Family-friendly ski resort…

[MTHunt]

So I’m just now looking a potential ski trip for 5 year old’s spring break. Be just him, wife and myself. Money definitely a concern. Was thinking 3 days of lift tickets and 4-5 days at resort.

Delta airline friendly is a huge deal.

Some pretty views from mountain and nice cruising runs to some intermediate runs all we need.

Don’t need 5 star dining at night, but a couple drinks an an easy to grab hamburger / bar food needs to be close.

Would like easy / quick access to a lift but willing to take provided shuttle.

Right now I’m kinda eyeballing Keystone, but open to all suggestions. Really good chance it doesn’t happen. Used an agency in price all in to Steamboat and it some sticker shock. Keystone a whole lot easier to get to and booking my own stuff shaves some more off the bottom line. By no means beholden to CO. Just some really cheap and numerous delta flight options and easy access to some resorts (likely tons of people as a result) To some stuff near there.

Also, would trade mountain attributes for smaller crowds and/or lifts and runs that consistently move people well.

So I’m just now looking a potential ski trip for 5 year old’s spring break. Be just him, wife and myself. Money definitely a concern. Was thinking 3 days of lift tickets and 4-5 days at resort.

Delta airline friendly is a huge deal.

Some pretty views from mountain and nice cruising runs to some intermediate runs all we need.

Don’t need 5 star dining at night, but a couple drinks an an easy to grab hamburger / bar food needs to be close.

Would like easy / quick access to a lift but willing to take provided shuttle.

Right now I’m kinda eyeballing Keystone, but open to all suggestions. Really good chance it doesn’t happen. Used an agency in price all in to Steamboat and it some sticker shock. Keystone a whole lot easier to get to and booking my own stuff shaves some more off the bottom line. By no means beholden to CO. Just some really cheap and numerous delta flight options and easy access to some resorts (likely tons of people as a result) To some stuff near there.

Also, would trade mountain attributes for smaller crowds and/or lifts and runs that consistently move people well.

Thanks

1,000% not Big Sky -

So I’m just now looking a potential ski trip for 5 year old’s spring break. Be just him, wife and myself. Money definitely a concern. Was thinking 3 days of lift tickets and 4-5 days at resort.

Delta airline friendly is a huge deal.

Some pretty views from mountain and nice cruising runs to some intermediate runs all we need.

Don’t need 5 star dining at night, but a couple drinks an an easy to grab hamburger / bar food needs to be close.

Would like easy / quick access to a lift but willing to take provided shuttle.

Right now I’m kinda eyeballing Keystone, but open to all suggestions. Really good chance it doesn’t happen. Used an agency in price all in to Steamboat and it some sticker shock. Keystone a whole lot easier to get to and booking my own stuff shaves some more off the bottom line. By no means beholden to CO. Just some really cheap and numerous delta flight options and easy access to some resorts (likely tons of people as a result) To some stuff near there.

Also, would trade mountain attributes for smaller crowds and/or lifts and runs that consistently move people well.

Thanks

Just saw a rec for Big Sky and couldn't disagree more. If you can get past the lift lines at the base and exorbitant cost of getting here, lodging, passes, and rentals...I honestly think it's dangerous for kiddos outside of one tiny area. I live in the area and feel like I have to ski behind my kids to block them from getting hit.

 

[MTHunt]

I would stay away from the larger resorts and high lift ticket prices. There are a lot of family friendly ski areas that are great for kids and less expensive. Although, you will need to rent a car at many smaller ski areas.

My vote would be to stay at C’mon Inn (kid friendly with pool) in Bozeman (Delta flights from several cities) and ski at Bridger Bowl. You could also drive down to Yellowstone NP for the day and visit Museum of the Rockies (Dinosaur museum). Fun for the entire family.

Bozeman, MT- Bridger Bowl

Missoula, MT- Snow Bowl, Lost Trail Powder Mountain

Kalispell, MT- Blacktail Mountain and Big Mountain

Kellog, ID- Silver Mountain

Worth mentioning the park is closed to vehicle traffic until the spring (except north entrance).

 

[Mojave]

Discovery Ski Area - Philipsburg, Montana

Discovery Ski Area is an alpine ski area near the old mining town of Philipsburg, Montana.

www.skidiscovery.com

Fairmont Hot Springs Resort - Top Hotel Fairmont, BC

Escape to natural luxury at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. Experience relaxation and adventure in the heart of the Rockies.

www.fairmonthotsprings.com

 

[Tsal]

Not sure if this has been recommended yet, but stay in Salida and head up to Monarch. Small operation, but good folks and salida is a great town not to far from Denver.

 

[jtevanMT]

Worth mentioning the park is closed to vehicle traffic until the spring (except north entrance).

Yea, that is a great point. I was thinking a drive through the North Entrance and Lamar Valley in the winter would be fun if the roads are in good shape.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I’d look at ski cooper, monarch or Loveland valley.

