A Guide to Family Ski Areas
December 6, 2007. With children in tow, skiers and snowboarders have to make different decisions about their luxury vacation rentals. Moms and dads also have to consider how family-friendly the ski areas are. MSNBC just published a helpful guide on kid-friendly ski resorts.
Here are some of the things they discuss:
Safety. Everyone should wear a helmet. Period.
Ski programs. Some resorts have a reputation for great ski schools, and a great first experience can often be tied directly to a good ski teacher. This is especially true for impatient parents, who should leave the teaching to professionals. Smuggler's Notch in Vermont, for example, has a famous program.
Childcare. If the kids are too young to ski, or too young to ski all day, consider putting them in childcare. It may seem like an added expense, but Mom and Dad might enjoy at least one day on the slopes together, for old time's sake.
Terrain. Let's say you're vacationing at Lake Tahoe. The children are just experienced enough to keep up, but not old enough to be set loose (or leave you in the dust). Squaw Valley has the best terrain, but if you can't actually find the time to ski it, settling for Northstar's gentle slopes will save money.
