Keystone Resorts
For certain Florida-based ski bunnies, snow bums, and their little bunny-kins, the term “snowbird” takes on a whole new meaning just about now. They hit the Patagonia and REI websites and start watching snow conditions on Colorado and Utah mountaintops. If you’re planning your first-ever family ski/snowboard experience this winter, you may be overwhelmed at the sheer number and diversity of ski resorts. Here are a few family-friendly snow destinations with unique features to get you started.
World’s largest snow fort
Colorado’s Keystone Resort has dialed the kid-o-meter to the max with its Kidtopia program, which showcases the world’s largest snow fort, plus indoor games and movies, Super Snowy Science Days, dog sledding, and meet and greets with the ski patrol’s adorable rescue dogs. They also have parades, Saturday night fireworks, sleigh rides, ice skating and tubing, family fondue nights, and milkshake socials. Kids’ lessons start at age 3. Call 970-423-7100 or visit keystoneresort.com.
Jack Affleck / Vail Resorts
104359
In Keystone, CO.
Cookie cabin, teepee, and a sleigh ride to dinner
Of course, it’s not only about the cookies (did I mention that they’re chocolate chip?); it’s also other special touches that make a memorable family vacation. The two-year-old Red Buffalo Park within the venerable Beaver Creek (Colorado) Resort has a gentle 13-slope family learning area, and lots of other goings-on within the resort, from ice skating to fireworks. Start the littlest ones in Haymeadow Park, where they’ll also love the interactive teepee and the build-your-own sundae in the yummy new Ice Cream Parlour. Visit beavercreek.com or call 970-754-4636.
Celebrating all snow-abilities
High on the Hollywood crowd’s winter sports A-list, Park City Mountain Resort is nearly impossible to access during the Sundance Film Festival, which just ended. But impossible turns to oh-so-possible for snow-lovers of all abilities and challenges at this world-class ski resort, thanks to its National Ability Center. From family-friendly, accessible lodging to amazing adaptive equipment, everyone from amputees to visually impaired, from those with
spinal injuries and those on the autism spectrum, can hit the slopes. Kid and family favorites include the toboggan-style Alpine Coaster, the Flying Eagle Zip Line, sleigh rides, snowmobile tours, and the new High Meadow Park ski and snowboard school for beginners. Visit parkcitymountain.com or call 435-649-8111.
Near and far
Maggie Valley, North Carolina, always a Neapolitan fave in summertime, has some very respectable slopes at the Cataloochee Ski Area, elevation 5,400 feet. It’s super family-friendly, with its Kidz Ski & Ride Center and Wednesday Family Days. Private lessons are available for kids age 3 and up, and group lessons for age 8 and up. Check out the Kids Stay & Ski Free program, offered Sunday-Thursday at participating lodgings. Nearby is Tube World, with the unfortunate name of “Wee Bowl” for the littlest ones. Visit cataloochee.com or call 800-926-0285.
For those who have been there, done that, have some extra vacation time, and want to get serious, let’s talk Swiss Alps. The Matterhorn. Wolli the Sheep. Okay, the last one is just semi-
serious, but kids and grownups all adore the woolly mascot who hangs out in Zermatt-Matterhorn, the highest ski area in the Alps. Snow Park Zermatt has snow play 300 days a year. Wolli’s Park is a dream-maker for kids ages 6 to 16. Sign the kids up for the Stoked Ski & Snowboard School’s Stoked Kids’ Club, which includes private and group lessons for ages 4 and up. Every Friday there’s a Stoked Kids Ski Race where every child earns a medal, a gift, and – the website promises – a high-five from Wolli himself. Visit matterhornparadise.ch.
Winter Park…FLORIDA!
Go ahead and laugh your balaclava off, but it’s true! Before you head up to the winter wonderland of your dreams, give the little ones and teens their first feel of the slopes at Winter Club Ski and Snowboard in Winter Park, near Orlando. There’s no cold, the state of the art “slopes” are soft tufted nylon, and while you’re getting your snow legs, the instructor can actually stop the slope before you fall. Super-fun and confidence building for all ages. Ask about the school field trip packages. Call 407-618-1123 or visit winterclubski.com.
Karen T. Bartlett is the travel editor of Neapolitan Family. The full scope of her skiing experience involves (1) a two-hour cross-country trek in Finnish Lapland, followed by an 18-hour nap; and (2) a no-nonsense trek from the Naples Pier to Gordon Pass with Naples’ Nordic Pole Walking Group. Find them on Facebook@naplesnordicpolewalking.