I have a 9, 7 and 4 year old and just recently got them skiing. Or attempting to. Our reality was that they’re really only having fun for an hour or two depending on weather/temp. My wife is just barely learning to ski so when the kids are done that turns into her watching them while I ski.

Does your wife ski? If not that’s another huge variable to contend with.

Keystone is great but an epic resort and therefor going to be more expensive.


Happy medium may be to hangout and explore Denver/Boulder for a few days and try skiing one day at Loveland valley and see if it’s a hit. If it is, easy to extend another day or two. If it’s not, you still can explore the many many places around. Lodging in Denver will be significantly less. You will have to deal with traffic but will more than likely save you hundreds if not over a thousand.


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Ski cooper sort of blows. Also not much for kids to do in Leadville.

I guess anything can be kid friendly if your willing to spend the $$$.

 

[TxxAgg]

Not sure if this has been recommended yet, but stay in Salida and head up to Monarch. Small operation, but good folks and salida is a great town not to far from Denver.

Our kids skiied there for their first time. We paid for rentals and lessons. My wife and I watched from the big outdoor deck and drank coffee.

We have a few injuries that keep us from skiing much but want the kids to learn. It was a great time. And reasonably within driving distance of TX.

We were just talking about going again this spring.

 

[Panhandler80]

Amazing thread. Thank you all.

I hope some other families can read into it.

Mom said that you’re no way. I’m talking bargain at skiing pretty much anywhere. Forget good resorts forget the whole thing. She’s not going. :-(

I think she’s being a little bit shortsighted. She went to Keystone as a 19 year-old drunk girl. And then skied in North Carolina as an adult while fat.

I think we could have fun and I think our five-year-old could figure it out. I figured out at five years old and loved it. I was going to spend big money in order for her to have the whole lodge experience and martinis shopping, etc.. nope. And NOPE.

For the purpose of this thread, I’m out. Thank you all for the input. I Sure appreciate it. I think it’s a shame that we can’t take my five-year-old. He would love it. I’m telling you. He’s a hellion. He would grab a bunny slip on small skis and go straight down the hill and giggle the whole time.

It’s 45° here. He’s the one kid running around barefoot chasing girls around trying to kiss them. That’s my boy.!!!

He hates heat. Cold does not seem to bother him.

 

[Panhandler80]

I sure wish some of my buddies had some boys. This kid is growing up being head bull and he’s got no idea of the heartbreak coming

I sure wish some of my buddies had some boys. This kid is growing up being head bull and he’s got no idea of the heartbreak coming

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I think she’s being a little bit shortsighted. She went to Keystone as a 19 year-old drunk girl. And then skied in North Carolina as an adult while fat.

This part made me choke on whiskey and lol.

 

[Spoonbill]

Amazing thread. Thank you all.

I hope some other families can read into it.

Mom said that you’re no way. I’m talking bargain at skiing pretty much anywhere. Forget good resorts forget the whole thing. She’s not going. :-(

I think she’s being a little bit shortsighted. She went to Keystone as a 19 year-old drunk girl. And then skied in North Carolina as an adult while fat.

I think we could have fun and I think our five-year-old could figure it out. I figured out at five years old and loved it. I was going to spend big money in order for her to have the whole lodge experience and martinis shopping, etc.. nope. And NOPE.

For the purpose of this thread, I’m out. Thank you all for the input. I Sure appreciate it. I think it’s a shame that we can’t take my five-year-old. He would love it. I’m telling you. He’s a hellion. He would grab a bunny slip on small skis and go straight down the hill and giggle the whole time.

It’s 45° here. He’s the one kid running around barefoot chasing girls around trying to kiss them. That’s my boy.!!!

He hates heat. Cold does not seem to bother him.


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Never discount a father son trip. Maybe next year plan it and book a vacation for the wife seperately

 

[Panhandler80]

So we may have scored a free place in Steamboat, which changes a LOT.

Not sure how much of hostess’ invite last night was vino, or legitimate, though.

Either way, kinda excited by prospect.

 

[chizelhead]

I’m surprised you haven’t gotten any recommendations for Utah. Easy flights into SLC and a handful of resorts within an hour drive. The day passes are also cheaper than the CO resorts. I’d check out solitude, Brighton, or powder mountain for cheaper passes.

^This You can shuttle vs renting a car since they are so close to save money. Sometimes food can be a challenge since options can be limited at places like Solitude. Look for airbnb options to save money as well. If you fly delta a lot, they may have delta vacation options that fit your criteria.

 

[Manwitaplan]

Another opyion is Glennwood springs, Co. You can stay at the hot springs hotel and they shuttle you to Sunlight mountain. Sunlight is small but fun for beginners and kids. The hot springs are excellent in the vening when you need to relax. There is an amusement park very close (not sure when its open). Great trip with plenty eat close and have a good time.