Vermont is a popular destination for skiers due to its picturesque mountains and breathtaking views. Finding the perfect ski resort for your family can be challenging, so we’ve compiled a list of the top family ski resorts in Vermont. These resorts offer a wide range of amenities and activities that cater to both children and adults, ensuring a memorable experience. From ski lessons for beginners to challenging slopes for experts, these resorts have everything you need for a fun-filled family ski vacation.
#1. Bolton Valley Resort
This is one of the best family ski resorts in Vermont with amazing options. With more than 300 inches of snowfall each year, the Bolton Valley Resort is a winter wonderland with plenty of slopes and trails to keep skiers of all skill levels entertained. There are 60 trails for skiing and snowboarding, some of which are accessible all night. The hotel has 60 guest rooms, such as studios, suites, and bigger families can choose condo units.
Bolton Valley offers a variety of foods to suit even the pickiest eaters after a day of skiing or snowboarding, such as flatbread pizzas, Scotch whiskey, pasta alfredo, Bailey’s Restaurant, and Bolton Valley Deli & Grocery. Enjoy some delicious waffles at the Waffle Cabin while you ski in or out.
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#2. Stratton Ski Resort
Stratton, the highest mountain in southern Vermont, features superb snow, quick lifts, lots of different lines, and a lot of beginner-friendly trails. Additionally, there are stunning surroundings and a great selection of non-ski activities. Children can also enroll in top-notch, resort-run childcare as early as six weeks old, and after three years, they can start taking private ski and snowboard instruction. Only three students are in each group to enhance individualized attention.
The five terrain parks are open to older children, who can also participate in group classes with their friends. Begin at the Progression Park, which was created to help newcomers become familiar with the snow park’s features, then work your way up from there.
#3. Mount Snow Resort
In the Green Mountains of Vermont, Mount Snow is a ski area that welcomes families. Children as young as five can participate in a wonderful children’s program, children as young as three can take private skiing and snowboarding lessons, and children from seven to fourteen can participate in a full-day mountain program.
While other terrain sites range from mellow beginner slopes to more difficult black diamonds, the Burton Riglet Terrain Park includes easy slopes for kids. Many “magic carpets” (conveyor belts) are available at the LaunchPad area surrounding Mount Snow’s Discovery Center to transport novice skiers up the mountain. Non-skiers can enjoy snow tubing and a Mount Snow snowmobile tour, both of which are kid-friendly activities. One of the top family-friendly ski areas in Vermont is Mount Snow.
#4. Jay Peak
Jay Peak is also one of the most amazing family ski resorts to visit in Vermont. It is a four-season ski resort in Northern Vermont that provides a variety of family-friendly activities, such as ice rinks, golf courses, and indoor water parks. It also provides daycare and nursery facilities, as well as children’s programs and services like summer camp and the Ski and Ride School. The hotel also provides an endless array of food alternatives, and all of these activities are complimentary for visitors.
#5. Killington Ski Resort
The largest ski area on the east coast, Killington, spans no fewer than six mountains. There are more than 150 trails available, ranging from broad, cruising routes to winding tree runs, mogul fields, and cliff drops. Childcare is available for children from 12 weeks to 12 years old, and ski school begins at two years old. Away from the slopes, there are retail malls, museums, dogsledding, sleigh rides, and snowmobiling. A Killington ski pass also grants access to Pico Mountain, a sister resort that is reachable by a free shuttle service. Killington is without a doubt one of the best-liked family ski resorts in Vermont.
#6. Okemo Mountain Resort
In close proximity to Ludlow, Vermont, is the 2,200-foot Okemo Mountain Resort. It provides a selection of groomed trails for all ability levels, including alternatives for beginners as well as more challenging options for those looking to hone their expertise. Skiers as young as five years old can take advantage of the ski school’s knowledgeable and attentive morning and afternoon group sessions.
With its large indoor and outdoor pools, nightly babysitting, and ski-in/ski-out choices, The Jackson Gore Inn is one of Vermont’s greatest family ski resorts. Snow tubing, ice skating, and the Timber Ripper Mountain Coaster are all enjoyable activities for non-skiers. For family pleasure, local tour firms also offer dog sledding and snowshoeing.
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#7. Mad River Glen
Located in Vermont’s Mad River Valley, Mad River Glen is a tiny, cozy ski area. For both experts and beginners, it offers a variety of features and activities. Aside from taking advantage of the resort’s affordable lift tickets, visitors can enjoy the ski school. Meanwhile, the hotel’s youngest visitors can have fun at the Cricket Club Daycare, which is the resort’s own daycare facility.
