A family ski vacation is a proven cure for the winter blues. It’s the type of getaway where families can immerse themselves in beautiful outdoor locations in a fun, active way. And it’s the perfect opportunity to take advantage of one of the perks of the winter season: all that fresh powder!

As simple as it may seem, there are a lot of factors to consider when booking a family ski vacation, like selecting a ski resort that fits your family’s needs. If you enjoy variety, consider a location like Colorado with a wide range of runs and several ski resorts within two or three hours. If you’re skiing with teens, we love mountains where the runs have a “funnel effect,” a centralized base area. This gives parents a reasonable feeling of safety to allow their teens some independence, knowing you’ll all converge at one location several times throughout the day to check in with each other.

In Europe, families can easily combine cultural activities with winter sports. Tour local markets, enjoy dining options like fondue dinners and then set off on a sleigh ride. Families love European ski resort icons like Zermatt, Verbier, Meribel and Lech, as well as lesser-known family-oriented gems like Les Gets, Alta Badia and Crans-Montana. When there are only a few days to work with for a ski getaway, we encourage families to choose a destination like Northstar or Lake Tahoe in California, or Park City and Salt Lake City in Utah, with convenient transportation logistics. East Coasters might opt for something within driving distance in New England, such as Vermont or even upstate New York.

Some of our favorite destinations for a family ski vacation include these kid-friendly ski resorts:

Sun Valley, Idaho

We love this resort for many reasons, but at the top of the list is the beautiful lodge and tons of kid-friendly activities like bowling, ice skating, swimming and a shopping mall.

Deer Valley, Utah

The skiing is incredible here, and parents love that the service level on the mountain is all about hands-free attention. Expect your gear to be waiting for you! Charming and lively Park City is only a short drive away, too.

Grindelwald, Switzerland

You can truly be on top of the Alps while skiing here. Best of all, this resort has dedicated areas for young and inexperienced skiers, which are often hard to find in Europe.

Beaver Creek, Colorado

Not all resorts have ski-in/ski-out accommodation options, but you’ll find plenty at Beaver Creek. Plus you’re within striking distance of other Colorado ski resorts, like Vail, if you want variety.

Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont

On the East Coast, no ski resort caters to families as meaningfully as Smugglers’ Notch. Everything families could possibly need or want is all onsite.

Whistler, British Columbia, Canada

This mountain is so exceptional that it attracts skiers from all over the world. The resort offers great ski camp experiences for children of every age and ability. When you need a break from the slopes, there are many activities offered, from cultural museum visits to tubing.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

For families seeking really challenging runs, Jackson Hole delivers. Families also love that the centralized base area has many lodging choices right there. One of our top pro tips is to book lessons for every family member here on the first day, so everyone feels more confident on such difficult terrain.

Keystone, Colorado

Known as a ski resort where families rule and kids often ski free, Keystone is a great starting point for families new to the sport but still challenging enough for seasoned veterans.

Val Thorens, France

This ski resort is the largest in the world, so it works well for families seeking lots of runs in one location. There are hundreds of miles of interconnected slopes throughout Les Trois Vallees.

Let us help you make your next family ski vacation truly memorable. We can organize special activities like dog sledding, private mountain guides or a family ski lesson. We work with many luxury ski resorts that offer our clients incredible perks and savings, such as complimentary breakfast and credits for various dining options onsite.

CB clients have also enjoyed catered chalets with private chefs and childcare, and we can coordinate that as well. We can even arrange ski butler service to show you how truly effortless a family ski vacation can be. All you’ll need to worry about is what to pack!

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