Best Ski Towns - Pitstops for Kids

Skiing Sugar Bowl Ski Resort with kids

December 6, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

Growing up in Northern California, Sugar Bowl Ski Resort was my hands-down favorite. I loved the front face of Mt. Lincoln, with its exciting dips and gullies, and the historic lodge reminded me I was truly in a Tahoe of a different era. I didn’t get back to Sugar Bowl for a long time, and when I did, I found that much had changed…in all the right ways.

The historic lodge is still there; it’s called the Village Lodge and is still connected via the old-school gondola that brings guests from the village parking area. However, there’s also a newer, more modern Mt. Judah Lodge, with its own base area and parking. While I was nostalgic for the village parking-gondola combination, I had to admit it was far more convenient to park at Mt. Judah. This base area houses the kids’ learning area, too, making it the best place for families in lessons to call home.

Skiing Sugar Bowl Ski Resort with kids is a no-brainer, because this resort really does have it all: it’s far enough off the beaten path that crowds tend to stay away, it gets some of the best snow coverage in Lake Tahoe and kids and teens who are advanced skiers and riders will have plenty of terrain to keep them challenged. Royal Gorge, one of the most extensive cross-country ski parks, is just next door, too.

If you have adventurous kids, check out the gated options at the top of Mt. Lincoln: ours love the steep front face with many options for moguls and tree skiing. Just be sure to take roped off areas seriously: there are several cliff areas on this face. Our second favorite area is off the Disney Express lift, which is almost entirely comprised of black diamond runs (a few blue intermediate runs are present for those who need them). On a powder day, head all the way over to Crow’s Nest Peak for gladed skiing.

Kids who gravitate to terrain parks will want to lap the Mt. Judah side, which also has some of the best blue groomers. One thing that Sugar Bowl lacks a lot of is easy green runs. You’ll find them, but the blue and black runs are by far the more abundant. Head to Nob Hill or Jerome Hill if you want to find a choice of green runs.

We enjoyed lunch at Mt. Judah lodge (I highly recommend the ramen bowls), but there’s additional dining at both the village lodge and the smaller mid-mountain lodge. Lodging can be found on-mountain at the historic hotel lodge, which has true European elegance in a rustic setting, or you can reserve a vacation rental home.

If you go, note that there are two parking areas; we recommend Mt. Judah. The drive is about 45 minutes from Lake Tahoe, near the Donner Summit and overlooking Donner Lake.

Disclosure: We experienced Sugar Bowl as guests of the resort, for the purpose of review. All opinions remain our own.

Winter holiday season at Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows

December 6, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

We’ve reviewed Squaw Valley in the past, and the info linked is still relevant, helping you plan your Squaw Valley ski trip! But we’re in the heart of the holiday season at Squaw Valley right now, and it’s amazing! For a taste of what this iconic ski resort is like during the festive holiday season, read on!

Holiday season at Squaw Valley:

For our family, spending the holidays at a ski resort cannot be beat. We absolutely love spending Christmas amid evergreens, snow, and ski slopes. Throughout December, The Village at Squaw comes alive during their annual Merry Days and Holly Nights, with holiday decor, a massive tree, and outdoor fire pits ready for marshmallow roasting. Events are ongoing (described more below). This festive ambiance is really all we need to get into the holiday spirit, but if you need more, you’ll find it!

In the days between Christmas and New Years, you can ski and ride with Jonny Moseley, go disco tubing (see more on this below!), try the mini snowmobiles, and enjoy holiday-themed concerts.

Learn about all your holiday options here!

Last year, during our two ski days leading up to Christmas, Squaw Valley got dumped on, with almost two feet of snow in two days. It was powder heaven on the slopes, and when we’d had enough, our lodging in the Village at Squaw Valley was only a few steps from the slopes. We spent the late afternoons in the hot tub in our building, playing Monopoly, and sneaking away for a hot toddy at the Plaza Bar (grown-ups only!). While in the lodge for lunch, Santa came by our table with candy canes.

We ate a holiday meal pre-Christmas at Plumpjack, located in the Squaw Valley Inn. Our four-course meal with the family was made even more special by the snow falling outside. And we never had to get in our car…a huge plus while on a ski vacation where weather becomes a factor to be reckoned with.

