Kids
words by > Joanne Cronrath Bamberger
Now that the kids are walking and talking, you can fit ski trips back into your list of outdoor adventures. There are plenty of family-friendly ski resorts around the country that accommodate every level and style of skier.
If rocketing down a snow-packed mountain like a star in the Winter Olympics sounds like the perfect winter getaway, parents and children can fulfill that dream just 45 minutes outside of Boston at Nashoba Valley Ski Area in Westford, Massachusetts. While beginners can practice on a variety of downhill trails, those who are looking for more of a thrill can try out Nashoba Valley’s adult race training class. In these sessions, more experienced skiers can try on their Alberto Tomba persona and learn how to skillfully speed down the mountain, navigating the racing gates with trained coaches. For those who dream about taking to the slopes like Picabo Street, this program offers skiers that first step.
For those who just want to enjoy the snow and aren’t sure that the younger kids in the family are ready for a full ski experience, check out the snow tubing park at Nashoba. Children as young as six can join in the fun, whooshing down one of 15 dedicated lanes in giant inner tubes. www.skinashoba.com
Children who are ready to hit the slopes can take their first run less than a half hour outside Minneapolis, in the Buck Hill Ski Area. Buck Hill provides children’s ski lessons for youngsters as young as four and snowboard lessons for the seven-and-up crowd. While mom and dad can spend part of the day flying down the diamonds, the kids can be gaining the skills to eventually join their parents, even if it’s on the beginner runs.
Interested in trying out a little extreme skiing? In addition to the standard downhill slopes, Buck Hill features a special terrain park for those skiers and snowboarders who are a bit bolder and want to catch a little air with their winter downhill activities. Ramps, moguls and half-pipes provide the free-styling teens— along with the older folks whose knees are capable—with some challenging runs and opportunities for practicing aerial moves. www.buckhill.com
If the western slopes are still calling, but you think there isn’t enough vacation time to drive an additional few hours to a resort, Winter Park, Colorado may be just perfect. Less than one-and-a-half hours from Denver, Winter Park has something for everyone, including women’s-only classes and telemark instruction, in addition to the double black diamond runs.
For something with a little less speed, Winter Park also offers snowshoeing trails or, if you want to take it easy, heated snowcat tours. Sitting in the warm comfort of the snowcat (imagine a large minivan on serious snow treads), visitors can enjoy all the spectacular wintry beauty of the Colorado landscape without worrying about the kids falling down. For more information about Winter Park, see our feature on page 52. www.skiwinterpark.com
Spring is on the way, but you still have plenty of time to whisk the family away to a winter wonderland, and design the trip with appropriate adventures for all ages.