We tapped Destination Experts to recommend the best ski resorts for families in the U.S. They considered everything from childcare to ski school and kid-friendly activities to determine the best places to bring your family for a winter vacation.
Aspen Snowmass Family Ski Vacation
Of the four Aspen resorts (all served by the same lift ticket), Buttermilk has the most beginner terrain. It is also the site of the X Games so teenagers will enjoy riding the same slopes as the professionals. Aspen Snowmass has one of the largest children activity centers, the Treehouse Kids’ Adventure Center, with activities for babies, toddlers, children and teenagers.
Kid's Ski Free
- Children under 6 ski free
- Age 7-12 ski free when you rent their gear from Four Mountain Sports
Childcare
- Childcare provided in the Treehouse Kids' Adventure Center in Snowmass for ages 8 weeks to 4 years, rates start at $174/day
Ski School
- Private, family lessons available, rates start at $755/day
- Youth group lessons, rates start at $189/half day
Kid-Friendly Activities
- Interactive play and learning center at the new Hideout at Buttermilk
- Aspen Treehouse Kids’ Adventure Center has movies and activities for children age eight weeks to 14 years old
- NASTAR race courses for children
- Ullr Nights (on Fridays) at Elk Camp
- Snow tubing at The Meadows on Snowmass
- Snowcat Dinner Rides to Lynn Britt Cabin on Snowmass and Cloud Nine on Aspen Highlands
Crested Butte Family Ski Vacation
Crested Butte has only one base area making it easy to pick meeting places for the family throughout the day. Their new Adventure Park has tons of off-mountain activities perfect for a rest day or for children without ski legs. Crested Butte’s Kids Night Out program brings a whole new meaning to babysitting. Children get to enjoy the Adventure Park after hours while the adults enjoy the nightlife of Crested Butte.
Children Ticket Discounts
- Children 6 and under ski free all season
- All kids ages 12 and under ski free Nov. 24 - Dec. 16 and April 1-9.
- Kids 7-12, $61/day
- Teens 13-17, $100/day
Childcare
- Daytime childcare for ages 2 months to 3 years, $125/full day
- Daytime childcare + one-hour private lesson for children ages 2-3, $180/full day
- Kids Night Out, ages 4-12. $90 per child (prices subject to change)
Ski School
- Rates start at $170 for one day with lunch
Kid-Friendly Activities
- Snow shoe tours
- Dog sledding
- Adventure Park (tubing hill, climbing wall, skating rink and bungee trampolines)
Deer Valley
Deer Valley has an award-winning ski school and famously-groomed runs perfect for beginning skiers. It is a great choice for families looking for a luxurious stay for their skiing family (snowboarders are not allowed at the resort).
Children Ticket Discounts
- 4 and under, $30/day
- 5-12 years, $80/day
Childcare
- Daytime childcare for ages 2 months to 12 years, rates start at $140/day
Ski School
- Award winning ski school for children ages 3 – 18, rates start at $230/day
Kid-Friendly Activities
- Sleigh rides
- Dog sledding
- NASTAR racing course
Keystone
Buying a lift ticket for Keystone really means you’re buying a ticket for Vail, Beaver Creek and Breckenridge. You can plan a trip that visits all four resorts or stick to the most kid-friendly resort, Keystone. 14% of the resort is beginner terrain and they have 2 gondolas and 5 high-speed quad chairlifts making it easy to ski as a family.
Children Ticket Discounts
- Kids ski free with two or more nights of lodging booked
- Without lodging, children lift tickets start at $55/day
Childcare
- Ages 2 months to 6 years, rates start at $90/day
Ski School
- Rates start at $182/day
Kid-Friendly Activities
- Tennis programs open year-round
- Snowbiking at Adventure Point
- Ice Skating and Ice Hockey
- Fireworks every Saturday night, December 21st - March 29th
- Kidtopia Snowfort for climbing and exploring in the snow
Northstar
Northstar’s world-class, self-contained base village offers a lot of family-friendly activities like ice skating, bungee jumping and s’more roasting around fire pits.
Children Ticket Discounts
- Ages 4 and under ski free
- Ages 5-12, $56/day
- Teens 3-18, $78/day
Childcare
- Minor’s Camp provides child care for children age 2 – 6 years
Ski School
- Ages 3 to 12, rates start at $175/day
Kid-Friendly Activities
- Star Park terrain park designed for kids
- Ropes challenge course and bungee trampoline
- Arts and craft workshops at the Villager Candle Shop
Steamboat
Steamboat developed a reputation as being kid-friendly when they developed the first Kid Ski Free program back in the 80’s. Since then they have developed acres of kid-only terrain and an award-winning ski school program and facilities in the Kids' Vacation Center.
Children Ticket Discounts
- Kids Ski Free and Grandkids Ski Free programs – children 12 and under are eligible with the purchase of a 5-day adult lift pass
- Ages 0-5, start at $10/day
- Ages 6-12, start at $55/day
- Ages 13-17, start at $85/day
Childcare
- Ages 6 month – 6 years, rates start at $139/day
- Ski School
Ski and snowboard ski school
- rates start at $189/day
Kid-Friendly Activities
- Kids’ Vacation Center
- Snow tubing on Howelsen Hill
- Sleigh rides
- The Coca-Cola Adventure Zone with bungee trampoline
- Night skiing
