Tag: Skiing

Best Places to Ski with Family

Skiing is one of the best activities to enjoy with your loved ones, offering thrills and bonding moments alike. Imagine strapping on skis and gliding down a snow-covered mountainside, with the sun shining bright and crisp mountain air invigorating your senses. For families, the joy of skiing isn’t just about the slopes—it’s about creating lifelong memories in stunning winter wonderlands.

If you’re looking for the best places to ski with family, we’ve compiled a list of top destinations that cater to every skill level. From cozy beginner slopes to adventurous runs, these ski spots ensure everyone, from kids to adults, has an unforgettable experience on the snow.

If you are looking for an adventure packed family holiday then why not give skiing a try? Even if you have never set foot on a piste before, you can quickly learn under supervision from professional trainers. Your whole family can learn together – it can be an exhilarating experience that can bring you all closer together.

Does this sound like your type of vacation? If so, you have to choose a Ski resort for your ski trips. There is a mind-boggling number of resorts throughout the world that provide skiing facilities for families. Making a choice can obviously be difficult. To help, we have gathered a list of 9 of the best places to ski with family from around the world:

Sun Valley Ski Resort, Idaho, USA

– Location: Idaho, USA
– Website: https://www.sunvalley.com/
– No. of slopes: 65 ski runs, 13 chairlifts
– Activities catered for: Skiing, Snowboarding, Skating, Sleigh Rides
– Ski School facilities: Yes

Sun Valley is located in the north west of America in the state of Idaho. It is easily accessible by flights from LA, Denver, and San Francisco. This amazing establishment spans two main mountains – Bald and Dollar. It covers an area of over 2000 acres and provides a huge array of activities for all the family, making it one of the best places to ski with family.

Aside from the ski facilities, Sun Valley also has excellent accommodation. Your family can stay at deluxe condos, mountain lodges or even single cottages. To top it all off, there is a wellness spa for the parents and a multitude of bars and family friendly restaurants.

Big Sky Ski Resort, Montana, USA

– Location: Montana, USA
– Website: https://bigskyresort.com/
– No. of slopes: 300 runs spread across 4 mountains
– Activities catered for: Skiing, Snowboarding, Sledding, Adventure Park
– Ski School facilities: Yes

The mountains of Montana are a superb location for a ski resort. This is why Big Sky is so popular. The epic terrain is home to a massive amount of ski slopes and lifts. Despite the popularity, your family will rarely have to wait – Big Sky uses advanced ski lift technology that ensures queues are minimal.

Read more: Things to bring on your ski trip

Lone Mountain is the highest in the Big Sky range, but the ski slopes cover 4 different peaks in total. The skiing opportunities really are superb. For children, there is ski lessons and even special ski camps too. Moreover, the resort has amazing facilities including the popular Headwaters Grille.

Deer Valley Ski Resort, Utah, USA

– Location: Utah, USA
– Website: http://www.deervalley.com/
– No. of slopes: 103 runs, 25 ski lifts
– Activities catered for: Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowmobiles
– Ski School facilities: Yes

Deer Valley is located in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah. It is only 36 miles from Salt Lake City and is easily accessible. The ski resort is one of the most renowned for families in the state. The mountain features a myriad of runs such as Snow Park Base, Empire Canyon, and Empire Peak. The slopes are well facilitated and your family can easily obtain ski equipment.

There is a ski school for both adults and children. Furthermore, there are specialized activities for children and a myriad of groups such as the Little Tots which caters for 12-18-month-old children. Your whole family will be taken care of and entertained.

Read more: The Drop In Series: Park City, Utah

Crested Butte Ski Resort, Colorado, USA

– Location: Colorado, USA
– Website: http://www.skicb.com/
– No. of slopes: 14 lifts and 121 different trails
– Activities catered for: Skiing, Snowboarding
– Ski School facilities: Yes

Crested Butte is an amazing family ski resort that covers over 1500 acres. Your family can enjoy over 100 different trails that are all serviced by modern ski lifts. If you do not have your own equipment then don’t worry. There is a ski rental service, ski repair shop, and a high-quality ski and riding school. In terms of accommodation, there is a pleasant mix of lodges and beautiful condos.

Vail Resort, Colorado, USA

– Location: Colorado, USA
– Website: https://www.vail.com/
– No. of slopes: 195 named runs
– Activities catered for: Skiing, Snowboarding
– Ski School facilities: Yes

The Vail resort features over 5000 acres of skiable slopes. The conditions are always amazing and the quality of the snow and slops is sublime. As you ski, the Gore and Sawatch mountains will greet you – the views are magnificent. When staying at Vail resort, your family can be housed in a range of luxury lodges and chalets – the style and design are magnificent. Finally, Vail can teach you everything you need to know about Skiing with their ski schools for both adults and children.

