Taking the Kids: Fun in the snow

There are discounted Ikon passes for nurses, military and college students good at more than 40 resorts, including in Canada and Europe, Palisades Tahoe in California, Steamboat and Big Sky in the Rockies and Stratton, Killington and Sunday River in the East.

CLUB MED QUÉBEC is Club Med’s newest ski resort and the brand’s first resort in Canada. Enjoy Unlimited ski-in/ski-out access, lift tickets, group ski and snowboard lessons at no added cost, as well as meals (how about fondue?) lodging, entertainment and supervised kids’ programs.

APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN CLUB in the White Mountains of New Hampshire provides hundreds of miles of trails to hike or snowshoe (guests get complimentary snowshoes and can borrow other winter gear at certain locations), plus guided custom adventures at an affordable price. The newly designated AMC Maine Woods International Dark Sky Park lies at the edge of the North Maine Woods

The Colorado Gems program highlights 11 smaller Colorado snow resorts that are less expensive and less crowded than the big resorts and, for younger families, easier to navigate. Just $39, the GEMS Card provides your choice of either two 2-for-1 lift tickets or two 30 percent-off lift tickets. It can be used twice at each ski area for 22 total uses and pays for itself after one use. (Consider that at major resorts, lift tickets can be over $100.)

Stay in a condo, like at The Antlers at Vail, the unique European style Alta Lodge in Utah, hosting guests since 1940; Opt for a new-style hotel like the dog-friendly Gravity Haus ( in Breckenridge . Vail, Winter Park and Lake Tahoe) that encourages community-building with memberships that include special events (holiday cookie decorating) , discounts, fitness center and more.

Passes, even just for a week, seem the way to go. There’s the Epic Day Pass that lets guests choose the number of days they’d like to ski — from one to seven — at Vail resorts.  If you plan to stay within driving distances this season, Northeast Value Pass offers incredible value for skiers and riders at all eight Vail resorts in the Northeast, including Stowe, Okemo, Mt. Snow and Hunter. Plus, kids under age 4 Ski Free at Vail owned properties and kids ages 5 to 6 ski for $39 on the Northeast Value Tot Pass.

The Indy Pass is just $329 ($139 for kids giving you two days at 80 independent resorts). You can buy a third ticket for 25 percent off.

Expect continued COVID-19 protocols (mask-wearing indoors, for example) but fewer restrictions than last season. There won’t typically be reservation requirements, though Vail Resorts has announced that lift ticket sales will be limited at its 34 North American resorts during the three most popular holiday periods (Dates include: December 25 to January 2, January 14 to 17, and February 18 to 27.)

Make reservations for ski school as classes will continue to be smaller, said Nicholas Herrin, CEO of the Professional Ski Instructors of America and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors. “It will be exciting to see the improved practices learned from last season,” he said. “We’re fortunate ski areas have found ways to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic that allows people to slide on snow in a safe and fun environment.”

Reservations will also be needed to eat on the mountain in many places, though there will be more options than last season and you may be asked to show vaccine cards at restaurants.

“This season, different states and localities will respond to the pandemic how they see fit, and ski areas will do the same,” said Adrienne Isaac, a spokesman for the National Ski Areas Association.” Ski areas will comply with all local regulations, and some may have stricter protocols in place to protect their staff, communities, and other guests.”

And don’t forget to commune with ULLR.

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(For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com and also follow TakingTheKids on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments. The Kid’s Guide to Philadelphia, the 13th in the kid’s guide series, was published in 2020, with The Kid’s Guide to Camping coming in 2021.)