The 15 Best Family-friendly Ski Resorts That Cater to Kids — and Kids at Heart

Part of what makes a big ski trip special is the people traveling with you. When the whole family is along for the ride, you need one destination to accommodate a range of ages, skill levels, and interests. The best ski resorts for families offer entertainment for everyone, from non-skiers and kids to the most expert shredders among us. That means a resort needs both challenging mountain terrain and low-pressure activities like scenic gondola rides all in one place.

Want an example of one that does just that? Look no further than Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort in Canada, where the kids can explore an enchanted forest in the property's "family-certified zone" while the adults push themselves on the mountain's more difficult ski runs. There's also Steamboat Ski Resort in Colorado, where the whole family can convene in a relaxing hot spring (including one with waterslides) to rehash the day's adventures.

Keep reading for more of the best ski resorts for families.

Smugglers' Notch Resort, Vermont

This family-friendly Vermont resort caters to every age. Adults won't run out of terrain to explore (there are 78 trails spread across three mountains), and everyone can unwind after skiing or snowboarding by toasting marshmallows around the nightly bonfire. Don't miss the fireworks every Thursday night or glow tubing (night sledding under LED lights) on Tuesdays. In addition to a packed program of family entertainment in the evenings, "Smuggs" offers special activities for teens, a childcare center, and babysitting services so parents can enjoy some adults-only time.

Steamboat Ski Resort, Colorado

One of the biggest concerns when it comes to planning a family ski vacation is cost, and this mountain resort has you covered. At Steamboat, kids 12 and under ski free if their guardian buys a five-day (or more) lift ticket package. Besides more than 3,500 acres of terrain, families will appreciate the snow sports school, which gets kids and less-experienced adults on the slopes. After a day on the mountain, the entire crew will enjoy a visit to Old Town Hot Springs, which has two 230-foot waterslides.

Big Sky Resort, Montana

When it comes to skiing with kids, accessibility is key. Direct flights from more than 20 cities mean you'll have no trouble getting to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, and several shuttle companies will ferry you the 50 miles to Big Sky if you prefer not to rent a car. Once you get to the mountain, you'll find 5,850 acres of skiable terrain around 11,166-foot-high Lone Peak, plus chairlifts with heated seats and weatherproof storm shields (say goodbye to cold fingers). When you need a break from your ski boots, book a dog sledding trip or take a nighttime stroll through the resort's Enchanted Forest for a snowy light show the whole family will love.

Northstar California Resort, California

This North Lake Tahoe resort features 100 trails and more than 3,100 skiable acres, so there's plenty of terrain for everyone in the family to explore. At the end of the day, gather your squad together for an evening of après-ski ice skating and hot chocolate, or continue to slide down the hill in a tube. Before you turn in for the night, warm up by the fire pits and get ready to do it all again.

"I skied here for my first-ever ski trip at 31 years old, and I came in fearful of the slopes," said T+L senior editorial director Nina Ruggiero after a February 2021 visit. "I was very impressed by their private lesson program. My instructor not only put me at ease, she had me skiing blues. I've taken many ski lessons since, and I still think of her as my best instructor."

Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia, Canada

At Whistler Blackcomb, some of North America's most serious skiing is paired with serious fun for young visitors. For adults, this former Olympic site offers more than 200 trails spread over more than 8,000 acres, plus an extensive backcountry that advanced riders can explore with an expert guide. The real magic, though, is reserved for kids. The resort has two slopeside children's play areas — one on Whistler Mountain that comes with its own tree fort, and one on Blackcomb Mountain that's equipped with a castle-themed playground. After the sun sets, the whole family will enjoy taking a stroll in Whistler's charming pedestrian village or going ice skating under the stars.

Keystone Resort, Colorado

Adults can test their skills on more than 3,000 acres and 140 trails at Keystone Resort, most of which targets intermediate- to expert-level skiers. Despite its challenging terrain, the resort does offer lessons for children — but if your little ones would prefer alternative activities, there are plenty to choose from. Non-skiers can spend their time ice skating, tubing, or enjoying a scenic sleigh ride. The peak experience for kiddos, however, is bound to be exploring the massive snow fort perched atop Dercum Mountain, spanning over 16,000 square feet and featuring slides, ice sculptures, and more.

Park City Mountain Resort, Utah

With more than 330 trails and 7,300 acres of terrain, the biggest ski resort in the U.S. has something for everyone to enjoy. Kids and adults learning to ski or board will find their little slice of paradise at High Meadow Park, a learning area with groomed off-trail runs where beginners can work on their skills.

