Vermont has a plethora of family-friendly ski resorts.
The Green Mountain State boasts more than its fair share of magnificent powder-white slopes in addition to emerald-green slopes.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, the slopes and several ski resorts in the state have something for everyone!
Even better, all of the major resorts provide ski classes and workshops for children as young as three, giving them a taste of the skiing world.
Along with kid-friendly regulations and offerings of winter sports (primarily skiing and snowboarding), Vermont’s resorts are open all year, providing a variety of activities for families regardless of whether there is snow, hail, or sunshine!
Are you planning a family ski trip?
You’ve arrived at the right place! I’ve compiled a list of Vermont resorts that I believe are the best for families.
They should be considered as you plan your trip!
1. Boston Valley Resort
The Bolton Valley Resort is a winter wonderland with more than 300 inches of snowfall annually, more than enough paths, and slopes that can keep skiers of all abilities involved.
There are 60 trails for skiing and snowboarding, some of which are accessible into the night.
How romantic is this? You can’t afford to meet it.
The hotel has 60 rooms, studio flats, and suites (one- and two-bedroom options are available) with superb slopeside views.
Larger families might choose the hotel’s roomy and expansive apartment accommodations (available with one, two, three, or four bedrooms).
Bolton Valley has a variety of cuisines to suit even the pickiest diners after a day of skiing or snowboarding.
Whether you want flatbread pizzas or a Scotch whiskey to warm your insides, head to the James Moore Tavern for some soul-satisfying meals!
Do you want a great pasta alfredo?
No issue; head to Bailey’s Restaurant for delectable Italian entrees!
Want to keep it light, or have you completely forgotten about food with all the fun you’ve been having?
Say goodbye to guilt and head to the full-service Bolton Valley Deli & Food for some delicious sandwiches and last-minute grocery shopping.
Can’t you ignore the hunger pangs during your early-morning ski session?
No problem! Ski in or ski out to the Waffle Cabin for some super-yummy waffles (and other breakfast delights).
As I previously stated, there are a variety of cuisines to satisfy even the pickiest diners!
2. Jay Peak
Jay Peak in Northern Vermont’s four seasons can entertain the entire family, from the kids to the parents and possibly even the grandparents!
You can choose from the hotel’s super-fun indoor water park, a championship golf course, or one of the best ice arenas in the area—or better yet, take them all!
Jay Peak also offers a variety of activities and services for children, including a summer camp and the Ski and Ride School, as well as day-care and nursery facilities (JayCare) to take care of the little ones while you and your better half rest in the hotel’s beautiful spa.
Did I mention that hotel guests receive these absolutely free of charge?
When we consider the many food options provided by the hotel, we have a tremendously strong competitor in this ski resort competition!
3. Killington Resort
This breathtakingly large winter wonderland is one of the best places to ski in Vermont, with premium terrain, spread across six (yes, six!) mountains.
What if I told you that Killington has 155 different trails, a 600-area snowmaking system, and 22 ski lifts?
The resort’s paths are divided into three difficulty levels: beginner, intermediate, and severe.
These tracks are supplemented by a 500-foot superpipe and five terrain packs.
Snowshoeing, dog sledding, sleigh rides, and snowmobiling are among the other winter activities available to guests.
Do you enjoy the slopes or want to try new things? Spend a day exploring the area’s numerous malls, historical sites, and other family-friendly attractions.
The resort offers a variety of lodging alternatives for families, including lodges, hotel rooms, apartments, and suites, all in various sizes.
Most of these accommodations provide stunning vistas of the mountain and are conveniently located near the trails (the slope can be accessed via a bridge).
The many condos and private homes near the mountain are other options; many include full kitchens, fireplaces, and spacious rooms that allow your family to stretch out and have some privacy.
4. Mad River Glen
With a motto like “Ski It If You Can,” Mad River Glen is sure to put your skiing skills to the test without sacrificing how much fun you can have!
The resort’s variety of amenities and activities has attracted both experts and beginners to its small, cozy, and traditional setting.
Mad River Glen, located in Fayston within the Mad River Valley, is one of Vermont’s most picturesque areas.
Visitors can take advantage of the resort’s ski school and reasonably priced lift tickets, or they can visit another location in the valley.
The Cricket Club Daycare at Mad River Glen offers daycare services for the hotel’s younger visitors (who are too little to even venture outside onto the slopes!), so they may enjoy themselves.
By sneaking in a visit before their northbound chairlift trip, worried parents can assuage whatever anxieties they may have, thanks to the center’s convenient location by the lift.