This year, we tried something new with Christmas Eve dinner at High Camp (much recommended, even though it had to be moved to the Olympic Lodge due to storm conditions on the mountain!), and saved our evenings for disco tubing. LED lights, lasers and live DJs made the snow tubing lanes festive (and exciting enough for teens!) from 5-8pm.

If you come to enjoy the holiday season at Squaw Valley, don’t miss:

The festive holiday atmosphere in the Village at Squaw Valley
The holiday meal offerings at Plumpjack, High Camp, or with Olympians at farm-to-table events.
Free sleigh rides: catch a ride between the Village at Squaw Valley and the Olympic Village Lodge
Free train rides through the ice sculpture garden: North Tahoe Catering sculptors create animals and shapes from ice in the Ice Garden at Olympic Village Lodge.
The chance to glimpse Santa on the slopes: during our visit, we caught sight of his bright red hat several times!
New Year’s Eve celebration: includes a torchlit parade and fireworks!

Photos courtesy of Squaw Alpine and Amy Whitley.

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Skiing with kids: Diamond Peak ski resort

December 3, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

If you’ve skied in Lake Tahoe with kids, I’m betting it was not at Diamond Peak ski resort. Why? Because this Lake Tahoe local favorite is just enough off the beaten path that not enough visitors discover it. It’s very accessible, located, in fact, right in Incline Village on the northern Nevada side of the lake, and lower-than-average ticket prices beckon.

Diamond Peak has seven lifts in total, only one of which is a high-speed quad, but with the gorgeous views of Lake Tahoe from just about every angle, you won’t mind a longer ride uphill. Thanks to its smaller size, it’s easy for families to navigate: the ski school building is the first you come across from the parking lot, in fact, with just one larger building (the main lodge) above it. All the runs filter down into the same main base area, which means this part of the mountain does get crowded, but it also means you’re not worried about traversing to a second base area or losing your independently skiing kids because you weren’t clear about which area at which to meet.

Diamond Peak has nice gladed skiing when the conditions are right, with evenly-spaced trees for off-piste exploration, and the groomers are well-maintained and offer such great lake views you just might fall on your face trying to take it all in! There are just two main areas at which to grab lunch, the base lodge area and the Snowflake Lodge, located at the top of the Lakeview chair. We highly recommend the latter, because the crowds are absent here and the views amaze. (I know I keep mentioning the lake views, but oh my goodness…trust me, you would, too!) At Snowflake, you can find a spot on the spacious deck in nice weather and enjoy authentic BBQ with homemade sauces and sides. There’s also a darn good bar up there.

The parking lot does get crowded, simply because it’s small, so come early or utilize the free shuttles in service during the day to get visitors from the lot to the lodge. There’s also a free shuttle that goes back and forth down the hill to the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe. By the way, read our Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe review. While condos and ski cabins abound near Diamond Peak, there’s no on-mountain lodging, and the Hyatt Regency combines the best of two worlds: skiing and lakeside luxury.

If you go:

During the time of our visit to Diamond Peak, lift ticket prices were under $75 for adults and around $55 for kids, a great value for Lake Tahoe. There are also a lot of really cool deals: if you show a boarding pass, you get 50 percent off rentals, and if you show your ski pass to another resort (any other resort) you can get a $44 lift ticket. I’ve never seen such visitor-friendly deals! While we didn’t try the ski school, locals I spoke to raved about it. This is a very local mountain, so expect to see a lot of Incline Village families engaged in ski clinics, racing programs and the like. Definitely, ask them questions when riding up together on the chair!

Disclosure: we experienced Diamond Peak as guests of the resort, for the purpose of review. Photo credit: Diamond Peak and Amy Whitley.

Best Ski Towns: Luxury Vail ski vacation

November 25, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

It’s impossible to have a ‘best ski towns’ series and not include Vail, Colorado. There’s a reason Vail has been absent from our list thus far…it’s already on everyone else’s list. That said, Vail deserves a place on ours as well, because with perhaps the exception of Deer Valley Utah, Vail and its neighbor and Vail Resorts partner, Beaver Creek, offer up the most luxurious ski vacation experience we’ve tried. If you’re looking to book a luxury Vail ski vacation, here’s how to do it.

