Tag Archives: west coast ski

Ski & Snowboard, Winter Adventure

Unleash Winter Fun: The Best Family Ski Adventures on the West Coast

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family standing beside a car on snow covered ground with skis and sledge
Photo by Gustavo Fring on Pexels.com

The West Coast of the United States is a winter wonderland, offering some of the most thrilling and family-friendly ski destinations in the country. With its majestic mountain ranges and abundant snowfall, the West Coast promises the perfect backdrop for unforgettable family ski adventures. In this article, we’ll explore the best places for family ski getaways, catering to a wide range of skill levels and preferences.

Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada

Lake Tahoe is a dream destination for families seeking a ski adventure combined with breathtaking natural beauty. With resorts like Heavenly, Northstar, and Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows, Lake Tahoe offers diverse terrain, ski schools, and numerous family-oriented activities. Whether it’s skiing, snowboarding, or exploring the charming lakeside towns, Lake Tahoe is a perfect all-in-one winter destination.

Mammoth Mountain, California

Mammoth Mountain, located in the Eastern Sierra region of California, boasts a long ski season, often extending into late spring. Families can revel in the diverse terrain, including gentle slopes for beginners and challenging runs for experts. Mammoth also offers a Kids Ski School, ensuring young skiers and snowboarders get the guidance they need.

Park City, Utah

While technically not on the West Coast, Park City, Utah, is a must-mention for its world-class ski resorts and family-friendly atmosphere. The Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley Resort are ideal for family ski trips. You’ll find extensive terrain, easy access from Salt Lake City International Airport, and a charming historic town to explore when you’re not on the slopes.

Big Bear Lake, California

For families residing in Southern California, Big Bear Lake is a convenient and charming ski destination. The Big Bear Mountain Resorts offer a variety of terrain, and the area is known for its welcoming atmosphere and reasonable prices. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, families can enjoy snowshoeing, tubing, and exploring the picturesque village of Big Bear Lake.

Sun Valley, Idaho

Sun Valley is synonymous with world-class skiing and a relaxed, family-oriented atmosphere. The Sun Valley Resort and Dollar Mountain offer a range of terrain for all skill levels. The Kids Ski School ensures that younger family members have a fantastic time on the slopes, and the charming Sun Valley village provides a perfect après-ski setting.

Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia, Canada

Although not on the U.S. West Coast, Whistler Blackcomb is worth mentioning for its proximity to the Pacific Northwest. This Canadian gem offers an unparalleled ski experience with massive terrain, excellent family facilities, and a pedestrian village full of dining and shopping options. The Peak 2 Peak Gondola is an iconic experience that the entire family will enjoy.

The West Coast, with its stunning mountain vistas, diverse terrain, and welcoming communities, provides some of the best family ski adventures in North America. Whether you’re a novice family taking your first turns or seasoned skiing enthusiasts, these destinations have it all. So, pack your gear, bundle up, and prepare to create cherished family memories against the backdrop of majestic mountains and powdery slopes. The West Coast’s ski destinations offer an unbeatable combination of winter fun and natural beauty for your next family getaway.

Photo by Hunter Reilly on Unsplash

Ski & Snowboard, Winter Adventure, Winter Travel

Take the Kids to Heavenly Mountain Ski Resort, Lake Tahoe

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Ski Family Vacation at Heavenly Mountain in Lake Tahoe

With a higher elevation and the most skiable terrain in Tahoe, Heavenly ski resort is one of the most unique ski and snow sport destinations in the world. It’s calm, has beautiful views, plenty of mountain and not overwhelming so it’s a great place to take the kids. You will save yourself money if you buy your lift tickets online as opposed to at the mountain. Buy Heavenly Resort Lift Tickets here. 

lake-tahoe-ski At Heavenly Mountain Resort, skiers and snowboarders alike get access to a varied degree of terrain that spans the California-Nevada border and includes rolling glades, terrain parks and challenging technical steeps. You can ride from one state to another state to get your full day of skiing in.

There are also plenty of family-friendly events at Heavenly to choose from. When you need a beak from carving powdery turns, you can head out to try some tubing and ice skating. For the kids, there’s also the kids ski school, the Ripperoo Parade, shows and arcades. Screen Shot 2015-11-22 at 10.56.01 PM

An experience at Heavenly offers something for everyone. Beginners can practice on groomed runs while more seasoned riders can explore the back-country-like canyons, tree runs and terrain parks.

