Getting the Most from a Family Ski Vacation

A winter vacation at a ski resort can be a win for the whole family. Everything you need is in one place, so once you’re there, you don’t need to travel. Just settle in and have fun in the snow. These tips help every family traveler get the most fun from their ski trip.

Stay Slope-side
Choose a resort with slope-side lodging or a frequent shuttle service to get you to the slopes and back. The last thing you need is to begin each day searching for a parking space and trudging to slopes. And if you live there, you can go “home” for lunch and save money over expensive base lodge foods.

B.Y.O. Breakfasts
Keep breakfast foods on hand for a quick start to the day, as well as sandwiches for easy lunches if your hotel room is close to the slopes. Bring your own drinks and restock from the local store or the resort’s deli.

Order Out
Just because there’s a kitchen in the condo or hotel room doesn’t mean you need to cook every meal there. Consider other options for dinner. You can order takeout (it doesn’t need to be pizza — local restaurants thrive on delivering meals). Search local family restaurants in your budget range or take advantage of the deli options at a local supermarket for rotisserie chicken or ready-made dishes easy to reheat. Some local cafés near ski areas stock a freezer full of ready-made entrees.

Treat Yourself
Parents should enjoy the trip as much as the kids, and that doesn’t mean you do all the same chores as at home. Relax over a dinner for two while kids spend an evening enjoying resort activities. Many ski resorts offer programs for kids while their parents are in the restaurant. Kids get to meet and play with others their age or watch a children’s movie.

Take a Break  
Don’t feel everyone must spend all day on the slopes. That’s the joy of “living” at a resort. You can take a midday break, go for a swim or spa treatment, or sleep late. You’re on vacation.