Luxury Vail ski vacation planning:

Start by setting the tone for your vacation by staying at The Sonnenalp. This Leading Hotels of the World-classified hotel delivers that coveted and rare combination: it’s both luxurious and comfortable. It’s right in the heart of the Vail Village, and the Sonnenalp ski concierge service ensures you never have to carry your own gear anywhere (plus you get a private ski locker and changing area directly across from Gondola One). I love the amenities at a hotel, but still want the space of a rental during a ski vacation, and at the Sonnenalp, almost all the rooms are suites. Vail Resorts-owned Arrabelle is also a home run, located in the Lionshead Village (a very short shuttle ride from Vail Village).

At Vail, the skiing and snowboarding can be fantastic, thanks to its sheer size and diversity of terrain, but a vacation here is also about the overall experience. To that end, when planning a luxury Vail ski vacation, take as much time to plan your dining reservations as you do your ski days. (Yes, it almost hurts me to write this, as an avid ‘go all day long’ skier, but when in Rome…)

With kids, definitely make at least one reservation at Swiss Chalet, located in The Sonnenalp. They’ll love the authentic Alpine cuisine, and fondue is fast to the table and fun to eat, keeping kids entertained. Other sure bets in Vail with kids: Bully Ranch, with casual burgers and to-die-for tater tots, and Blue Moose Pizza (a crowd-pleaser for sure).

If you and your partner or spouse can get away for a long lunch on the mountain, head to The 10th, Vail’s premiere on-mountain option (in my opinion). There’s just something so luxurious about a sit-down lunch during the heart of the day. Plus, the views are amazing, so even if you’re not skiing, it’s worth booking (you can take Gondola One up without ski gear).

Additional must-do’s for the grown ups: La Tour on East Meadow Drive for French cuisine in the heart of the village and Tavern on the Square in Lionshead Village. If you’re in the mood to stay out late, head to the Red Lion in Vail Village for the best live music (and a very local scene), then finish your evening out with a nightcap at King’s Club in Sonnenalp.

In addition to skiing, hotels and ski rental shops alike will rent or lend you snowshoes, which families can take on their own around the villages or up the nearby summit passes (if you have a car), or guided snowshoe trips are offered at Sonnenalp and other luxury properties.

Plan an evening in which you simply window shop (or productively shop…your choice) in Vail Village, Beaver Creek Village, or Lionshead Village, where you’ll find the top stores in outdoor gear, lifestyle wear and more, and then go ice skating on one of the many outdoor rinks (we counted three in Vail and one in Beaver Creek, but there are probably more). If interested, look to time your visit around world-class ski and board competitions: Vail and Beaver Creek host many, including the Burton cup and the Birds of Prey stop on the World Cup downhill tour. Best of all, viewing these competitions is often free.

Kids’ ski lessons are among the best quality in the world at both Vail and Beaver Creek (BC especially often wins awards and recognition for theirs), and as an added incentive (if you need it), near Vail’s ski school learning areas in Lionshead, a full ropes adventure course is on offer…tempt your kids to try this after their lessons are over for the day!

What do you love to do as part of a luxury Vail ski vacation?

Breckenridge winter vacation tips

March 5, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

I am lucky enough that I have now spent time in and around Breckenridge, Colorado in summer, fall, and winter. All are wonderful times to visit with their own merits, but winter certainly is a popular choice. With a world-class ski resort and magical winter atmosphere comes an increase in visitors and potentially challenging driving conditions. Here’s what you need to know to have an amazing winter Breckenridge vacation, from dining recommendations to ski tips.

Stay in a condo within walking distance of everything.

The first of our Breckenridge winter vacation tips is probably the biggest. The good news: staying within easy distance of both the slopes and the town is easy to do. Because Breckenridge spans five peaks with lifts touching down in locations across the town, most lodging along South and North Park Avenue, Village Road, and Ski Hill Road will be ski-in, ski-out, or close to it.

We stayed in this unit at One Breckenridge Place, managed by Great Western Lodging. We were about two blocks from the Quicksilver Lift at Peak 9, and one block from Main Street. The unit is a three-bedroom, with lots of room to spread out, cook some of our own meals, and do laundry. The condo village has access to a year-round pool and hot tub complex, which is just 100 yards from the door. Unfortunately, during our stay, the hot tubs were too dirty to use, but the pool was heated. I recommend paying a bit more for a unit at One Breckenridge Place with a private hot tub, which is located on the back deck.

