10 Great Family Resorts

A successful family ski vacation is built on convenience, creative programs, super service and keeping your kids very, very busy. These resorts do it best.

by Joe Cutts, Greg Ditrinco, Susan Reifer, Edie Thys

Family 1205

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Family Resorts

10 Great Family Resorts
A successful family ski vacation is built on convenience, creative programs, super service and keeping your kids very, very busy. These resorts do it best.

One thing you won't hear from your kids at Beaver Creek is "I'm bored. The resort's proactive attitude and loaded village leave little time—or cause—for complaints. Forget about waiting in lines, because lessons, childcare, lift tickets, gear and even groceries can all be purchased ahead of time online. Also forget about schlepping as you glide up the escalators to the slopes. Kids enrolled in ski school get famously attentive instruction, as well as mountain adventures, treasure hunts, nature tours and Park-ology—an introduction to terrain parks. When hunger strikes, even at peak times, radio-toting greeters at Spruce Saddle Lodge will track down a table for the whole family. If and when you go your separate ways, Beaver Creek's terrain coddles or challenges as needed, with everything from spectator-friendly baby slopes to frontside boulevards to Grouse Mountain's steeps, bumps and glades. Free two-hour mountain tours answer "where now? before it gets asked. After skiing, recharge the troops with fresh complimentary chocolate chip cookies before skating, shopping, skiing in the glow-light parade, watching fireworks or catching a sleigh ride to dinner. If you do find a moment, gloat to your friends back home. The postcard and the postage—to anywhere in the world—are free.

LOCAL MOM'S TIP For a truly happy hour, let local historian Frank Doll enchant the kids with storytelling and music in front of the Park Hyatt's fireplace.
DON'T MISS/ON-HILL Free two-hour welcome tours depart daily at 10 a.m. from the top of Centennial. Let a guide take your family to your ideal terrain.
DON'T MISS/OFF-HILL Ski to the Ritz Carlton for five-star roasted marshmallows and hot cocoa al fresco.
FAMILY RESTAURANTS Blue Moose pizza, in the village, makes great pie.

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