A ski trip up the mountains doesn’t necessarily need to be an adult-exclusive vacation – several great kid friendly ski resorts around the world are worth checking out.
Nothing beats the feeling of advancing your skiing skills with your family in tow and conquering some steep mountainsides together.
Mont-Tremblant Resort, Canada
Located in the Laurentian Mountains of Quebec, Mont-Tremblant has kid-friendly slopes, known onsite as the Tam-Tam Kid’s Zone, which allows for your kids to ski to their heart’s content, while parents can relax and do their own thing.
Each kid is fitted with a GPS armband, so mom and dad are always aware of where they’re skiing.
This resort is amazing for several additional reasons: its brightly colored buildings are reminiscent of the illustrations in a Dr Suess book; it boasts a wide array of restaurants serving up authentic French cuisine; plus, it is hassle-free to reach if travelling from the U.S., located only 130 km from Montreal.
Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont – the most accommodating kid friendly ski resort
Smugglers’ Notch must be one of the most accommodating kid-friendly ski resorts, with an overwhelming number of amenities to keep your little ones occupied and confident on the slopes.
Firstly, Smugglers’ offers a FamilyFest package, that covers all members of the family. This allows your children access to such activities like the Kids’ Night Out, on top of ice skating, air boarding, and snowmobiling activities.
Smugglers’ also has an area for teenagers to hang out known as ‘Teen Alley’ where they’ll find regular music events, video games, movie screenings, and much more!
Ruka, Finland
If you want to show your young kids what a real winter wonderland looks like, take them to the kid friendly ski resort of Ruka – located a mere 20 km from Kuusamo airport.
Great for a holiday-themed skiing jaunt, this resort is brimming with Christmas fun, including the Rosa & Rudolf Family Park, Santa’s secret cottage, and even a reindeer safari.
Your family can partake in some dog sledding, and then try out one of Ruka’s many kid-friendly slopes.
Passo Tonale, Italy
If you and your family fancy yourselves as winter sports aficionados, put your mixed skills to the test, at Italy’s Passo Tonale.
This Rhaetian Alps resort boasts facilities not just for skiing, but also winter biking, ice climbing, snowmobiling, ice skating, and snowshoe walking.
If your family are feeling confident in your skillsets, be sure to include a Wednesday in your booking, as this is the day that families get to challenge one another to races.
There are, of course, several safe slopes for youngsters and beginners, and plenty of kids clubs and lessons to sign your kids up for.
Plus, the high altitude of Passo Tonale affords it some breathtaking views.
La Plagne, France
La Plagne makes our list of best kid-friendly ski resorts because it is renowned for its effective ski schools, that can teach all ages, from beginners to expert skiers.
Your kids are sure to get heaps of satisfaction from moving from easy slopes to tougher ones.
La Plagne also runs a Crystal Childcare service which will keep an eye on and teach your kids – from as young as 6 months old! – some new tricks, as you and your partner conquer some bigger slopes.
La Plagne also has an impressive ice grotto and sculptures to marvel at – when you’re not whizzing down the mountainside!
Whiteface Mountain Resort, New York
Fancy skiing down a mountain that has hosted the Winter Olympics twice?
Follow in the footsteps – or rather, ski pegs – of some world-class Olympians, and tackle the difficult slopes afforded by the seemingly boundless Whiteface Mountain.
Although this resort offers some of the steepest drops you’re likely to find at a family ski resort -3,430 feet, to be exact – it offers some of the most secluded kids zones too.
The Kids Kampus is basically its own resort altogether – designed exclusively for kids that are making their first foray into the world of skiing.
This resort is amazing because it manages to combine the most extreme slopes with slopes for absolute beginners.
Massanutten Resort, Virginia
Are you a family who enjoy skiing, and want to experience what vacationing at a ski resort is like, but are unsure that you could endure a whole week or so doing nothing but skiing?
Then look no further than Massanutten Resort in Virginia, which is primarily a ski resort, but offers many more activities.
Believe it or not, this resort boasts an indoor waterpark, with a lengthy lazy river; this resort is also worth going to experience its virtual reality facilities and arcades.
On the skiing front, there are 16 lanes to choose from, each lane built to cater to different levels of skills, as well as different modes of winter sport – from skiing to snowboarding, to tubing.
Out of all the kid-friendly ski resorts, this may be the one with the most variety.
Soldeu, Andorra
If it’s a compact, hassle-free kid-friendly ski resort that you seek, check out Soldeu, in the tiny principality of Andorra – sandwiched between France and Spain.
Soldeu is a unique ski resort as it is little known, so you’re likely to find a tranquil environment in which all members of your family can progress their skiing ability at their own pace.
The onsite ski school takes you through the paces, from beginner to expert, as the slopes get gradually more challenging and complex.
The slight village of Soldeu is just a short walk away from the ski center and boasts several luxury hotels, that each has its own unique pros, such as pools and evening entertainment, that’ll make your vacation extra special.
This is an amazing resort because it’s coveted, quiet, and as good a place as any for your little ones to learn how to ski!
Check out these kid friendly ski resorts and enjoy some family time on the slopes!