Skiing and Snow Play with Kids

We’ve created a list of five fun, family-friendly day trips from Minneapolis-St. Paul, the twin cities metro area. Take advantage of your respective backyards or come explore ours!

Our family loves a visit to Vermont. We love the fresh air, the friendly people, and the fabulous food. Burlington is as close to a family mecca as one might find in Vermont. This small city and the immediate area offers so much for families to do together all centered around the beautiful Lake Champlain and the zesty city center that is Church Street Marketplace.

Dog sledding is a unique opportunity for families to enjoy. There are many outfitters across the country providing kennel tours, education, sled tours, lessons, and hands-on experiences. Without doubt, dog sledding is an experience your family will not soon forget.

Brain Head is the best little mountain town for families that most folks have never even heard of. Located at the doorstep of Cedar Breaks National Monument, this sleepy mountain town is sure to steal the hearts of visiting families no matter the season. My husband and I visited Brian Head with our kids as part of our Spring Break tour of Utah. Truth be told, I had never heard of the resort and initially looked at it as more of a stopping off point in between the National Parks of Southern Utah and skiing in Park City. What I didn’t know was that Brian Head would turn out to be a destination unto itself.

Autism cases in the United States are on the rise. As such, many ski resorts are offering tailored programs introducing kids on the autism spectrum to skiing. Among these forward thinking ski resorts is Northstar at Tahoe, where my son participated in a lesson using an approach called Adaptive Skiing.

Big Sky ski vacations are ideal for families. Big Sky Resort and Moonlight Basin offer wide open ski runs, no lift lines, and plenty of powdery snow.

We have taken lessons, stayed in a variety of accommodations and traveled from several places around the USA. What we have discovered are an array of family friendly ski resorts awaiting your visit.

So there I was. Sitting at the top of a snowy hill in an inflatable rubber tire. And all of a sudden- whoosh! I was flying down the hill on an inner tube and laughing as I went. This 30-something mom was Cosmic Tubing at Mt. Hood’s SkiBowl!

When most people think of snow skiing, North Carolina probably isn’t the first place they think about, but it’s a great, drivable option for Southern skiers that want to learn to ski, or to get their snow fix close to home.

Whistler Blackcomb is way too big to list all the great runs, lifts, and features your family could enjoy. Instead, enjoy these handy tips for skiing or riding as much of these two fabulous peaks as possible.

Averill’s Flathead Lake Lodge, a historic ranch is located on the east shore of the largest lake west of the Mississippi, Flathead Lake, exudes Big Sky Country relaxation. For over 60 years, the Lodge has been host to guests coming for a great family vacation filled with horseback riding, water sports, and relaxing, Montana-style.

Alas, it’s time to store away the ski and snowboarding gear for the season. Coincidentally, it’s also time to plan the perfect ski resort SUMMER vacation. Yes, summer is the ideal season to vacation with kids at ski resorts, where outdoor recreation abounds, and luxury on a budget exists.