Family ski vacations build in kids an adventurous mindset that will follow them throughout their lives. Sports and adventure are important throughout life and help to raise happy kids. We do, however, live in a repetitious and monotonous world. Spending Christmas or even New Year’s in the mountains allows families to take a much-needed vacation from their routine and expose their children to a more pristine side of life.
Every skier who spent their formative years skiing with their families would agree that the experiences were always enjoyable and left them with lifelong memories. Ski excursions are exceptional because of the various distinctive, shared mountain experiences. In addition, spending time together while skiing or skating around an ice rink when holiday music is playing strengthens family ties.
Whether it’s your first time skiing or attempting to pass along a cherished winter passion to the next generation, getting the group together in the mountains for the holidays is a great idea. With picture villages encircled by trees and blanketed with snow, many ski resorts have that merry, fairytale aesthetic. However, even contemporary resorts go all out with lights and decorations at this time of year. Here are some of the best family-friendly places to travel this Christmas for a memorable ski adventure.
Telluride Ski Resort
With various terrains, from manicured green and blue boulevards to sun-drenched snow bowls, Telluride Ski Resort is an upscale and charming family ski resort amid the stunning environment of the San Juan mountains. This European Alps-style cowboy town provides a broad terrain suitable for skiers of all skill levels.
Parents will easily enjoy their days on the slopes while their young kids attend the Children’s Ski School in Telluride. For families with toddlers and preschoolers, the Cubs Camp Nursery offers Nursery services to assist them. And for everyone’s enjoyment, Telluride also offers family-friendly dining establishments and lodging.
Telluride’s holidays are beautiful. Throughout December, Telluride’s treasured historic buildings are adorned with holiday wreaths and multicolored decorations. Holiday-themed concerts, such as the Telluride Chorale Society’s Noel Night, where everyone is serenaded by music, or the Holiday Prelude in the nearby community of Mountain Village, are just a few local traditions and activities.
Stowe Mountain Resort
In Vermont’s tallest peak, Stowe Mountain Resort is a well-known four-season holiday area offering a variety of wintertime sports and experiences. Stowe is the best New England holiday destination in a historic community with Vermont’s most breathtaking landscape.
The resort has 485 skiable acres, 116 trails, and 12 lifts and has everything a ski enthusiast could want. With some of the most extended intermediate runs in the East, Stowe Mountain Resort is one of the most family-friendly in the United States. It also offers plenty of possibilities for newbies. Families with young children will love the spacious trails at Spruce Peak.
You may see your youngster fall in love with the mountains in Stowe. To allow your children to safely explore the mountain and have lifelong experiences, schedule a group ski instruction with the Ski & Ride School.
Choose a personalized lesson to tailor your group’s excursion if you desire a family experience. And for those looking for non-ski activities to round out your Christmas getaway, souvenir shopping in Stowe Village, ice skating at Spruce Peak Village Center, or riding the renowned Stowe Gondola SkyRide are a few you can add to your itinerary.
The holidays are incredible in Stowe. You may make the most of your trip by attending events like the Spruce Peak Lights Festival, which has ice skating shows, tree lightings, and fireworks, or the festive Christmas dinner at the Lodge at Spruce Peak on December 25, where the kids can see Santa. Spruce Peak village’s annual New Year’s Eve Celebration is Another must-attend celebration with live music and family fun.
Steamboat Resort
As Ski Town U.S.A., Steamboat Springs combines a long history of outstanding athleticism in winter sports with a thriving local economy. The cost is one of the main concerns when organizing a family ski trip. However, Steamboat Resort has you covered since if a parent, grandparent, or guardian purchases a 5-day or more extended lift ticket package, children under 12 skis for free.
One of the finest ski resorts in North America for families, this prominent location offers opportunities for youngsters both on and off the slopes. With its exclusive use of magic carpet lifts and family-friendly individual instruction, Steamboat provides the ideal environment for families learning to ski with young children. The Red Wagon program assists families in getting to and from the
slopes while hauling gear, and the Happy Camp daycare and ski instruction for families with young children are two main benefits for kids.
After skiing, you may reserve a winter dinner sleigh ride or go on a leisurely winter trek with the kids. For an authentic Colorado experience, you may also include a trip to the Saddleback Ranch in the vicinity of Steamboat! They provide a variety of wintertime activities, including snowmobile excursions, winter equestrian rides, and a snow tubing slope.
This ski resort community in Colorado celebrates Christmas in Old West fashion. A few days before Christmas, Santa rides down the ski slopes to interact with visiting families as part of a day-to-night celebration that starts at the ski resort’s base. After the sun setting, a caravan is led by torches down the mountain, followed by fireworks. Additionally, there is a Light Up Snow Cat procession and synchronized skiing by the Steamboat Snow Sports Instructors as part of the New Year’s festivities in Steamboat.
Northstar California Resort
The Truckee-Tahoe region is home to deep snow and incredible winter terrain, attracting skiers and riders worldwide. When it comes to skiing, Truckee-Tahoe has world-class terrain for all types of skiers and riders to have an unforgettable winter trip.
South of Truckee, you can find the Northstar California Resort, named by Travel + Leisure as the “premier family destination.” Here you can experience the ultimate family ski trip for the holidays enjoying world-class amenities and a Village with excellent après, trendy boutiques, and fine dining.
This resort has everything everybody needs to have an unforgettable holiday adventure in the mountain. First, you can book lessons for kids and grown-ups in the Ski & Snowboard School, where you will get confidence and learn new techniques from world-class instructors. Then, you can try together a unique and fun activity like fat biking in the most incredible mid-mountain cross-country center with amazing views of Lake Tahoe.
If you happen to be at Northstar for the holidays, families can join Santa for a private breakfast on Christmas Eve. Then, a couple of days after, you can attend an event in the Village called S’moresapalooza and savor different flavors at several s’mores stations. You can add many more family activities like snow tubing, snowshoeing, outdoor ice skating, and family movie night at The Village Cinemas.
The Best Family Ski Trip Ever
Deciding to take your family skiing is a big one. You’ll need to do your homework and make your bookings in advance and finding a ski resort that can accommodate all age groups, levels of expertise, and interests can be challenging. However, this list of top family-friendly ski areas might provide ideas for your Christmas vacation itinerary and inspire you to start planning your next trip to the snow. Also, find out about your chosen destination’s health and safety regulations to keep your family safe.
