Tag Archives: east coast

Ski & Snowboard, Travel, Winter Adventure, Winter Travel

Small East Coast Ski Resorts the Whole Family Will Love

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Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont

Smugglers’ Notch is a beloved family-oriented resort in Vermont’s Green Mountains. With a wide range of terrain suitable for all skill levels, it offers excellent skiing and snowboarding opportunities. 

When it comes to taking your family skiing at small mountain resorts on the East Coast, you’ll find several charming destinations that offer a more intimate and family-friendly experience. Here are some of the best places for family skiing at small mountain resorts on the East Coast: focus on family programs, kids’ camps, and special events makes it a fantastic choice for a family ski vacation.

Bolton Valley, Vermont

This small mountain resort is known for its affordability and family-friendly atmosphere. With a variety of terrain, it’s perfect for beginners and intermediate skiers. Bolton Valley offers ski-in/ski-out accommodations and a range of winter activities beyond skiing, making it great for families.

Pats Peak, New Hampshire

Located in Henniker, New Hampshire, Pats Peak is a delightful family-friendly ski area. It’s known for its manageable terrain, friendly staff, and ski school programs for all ages. The small mountain size makes it an ideal place for beginners and families looking for a relaxed experience.

Winter ski gloves

Shawnee Mountain, Pennsylvania

Shawnee Mountain offers a convenient and family-friendly skiing experience in the Pocono Mountains. It has a dedicated learning area for beginners and a variety of slopes for different skill levels. The ski school and rental options make it a great choice for families.

Ski Butternut, Massachusetts

Nestled in the Berkshires, Ski Butternut is a small mountain resort that caters to families and beginners. With a ski school that offers lessons for all ages and a friendly, laid-back atmosphere, it’s an excellent destination for family skiing.

Hidden Valley Resort, Pennsylvania

Hidden Valley offers a picturesque setting in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania. This small mountain resort is known for its welcoming environment and a range of terrain that suits all levels of skiers and snowboarders. It’s a great choice for families looking to escape the city for a weekend of skiing.

Titus Mountain, New York

Located in the northern Adirondacks, Titus Mountain is a family-owned and operated ski resort. It’s renowned for its family-friendly atmosphere and affordable rates. The varied terrain and welcoming staff make it a top pick for families in the region.

Cranmore Mountain, New Hampshire

Cranmore Mountain in North Conway, New Hampshire, is a small but vibrant family ski destination. The resort offers a mix of terrain for all skill levels and a variety of winter activities, including tubing and a mountain adventure park.

Snowshoe Mountain, West Virginia

While not as small as some of the others on this list, Snowshoe offers a more intimate feel compared to larger resorts in the region. With a dedicated children’s program and a charming village, it’s a fantastic option for families looking for a ski getaway in the Appalachian Mountains.

Blue Knob, Pennsylvania

Blue Knob is a lesser-known gem in the Allegheny Mountains. It offers affordable skiing and snowboarding experiences in a more relaxed and family-friendly environment. The resort is perfect for families seeking a low-key ski adventure.

Remember that while smaller resorts may offer a cozier and less crowded experience, it’s essential to check their trail conditions and offerings, as they can be more weather-dependent compared to larger ski areas. Always plan ahead and ensure that the resort you choose aligns with your family’s skiing abilities and preferences.

Ski & Snowboard, Winter Adventure, Winter Travel

Round Up of New York Ski Areas to Bring Your Family

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New York offers a variety of ski resorts that not only provide excellent skiing and snowboarding but also the opportunity for family adventures. Here are some of the best places to take your family skiing and have an adventure in New York:

Whiteface Mountain (Lake Placid)

Whiteface is New York’s premier ski resort and offers a wide range of terrain for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels. For an adventure, explore the nearby Olympic Village of Lake Placid, visit the Olympic Museum, or take a scenic gondola ride to the summit for breathtaking views.

Gore Mountain (North Creek)

Gore Mountain is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and diverse trails. Beyond skiing, families can enjoy snowshoeing, tubing, and even take a scenic ride on the Northwoods Gondola for panoramic views of the Adirondacks.

Hunter Mountain (Hunter)

Hunter Mountain is a popular choice for families, offering skiing and snowboarding with various difficulty levels. The resort also features snow tubing, an adventure park, and zip-lining during the winter season.

Windham Mountain (Windham)

Windham Mountain is another great destination for families. Along with skiing and snowboarding, you can enjoy snowshoeing, tubing, and ice skating. The resort’s Adventure Park provides extra excitement for the entire family.

