Ski school can really add to the success and enjoyment of your family ski vacation, but lessons are usually more expensive than your ski lift tickets. Before making such an investment, know what type of ski school is right for your kids (or you!) and be smart about choosing the right ski lessons. We've tried just about every type, and break it down for you here: Group ski lessons: A group … [Read more...]
Ways to elevate your ski day: backcountry ski excursions, clinics and more
January 14, 2021 By
If you generally ski lift-served terrain (hopefully with your family!) but find yourself routinely wanting to elevate your ski day with a little more adventure, there are some very obtainable and accessible ways to do so! Whether you've already skied everything you can in the front-country (on-piste terrain) at your favorite ski resort or simply want to learn more about ways to maximize your ski … [Read more...]
On being a skiing family: From the first green run to a family ski vacation
January 12, 2021 By
Recently, I read a Facebook update from a friend and fellow travel writer that declared something along the lines of, "Third time's a charm! On our third ski vacation, we finally fell in love with skiing." This happy statement made me reflect on my own family's ski 'journey', which started perhaps a bit differently than most. Unlike many parents, we considered ourselves a 'skiing family' even … [Read more...]
Guide to skiing Breckenridge with teens (by teens)
January 20, 2020 By
Breckenridge Mountain is a huge ski resort with something for absolutely every type of skier and rider. On our latest trip, we went with our teens and pre-teen, who are all expert skiers and riders. I thought I’d let them tell readers their favorite places on the mountain from their perspective. If you have older kids and teens who like steeps and deeps, this is the post to read! Note to … [Read more...]
Ski Vacation Hack: How to tune and wax your own skis
December 5, 2019 By
Winter outdoors enthusiasts gearing up for ski and snowboard season know how expensive snow sports can be, and how important it is to take care of skiing equipment. But if you don’t have $40 to $50 to spend on every professional tuning and waxing session, you can easily do it yourself! This is one of our favorite ski vacation hack ideas! For about the same one-time investment, skiers and … [Read more...]
Back to Ski: Smugglers Notch Resort for teens and advanced skiers
January 5, 2018 By
We covered Smugglers’ Notch amenities for young kids and babies last winter, but Vermont-based Smuggs has older kids, teens, and advanced skiers covered as well. In fact, this combination makes Smuggs an excellent resort pick for multigenerational family travel, so bring Grandma and Grandpa along, too. If you have expert skiers and older kids or teens in your midst, here’s what you need to know … [Read more...]
Ski trip planning hack: Using GetOutfitted to rent ski wear
November 22, 2017 By
Ski and snowboard wear is expensive--very expensive, in fact--and for some families, the cost to outfit everyone for one or two ski trips per season is simply not worth it. Our family skis much more often than that, but with the rate my teens are growing, I never know what will still fit them, even from month to month! Enter an interesting solution: GetOutfitted. What is GetOutfitted? It's a new … [Read more...]
Boreal Mountain Resort with the M.A.X. Pass
January 16, 2017 By
If you read Pit Stops for Kids' ski coverage regularly, you know we're big fans of Lake Tahoe, CA skiing. I grew up in the area, skiing at resorts throughout Tahoe, and we try to visit our favorite resorts at least once a season. However, until our visit last month, it had been YEARS since I'd been at Boreal Mountain Resort. One of the oldest and most established ski resorts in the Tahoe … [Read more...]
Family ski wear checklist: What you need and which brands are best
November 25, 2016 By
Ski season is upon us, and if you're a skiing family, you're busy cataloguing your gear and checking to see what fits each family member. If you don't ski often, you may not be outfitted yet at all. If you only ski once a year or so, we highly recommend using a ski wear rental service like Get Outfitted (see our full review), but if you plan to go several times this winter, it's worth investing in … [Read more...]
Why First Tracks ski tickets are worth the splurge
December 28, 2015 By
More and more family ski resorts are now offering First Tracks ski tickets. What is First Tracks? It's a ski ticket add-on that allows the bearer to access the slopes earlier than the general public. Usually, First Tracks programs start at 7:30 am, allowing skiers first access at groomed and powder terrain before the lifts begin turning at 9 am. First Tracks tickets are fairly spendy at … [Read more...]