Any of the resort’s three eating options will fill you up, but if you want to experience a truly local experience, visit one of the surrounding bars or eateries.
Within the valley, there are numerous lodging alternatives, including B&Bs, apartments, hotels, hostels, private residences, and inns.
5. Mountain Snow Resort
Family vacationers will love Mount Snow’s ideal blend of delectable eating, luxurious lodging, and family-friendly entertainment.
The resort, which is spread out over 600 acres, attracts throngs of skiers and snowboarders as well as families looking for a fantastic winter vacation. It has 80 trails, 20 lifts, and a variety of classes, programs, and riding clinics (for both children and adults).
Although 70% of the trails are intended for intermediate skiers, those seeking a challenge can try the superpipe or terrain parks. Mount Snow’s green, blue, black, and double-black diamond trails accommodate skiers of all skill levels.
In addition to fantastic skiing opportunities, Mount Snow provides enjoyable family-friendly pursuits, including ice skating, dog sledding, snowmobile tours, tubing, and snowshoeing.
Additionally, finding quality lodging in the area is not difficult; there are a number of ski-in/ski-out hotels, including the Grand Summit at the foot of Mount Snow and the reasonably priced Snow Lake Lodge on the lake, which provides a free shuttle to and from the slopes.
Ski-in/ski-out condos with full kitchens, toasty fireplaces, and incredibly roomy living areas are another option for a room that is both roomy and intimate.
6. Okemo Mountain
One of Vermont’s top ski resorts, Okemo Mountain, is located in Ludlow.
On the list of Vermont family ski resorts, Okemo is unquestionably a must-consider destination thanks to its miles of thrilling terrain, groomed trails, family activities, fantastic food options, and terrain parks.
The slopeside hotel at Okemo allows visitors to stay just a few centimeters from the resort’s recently powdered slopes.
You can choose from a variety of housing choices, including conventional rooms, studios, and suites of various sizes (1-4 bedrooms) at the Jackson Gore Inn or high-quality yet reasonably priced one-room condominiums at the Mountain Lodge at Okemo.
The Winterplace, a favorite among snowboarders for its closeness to the terrain parks and superpipe, also offers flats with two or three bedrooms.
For accommodations with fireplaces, complete kitchens, and stunning views in a terrific location by the path, go to Kettlebrook.
At the Okemo Trailside, you could also choose one of the traditional 1-3-bedroom ski-in/ski-out accommodations.
Okemo offers a range of skiing possibilities, including green, blue, black, and double-black diamond trails, much like its range of hotel alternatives.
The resort offers riding programs in addition to group and personalized ski coaching, so don’t let your lack of skiing experience prevent you from having fun.
For children ages 4 to 14, they even have specially designed ski programs that are informative without being dull.
In addition to skiing, Okemo also provides snowboarding (for both adults and kids), snow tubing, snowshoeing, indoor golf, and its four-season rollercoaster, the Timber Tipper.
7. Smuggler’s Notch
Smugglers’ Notch is a highly popular destination for a family ski vacation, despite having a name that very well fits a pirate’s ship.
The resort, which is just about 30 miles south of Burlington, provides some of the greatest ski lessons for youngsters in the nation, starting them as early as two and a half years old!
The resort’s childcare effectively looks after youngsters as young as 6 weeks old for parents who need a vacation from the kids (come on, admit it; this is a reality!).
The resort’s innovative use of GPS technology allows you to follow your child’s day on the slopes, further reducing anxiety.
This resort should win your heart after you consider “Smuggs,” a program it offers for kids with special needs. Certainly, it has.
Try dog sledding for something more unusual to do!
Golf, water slides, hiking, swimming, and, get this, llama excursions are all available to resort visitors during the warmer months.
Heart-eyes emoji here!
8. Stowe Mountain Resort
With more than 480 acres of skiing and snowboarding terrain that is open to both beginners and experts, Stowe Peak Resort is located in a prime location atop Vermont’s tallest mountain.
Skiers may make use of the 116 trails, 13 lifts, and 2 freestyle terrain parks at the resort.
While novices can hone their abilities on the small and medium-sized rails and jumps, experts are kept entertained by the terrain parks’ difficult features, like an 18-inch wall and a half pipe.
In addition, Stowe’s on-site snowboarding and ski school offer a variety of programs and lessons for both young and older skiers and snowboarders.
Participate in group lessons with enthusiasm or benefit from extra one-on-one coaching time with the instructor.