There are also plenty of adventures that don't involve two planks. Whiz more than a mile down the snowy landscape on the state's longest mountain coaster — kids at least five feet, four inches tall can "drive" the toboggan-like car. As long as your children are 10 or older, after a day of skiing, you can take a 25-minute snowcat-pulled sleigh ride to The Viking Yurt, a six-course dining experience at 8,700 feet.

Whiteface Mountain, New York

Parents can explore some of this Lake Placid mountain's 94 trails while kids partake in lessons (ages four and up for skiing; seven and up for snowboarding). Afterward, gather for lunch at Growler’s Grill inside Bear Den Lodge, which has craft beer and sweeping mountain views.

There's also plenty of adrenaline to be had away from the slopes. Whiteface Mountain is one of the "Lake Placid Legacy Sites" where the 1980 Winter Olympics took place, and between the four sites, you can find all kinds of Olympic-inspired adventures. Try hurtling down the bobsled track at Mt. Van Hoevenberg or watching ski jumpers fly the length of a football field from inside the Skyride, an eight-person gondola located at the Olympic Jumping Complex.

Beaver Creek, Colorado

What's more family-friendly than an on-mountain Candy Cabin that's ready to welcome kids (and kids at heart) with Swedish Fish, Jelly Bellys, M&Ms, and more at 9,840 feet? After you've gotten your sugar fix at Beaver Creek, you can enjoy the resort's 167 different trails or challenge yourself to ski the mountain's longest run, Centennial, which clocks in at 2.75 miles long.

Bretton Woods, New Hampshire

Adults will love the 464 acres of skiing found at this New Hampshire resort, while kids will love the fact that there are plenty of activities designed just for them (in addition to skiing and snowboarding lessons). They can speed down the resort's snow tubing hill or, if they're 12 or older, check out the Canopy Tour's nine zip lines and two sky bridges.

Sun Valley, Idaho

For a classic family ski vacation, it’s hard to beat Sun Valley. The resort’s two mountains offer more than 2,500 acres of terrain for skiers of all abilities, though newbies will be more comfortable finding their feet on Dollar Mountain’s easy runs. Accommodations range from the classic Sun Valley Lodge with its on-site bowling alley, arcade games, and skating rink to condos for extended family groups.

A variety of lessons and programs cater to pretty much everyone, from Little Spuds classes for ages three to five to advanced off-piste coaching on Bald Mountain. Adaptive programs through Higher Ground are available. Beginners and seasoned riders alike can hone their skills in nearly a dozen terrain parks. If you have kids between two and five years old, enroll them in Winter Camp: a full day of activities, from sledding and snowman-building to scavenger hunts.

Crystal Mountain Resort, Washington

This underrated ski resort is the largest in Washington state — which adds up to plenty of space for your crew. Bordering Mt. Rainier National Park, the 2,600-acre site is backdropped by the impressive namesake peak. More than half of the mountain’s 85-plus runs are intermediate level, but Crystal Mountain Resort also offers mellow beginner slopes and a trio of terrain parks for riders to progress their skills. Private lessons for all ages cover skiing or snowboarding, and group lessons are available for kids and adults. RV-loving families are particularly well catered for here with over 50 sites, more than half of which have hookups suitable for large RVs.

Aspen Snowmass, Colorado

A single lift ticket at Aspen Snowmass gets you access to all four of the mountains that make up this resort: Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass. Families of mixed skill levels, though, should focus their visit on Snowmass. The mountain has more terrain than the other three peaks combined and offers trails that range from expert-level double-black diamonds to gentle short-distance greens. Kids will fall in love with Snowmass' daily children's programming, and since Aspen is one of the country's best ski towns for non-skiers, even the most shred-averse family member will find something to enjoy at the base of the mountain.

Deer Valley, Utah

As long as everyone in your crew is happy on two planks, families of mixed abilities are well served at this skiing-only resort. More than 2,300 skiable acres are almost evenly shared between beginner, intermediate, and expert terrain — with more in the works. Ski classes are broken down by age, from the Fawn Special for three-year-olds (an hour-long lesson combined with play and creative time at the Children’s Center) to the Teen Escape Ski Clinic for kids between 13 and 17, a group class with options from one to five days.

Camelback Resort, Pennsylvania

This Poconos ski resort is smaller than some of its big mountain counterparts, but its petite size actually makes it more manageable for families trying to juggle various needs and skill levels. There are 39 total ski runs and a whopping 42 snow tube lanes on the mountain (for the tubing fanatic you're bound to have in your family). When you're not skiing or tubing, you can keep your adrenaline pumping at the Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark, which features 13 waterslides, a wave pool, a simulated surfing experience, and a swim-up bar.