
