From the Rocky Mountains to the West Coast, these US ski resorts are the pinnacle of family fun. Satisfy your snow craving this year at one of over 20 magical mountains.
When wintery slopes are beckoning, the United States has plenty of ski resorts ready to satisfy your craving. But with so many options in North America — and Canada’s world-famous ski fields setting the bar high — which US slopes offer the best experience for families?
We’ve rounded up the 21 most incredible family-friendly ski resorts in the USA, perfectly tailored for family fun. Each destination on our list ensures that everyone, from shaky beginners to the off-piste experts, finds their slice of ski heaven.
1. Aspen Snowmass, Colorado
The first thing to know is that 95 per cent of Snowmass is schlep-less ski-in ski out accommodation. It’s also the third-largest standalone mountain in the USA – bigger than all of Australia’s ski areas combined.
There’s plenty of fun activities for families, including the Breathtaker Coaster forest luge, Ullr Nights with marshmallow roasting, free ice-skating, indoor rock climbing, bowling and the billion-dollar Snowmass Base Village development, which has kid-friendly eateries. It also has a 2,300-square-metre facility, The Treehouse, which combines childcare services with ski school programs.
Getting there: The closest international airport is Denver International Airport (DEN). From there, take a short flight to the regional Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) or hire a vehicle in Denver for the approx. 320 km (3.5 hour) drive. The only accessible winter route is via the I-70.
Getting around: Hire cars are available for pick-up in Denver or Aspen.
Staying there: Family accommodation in Snowmass Village
2. Big Sky Resort, Montana
With sleigh rides, dog sledding and ziplining, Big Sky Resort in Montana’s southern Rockies offers big fun for families both on and off the slopes. It has big terrain (nearly one football field per skier!) for all levels of expertise with no lift lines; from wide-open groomers to challenging steeps.
There’s a full service day care program at the Lone Peak Playhouse at the base of Big Sky Resort’s slopes. It also offers big value, so it’s no wonder it’s being discovered by more Australian families.
DISCOVER MORE: Winter skiing fun for families at Big Sky Resort
3. Park City Mountain Resort, Utah
Only 35-minutes from Salt Lake City Airport, Park City Mountain Resort offers Kids Signature Programs for different age groups and abilities in both skiing and snowboarding. With small class sizes, kids expand their snow skills rapidly in a fun and safe learning environment and make many new friends along the way!
4. Northstar, California
Long green and blue runs and kid-friendly activities such as ice-skating and village tubing make Northstar California Resort a great option for families. And with more than 1,200 hectares of terrain, they can progress together in family-designated learning zones. During the winter season, head over to The Village at 4 pm and warm-up with a free s’more by the fire pits around the ice-skating rink, offered on a first come, first served basis.
KEEP EXPLORING: A family-friendly guide to California
5. Sun Valley, Idaho
Riding a sleigh to Trail Creek Cabin for dinner is one of the most fun and memorable winter experiences families can have at Sun Valley Resort. There are two mountains: Dollar Mountain, which is perfect for beginners to intermediate level skiers and boarders with gentle, treeless terrain; and Bald Mountain, which turns it on for intermediates to advanced in fun, challenging terrain.
Altogether, there are 19 lifts accessing 76 runs, as well as some spectacular terrain parks. Sun Valley’s SnowSports School offers children’s group lessons for skiers’ ages four to 12 and snowboarders aged six to 12. There’s also a Teen Adventure Program for intermediate to advanced adolescents.
6. Buttermilk, Colorado
Calling all beginners! Aspen Snowmass has not one mountain, but four, and Buttermilk is one of North America’s best to learn how to ski. The base area underwent a $34 million renovation in 2022, creating a one-stop shop for passes, rentals and ski school, with an eatery with the learn-to-ski area on the doorstep.
The biggest family drawcard isn’t the cruisy wide-open slopes, or the terrain parks used for the X Games, but the 700 square metre The Hideout, a kid-tastic centre with jungle gyms, activities and skiing for kids aged from two-and-a-half to six-years-old.
DISCOVER MORE: The best family ski resorts in Colorado, USA
7. Stowe Mountain Resort, Vermont
Located in the picturesque New England state of Vermont, Stowe calls itself ‘The Ski Capital of the East’ and is only 40 minutes from Vermont’s largest airport. Stowe Mountain Resort‘s children’s programs, on the gentle slopes of Spruce Peak, build self-esteem and a life-long passion for winter sports in a safe and fun learning environment and include the ski and snowboard school.
Adventure programs are age-appropriate and include Pathfinders for three to four-year-olds, Trailblazers for five to six-year-olds and Mountaineers for seven to 14-year-olds.
8. Jackson Hole, Wyoming
From wildlife tours and sleigh rides through an elk refuge to ice-skating, snowmobiling and snow castles, Jackson Hole has families well and truly covered. It’s located near the authentic western town, Jackson, which has lots of family-friendly eateries. Plus, you can do a snowcoach tour to see the geysers and hot springs at Yellowstone National Park while you’re there.
KEEP EXPLORING: What to see and do in the Rocky Mountain States
9. Palisades Tahoe, California
At California’s Palisades Tahoe, you can learn to ski or snowboard before trying your hand at snowtubing in the SnoVentures Activity Zone, ice-skating or jumping on a mini snowmobile! The European-style village offers a range of accommodation, including slopeside, as well as shops, restaurants, cafes and a children’s games room.