Additionally, there are three dining options within the resort where guests can fill their bellies with delectable fare. Alternatively, for a really local experience, they can visit the bars and eateries in the neighborhood. Within the valley, there are numerous lodging alternatives, including B&Bs, apartments, hotels, hostels, private residences, and inns.
#8. Stowe
The tallest mountain in Vermont, Mount Mansfield, is where Stowe Resort is situated. A gondola connects it to Spruce Peak Village. With 116 runs divided into three categories—55% intermediate, 16% beginner, and 29% expert—it is an excellent resort for people moving up from complete beginners. Children as young as three years old can enroll in classes, and the adaptive ski school program offers private instruction for skiers with specific needs or impairments.
With 45 km of groomed routes and 30 km of wilderness, family skiing is also an option. Although pull-along sleds and equipment can be hired for kids as young as three, childcare doesn’t begin until two years old.
#9. Smuggler’s Notch
A top-rated family ski resort in Vermont, Smugglers’ Notch provides private instruction for youngsters as young as two and a half years old, Snow Sport University for children who are not neurotypical, and Night School for snowboarders over the age of seven. With rooms ranging from one to five bedrooms, fully furnished kitchens, fireplaces, and laundry facilities, it is picturesque, opulent, and practical. Outside of the slopes, non-skiers can enjoy indoor climbing walls, snow tubing, and other activities.
Moreover, after a hard day of skiing, families can relax in the indoor heated pool or hot tub, take in live entertainment in the evenings, or have a massage at the spa. A SmuggsPass includes access to ice skating, and Tubing Hill is accessible every day and night. Spend the evening by the fire, hot chocolate in hand, next to hotel mascots.
#10. Sugarbush Resort
For those seeking a quiet getaway with their family, Sugarbush is a fantastic resort. It is situated in the picturesque Mad River Valley and features more than 500 acres of terrain divided among 6 unique peaks, more than 100 routes, 2 terrain parks, and 16 lifts. The Clay Brook Hotel, Sugarbush Inn, or the many mountainside condos and townhomes accessible for accommodation are just a few of the many conveniently located lodging alternatives, slopeside or otherwise.
Visitors can choose between slopeside dining at the Timbers Restaurant, the American Flatbread, and The Grille at the Sugarbush Inn for their dining needs.
#11. Bromley Mountain Resort
Bromley Mountain is a family-friendly and reasonably priced resort with 47 slopes that are evenly distributed among ski levels. Since it faces south, it receives more sunlight and heat than other nearby resorts. For children ages three and older, the ski school provides personalized or group instruction. You can also sign them up for childcare services and season-long ski lessons.
For those who have never skied or snowboarded before, Bromley provides a First Timer package that includes all of the necessary equipment, lessons, and lift passes. The resort’s five dining establishments, which include a bar, and slope-side condo accommodations are available off the slopes. There are plenty of additional alternatives and activities in the nearby town of Manchester.
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#12. Suicide Six Ski Area
Suicide Six Ski Area in Woodstock is a terrific option for families, especially those with young children, despite its foreboding name. The 24 routes in the area, however, are significantly fewer than the number of trails given by other resorts and are divided into a 7:3 ratio, with 70% of the trails targeted toward novices and 30% toward intermediate skiers.
In addition to skiing and skiing classes, visitors can go sledding and ice skating. For fast eats, the on-site cafeteria is a fantastic choice; for more dining and lodging choices, go to the nearby Woodstock Inn and Resort. This resort is indeed one of the top family ski resorts to visit in Vermont.
What City in Vermont Has the Best Skiing?
Vermont’s Stowe. One of Vermont’s most popular ski communities, Stowe is a 200-year-old village with two ski resorts: Smugglers’ Notch Resort and Stowe Mountain Resort, which spans the state’s highest peak, Mt. Mansfield.
What Is the Biggest Ski Resort in Vermont?
Killington, the largest ski area in Vermont (and the entire eastern U.S.), boasts the highest vertical drop in New England at 3,050 feet. Killington takes pride in having the East Coast’s longest skiing and snowboarding season, making it the first resort in the area to open for the year.
What Is the Toughest Skiing in Vermont?
Mad River Glen boasts some of the most difficult terrains in the state and is made even harder by the fact that much of the steepest terrain lacks snowmaking or grooming. Mad River Glen’s catchphrase is “Ski It If You Can.” Due to the provision of jumps and other obstacles, the terrain is left as it is.