You can also sign up your child for the academy’s full-day children’s programs, but it’s best to leave your young ones in the resort’s Cubs Day Care program, which provides childcare for kids between the ages of 13 months and 3 years, while you sign up for one of their adult lift and lesson package deals.
Look no further than the Stowe Mountain Lodge for a fantastic mountainside vacation.
You can choose from basic hotel rooms, cabin rentals, condo units, or suites that are luxurious, upscale, and have a ski-in/ski-out position (1-3 bedrooms).
9. Stratton Resort
Stratton Resort raises the bar significantly with its first-rate slopeside family lodging, outstanding ski school, a mountain base village that rivals that in Tuscany, and simply exceptional snowfall.
Families can enjoy a wide variety of terrain at the resort, from beginner trails to double-black-diamond trails; 94 of the resort’s trails are specifically designed and maintained for families. The resort is situated on the highest peak in southern Vermont.
After your skiing is done, go ice skating in the village, swim in one of the resort’s many indoor and outdoor pools, or go snow tubing at Tube Park.
Even better, treat the family to a fine meal at one of the resort’s many kid-friendly eateries or prepare a fancy meal in the fully equipped kitchen that most lodgings provide and spend some quality time together over meals (you know what they say about families that eat together!).
Furthermore, Manchester is only a 20-minute drive away; take the family there for a day of fun and sightseeing.
10. Sugarbush Resort
Do you dislike crowds?
Want an intimate vacation with your family without the noise and distractions that come with being around other families?
Don’t get me wrong: I adore socializing!
When you need some peace and quiet, Sugarbush is your oasis!
Sugarbush, located in the picturesque Mad River Valley, is a great place to go skiing or snowboarding.
It also includes a number of conveniently located lodging options, whether slopeside or not, standard hotel room or not!
The luxurious Clay Brook Hotel is an excellent choice for slopeside lodging, with rooms ranging from standard to five-bedroom suites.
Also available for lodging are the charming Sugarbush Inn and the numerous mountainside condos and townhomes.
When it comes to skiing, the resort has over 500 acres of terrain spread across six distinct peaks, over 100 trails, two terrain parks, and sixteen lifts.
You could also take a guided ski and ride tour or a self-guided or guided snowshoe tour to explore the “great white.”
Not your cup of tea?
Then take the family ice skating, or horse-drawn sleigh rides through the beautiful countryside.
Guests can choose from slopeside dining at the Timbers Restaurant or American Flatbread and The Grille at the Sugarbush Inn for dining.
Timbers, in particular, is a great option for great entrees, light fare, and kid-friendly meal options like chicken fingers, flatbread pizza, and the classic mac ‘n’ cheese.
11. Suicide Six Ski Area
Suicide Six Ski Area in Woodstock, while having a sinister-sounding name, is a fantastic option for families, especially those with young children.
Despite having far fewer trails than those offered by other resorts, the 24 routes in the area are divided in a 7:3 ratio, with 70% of the trails designated for beginners and 30% for intermediate skiers.
The on-site cafeteria is a fantastic place to grab a quick bite; for more dining and lodging options, visit the nearby Woodstock Inn & Resort.
12. Bromley
The last city on the list, Bromley, is particularly well-known for its summertime favorite, Adventure Park.
The park makes this resort a great summer destination for families, while snow sports draw a large number of visitors in the winter.
Bromley is a terrific spot for youngsters, despite being one of the smallest resorts in the Vermont ski area.
Particularly when compared to other slopes and routes, its mild and small slopes help to dispel any intimidation that beginners may feel.
Additionally, they provide an after-hours kids-only snowboarding lesson in a designated area.
In addition, several times a year, Bromley provides free “try it out days for first-timers. With warm weather that is still ideal for skiing, it is no surprise that Bromley is popular.
There aren’t many more activities available, though, outside of the 46 trails, 9 lifts, ski and boarding school, slopeside lodging, and childcare.
You might instead drive to Manchester for ice skating, horse-drawn sleigh rides, dog sledding, Nordic centers, and outlet shopping.
And there you have it: my list of the best kid-friendly ski slopes in Vermont.
Though perspectives differ, the popularity of these resorts among families, skiers, and snowboarders is apparent.
As a result, choosing one of these resorts to host your next ski vacation leaves little room for error.
So stop fantasizing about a white vacation and start packing the thermals, the spouse, and the kids, and planning your trip to experience a snowy-white vacation!