Bristol Mountain (Canandaigua)

Bristol Mountain is a family-oriented ski resort in the Finger Lakes region. It offers a mix of terrain for different levels and provides an excellent family atmosphere. During the winter, you can also explore the nearby wineries and lakes for additional activities.

Greek Peak Mountain Resort (Cortland)

Greek Peak offers skiing, snowboarding, and a fantastic indoor water park, Cascades Indoor Waterpark, perfect for family fun after a day on the slopes.

Toggenburg Mountain (Fabius)

Toggenburg Mountain is a smaller, family-friendly ski area. It provides an excellent opportunity for beginners to learn to ski or snowboard, and it offers a relaxed atmosphere.

Plattekill Mountain (Roxbury)

Plattekill Mountain is known for its laid-back vibe and fantastic tree skiing. Families can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. The resort often hosts special events that add to the family adventure.

West Mountain (Queensbury)

West Mountain is a family-focused resort that offers skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing. The resort also features a challenging terrain park for more experienced riders.

Titus Mountain (Malone)

Titus Mountain is a family-owned ski area in the Adirondacks, known for its friendly atmosphere and affordable pricing. The varied terrain and dedication to providing a family-friendly experience make it a top pick for families.

Belleayre Ski Resort

Located in the heart of the Catskill Mountains in Highmount, New York, offers a unique and enjoyable experience for families seeking a ski adventure. There are several reasons why a family might consider Belleayre for their winter getaway: 

Family-Friendly Atmosphere

Belleayre is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and approachable terrain. It’s a welcoming environment for skiers and snowboarders of all ages and skill levels, making it an ideal choice for families with varied abilities.

Ski School and Programs

The resort has an excellent ski school that offers lessons for both children and adults. This is perfect for beginners looking to learn the ropes or for family members who want to improve their skills.

While skiing and snowboarding are the main attractions, these New York resorts offer numerous additional winter activities and adventures. Whether it’s tubing, snowshoeing, ice skating, or exploring nearby attractions, there’s something for everyone in the family to enjoy during your winter vacation in the Empire State.

Ski & Snowboard, Winter Adventure

Family Ski Vacation: Alta Ski Area, Utah

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Ski at Alta

Alta is one of the oldest ski areas in the United States and has been running the lifts since 1939. Sorry snowboarders, Alta Ski Area restricts access to skiers only.

Located only about a mile up the road from Snowbird in the Little Cottonwood Canyon, Alta Ski Area features 2,200 acres of prime skiable terrain with average snowfalls each season of 560 inches.

Alta Ski Area is renowned for having excellent snowfall combined with some of the most diverse and challenging terrain in North America.

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Fall Family Adventure, Ski & Snowboard, Travel, Winter Adventure, Winter Travel

Family Ski Vacation: Okemo Mountain Resort, Vermont

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Ski at Okemo Mountain Resort

I like Okemo because it’s not Killington. Don’t get me wrong, I love Killington, but Okemo Mountain Resort has a family friendly vibe AND it’s just a little bit further down the path than Killington.Okemo Mountain Resort Ski
So while everyone’s heading to Killington and meeting up at the Wobbly Barn to party (I still can’t believe that thing has not come down), head over to Okemo for the same great snow without the volume of humanity that you get at Killington.

Located in the heart of Central Vermont’s Green Mountains, Okemo offers eight different properties, all with their own character and charm. Okemo Mountain Resort has plenty of trails for all abilities.

Okemo has:

  • 121 trails and glades
  • 667 acres of terrain
  • 96% of trails covered by snowmaking
  • Novice 32% Intermediate 36% Advanced/ Expert 31%Vertical Drop: 2,200 feet (most vertical in southern Vermont)
  • Base Elevation: 1,144 feet
  • Summit Elevation: 3,344 feet
  • 1 high-speed six-pack bubble chair with heated seats
  • 9 quad chairs (4 highspeed quads)
  • 3 triple chairs
  • 7 surface lifts
    Okemo map

Other cool things to do at Okemo:

Snowcat Excursions

Ever watched those snow cats go up at night to groom the hill and get a twinge of jealousy? Some brilliant person came up with a way to make everyone happy. See the mountain from the view from inside a specially-designed cabin, attached to an Okemo snowcat! See the top of the mountain, and the valley below like you’ve never seen it before, lit up at night.

Each ride departs from the Jackson Gore base area and will last just over one hour, with time to get out at the summit, take pictures and learn a bit about the mountain and the area along the way. You must register in advance to take in this incredible experience, and we will begin offering rides as soon as weather permits.

