5 Top Holiday Ski Vacations The Whole Family Will Love

Family ski vacations during the holiday season develop a spirit of adventure in youngsters that they will carry with them throughout their lives. Sport and adventure are necessary at all stages of life and contribute to well-adjusted children and adults. However, we live when life can be repetitive and monotonous. Time spent in the mountains for Christmas or even New Year gives a much-needed break from that routine and a way for families to introduce their kids to a more raw, natural side of life.

Every skier who grew up on family holiday ski trips would tell you the same thing: it was always a delightful time, and the memories built on those holidays lasted a lifetime. Because of the numerous unique, shared mountain experiences, ski trips are extraordinary. In addition, this time together builds family relationships, whether skiing or twirling around an ice rink while Holiday music is playing.

Gathering the gang in the mountains during the holiday season is an excellent idea, whether it’s your first trip on the slopes or trying to pass along a beloved winter hobby to the next generation. So many ski resorts have that festive fairytale look with picture villages surrounded by trees and covered in snow, and even modern options go all out at this time of year with lights and ornaments. And to help you organize a dream family ski trip, here are the most family-friendly destinations in North America to visit this holiday season.

Telluride, Colorado

The holidays in Telluride are perfect. Throughout December, snow gloriously cloaks around this tiny town, lights twinkle on the main street, and Telluride’s precious historic buildings wear holiday wreaths and multicolor ornamentations. Community events and traditions include holiday-themed concerts, the Noel Night when the Telluride Chorale Society entertains everyone with melodies, and the Holiday Prelude when Mountain Village, a neighbor community, transforms into the North Pole with Santa, train rides, and holiday-themed movies. Telluride also features family-friendly accommodations and restaurants so everyone can enjoy their holiday vacation.

Telluride is a sophisticated and picturesque family ski resort in the breathtaking scenery of the San Juan mountains with many terrains, from tamed green and blue boulevards to sun-soaked snow bowls. This cowboy wild west town has a genuine European Alps air that offers various terrains ideal for abilities of all levels.

Image: VisitTelluride.com

The Telluride Ski Resort combines beginner, intermediate, and advanced/expert trails for your ski trip. In addition, this resort is a highly family-friendly spot, with plenty of slopes created for beginner skiers and a ski and snowboard school for all ages. Another way to experience the fresh Colorado powder is to head up the gondola for turns together. More active families can head to the hills for a snowshoe trek for views and cardio on the valley. You can also book a cozy horse-drawn sleigh ride at the historic Aldasoro Sheep Ranch or ice skating at the Mountain Village and Telluride outdoor rinks. And for those looking to enjoy speed and laughs, head over to Firecracker Hill to race down the slope on your sleds.

Stowe, Vermont

Stowe Mountain Resort is a recognized four-season destination in Vermont’s highest peak, a vacation spot filled with winter activities and adventures. Stowe’s historic village, mixed with Vermont’s most spectacular terrain, creates the ideal New England holiday escape.

The resort features 485 skiable acres, 116 trails, and 12 lifts and offers everything ski lovers are looking for. This ski town is one of the most family-friendly in the U.S.A., with some of the most extended intermediate cruisers in the East—plus numerous opportunities for beginners. Spruce Peak wide trails are perfect for first-timers’ families.

Stowe is the ideal place to see your child fall in love with the mountains. Schedule a group ski lesson at the Ski & Ride School for your kids to safely explore the mountain and create life-long memories. If you want a family experience, choose a private lesson to customize your group’s adventure. To complete your holiday vacation, you will find non-ski activities like souvenir shopping at Stowe Village, ice skating at Spruce Peak Village Center, or getting on top of Vermont’s most outstanding views in the famous Stowe Gondola SkyRide.

The holidays in Stowe are fantastic. You will make the most of your winter stay with beautiful events like the Spruce Peak Lights Festival with skating performances, tree lighting, and fireworks, or the festive holiday dinner at the Lodge at Spruce Peak on December 25, where kids can meet Santa. The Annual New Year’s Eve Celebration in Spruce Peak village is another must-go event filled with family fun and live music.

Steamboat Springs, Colorado

This Colorado ski town celebrates Christmas in Wild West style. A few days before Christmas, a day-into-night event at the base of the ski resort begins with Santa riding down the ski slopes to hang out with families who visit. Then, after the sun sets, there is a torchlit caravan down the mountain and fireworks. And for a Steamboat New Year celebration, there is a Light Up Snow Cat parade with the performance of the Steamboat Snow Sports Instructors synchronized skiing lighted only by the light of torches.

