Planning The Perfect Family Ski Vacation

There is nothing like the joyous shrieks of your child learning to pizza on the bunny slope or listening to your snowboard shredding teen recount his first solo run flying down a black diamond trail to make you appreciate  the fun and unforgettable memories of a family ski vacation.

What makes a great family ski vacation? If your kids (or you!) are new to skiing, a stellar learn-to-ski program and dedicated beginner slopes are key. If you have little ones, on-mountain childcare is also a must. And for families with hard-to-please teens, ski vacations work especially well. The adrenaline rush of  skiing and snowboarding along with the freedom to safely roam a mostly self-contained ski resort offers lots of appeal to this age group.

A fabulous family ski holiday is a lot more than time on the slopes. Choose a resort or destination with plenty of activities to accommodate all ages and interests of your family. Today’s ski resorts offer tons of kid-centric apres ski activities – take a spin on the ice, participate in games and crafts, or snuggle under the blanket of a horse-drawn sleigh. For the more adventurous there is tubing, tobogganing and even places where you can mush your own dog sled. Just be sure that your family has access to every kid’s favorite vacation amenity- an indoor pool!

From the charming mountain resorts of New England and Eastern Canada to the deep powder skiing and unspoiled terrain of the Colorado and Canadian Rockies, North America offers awesome family ski opportunities. Introduce your kids to a new culture while enjoying European ski holidays. Ski France, Switzerland, Austria or Italy, where top-notch resorts really cater to families with excellent child care options and learn-to-ski programs, picture postcard settings, varied ski terrain, and reliable snow.

Skiing is not cheap, but a ski vacation does not have to deplete your kid’s college fund.  Travel early or late in the ski season and not only you will save a bundle, but the slopes will be less crowded. At many mountains, very young kids ski for free. And sometimes, kids as “old” as age 12 qualify for free lift tickets.  Two to four -day ski weekends and packages offer families accommodation choices and travel options that promise maximum fun and minimum hassle at a budget-friendly price.

Other practical matters when planning a family ski vacation include reserving ski school lessons and child care programs well in advance, especially for peak holiday and school vacation weeks. Consider booking ski-in/ski out lodging which allows families convenient access to both the slopes and the ski school without having to lug ski gear around- and an easy to return to your room at the end of the day. Check too, for the availability of on-site babysitting or organized drop-off evening kid’s activities so you can indulge yourself at the spa or have a nice dinner sans kids. Remember, it is your ski vacation too!

This post was sponsored by Erna Low, the opinions expressed are those of the author.

Photo Credit: Skistar Trysil, Flikr