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Best North American Skiing Destinations for Families

 Best North American Skiing Destinations for Families - Winter Travel across Canada and the USA!

Family skiing destinations for families include some of the best overall skiing destinations in the country and world. These destinations have figured out a way to offer a great experience for people of all ages and skiing ability so that families can vacation together and enjoy themselves. Not only are the resorts and ski schools considered, but it is important that nearby towns and attractions have activities and establishments that families can visit together.

If you are planning a family skiing vacation but haven’t decided on a destination yet, consider any one of these resorts or ski towns for the best experience.

 

Vail, Colorado

Vail happens to be one of the top rated ski resort towns in the world, frequented by athletes, international travellers and families. The great thing about Vail is that there is a place for everyone, a trail for people of every skill level and plenty of activities to do off the hills. Snow tubing, skating rinks and trail rides just happen to be some of the kid and family friendly activities that exist away from the resorts. Make sure you choose a resort that has plenty of family friendly options to help keep the kids as entertained and comfortable as possible.

 

Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia

Together, the adjacent Whistler and Blackcomb mountains offer more than 200 marked runs, 16 alpine bowls and three glaciers.  Beyond Skiing though there are many activities available including dog-sledding, a tube park, zip trek, Snowcat tours, plus there are special kids and teen programs as well as the Whistler Kids Snow School. There’s also outdoor skating at Olympic Plaza and the thrilling Coca-Cola Tube Park.  Be sure to stop long enough to take in the incredible views too!

 

Beaver Creek, Colorado

Beaver Creek is one of the hidden gems of the skiing destinations, though it is deep in skiing country that is Colorado. Of particular note is the Westin Resort, where families are catered to above and beyond the norm. A specially formed ski school exists for children just learning to ski, or needing to brush up on their skills and if you don’t have time to go off resort to find afternoon snacks or entertainment, the hotel takes care of all of that.

 

Banff/Lake Louise, Alberta

 Banff is one of the most notorious ski destinations in Canada and with reason!  Banff is located in the heart of the Rockies with skiing offered in three main resorts: Mt. Norquay, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise Mountain Resort.   Take time off skiing for some winter trekking, dog-sledding and tubing.  Go for a skate on the frozen Lake Louise after taking the kids on  a snowshoe tour but you will want to save some energy for  tobogganing, winter hiking and other planned family activities.

 

Lake Placid, New York

Lake Placid is a winter sports haven, but skiing is the predominant sport. This town was the site of two winter Olympics, so many of the public facilities and runs that exist were actually developed for one of the two Games. For the DIY vacationers, Lake Placid makes it easy to put together a skiing vacation on your own terms. There are plenty of privately rented homes, and resorts or hotels that make it feel like you are vacationing away from it all. Rather than dedicate all your time to skiing one area, get day passes at different ski slopes and throw some variety in for the family with bobsledding, ice fishing, skating and even cross country sports.

 

Mount Tremblant, Quebec

This Ski destination is located in the Laurentian Mountains north of Montreal which is really a gorgeous area filled with Quebecois villages and lovely cottages you will want to take in while in the area.  There is tubing, dogsledding, spa treatments, Scandinavian baths and snowboarding available for the family as well as special programs for toddlers and younger children.  Don’t forget to try some real Quebecois Poutine, it’s an experience you will never forget!

 

Blue Mountain Resort, Ontario

Blue Mountain Resort is the best Ski destination in Ontario and offers many different programs year round for the family including the exciting downhill Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster, skating at the Mill Pond Rink and even Toboggan tours, Snow Shoeing and Sleigh rides.  

 

Stowe, Vermont

Stowe, Vermont is the destination for you if the family likes to be the first ones to blaze a path through the snow. There is so much open space to ski in Vermont it almost doesn’t make sense to pay for the privilege. However, in Stowe there is the Trapp Family Lodge, run by the Von Trapps of The Sound of Music. Understandably, the Lodge is very family oriented and you can book a trip knowing that everything will be taken care of.

 

 

Victoria Ess

Friday 13th of February 2015

I haven't been to Whistler yet but everyone I know loves it!

kathy downey

Tuesday 9th of December 2014

My niece worked at Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia,she loved it

Elva Roberts

Saturday 6th of December 2014

I did not realize there were so many family friendly skiing places to go in North America. Probably Vail is the best known and has many trails for different levels of skiing skill. A place like this would be wonderful for beginners.

Mare W

Friday 28th of November 2014

Love Stowe, VT and so glad it was on your list!!

Trevor

Wednesday 26th of November 2014

I feel blessed to live only 2 hours from Whistler, it makes it so easy to enjoy such a beautiful ski destination!