10. Telluride, Colorado
Home of Butch Cassidy’s first bank robbery, Telluride’s main street resembles a set from a wild west movie, with saloons and clapboard-fronted stores, with kids able to learn about mining history at the Telluride Historical Museum between ski lessons. A free gondola linking the town and mountain village runs all day, and there’s plenty of beginner terrain as well as off-slope adventures including sleigh rides, ice-skating and snow shoeing.
11. Deer Valley, Utah
Kid-friendly skiing and childcare are tremendous at Deer Valley, and with several different programs for toddlers to teens, the kids are guaranteed to have expert instruction in safe surroundings and engage in creative, age-appropriate activities in small groups. There’s also a vast range of accommodation types, including lodges, private homes and condominiums.
12. Diamond Peak, Nevada
This Lake Tahoe resort offers free lift tickets for kids aged six and under, interchangeable parent passes and slope-side parking just steps from the chairlifts. Located above Incline Village, the Diamond Peak has a separate learning area for the littlest skiers and riders, miles of perfectly groomed slopes, beginner terrain park features, and magnificent views over the lake
13. Mt Hood Meadows, Oregon
Located around 100 kilometres from Portland, Mt Hood Meadows is a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. Advanced skiers can tackle steep front bowls and navigate powder-filled Heather Canyon. The resort boasts double-black trails, tree runs, and cliffs accessible through gates into Private Reserve and S&R Cliffs.
Beginners can practice on gentle slopes like Buttercup and the Ballroom Carpet. For beginners, there’s a separate “fun zone” with on-the-snow conveyors for speedy learning. Affordable learn to ski and snowboard packages, along with daily private and group lessons from the PSIA-certified Meadows Learning Centre, cater to all skill levels. Additionally, a certified day care centre is available for children aged from six weeks to 11-years-old.
14. Beaver Creek, Colorado
Kids will love being handed a warm cookie when they step off the slopes at Beaver Creek at 3pm each day. The Beaver Creek Candy Cabin, located at the top of two chairlifts, is also a winner. There’s a dedicated family learning area, Red Buffalo Park, for beginner and intermediate skiers, and you can ride a sleigh to dinner at three atmospheric on-mountain restaurants. For kid-friendly convenience, The Osprey in Beaver Creek Village is the closest hotel to a chairlift in North America.
15. Ski Sundown, Connecticut
From the Puffin Program for kids aged four to six-years-old to programs for older children and teens, family-friendly Ski Sundown is located 40 minutes from Hartford and about two hours from New York City (perfect for a side-trip to the snow if you’re visiting The Big Apple). Parent and Tot private lessons are also available as well as adaptive ski and snowboard lessons for individuals of all ages with physical, cognitive or developmental disabilities.
16. Keystone, Colorado
Kids aged 12 and under receive a free day of skiing when you book two or more nights at Keystone Resort, just over 100 kilometres’ drive from Denver, plus an extra day of free skiing for each additional room night booked. Keystone also offers a Keystone Adventure Pass, with complimentary activities such as ice-skating, yoga and indoor tennis when you book two or more nights’ lodging at hotels including Keystone Lodge & Spa directly through the resort.
17. Mammoth Mountain, California
Mighty Mammoth Mountain delivers a giant experience for families, with 150 trails serviced by 28 lifts. Besides unbelievable skiing and boarding, kids will adore letting loose in Woolly’s Adventure Summit Tube Park and Snow Play area. Plus, you can go dogsledding, do a snowcat tour, and snowmobiling. It has nine parks and pipes for those who dare. Terrain: 25 per cent beginner, 40 per cent intermediate, 20 per cent advanced and 15 per cent expert.
18. Breckenridge, Colorado
There’s plenty to please the whole family in Breckenridge, which is part of Vail Resorts’ Epic Pass. Younger and novice skiers can enjoy the wide, gentle trails at the base of Peak 8 and 9, while off the slopes there’s ice-skating, an alpine slide, a mountain-top children’s museum and lots of family-friendly dining spots. The handy EpicMix app tells you the vertical feet your family covered on the slopes, and for older kids skiing without their parents, it will also reveal where on the mountain they last checked in.
19. Heavenly Ski Resort, California
Overlooking the beautiful Lake Tahoe, Heavenly Ski Resort is well named. It’s the largest resort in California, with nearly 2000 hectares of skiable terrain, 97 trails and 30 lifts. Professionally-trained staff at Heavenly’s Day Care and Nursery will look after little ones as young as six weeks old to give parents plenty of time on the slopes.
The program also includes the option of one-on-one nannies as well as lessons for three to five-year-olds. Older kids will have fun in classes designed for beginners to experts. Heavenly also runs a comprehensive, adaptive ski and ride programme taught by specially-trained instructors.
20. Crested Butte, Colorado
Crested Butte’s Kids’ Night Out program lets parents hit the town while the kids visit the resort’s Adventure Park, which has a Zero Gravity BagJump, rock-climbing wall and bungee tramps, along with dinner and games. The resort, also part of Vail’s Epic Pass, has trails especially for kids, including one that winds through the trees.
21. Mohawk Mountain Ski Area, Connecticut
The state’s oldest and largest ski area, Mohawk Mountain is situated at the foot of the Berkshire Mountains in the northwestern town of Cornwall. Snowhawks Childrens’ Programs include Slyders and Mini Slyders (for skiing) and Ryders and Mini Ryders (for snowboarding) as well as Parent and Tot lessons. Accommodation is off mountain at one of the nearby inns, hotels and motels in the greater Cornwall Area, many of whom also offer lift pass packages as part of your stay.
Not ready for an overseas ski holiday? Plan a trip to one of Australia’s top ski and snow destinations next winter. From toddler-friendly snow play to kids’ snowboarding lessons, it’s the perfect way to get started.