Ride a Mountain Coaster

The Timber Ripper Mountain Coaster is Central Vermont’s favorite four-season attraction, offering a scenic and exhilarating ride through alpine forests and along the contours of the mountain at Okemo’s Jackson Gokemo coasterore. The roller coaster ride heads down 3100 feet of track following the contours of the mountain with added waves, camel back and banking loops down the mountain, at up to 25 miles an hour. Sled-like cars carry two passengers in comfort but can be handled easily by one alone. The riders are in control of the speed, and this gives them a unique hands-on experience, encouraging repeat visits.

Guests will load and unload the Timber Ripper in the Jackson Gore base area, near the bottom of the Coleman Brook Express lift.

Click here for more information on the Okemo Mountain Resort.

 

Ski & Snowboard, Things to Do, Travel, Winter Adventure, Winter Travel

Family Ski Vacation: Stowe Mountain, Vermont

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Stowe Mountain, Vermont

Stowe Mountain Resort is just totally lux and I got very used to having the ski valets run up to me at the end of my run and grab my skis, tag them and whisk them away to storage. The next morning they were magically waiting for me. At $400 a night the rooms were not cheap, but the views were stellar, the restaurant food superb, and the spa was ultra relaxing. Our in-room fireplace made it the perfect evening with a blustery snow storm just outside.

Stowe Mountain Resort, is the definition of the luxury Eastern resort, and provides quality skiing and riding for all levels of family abilities. The area’s lift system includes a gondola to shuttle guests between Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak, and its “sister” mountain, Spruce Peak.

Mt. Mansfield  gets 333 inches of average annual snowfall that falls over it’s 2,360 foot vertical drop and 485 acres of skiable terrain.

The Stowe Mountain Lodge, located in the base village, is a 312 room luxury hotel and spa that has been recognized as one of the greenest, most sustainable luxury hotels in the world.

Fall Family Adventure, Ski & Snowboard, Things to Do, Travel, Winter Adventure, Winter Travel

Family Vacation Destination: Waterville Valley Resort

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Waterville Valley is a nice, quiet, uber-family friendly resort nestled in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The best part of the resort is that everything is right there where you need it, no need for driving around. In the winter there’s skiing on four differenwaterville valley resort in new hampshire, family friendly vacationt peaks, and in the summer there’s plenty to do as well.

It has a town square, places to dine, pool, fitness centers, shopping and has that special, New England country resort feel. It’s a little bit dirty dancing, a little bit Tremblant, but on a smaller scale. Trailmap for waterville valley resort in new hampshire

There are 50 trails, 4000 foot elevation and plenty of terrain parks. There’s also the option of going Nordic to break up the week. You can also take the kids tubing and even dog sledding.

It’s a great place to reconnect with family and the outdoors.

Check out their site for more information on Waterville Valley Resort. waterville valley resort, a great family destination in winter or summer

 

Ski & Snowboard, Things to Do, Travel, Winter Adventure, Winter Travel

Family Ski Destination: Gore Mountain, New York

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Gore Mountain Ski Resort, North Creek, New York

Gore Mountain Ski Resort is a well known family friendly ski destination to upstate New Yorkers. Not too far from Albany, this is a serious size mountain with a little bit of everything for any type of skier.Family Vacation Spot, Ski at Gore Mountain Resort, NY

Take the family to Gore Mountain to Ski and Snowboard This isn’t the mountain where you spend most of your time waiting in line to get on the lift; this is the mountain where you re-discover your love of the slopes. A mid-peak stop at the rustic mid base lodge for some après ski/coffee gives you an unparalleled view of the Adirondacks and Vermont and makes you fall in love even more.

Serious East Coast Ski Spot

Gore has 109 trails, boasts 2,537 vertical feet, and is known for helping beginners and experts continue to grow with the sport. The 15 lifts including the eight-passenger Northwoods Gondola and two luxurious high-speed quads keep you out of lines, with more time on their four peaks. There are also six dining options scattered across the mountain, you can refuel and keep skiing or riding without missing a beat.

Bring your child to the Mountain Adventure Center for lessons and coaching, open to all levels of skiers and riders, from beginner to advanced black diamond. Children are grouped by similar age and ability. Take the family on vacation to Gore Mountain Ski ResortAll-day adventures and two-hour sessions are available daily. Your younger kids will love their Mini Learning Park, just for 4-6 year old beginner skiers.  Choices include daily group and private lessons, holiday camps and season long programs. There’s also a Bear Cub day care area where they will keep your little ones entertained while you tear it up on the slopes.

 

Here’s a good video that really gives an overall view of the kind of terrain you can expect at Gore Mountain. I told you it was a serious East Coast Mountain.