There are 4,800 acres  of Heavenly ski and snowboard terrain, 97+ trails, and 3,500 feet (of vertical. The area is the largest of the California ski resort.

Ski and Snowboard Terrain

Heavenly Resort has a mix of terrain for all abilities, but in particular it’s an intermediates’ paradise, so if you’re looking for super expert and extreme terrain, this may not be the resort for you. However, if you have young children, it’s a perfect mix to keep everyone happy.

Heavenly Lake Tahoe has 29 lifts that include a gondola and lots of high speed six-packs and quad chairs, and Vail Resorts has been investing heavily in more lifts and terrain.

Heavenly Mountain Resort is extremely convenient for travelers from all over the world, located within an hour of the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, and two hours of the Sacramento International Airport. Click here to learn about Heavenly Mountain in Lake Tahoe.

Traveling by car is easy as well since Heavenly is located off three major U.S. highways and interstates. The drive from the Bay Area and Northern California only takes a few hours and is easy at any time of year.

Check out this video to get a sense of the insanely beautiful terrain at Tahoe.

Ski & Snowboard, Travel, Winter Adventure, Winter Travel

Family Ski Vacation: Park City Mountain Resort, Utah

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Park City Mountain Resort, Utah

This is a historic year for Park City as it connects its Park City and Canyons resorts, making Park City the biggest resort in the US.  With 3300 acres, 9 bowls of terrain and a 10,000 foot summit, Park City is a great place to find adventure with your family. 

parkcityThe speedy lifts on the front side of this 50 year young Utah favorite destination is just what families need to get their adventure groove on.

Park City Mountain Resort is located in the heart of Utah’s famed western town of Park City, just a 30-minute drive from Salt Lake City Airport. The US Ski and Snowboard Teams train on the front side and the 2002 Winter Olympic snowboarding and ski racing events were held here.

What Programs Do They Have For Kids?

Kids Signature Programs offer just the right mix of fun and education; the perfect balance for getting young ones started on the slopes. By limiting class sizes to five students or fewer, they give your child more personalized attention with more time to play, more time to practice and more time to learn.

They’re now open for the 2015 2016 ski season at Park City. Here’s the video to prove it!

Click here to learn more about Park City Utah.

Ski & Snowboard, Travel, Winter Adventure, Winter Travel

Family Ski Vacation: Breckenridge, Colorado

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Breckenridge, Co

Breckenridge is a world-class destination for Colorado vacations with kids who are looking to experience a fun Colorado family vacation in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. There are tons of activities and restaurants on and off the mountain and lots of options of where to stay.

 

Parents can also watch their kids excel on the hill after a day of lessons at their world renowned ski school. Adult, Child, and Private Lessons are available for all family members.

Need a break from skiing? Take the kids ice skating, sleigh rides  or snowmobiling. You can even enjoy a ride on Breckenridge alpine slide or just relax in the historic Town of Breckenridge.

When fortune seekers flocked to Breckridge back in the 1800s little did they know they found something better, the perfect ski mountain town.

Ski & Snowboard, Travel, Winter Adventure, Winter Travel

Family Ski Vacation: Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico

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Taos New Mexico

Taos Ski Valley is located in the Sangre De Cristo Mountains in Northern New Mexico, with access to 1,294 acres of skiable terrain, and receiving an average 300 inches of snowfall annually. The ski area has a great mix of terrain combined with a distinctive mix of European, local Native American and Spanish cultures. It’s also  home to one of the country’s highest rated ski schools.

Ski & Snowboard, Travel, Winter Adventure, Winter Travel

Family Ski Vacation: Telluride Ski Resort

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Telluride

Nestled in the southwest corner of Colorado, 100 miles from the nearest stoplight, Telluride encompasses 2,000 acres of lift-accessible terrain. Once dubbed “To-Hell-You-Ride” from its mining town days, Telluride is now a chic,  modern town.

Telluride Ski Resort boasts some of the steepest, deepest and most diverse terrain of any ski resort in North America.

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

Family Ski Vacation: Mammoth Resort

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Mammoth Mountain

Located in the southwest corner of the volcanic Long Valley Caldera on the eastern edge of California’s Sierra Nevada Mountain Range; Mammoth Mountain reaches over 3,500 skiable acres and a 3,100ft vertical drop.

The mountain is blessed with over 400 inches of snowfall a year and it’s the highest elevation in California at a neck-bending height of 11,053ft.

The modern resort has world class terrain options, and an ski season that can sometimes last into July.