Take a look at the best places to ski in the United States, along with recommendations made with your family's budget in mind.
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15 Best Places to Ski in the U.S. This Winter
Winter is the perfect time for cozying up by the fire inside…after a day of fun outside. So how to have this said fun when there may be mountains of snow outside your window? Skiing, of course! These places throughout the country will easily have you convinced that you’re living in a winter wonderland that you never want to leave. After, check out these 11 destinations that are even better in the winter.
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Keystone, Colorado
Consider staying at the Keystone Lodge & Spa, where nightly rates for a family of four range from $154 to $350, depending on what type of room or suite you prefer. With more than 3,000 acres on their property to explore, your kiddos can enjoy skiing lessons, head down a tubing hill, or join you in roasting marshmallows by a fire pit. For even more entertainment, their “Kidtopia” land is exactly what it sounds like: an action-packed, kid-friendly oasis where they can build snow forts, bake cookies, do arts and crafts, go down a 24-foot slide, and more.
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Park City, Utah
For more of a splurge, consider Montage Deer Valley with rates starting at $329 a night. This location is a little easier to navigate, with direct access to three high-speed chairlifts, giving your family access to more than 200 acres of terrain and 100 trails. When it’s time to come home and rest up for a night of stargazing and telling jokes, make sure to stop by their complimentary s’mores hour. After your kids get their s’mores fix, they can play arcade games, throw darts, or bowl. For animal-loving kiddos, the resort also offers meet-and-greets with the Canine Ambassador Program, where they can pet Bernese Mountain Dogs.
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Snowmass, Colorado
In the heart of Colorado’s skiing regions is Snowmass, which offers much like what the name suggests: a wide variety of skiing excursions. Considering its location gives you access to Burnt Mountain, Baldy Mountain, Chapel Peak, Garrett Peak, and, of course, Snowmass Mountain and Peak, you can have your pick of where to venture to. While an expert guide can help you understand the best hot spots for your family, based on your skill level and interests, no matter where you find yourself in this area, chances are high you’ll be grinning as big as your snow goggles once you catch wind of the sights from a chairlift.
Though a tad on the expensive side, Viceroy Snowmass can be a worthwhile splurge since it provides a one-of-a-kind experience for your whole gang. Rates begin at $617 a night for a family of four, but their ‘Very Important Kids’ programming includes daily activities and dining menus. These range from apres s’mores, ski and snowboarding lessons, educational programs, storytelling, cookie decorating, magic shows, and more. And when they stay at the on-site Elk Camp, they can also try their hand at snow biking and tubing, sledding, snowshoe tours, and a spooky visit to the ghost ship.
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Snowbird, Utah
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Scranton, Pennsylvania
If you can’t quite make it out west this year, don’t worry, there’s plenty of skiing on the East Coast that’ll provide the same delights. In fact, you can walk in a winter wonderland just 125 miles northwest of Philadelphia and New York City, in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Though this city is known as a Steamtown National Historic Site (where kiddos can tour former rail yards, a 19th-century mill and the trolley museum), during the winter, the slopes are a mere eight miles from downtown.
You can stay in Scranton with hotel rates for a family of four starting as low as $88 a night and make your way to Montage Mountain Resorts, where annual winter memberships begin at a cool $499. Here, the youngest family member who hasn’t soared through the powdery goodness yet gets a free lift ticket, rental, and lesson from a certified ski school instructor as part of their “First Timer Fridays” program. Your group can also check out their Airboarding program, which happens to be the largest in the world with 185 boards. It’s also only one of seven places in the country you can try a lightweight inflatable sled that can get up to 60 miles per hour as it surges down the mountain.
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Lake Tahoe, California
For another option, book your stay at The Village at Squaw Valley in North Lake Tahoe. Inspired by European ski resorts, there’s something for you and your partner, with more than 50 bars, restaurants, and boutiques, all intermingled with condominium-style suites. Another fun perk of this Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows is their “Kids Ski Free” package, where booking two nights at a slope-side room lets your kids take to the hills sans cost. And for families looking to save even more, each suite, with rates starting at $224 a night, features a full kitchen, private balcony, fireplace, and access to hot tubs.
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Sun Valley, Idaho
You might not think of Idaho when you first dream of a winter wonderland getaway, but in Sun Valley, you can explore Bald Mountain, Dollar Mountain, and other views. Known for more gentle slopes, it’s ideal for a quick getaway to introduce your children to snow without having to suffer through treacherous hills.
Consider booking your stay at Sun Valley Resort, which was founded in 1936 as America’s first destination ski resort, nestled among the Idaho mountains. For your bustling family of four, opt for the Stay & Ski Free Package that starts at $249 a night for both lodging and your lift pass. In addition to teaching your children about the winter sport you adore, you can also book sleigh rides, activities, and book a lesson at their ‘Terrain-That-Teaches’ program for beginners of all ages.
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Beaver Creek, Colorado
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Jackson Hole, Wyoming
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Cortland, New York
Ideal for a weekend getaway from New York City, Connecticut, or New Jersey, Cortland offers access to four family-friendly mountains, an indoor waterpark, and a walkable downtown for when you’ve had enough of snow and freezing altitudes. Though there’s plenty of cultural options and events on the main drag, it’s really the resorts and slopes that keep families coming back year after year. Regardless if you head to Greek Peak, Labrador, Song, or Toggenburg, you can expect manicure slopes and affordable packages throughout the winter season. Book your getaway at Hope Lake Lodge at Greek Peak Ski Resort with a nightly rate starting at $149 for a family of four. In addition to 52 trails of varied terrain, your family can splash their way to memories at the 41,000-square foot Cascades Indoor Water Park with a wave pool, three-story tube slide, body slide, activity pool, and more. Not to mention the skiing and snowboarding options that also feature a 9-lane tubing center for thrill-seekers.
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Telluride, Colorado
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Ludlow, Vermont
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Vail, Colorado
Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
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Big Sky, Montana
