Travel Article: North America's Top 10 Family Ski Resorts

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�	Kids Love Snow¹

People need something to smile about during the winter and swooshing down snowy slopes on a pair of skis or a snowboard seems to do the trick. Skiing (and boarding) is enjoyed by many, from kids who haven't even been walking long to cautious moms to extreme sport junkies. It's something that the entire family can enjoy and even better when ski resorts cater well to all abilities and ages. It's also an expensive pastime, especially with the family in tow, so it pays to be sure that the chosen resort is going to meet the needs of the whole clan.

The North American ski resorts listed below are noted for their family-friendly facilities. Across the United States and Canada, these snowy slopes feature runs for all levels of skiers and boarders, boast ski schools with excellent kids' programs, offer family-friendly accommodation and restaurants, and plenty of apr�s-ski activities.

WHISTLER BLACKCOMB

Beginner: 20% Intermediate: 55% Advanced/Expert: 25%
Located approximately 115 km (72 mi) north of Vancouver, British Columbia, world-famous Whistler Blackcomb comprises two magnificent mountains that together offer more than 8,100 acres (3,278 ha) of skiable terrain. Plenty of space and challenges for everyone. Connected by a peak to peak gondola, the slopes feature over 200 runs and eight terrain parks and pipes. The Whistler Kids programs at the ski school provide young children with a fun and full experience that includes age-appropriate lessons, mountain adventures and social activities.

Warming the foot of the mountains, the friendly and energetic ski town of Whistler boasts an extensive range of accommodation and dining options for all budgets, and a bounty of off-mountain and apr�s-ski activities, including horse-drawn sleigh rides and evening entertainment. A long ski season (until mid-June) means plenty of time to get the kids organized, too.

COPPER MOUNTAIN

Beginner: 21% Intermediate: 25% Advanced/Expert: 54%
Like Whistler, Copper Mountain Ski Resort is easy to get to, located just 120 km (75 mi) west of Denver, Colorado. This popular resort offers a sweeping gradient of runs across 2,400 acres (971 ha)�the gentle slopes on the west side giving way to increasingly steeper trails as one heads eastward. The teens will love pulling tricks on one of the best terrain parks and pipes in Colorado, while specialty ski programs for children occupy the little ones, and mom and dad enjoy the blue skies and scenery as they glide down the mountainside.


Hockey Fun in Banff²	�

The community vibe of the mountain village appeals to families, along with the many activities on offer, such as ice skating, tubing, family-friendly restaurants and a games arcade.

SUNSHINE VILLAGE

Beginner: 20% Intermediate: 55% Advanced/Expert: 25%
Sunshine Village spreads across three mountains in beautiful Banff National Park, Alberta. The expansive 3,300 acres (1,335 ha) of skiable terrain can be reached via a short 15-minute drive or shuttle ride from the bustling town of Banff. Wide open runs at Sunshine are perfect for beginners and the mountain also boasts a huge 12-acre terrain park. The excellent ski and snowboard school offers innovative programs for all ages and skill levels, including the Tiny Tigers Ski & Play program for three to six year olds and Kids Kampus for ages up to 12.

Visitors can sleep on the mountain at the family-friendly ski-in, ski-out Sunshine Mountain Lodge, and can access on-mountain shops, rentals, and restaurants during the day. After the skiing day is done, there is a full range of amenities, restaurants, activities and accommodation in Banff.

STEAMBOAT SKI TOWN

Beginner: 14% Intermediate: 42% Advanced/Expert: 44%
Colorado is known as a prime US snow sports destination and Steamboat Ski Town is known for its accessibility to families. The children's programs at the ski and snowboard school are reputedly the best in the States and the mountain boasts areas with kids only lifts and terrain. The resort also features a Kids' Vacation Center, which offers day care and a Kids' Night Out with snacks, movies and activities. Needless to say, the kids are well covered. Comprising a complete six-peak mountain range in the Colorado Rockies, Steamboat has much to offer everyone. Its terrain park is kitted out with an outdoor sound system and diverse trails cater to all levels.

With the small ranching community of Steamboat Springs based at the foot of the mountain, the whole family will enjoy the resort's unique western flavour and themed events.

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�	A Popular Peak at Steamboat Ski Resort³

SUN PEAKS

Beginner: 10% Intermediate: 58% Advanced/Expert: 32%
Situated near Kamloops in Thompson Okanagan, British Columbia, Sun Peaks is Canada's third largest ski resort with diverse runs and terrain parks for all levels mapped out over more than 3,600 acres (1,457 ha). The Sundance Playschool caters to children from the young age of 18 months with both indoor and outdoor activities, and the Sun Tots and Sun Kids programs are available for those ready to tackle a pair of tiny skis.