Saas-Fee Ski Resort, Switzerland

– Location: Sass-Fee Valley, Switzerland
– Website: https://www.saas-fee.ch/en/
– No. of slopes: 150km of slopes spread across 18 mountains
– Activities catered for: Skiing, Snowboarding
– Ski School facilities: Yes

The Saas-Free Valley in Switzerland is a magical place. The valley contains 18 4,000m mountain peaks and is one of the most beautiful ranges in the country. Families can enjoy a myriad of skiing and snowboarding activities including freestyle skiing and trails. Snow is guaranteed in this winter park all year round. You can even take part in night skiing here among other outdoor activities.

The accommodation is also amazing – you can stay in traditional lodges or even treat your family to a stay in a wellness spa for a little rejuvenation and fun. To top it all off, there is a shuttle bus service and a plethora of restaurants and amenities suitable for all the family.

Read more: The Drop-IN Series: Jungfrau Ski Region, Switzerland

Mayfhofen-Ahorn, Austria

– Location: Tyrol, Austria
– Website: https://www.mayrhofen.at/en/
– No. of slopes: 139km of slopes
– Activities catered for: Skiing, Snowboarding
– Ski School facilities: Yes

Mayrhofen-Ahorn is a magnificent resort in the heart of Tyrol in Austria. Your family can enjoy a myriad of skiing activities on the immense slopes. Even if the weather takes a turn for the worse, you can still ski thanks to their artificial snow machines. Aside from skiing, you can also toboggan, ice skate or even try your hand at curling! There is something for everyone in the family to enjoy. Finally, your children can enjoy a range of specialized activities such as snow-tubing and winter walking.

Read more: Austria’s Most Beautiful Hiking Trails – Green Lake

Alpbach, Germany

– Location: Alpbach, Germany
– Website: https://www.alpbachtal.at/en/winter/skiing-alpbachtal
– No. of slopes: Various
– Activities catered for: Skiing, Snowboarding
– Ski School facilities: Yes

Alpbach Valley is a vast area in Germany that has a myriad of family-friendly skiing resorts. This area is renowned as one of the best skiing locations in Germany. You can find numerous family deals and holiday packages for Alpbach. Furthermore, the whole family can learn together in special ski weekends. If you want to stay in a typical European wooden ski lodge then this is the place. Throughout the valley, you can find some stunning buildings that are great to retire to after a heavy day on the slopes.

Read more: The ultimate Iceland packing list

By now, your mind should be brimming with ideas for the best places to ski with family. These resorts, from Europe’s Alpine peaks to North America’s legendary slopes, offer something special for every family. Fully equipped for comfort and fun, they’re perfect for creating cherished memories. Why not start planning your family ski adventure today and embrace the excitement of the slopes together?

November 4, 2024
Things to bring on your ski trip (and what you won’t mind renting)

When planning a ski trip, being prepared with the right gear and essentials can make all the difference. Picture this: the pale winter sun gleams over a bluebird morning sky as you stand atop a snowy mountain peak. You adjust your goggles, ready to tackle the slopes. Below, a charming mountain town awaits, complete with snow-dusted buildings, bustling pubs, vibrant shops, and live bluegrass music that fills the crisp air. Between you and that cozy hot toddy at the base lodge lies the exhilarating descent—one made even better when you have all the things to bring on your ski trip packed and ready.

If you come from a mountainous area this scenario might sound familiar. As an adventure traveler, it is a great situation to find yourself in. Ski travel can be addictive and kick-start an entirely new passion for hitting the road during the snowy months.

The images of skiing and snowboarding that dominate magazines and television tend to showcase the upper crust of the sport. Rich tourists smiling over wine and steak at restaurants in Breckenridge and Chamonix. Shaun White doing a triple cork under stadium lights at a big competition, walking away with one of those oversized checks and new Range Rover.

Winter sports, in general, tend to have a bit of an ‘elitist’ air to them. Traveling for powder is doable, even on a backpacker’s budget. In my eighteen years as a snowboarder, I have met countless people who share the same passion for snow and longing for adventure as I do.

The majority of them, unless they have a trust fund, are not driving brand new SUVs and staying in five-star hotels when they travel. There are many ways to make ski trips affordable, the most important being having your own gear. By investing in gear up front, you can travel cheaper, get more days on the slopes, and ski (or ride) more comfortably and confidently.

