I absolutely love skiing – it is my favorite sport! I enjoy it so much that I even raced on my school’s ski team in Australia!
Some of my fondest memories are from ski vacations I took with my family when I was younger. I have continued this tradition with my own family and my girls seem to have taken to skiing just as quickly as I did! There are so many amazing family ski resorts out there that cater to children of all ages. Christina Ohly reveals a few that are perfect for a winter family fun vacation.
-Tracey Frost Rensky, CEO and Co-founder, Citibabes
Photo by Chris McLennan
If you’ve thought of starting your child on skis or on a snowboard, but can’t quite figure out at what age to begin - not to mention where to start - here are a few ideas for hitting the slopes as a family this winter.
Start Small
Little people aren’t as fearful of icy slopes so start them on skis early and often. While there is no hard and fast rule regarding the best age to introduce the sport, most children are ready by the age of three or four to start learning the basics. And one of the great things about living in New York City is that you’re in proximity to many “beginner” mountains that welcome children with friendly ski schools and private instruction.
Consider getting a rental package of equipment for the remainder of the season (Paragaon Sports and Christy Sports offer good rates) so that day trips to nearby Thunder Ridge, Belleayre Mountain in the Catskills, or Connecticut's Mohawk Mountain are made easier. You’ll save time and tears by not waiting in lengthy rental lines, and a quick ski lesson will be a pleasurable experience, not a painful one. If possible, opt for a one or two hour private lesson so that your child gets individualized attention and sets up a positive association with the sport. Move on to group ski lessons and at later stages where they’ll have more fun skiing with kids their own ages.
Lesson Plans
Photo by Chris McLennan
Warmth and staying dry are key to a successful skiing experience so make sure that your child is appropriately geared up before hitting the hill. Stock up on waterproof mittens (LL Bean's Cold Busters are great), neck warmers, goggles, and disposable hand-warmers that zip easily into children’s gloves. Properly fitted helmets do double duty providing safety and heat. Even if you rent skis seasonally, helmets are a great investment and measurements can be taken in store (Paragon, Dick's Sporting Goods) and ordered online at Skis.com.
Ski In, Ski Out
When you're ready to step it up a notch, consider a trip to one of New England’s bigger mountains that also cater to families. Smuggler’s Notch, Stratton, and Okemo are a few of Vermont’s best offerings and tend to be less crowded than such sprawling areas as Killington or Mt. Snow. If you can ski mid-week or off-peak (non-holiday periods) you'll enjoy shorter lines, more instructors, and a generally calmer atmosphere at these mountains. You'll also find a wide array of beginner and intermediate terrain at Bretton Woods Ski Resort, a lesser known gem in New Hampshire’s White Mountains where Family Private Lessons (1 hour; $250) offer a fun way for up to five people to explore the mountain together.
Farther Flung Adventures
You may not be taking it off piste yet, but a ski trip out west certainly makes for a wonderful family adventure. With kids in tow if often makes sense to avoid tight connections and small planes, so opt for a direct flight from JFK to Eagle/Vail, Colorado for ease of use. Parents and kids alike will love the small village of Beaver Creek, with its’ central skating rink, terrain for skiers of all levels, and second-to-none instructors. Nest at either The Osprey or the Hyatt at the base of the lift, and you’ll be near kid-friendly cuisine at the cowboy-themed Dusty Boot Saloon as well a cozy fire pit in the town center that is perfect for roasting marshmallows.
Utah also offers easy to reach ski areas for all ages and ability levels. Book a direct flight into Salt Lake City Airport which tends to be less affected by bad weather than Denver International Airport, and head up the canyon to Deer Valley Resort. Kids will love the ski school and everyone can enjoy the apres ski offerings at the newly opened Montage, with its’ spectacular slopeside location, Ski Concierge (they'll warm your boots, handle the kids’ gear, and greet you with hot chocolate), as well as snowshoeing adventures for all ages.
If you’re feeling really ambitious, consider Jackson Hole, Wyoming in the heart of the spectacular Teton Mountains. Considered by many to be the quintessential Western ski town, Jackson can also be accessed by large jets (American Airlines via Chicago). The Four Seasons and The Snake River Lodge & Spa in Teton Village are both perfectly positioned for days spent exploring the vast - and varied terrain - of Jackson Hole Mountain. The Kids Ranch Ski School offers great instruction as well as day care for babies six months and older. Children age five and up can partake in Little Ripper Snowboard Lessons, while dog sled trips and arctic explorations in nearby Yellowstone Park are gorgeous diversions for older family members.
From snow-plowing down beginner runs, to schussing through glade trails, make this the year for family snow adventures of all kinds.
By Christina Ohly Evans, CitiScoop Travel Expert