The ski-in, ski-out village features a vast range of accommodation and dining options, as well as a skating rink, a tube park, a sports centre with swimming pool, three spas and a bungee trampoline.

BIG SKY

Beginner: 14% Intermediate: 26% Advanced/Expert: 60%
Just 45 minutes from Bozeman, Montana by car (shuttles and rental cars are available from Bozeman), Big Sky's 3,800 snow-covered acres (1,538 ha) bask under the state's biggest, bluest skies throughout the winter. The close proximity of Big Sky to Yellowstone National Park makes it a popular choice with families, as does the fact that children under ten years old stay and ski for free. Children enjoy various snow games, arts and crafts, and s'mores around the campfire at the free Kids Club, and the whole family can play at the tube park in the Family Fun Zone.

MONT TREMBLANT

Beginner: 17% Intermediate: 33% Advanced/Expert: 50%
Quebec's Mont Tremblant Ski Resort offers a more intimate experience with a smaller ski area covering 631 acres (255 ha)�making it easier to keep track of the rest of the family! The Snow School ensures results, safety and fun for all ages and levels with small group lessons, and the Kids Club offers daycare for non-skiing children aged one to six years old.


The Sun Sets over Lone Mountain, Big Sky, Montana⁴	�

A wide variety of ski-in, ski-out accommodation is available in the charming European-style pedestrian village, which is also packed with shops, restaurants, a movie theatre and loads of family activities. Guests staying at the resort are treated to free nightly entertainment, and other family fun activities include winter horseback riding, paintball, an aerial forest adventure and much more.

SMUGGLERS' NOTCH

Beginner: 19% Intermediate: 50% Advanced/Expert: 31%
This picturesque resort is tucked in the Green Mountains in Vermont. More than 1,000 acres (405 ha) of skiable terrain stretches across three mountains that shelter the cozy resort village. Smugglers' Notch offers stunning slopes that range from gentle, beginner-friendly runs to the infamous triple black diamond plummet, a.k.a. The Black Hole. But the fun doesn't stop there. The FunZone Family Entertainment and Recreation Center features a colourful indoor playground with a giant obstacle course, miniature golf and a games arcade. A heated indoor pool and hot tubs are located next door. The teens will be found hanging out at Teen Alley, with video games, a pool table, music and movies, and the resort puts on lots of family events, including family fun races, a winter carnival and a family snowshoe festival.

BIG WHITE

Beginner: 18% Intermediate: 54% Advanced/Expert: 28%
Located near Kelowna, British Columbia, Big White boasts the largest ski-in, ski-out village in Canada. Staking claim to 118 runs, a terrain park, tubing park, a skating rink and snowmobile trails on more than 2,765 acres, this popular resort offers something for everyone.

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�	Mont Tremblant Village, Quebec⁵

The ski and board school provides specially tailored teen programs, and kids up to 12 years old can get their confidence up on the slopes at the Big White Kids Centre. Daytime and apr�s-ski activities include horse-drawn sleigh rides, live entertainment, bonfires and fireworks displays, while 18 on-mountain restaurants provide for a convenient break between runs or wind-down at the end of the day. Regular shuttles access the ski resort directly from Kelowna Airport.

CRESTED BUTTE

Beginner: 23% Intermediate: 57% Advanced/Expert: 20%
Easily accessible from all directions, Crested Butte Mountain Resort is set in the heart of Colorado. Its 121 runs spread over 1,167 acres (472 ha) cater to all skill levels and the resort also features a superpipe and two terrain parks�one of which is especially designed for the kids. The ski and ride school runs age-appropriate programs for children from three to 12 years old, a teen program and Kids' Night Out activities.

In addition to on-mountain dining and accommodation options, the town of Crested Butte�just a six-minute shuttle ride from the mountain�offers a deluge of characterful restaurants, lodgings, bars and shops. Delightfully devoid of traffic lights and chain stores, this charming ski town remains focused on what being in the mountains is all about: nature, adventure and escaping the daily grind.

If you enjoyed this feature, take a look at these great WorldWeb.com articles:
� The Best of Winter in Canada
� Top 10 National Parks in the USA

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

Girl Playing in Snow; Colorado, USA
Hockey Fun in Banff; Banff, Alberta, CAN
A Popular Peak at Steamboat Ski Resort; Steamboat Springs, Colorado, USA
The Sun Sets over Lone Mountain; Big Sky, Montana, USA
Mont Tremblant Village; Mont Tremblant, Quebec, CAN

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North America's Top 10 Family Ski Resorts