If you’re in to make memories as a family, take our advice: get in the snow! A family ski trip is your ticket to the perfect blend of adventure, quality time, and memories that stick. That said, we know that creating a successful winter vacation in the mountains can be a lot more involved than it looks from joyous mountaintop selfies. The good news is that we’re here to make it feel easy—so you can focus on getting excited for your trip! Read on for tips and insights into creating a family ski trip so good it’ll remain legendary for years to come!
Look for package deals.
When you’ve got a whole crew to plan for, package deals can be one of the best ways to make sure everyone gets a great experience! That’s why we created our Insider’s package. With Insider’s, you’ll get the best value of the season with 25% off your entire winter vacation—from lodging, lift tickets, and rentals to lessons and guided tours. Plus, you’ll also unlock free experiences during your stay, dining deals, and so much more.
Book your stay early.
Booking your accommodations early helps you to have the best options available for your family’s needs. Slopeside lodging minimizes travel time and maximizes convenience for family members of all ages, which makes everyone a little happier. (The mountain views from your room aren’t half bad, either.)
Choose the best destination for your family.
Setting your family up for success means looking at family-friendly amenities when choosing your destination. Skiing and snowboarding lessons for children, a variety of beginner-friendly slopes, and crowd-pleasing food favorites are always a win. Consider also that destinations with a range of activities beyond skiing, such as tubing, ice skating, or snowshoeing, will be more inclusive of adventurers of every age and skill level. (Spoiler: we’ve got all of this happening at Winter Park!)
Gear up!
Make sure everyone in the family has the best ski gear for their size and ability. Adding rentals to your trip means you don’t have to travel with any additional gear—and if something needs to be fixed or tuned during your stay, you can easily have it taken care of right on-site. Plus, when you rent from Winter Park, you’ll have a free space to stash your gear at the end of the day, and essential items like helmets, goggles, and poles are included, so you know you’ll be good to go when you arrive.
Sign up for ski lessons.
Whether it’s your 1st time skiing or your 1,001st time skiing, taking a lesson is a great way to navigate the mountain with more confidence! Private or group lessons from our Ski + Ride Instructors are a great way for kids to build their skills, while also giving adults the opportunity to try something new or brush up on what they already know.
Plan non-skiing activities.
We know it’s called a “ski trip”, but the reality is that not everyone may want to ski all day. That’s why planning non-skiing activities can keep everyone entertained, all while trying new things together. Take the family tubing down our snow tube hill (during the day or after dark!), spend the afternoon snowshoeing, hop inside a snow cat for a tour of the mountain at sunset—you’re bound to encounter all kinds of adventures here at Winter Park!
Take breaks!
We’ve often heard that the best part of family ski trips doesn’t have anything to do with skiing at all. A family ski trip is the prime opportunity to create lasting memories during those in-between moments, so take breaks throughout the day to find your favorite hot chocolate on the mountain, snap some group selfies in front of Parry Peak, and soak in some live music at Mountaintop Après. You’ll be thankful for the time on and off the slopes when you return home.
With these tips on hand, you’re more ready than ever to claim that title of “Ski Trip Hero” and make your next winter vacation with the family one to remember. So, get to planning—we’ll see you on the mountain!