Top 10 Western Ski Resorts for Families

Our family ski trips out west to Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Montana, California and Oregon have brought us to this Top 10 Rocky Mountain Ski Resorts lists. Our family ski criteria includes good ski terrain diversity, snow abundance, ski in ski out lodging, family activities, exceptional ski and snowboard schools plus a healthy dose of scenery and friendly locals. Of course, we have yet to ski all of the Rockies, still need to ski Washington, and New Mexico..so stay tuned and keep checking back. But here are our favorite ski resorts for families!

Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort, Colorado
As family skiers, we love everything about Durango (accept maybe the intimidating name Purgatory). Purgatory Mountain offers plenty of terrain, fun undulating runs on the frontside, some edgier steeps and glades on the backside, and a convenient un-crowded base village with ski school, shops, restaurants and perfect condo lodging at The Purgatory Lodge with an outdoor pool and spa. As a bonus, you can visit downtown Durango to experience a real Colorado cowboy town.

Big Sky, Montana
Big Sky is not so easy to get too - just one of the reasons we like it so much. This Montana ski resort is vast, very friendly and offers the most spectacular vistas in ski country. Now that Big Sky interconnects with Moonlight Basin, you have the biggest skiing in America. Staying slopeside at Big Sky’s Summit Hotel, you can walk to the lifts, to kids ski camp and to the new plaza with skier services, shops and restaurants. Take a day off to visit Yellowstone National Park -Old Faithful still goes off in winter, and the geysers and animals tracks are easy to spot in the snow.

Vail

Vail, Colorado
Vail is the grandfather of Rocky Mountain ski resorts (circa 1962). With so much terrain (over 5,200-acres), Vail makes the top ten ski resort list easily. Golden Peak at Vail is the family ski hub, with A Small World Play School, Vail ski and snowboard lessons, and Vail ski camps just above the center of Vail Village and top lodging properties like Lodge at Vail, Four Seasons and the Sebastian. Lions Head is home to swank lodging at the Ritz and Arrabelle. On the mountain, look for Vail’s Kids Adventure Zones. Vail Village has that European ambiance for your family to explore after a day on Vail’s Front Side or the Back Bowls. For Vail nightlife (family-style), look for the weekly free concert block parties at 6pm.

Beaver Creek, Colorado
Beaver Creek is like Vail – though more upscale. While not as big as Vail, this resort is posh, well-pitched and has the personal touch I like on a family ski holiday. Maybe it’s the free, fresh homemade cookies in the village for après ski, or the centerpiece ice skating rink, or it could be the World Cup Downhill Course – Birds of Prey… Beaver Creek has something for everyone. Stay at the Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch for the best Colorado ski vacation.

Deer Valley, Utah
Deer Valley ranks as the top ski resort for service, food and grooming. I would add Deer Valley is top shelf for families – as long as there are no snowboarders in your ski group (snowboarders ban). This first class ski resort in Utah has great lifts, excellent grooming and well trained ski ambassadors to make your ski and stay at Deer Valley the best. Warning: Deer Valley real estate is hot, and happening with a new Deer Valley St Regis Hotel, and a Montage Hotel at Deer Valley, and magnificent Deer Valley ski mansions for rent.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Jackson Hole is reputed for its steep and deep terrain, but this Wyoming ski resort is also a great choice for families looking to get away, see wild game in the National Parks and stay slopeside in Teton Village. The five-star Four Seasons Jackson Hole hotel is the perfect place to stay with its own kids camp, ski concierge and s'more roasting by the fire for après ski, plus a spa and sophisticated surroundings for parents. While you are in Wyoming, go to nearby Grand Targhee, very family friendly with big snow, ego pleasing terrain and ample snow at 500" annually.

Mammoth, California
When in California, Mammoth is king. Mammoth ski resort is immense, and recent upgrades including a pedestrian ski village, a gondola and some of the best terrain parks and pipes make this California ski area rock - especially for skiing teenagers, and youthful snowboarders. A week at Mammoth Mountain Resort is a treat; their kids’ camp with mascot Wooly Mammoth is a definite kid pleaser. The California sunshine on the Sierra Nevada’s, the frequent snow fall, and the super-sized ski season make Mom and Dad happy. And hey, Mammoth to Disneyland, Hollywood and LA is just 5 ½ hours away!

Snowmass at Aspen Colorado
Snowmass is the largest of the four Aspen ski mountains, skiing the Big Burn at Snowmass will make everyone in the family feel like the big cheese – or a ski movie star. With lodging at the recently revitalized Snowmass Village, and the state of the art Tree House child care center – Snowmass is ideal for families. Recent glade expansion on Snowmass' Burnt Mountain make Snowmass the second largest ski resort in Colorado at 3,362-acres. Aspen's Buttermilk is teen heaven in January when they host the trendy Winter X-Games. Siblings Aspen Highlands and Ajax in downtown Aspen are also worth a day of skiing during your family ski week in Aspen.

Steamboat, Colorado
Steamboat is a Wild West cowboy town with a very tame side – a soft spot for families. Steamboat’s ski terrain is mostly gentle (with a few sweet steep Glades), the Colorado snow and sun abundant, and the on mountain accommodations aplenty including a Sheraton and the Steamboat Grand. Steamboat's Village at the mountain has been completely redone in recent years, while the downtown frontier town, just a short drive away, remains western and fun. Our family loved the Strawberry Park Hot Springs for après ski, and our son loved racing Billie Kid in NASTAR – and beating the Olympic ski racer in the gates (which was gracious of the old cowboy).

Northstar At Tahoe, Lake Tahoe California
Northstar is the place to ski in California if you have young children or growing kids who love terrain parks. Northstar has dialed into young skiing families. The resort village is proof, so is the all natural Burton terrain park called The Stash. A Northstar Ritz Carlton now graces the mountainside with a ski valet and spa. This Lake Tahoe ski resort is a good choice for a winter family ski trip, and you can day trip to Lake Tahoe, Squaw Valley and Heavenly.

Snowbird, Utah
Snowbird is a favorite ski area amongst core skiers. Snowbird’s Cirque offers the country’s foremost expert terrain serviced by the tram. But for families, there’s tame terrain around the base, and slopeside hotel lodging at the Cliff House and The Iron Blossom. Just a half hour drive from Salt Lake City also makes this Utah family ski trip a winner as you can ski and fly the same day as East or West Coast ski travelers. A Snowbird/Alta lift ticket gains you access to two phenomenal resorts (Alta is a skiers only resort, no snowboards allowed). Snowbird is a top resort for spring skiing -staying open till May.

Honorable Mention = Idaho. Your own private Idaho is perfect for a family ski vacations with more snow and less crowds. A bit harder to get to, but landing in Boise, you can tour Sun Valley, Soldier, Brundage, and Bogus Basin. Even take the teenagers cat skiing!