Read more: Where Fear Meets Romance – Waldseilgarten Adventure Mountain Resort

Like most outdoor equipment, ski gear will last for years if taken care of properly. While it is possible to rent everything each time you go, the costs add up quickly. In order to minimize on-mountain expenses and maximize the experience, having at least some core equipment that you know and feel comfortable using will make a big difference. No matter where you are headed, check the weather report and pack an extra layer!

Tips for renting ski gear

In some circumstances, such as a long backpacking trip with only one or two ski days along the way, it is not possible or feasible to bring your own gear. When renting, ask the shop about demo gear. Industry brands often send everything from skis and boards to boots and clothing to shops around the world for market testing before the product is released for sale.

This is the real deal because the gear is top quality (sometimes brand new) and often cheaper to rent for a day than the typical beaten down, mass-produced stuff found in rental shops. If possible, rent from a shop in town instead of at the base of the mountain. Both prices and quality of gear will often be better.

Tips for buying ski gear

Things to bring on your ski trip start with the right gear, and knowing how to buy it on a budget can make all the difference. Look for seasonal sales, especially in the fall, when many gear shops clear out the previous season’s stock to make room for the latest models. This is the perfect time to score big discounts on expensive items like skis, boards, and boots—often at a fraction of the original price. If you’re shopping online, the same timeframe (September-October in the northern hemisphere, March-April in the southern) can lead to great deals, allowing you to get all your ski gear packed and ready without breaking the bank.

What ski gear to buy:

Gear bag

A good gear bag runs about $200 US, and will last a lifetime with good handling. Look for a bag that is large enough to fit boots and other equipment. Also, check the zippers- I had an experience this season where the main zipper broke off and left me duct taping my bag shut at the airport check-in counter. If you do not plan to fly, it is possible to get by without a gear bag, but as your travels extend past regional road trips this is will prove a solid investment.

Boots

The most important piece of ski gear to avoid renting is boots. Skiers and boarders break their boots in over time. The boots become molded to the contours of their feet and adjusted to specific preferences, something very difficult to do with a rental pair that will only be worn for a day. Learning to turn or carving down that mogul run is extremely hard to do if you can’t feel your feet.

Skis/Board

While the fee to check a gear bag and the thought of lugging it around from airport to hotel might not sound appealing, it sure beats the alternative. Rented skis and boards receive about as much TLC from users as that rental car from the Smash-Up-Derby segment on Jackass. For anything other than lessons and the first couple of learning days on the hill, having your own skis or snowboard is imperative.

In unfamiliar territory, trust in your equipment and does wonders for the overall experience. Rentals are more likely to need adjustment or not fit right, leaving you spending more time in the shop than out exploring the terrain.

Jacket and snow pants

Again, it comes down to comfort. Few other sports require as much equipment and clothing as skiing while necessitating constant movement and the ability to react quickly to changing situations. On top of that, this sport has you out in the cold all day. Look into a jacket that reaches below the waist to avoid a surprise shot of snow hitting your back when you fall. For pants, make sure that you feel flexible in them. Bonus if the two match.

A good pair of ski socks and a warm beanie

It only takes one long day of riding with ankle socks before your calves and shins will feel like they were hit with sandpaper. Ski socks are cheap and available at any sporting goods store. They help with warmth in addition to comfort, because not being able to move your toes is very disheartening. Same goes for your ears- a warm beanie will be a useful tool both on mountain and off.

What ski gear you won’t mind renting

A lesson or guide

Getting your things to bring on your ski trip packed and ready is essential, but equally important is preparing for the slopes themselves. As a beginner, taking a lesson is key. While friends may offer to teach you, it’s often better to learn from a professional instructor. I’ve seen relationships strained over misunderstood techniques like mastering a toe-side turn, leaving one partner frustrated and grounded. A half-day lesson can equip first-timers with the basics of standing, turning, and stopping—essentials for enjoying the mountain without mishaps.

When exploring new resorts, hiring a guide can be invaluable. Guides know the hidden powder stashes and the shortest lift lines. During my visit to Whistler Blackcomb, having a guide led me to terrain I’d never have discovered alone. If a guide isn’t an option, connecting with a local is a great alternative. Either way, you’ll enhance your ski experience with insider knowledge and memorable adventures.

Gloves, goggles, and helmet

If space in your pack or gear bag is an issue, these items can be picked up for super cheap at most rental shops. The rental crew can provide you with goggles that will best suit the weather outside- different conditions such as grey light or heavy snow require different lenses than bluebird days, for instance.

August 26, 2024