Smugglers Notch in Vermont has a great kids' program. Our kids learned to ski there as little ones (we started them at around 4-5) and they loved it. It's an easy trip -- fly to Burlington, VT, or Manchester, NH, and drive about 90 mins. The skiing is not bad for adults either. There's affordable ski-in/ski-out lodging and one quite good restaurant on site in addition to the usual pub and cafeteria. We saved the western skiing for when the kids were competent enough to really enjoy it -- e.g., 8 or so. Now, as teens and one college grad (time flies!), they are all excellent skiers, and have, in fact, far surpassed their parents' ability!

Another good option if you are willing to travel is Northstar-at-Tahoe. Kids' group lessons start at age 3, and they have a full day program (not a full day of lessons -- but other time for snow play, etc) so grown-ups can ski all day if they wish. For the smaller ones, they have a daycare and during off-peak weeks, at least last year, you got a free adult lift ticket when you paid for a day of daycare -- so in essence you pay $30 or $40 for daycare. I haven't stayed there, just skied there, but there is a lot of lodging in the resort (houses, condos, townhouses), plus hotels in the "village" at the base.

Anonymous wrote:We just did something like this at Wisp. It was perfect for a ski intro for the older kids. Horrible though for the adults when we got to ski ourselves. Just not a good mountain beyond the bunny slopes. So if you are willing to take one for the team, I'd recommend that.

We decided not to do Snowshoe because DD gets carsick.

We can't wait to do Snowbird/Alta!!

This is our family exactly. DH won't ski on the east coast. His only exception is skiing at Snowshoe, which the kids referred to at the "throw up trip." We've done Snowbird 10 times. Perfect every time.

We just did something like this at Wisp. It was perfect for a ski intro for the older kids. Horrible though for the adults when we got to ski ourselves. Just not a good mountain beyond the bunny slopes. So if you are willing to take one for the team, I'd recommend that.

We decided not to do Snowshoe because DD gets carsick.

We can't wait to do Snowbird/Alta!!

But note that Deer Valley is terribly expensive. Also, my DD was badly hurt in ski school ... and did not love how the resort handled it.

Would second the Deer Valley ski school!! Both of my kids learned to ski there. Deer valley is just one of those places that knows what they are doing and does it right .

If you want to drive less than 2 hours and get daycare as well as lessons for all ages you could try Liberty Mountain. Forgettable, yes, little, icy East Coast slopes, but close by, so you could go any weekend. You do need to make reservations for the daycare and kid's ski school though, when we were there MLK weekend some families tried doing the daycare as walk-ins, while we were checking in, and were disappointed to find it was booked up. They have lodging at the slopes, but any place in the Gettysburg area would be fine, I like the fireplace jacuzzi suites at the Best Western on the square and the Battlefield Inn. LM is close enough to not bother with the overnight.
I have a friend who goes to Park City, Utah and she liked the daycare at Deer Valley. There is also a daycare "clubhouse" in Park City on Main Street.
We are planning to check out Canaan Valley on our next trip and possibly Snowshoe too although I hear it is crazy/unsafely crowded on holiday weekends.

If you're willing to fly, Deer Valley in Utah has a phenomenal kids program for kids as young as 3 (that's where mine started). And it's combined with the daycare for the 1 yr old. THey consistently win awards for best service in the US, so it's worth checking out. It's really nice, and it's a very quick drive (about 1 hr) from the airport in Salt Lake City.

The family runs are very "tame" and scenic, and there is great skiing for the adults as well.

I'm originally from Germany, grew up skiing in Austria and Germany--so I can be a bit fussy about it. (So says DH. :oops Anyway, it's great. Nothing within 6 hrs of here is comparable, although we do tend to still spend a lot of time at the local places. After all, even bad skiing is still..skiing!

If you are willing to travel I would go to Tremblant in Quebec. Fabulous kids program, wonderful village, and probably takes the same amount of time to get to as Snowshoe.

If you want to drive a little farther you might consider some of the smaller Vermont areas, like Magic Mountain.

Snowshoe is definitely better than Timberline but I am not sure their kids progam is that great (mine were a little older when they went to that one though, and really didn't like it).

Wisp is pretty good for kids - although not sure about the kids program there.

thanks - I will look into the options above - including Snowshoe ! We are used to skiing in scandinavia and have so far ended up a bit disappointed in Timberline WV , and somewhere forgettable near Seven Springs. We are almost looking for a tiny place , which just a handful of lifts where the kids can really gain confidence.

emmasofia wrote:thanks - do you recommend one above the other ? re Denver , that would be a dream but we'll wait till the kids are skiers I think....

I prefer Wisp but both are great for what you are trying to do

I second Snowshoe ski resort for about a 4-5 hour drive. For non stop ski in ski out vacation, we used to go to Snowbird, UT when the kids were 3 and 5. Get them lessons now and they'll be skiers for life.

thanks - do you recommend one above the other ? re Denver , that would be a dream but we'll wait till the kids are skiers I think....

snow shoe owr wisp, get private lessons for the older kids and day care for younger one or by the time you get to those places and all set up you can fly to Denver and go skiing out there

Hello - I am looking for a small-scale kid-oriented ski resort where we can rent a place very close to the slopes. We have a 5 year old, 3 year and 1 year old so parents will be swapping roles and kids all day long. We want somewhere really simple , where good kids lessons are offered. Happy to drive ca 5 hours for the right place. Somewhere with rustic charm would be a bonus. ( nb quality of adult skiing not an issue )
Any tips ? thanks