Steamboat Springs blends a longstanding heritage of snow sports athletic greatness, a vibrant local community, and flawless snow conditions, known as Ski Town U.S.A. When planning a family ski holiday, the cost is one of the most significant worries. Still, this mountain resort has you covered since children 12 and under ski free with a parent, grandparent, or guardian buying a 5-or-more day lift ticket package.

This famous destination is one of North America’s finest family ski resorts, with possibilities for kids on and off the slopes. Steamboat offers the ideal atmosphere for families learning how to ski with kids, only magic carpet lifts, and private lessons for the whole clan. Some unique perks for kids include the Red Wagon program to help families loaded with gear get to and from the slopes and the Happy Camp childcare and ski lessons for families with small kids.

After your day skiing, you can take a wintery hike with the kids at your own pace or book a winter dinner sleigh ride. You can also add a visit to the Saddleback Ranch near Steamboat for an authentic Colorado experience! In the winter, they have many great activities, such as winter horseback rides, snowmobile tours, and a great snow tubing hill.

Mont Tremblant, Quebec

A Mont Tremblant family ski trip should be the ultimate choice for your next mountain holiday getaway. With 40 trails to relish together, a beginner area, a well-known ski school, many ski-in ski-out house rentals, and a spirited car-free village are some things you can enjoy during your stay.

When you get to Mont Tremblant, you will get the feel of a European ski village. The resort will keep the whole family happy on their holiday vacation. The ski area covers 755 acres and includes 102 ski trails on four different slopes for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. Its ski station is one of North America’s most sophisticated and potent snowmaking methods.

Mont Tremblant is just magical on the holidays. A few days before Christmas, you can see the pedestrian village changing for the holidays with family activities, singers, storytellers, and music. And for New Year’s, attend the torchlight descent, then lead to Place Saint-Bernard and enjoy the musical ambiance.

This charming ski destination is perfect for kids and grown-ups that never put on a pair of skis. The Learn to Ski Program at Tremblant Snow School is for all ages and allows beginners to take their first step with equipment to gain confidence before challenging the mountain. And for the most advanced skiers in the family, the snow school also offers private lessons to improve their technique fast.

The ideal family activity in Mont Tremblant is hitting the slope on an inflatable tube, and you can choose from eight descents, from beginner to expert level. And if you want to appreciate the mountain differently, get pedestrian tickets to ride aboard the gondola to enjoy the summit on foot or with snowshoes. In addition, on those days when the weather is not favorable, the Brind’O Aquaclub is a family indoor water play center where all can have fun on its slides, interactive water games, a fitness room, and a hot tub.

Snowmass, Colorado

If you are traveling to the Aspen/Snowmass area for Christmas, make sure not to miss the Ullr Nights, a winter wonderland party at night, held on select days at Snowmass’ Elk Camp. In addition, the Snowmass Luminescence is a free interactive art and light exhibit you can experience daily from December 17 through February 27 from dusk to 9 p.m.

One of the best things about planning a family ski trip to the Snowmass area is that one lift ticket gives you access to all four of the area’s World-Class Mountains. All of them are only a few miles from each other. Snowmass, Aspen, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk.

Snowmass is a family-friendly ski village outside Aspen. Whether you want to ski, snowboard, or relax with a beautiful view of the mountains, every integrant of your brood will love this winter destination.

Its snow terrain is various. Offering runs for all skill levels. With easier green and blue runs from the resort’s base village, ideal for families with teenagers, and those with young children can book skiing and snowboarding group lessons. When the skiing experience finishes, take the family to the ice skating rink at Snowmass Base Village or the free hikes at Aspen Center for Environmental Studies to romp among the snow-covered trees. And for more adventurous families, the Breathtaker Alpine Coaster will wind its way through the forest.

Plan the Greatest Family Skiing Adventure

Arranging a ski trip with your family is a significant decision. It implies researching and making reservations in advance and finding one ski destination catering to every generation, skill level, and interest can be challenging. This guide to outstanding family-friendly ski resorts can help you understand what your holiday journey can look like and get you excited to start preparing for your next trip to the snow. Also, learn about your selected vacation area’s health and safety rules to protect your family.