Taking the Kids: Having some fun in the snow
Three little kids, two parents, and mounds and pounds of gear. Looking back, I don’t know how we managed all of those ski trips. Invariably, we didn’t make it to ski school without losing something on the way — a mitten, goggles, lip balm…
And that was before the days when most kids’ ski schools had an on-site shop for just those inevitable happenings. Once, we didn’t discover we’d left my youngest daughter’s ski parka at home in Connecticut until we arrived in Colorado. (It was unseasonably warm when we left and luckily, there was a big outlet mall on the way to the slopes.)
So why did we do it? Corny as it sounds, we could count on great family time, especially in the years before the kids out-skied us. Often, there was extended family with us, adding to the fun — and sometimes the stress of traveling with kids.
I won’t lie. Ski trips can be exhausting and stressful, especially for moms. All the more reason for moms to make time for themselves. Take a ski lesson or go on a guided snowshoe hike. Arrange a spa day. Remember, it’s your vacation too!
During the pandemic, many turned to snow sports because they could be outdoors. Winter continues to be a great time to get outdoors with the kids. And you can do so affordably.
Many believe that smaller resorts — those in the Midwest and Pennsylvania, for example — will continue to attract many families who prefer to stay closer to home. Smaller resorts in the West are also popular.
Best to plan ahead and pick the right ski area for your family’s needs – consult Taking The Kids’ Annual Fun In The Snow Guide to start. Here are some examples from our guide:
– The “Colorado Gems” are 11 smaller snow resorts that are less expensive and less crowded than the big resorts and, for younger families, easier to navigate. They include Ski Cooper (Eileen Ogintz wrote this about visit); Echo Mountain, Denver’s closest ski area less than an hour away; Eldora Mountain Resort where Boulderites traditionally learn to ski; Granby Ranch; Hesperus, 11 miles west of Durango; Monarch Mountain, near Salida; Kendall Mountain Ski Area, within walking distance from historic downtown Silverton; Loveland; Monarch; Powderhorn in the heart of the Grand Mesa; Sunlight in Glenwood Springs where you can enjoy the world’s biggest hot springs pool.
For just $42, the GEMS Card provides your choice of either two 2-for-1 lift tickets or discounted lift tickets. It can be used twice at each ski area for 22 total uses and pays for itself after one use.
Especially if you are a family of beginners or have young children, you may find it more economical — and less stressful – to opt for a smaller ski resort your first time out. You could drive rather than fly, pay less for lodging and lift tickets, and ski school classes are likely to be smaller.
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