Planning a Fun Family Ski Trip
By Michele Blandino
Often times, the difference between a good family ski vacation and a great family ski vacation rests not with the actual skiing experience, but with the after ski activities the resort offers.
The Best of the East
Take for instance, Smugglers’ Notch in northern Vermont. Recognized by Ski Magazine as “# 1 for Family Programs in North America” and by Family Fun Magazine as the “#1 Family Resort in the Northeast”, the folks at Smugglers’ Notch know how to keep the entire family happy.
So, while the 78 trails on over 1,000 acres of terrain will keep the skiers busy during the day, that doesn’t mean that the fun ends once the last chair has made its way up the mountain. The resort offers a full array of activities that extend well into the evening hours including outdoor ice skating, snow tubing, bonfires, snowmobiling, indoor pools and hot tubs, family game nights and karaoke. Also on the property is the FunZone Family Center where kids can climb the giant inflatable slide, play mini-golf, shoot some hoops or play video games. There are also two centers designed specifically for teens that feature music, Internet access, pool tournaments and volleyball. The best news is that most of these activities are included with the cost of your vacation package.
Non-skiers can enroll in the Artists in the Mountains workshop and learn about Country Stenciling, Fabric Stenciling, Painters' Palette or Sculpting. If arts and crafts aren’t your thing, there are plenty of country shops and outlets in the area to peruse or you can take a trip to nearby Montreal.
Going West
Certainly, Smugglers’ Notch isn’t the only resort that caters to families. Steamboat Springs, located in northwestern Colorado also has kept families in mind when designing their vacation packages and programs. For instance, there is a “kids only” ski area with lifts and terrain accessible only to kids. For those watching their budgets, many of the vacation packages offered by the resort allow kids to stay and/or ski for free.
And, not surprisingly, Steamboat Springs has a full slate of activities that will keep everyone in the family occupied long after the last run of the day. The Kids Adventure Club offers a camp-like atmosphere for kids ages 5-12 that includes snacks, movies, games, tubing and swimming. Entire families can enjoy afternoon and evening horse-drawn sleigh rides or relax by the pool.
Non-skiers can enjoy activities such snowmobiling, snow tubing, cross country skiing and snow shoe tours.
Planning Your Trip
When you are planning your family ski trip, be sure to pay attention to the details. While many resorts will be quick to point out all the activities offered, they will not be as likely to tell you that many of these activities require an additional charge. The majority of the activities offered at Smugglers’ Notch are included in the price of the vacation package; at Steamboat Springs, many of the available activities are at an extra charge.
For More Information:
Not sure where to start planning your vacation? Check out these websites for guides to the individual ski resorts in those states:
