Best Family Ski Resorts in the Western USA

Steamboat – Colorado

Steamboat has close to 3,000 acres of beautiful terrain

Once inhabited by nomadic Ute Indians centuries ago, Steamboat in northwest Colorado has a large ranching community rooted in authentic western tradition and is home to over 150 hot mineral springs in its hills. It got its name from early settlers who mistook the bubbling hot springs for a river steamboat. This ski resort in the Colorado Rocky Mountains has close to 3,000 acres of terrain for skiing, snowboarding, snowmobile rides, sleigh ride dinners, and ski and snowboard school with group, private, and specialty instruction. Its kids’ programs rank among the very best in the nation, with five children’s lifts, two dedicated beginner teaching areas with Magic Carpet lifts, a kids-only terrain with lift,  teepees, a frontier-style fort and a kids’ terrain park.

Children can learn to ski soon after they can walk

Children 12 and under ski free when a parent or grandparent purchases a 5 or more day adult lift ticket (one child per paid adult). Excellent childcare is available for children 6 months to 6 years with exciting programs and age-appropriate activities to keep children positively engaged for hours and includes toys, books, arts and crafts, and plenty of room for children to expend energy or enjoy a quiet rest/nap. Steamboat also features a range of accommodations from homes and condos to hotels and motels, shopping, dining, spa services, and its mineral hot springs. There is free transportation around the town, ski area, and most lodging locations. Convenient nonstop flights to Steamboat/Hayden Airport from seven major airports with nationwide and worldwide connections make getting to Steamboat easy. For more information about the Steamboat Ski Resort in Steamboat Springs, visit www.steamboat.com

Sun Valley Resort – Idaho

The scenery at Sun Valley is magnificent

Sun Valley Resort in Idaho is home to Bald Mountain – one of the world’s best single ski mountains. Its scenic terrain is ideal for skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and scenic sleigh rides. It also features a NASTAR racing course, snow tubing park with three 600-foot lanes of frosty fun, helicopter skiing, ice skating (indoor and outdoor rinks), ski and snow-sport lessons for all ages, and complimentary use of its two fitness centers and swimming pools by resort guests. Younger children can participate in the childcare programs available in the village where they will be delightfully entertained with arts and crafts activities, indoor and outdoor playtime, and bowling and ice skating. Ski lessons can also be added for those interested.

Captivating ice shows are among the fantastic entertainment at Sun Valley Resort

Sun Valley boasts spectacular entertainment including thrilling ice shows, an outdoor symphony series, outdoor concerts at the Sun Valley Pavilion, live jazz, bowling with game room and movies. Accommodations include a variety of lodging from condominiums to cottages and are all conveniently located next to the village’s cheery attractions including dining, shopping, entertainment, salon and day spa. Complimentary transportation around the village and to/from the lifts is an added convenience and includes free shuttle service for resort guests to/from the airport and Sun Valley Resort. This Idaho resort is just 14 miles from the Friedman Memorial Airport in Hailey, next door to Ketchum, Ernest Hemingway’s favorite sanctuary.  The airport is easily accessible from Seattle (SEA), Los Angeles (LAX), and Salt Lake City (SLC). For more information on this exclusive ski resort visit www.sunvalley.com

Telluride Ski Resort – Colorado

The glory of winter is found in the simplest things, as the snow on these branches in Telluride, Colorado

Located in Telluride, Colorado, Telluride Ski Resort’s 2,000 plus acres and 125 trails offer a remote family getaway easily accessible by non-stop flights from 8 U.S cities, and is virtually free from lines and waits. This secluded snowy paradise boasts skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and cross country skiing with stunning vistas, complimentary mountain tours, sleigh ride dinners, NASTAR racing and more.  Its ski/snowboard instruction is top-notch with ski/snowboard school for children divided into age appropriate lessons.

Telluride has an expansive, uncrowded feel

There is a wonderful nursery for infants and toddlers adjacent to the children’s ski/snowboard school that provides a nurturing and safe environment for little ones, as well as a nursery/ski add-on option that allows young children the opportunity to slide around on skis as well as the warmth of indoor enriching activities like arts and crafts projects, storytelling and more. Accommodations range from luxury resort rentals, to condos and hotels designed to meet a variety of budget and family needs, and its free gondola provides transportation throughout the resort. An enticing assortment of dining, coffee shops, bars, luxurious spas, shops and boutiques set among historic buildings and some of the most breathtaking scenery of the Rockies make a vacation here complete. For more information visit www.tellurideskiresort.com

Vail – Colorado

Vail is the largest single ski resort in the United States

With over 5,200 acres of diverse terrain, Vail Colorado is renowned for some of the best snow skiing worldwide. It is conveniently located about 35 miles from Eagle Airport, and offers free public transportation throughout the village. Families with children can enjoy a host of activities including skiing, snowboarding, ski and snowboard school with lessons for all ages, Nordic activities including snowshoeing and cross country skiing, backcountry tours, and fun at Adventure Ridge with ski biking, tubing, snowshoeing, kid’s snowmobiles, and a bungee trampoline. Child care and a nursery are available as well.

This vista of Vail at Sunset is breathtaking

The town of Vail Colorado has a luxurious mountain feel with its cobble-stone streets, ice-skating rink, diverse shops and boutiques, and wonderful assortment of restaurants all walking distance from the ski-in ski-out lodging. A variety of accommodations to suit a range of budget and housing needs makes a stay here very convenient, especially with complimentary shuttle services and lodgings that are right on the slopes, where guests can literally walk to the lifts and gondolas from their hotel. For more information on Vail visit their website at www.vail.com.

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About the Author: Jocelyn Murray is a travel writer and historical fiction novelist. She holds two university master's degrees in both English and Education, along with a bachelor's degree in Economics and European Studies. She also has a teaching credential and taught at the elementary school level.