Wintergreen, Bryce, Massanutten, the Homestead, Canaan Valley, Timberline, Winterplace, Snowshow, Wisp, Liberty, Whitetail...Bryce and Liberty are close enough that they could be done as a daytrip. Liberty has a good daycare.

Skiing at the Homestead is great for kids, with a ski school. Small mountain, and still close to the resort so the adults do not need to ski at the same time (about a 5-minute shuttle ride away). They also have a kid's camp with activities playing in the snow.

If you are just doing a daytrip I'd rent equipment here to bring along. Better equipment, no lines. But you won't be able to swap anything out if you aren't positive about ski length, etc.

How about we all split up and report back after President's Day with a review of daycares and ski programs for little kids? What you liked, didn't like, were the little ones happy/excited about skiing, was the daycare clean/fun/well run, did they change diapers?
One review I read (for a family oriented place in WV, with skiwee and daycare) said the rental facilities were smelly, the boots were old and gross, and the lines went on forever, and there are nice restaurants outside the cafeteria at the resort.

We like Smuggler's notch for a long weekend, but we also like Liberty for just a quick and easy day for the kids, especially when they were first learning. It's only an hour and 15 minutes from DC, so you can drive up, ski for a few hours, and come home before anyone gets tired and cranky.
They have the "magic carpet" lift for the little ones, and people who ski around in big stuffed animal suits.

Just a quick note, Massanutten is pretty weak for adult sking but they do have tubing and a daycare for the little non-skiers in your group. The minimum age is 3 and they must be potty trained unless they are disabled.

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone skiied at Massanutten in VA? It was recommended to me as a good place around here to ski with young kids.

A friend did and she said it was a great ski school program for her 5 and 3 year old. They also have the indoor water park to break up the trip a bit.

Has anyone skiied at Massanutten in VA? It was recommended to me as a good place around here to ski with young kids.

Another vote for Smuggler's Notch. Great ski school.

thank you very much for he suggestions - I really appreciate it - especially first hand reviews of kids programs. we had better get saving !

Solitude, in Utah.

Another vote for Smuggler's Notch. Perfect for families with small children.