Plan DEN-Breck shuttle trips carefully.

If you take a shuttle service such as Colorado Mountain Express from Denver International to Breckenridge (and we recommend this if you don’t want to hassle with a rental car or driving in wintery conditions), try your best to avoid shuttle times between 4 pm and 6 pm on Friday nights. Traffic is very heavy to the mountains on Friday afternoons, and you can expect your trip to take twice the standard 1.5 hour time. Sometimes, of course, this can’t be avoided…on our last trip, we had to travel on Friday, and had no choice but to get a 4:30 shuttle. Still, it helps to be aware and set expectations. Make sure everyone has water and has eaten a snack before departure.

Going home, if the weather is bad, consider calling your shuttle service to book an earlier departure back to DEN. We learned that CME aims to give travelers a four hour window (two to get back to DEN, with two hours buffer before flight). However, the drive can sometimes take as long as three hours or more in snow storms, and it’s generally up to you to ask for a new departure time.

Get take out for affordable meals.

When you’re too tired to go out to eat, order the ‘pasta bucket’ from Fattys. This local favorite pizza place on Ridge Street offers a take out option that feeds the whole family for about half what it would cost to eat out. Pasta buckets are $30 (you pick your sauce and pasta choice), and comes with rolls and butter. You can add a salad bucket for $20. For $50, we fed our crew of five, and had enough left-overs for lunch the next day. Fattys says their buckets serve 4-5, but we believe it’s closer to 6-8 (and we have teens who eat a lot!).

Eat lunch early or late on the mountain.

When skiing Breckenridge, avoid the base areas between 12 pm and 1 pm, opting to break for lunch at an upper mountain lodge instead. Crowds will be far thinner, and lift lines shorter. Use the Breckenridge Mountain app to see lift line wait times at a glance. We really enjoyed eating quick meals at Vista Haus on Peak 8 and The Overlook on Peak 9.

Use Ski Butlers.

Use Ski Butlers for any gear rentals. If your family owns skis, boards, and boots, and you’ll be skiing or riding for more than a few days, it’s usually more economical to check ski gear on the plane than to rent for multiple days. (Tip: Alaska Airlines allows free boot bag checked luggage with a ski bag.)

However, if you don’t own your own gear, use Ski Butlers. It’s easy to order your rentals online before your trip, and once you arrive, Ski Butlers brings your rentals to your condo or hotel room. The ‘butler’ fits you there, and even offers a direct line for any problems that may arise. We had an issue with one snowboard (the binding wasn’t set to our liking), and Ski Butlers came out the same evening and fixed the problem at our condo immediately. We were very pleased with their attention to detail and willingness to do what it took to ensure we were happy with our gear.

Beware of altitude sickness.

Don’t take the altitude lightly! See our post on avoiding altitude sickness, and be sure to drink lots of water before and during your trip to Breckenridge. I feel symptoms of altitude sickness with every trip, despite taking precautions. Know that one symptom can be insomnia…don’t be surprised if kids and adults have a hard time sleeping at first. Get to bed early, drink fluids, and avoid caffeine and alcohol at least on your first few nights.

Check for seasonal events and festivals.

We happened to time our latest visit to Breckenridge with the annual International Snow Sculpture championships, which meant we could view amazing snow sculptures created by teams across the world.

View during the evenings to see the finished sculptures lit up starting the day of the judging. There’s a people’s choice type of award as well, so be sure to pick your favorite and ‘vote’ with a dollar. Look for additional activities in and around the Riverwalk Center by the Blue River, where the sculptures are located.

Don’t forget to check out the arts district.

Located between Main Street and Ridge Street, Breckenridge’s art district is located in repurposed small buildings with pedestrian friendly walkways. You’ll find all manner of artisans here, and can usually watch them work in addition to buying in the galleries. Kids enjoy this too!

Think ahead before heading out to dinner.

Remember that many family-friendly dining options in Breckenridge do not take reservations. Instead, put your name in early, and use the time before your table is ready to shop along Main Street or check out the small history museum at the Welcome Center (along the Blue River near RiverWalk Center). Some restaurants, including one of our favorites, Downstairs at Eric’s, uses an app to tell you when your name is called. Just give them your phone number and you’ll know how many parties are ahead of you in line. Tip: for the best burgers in town, head down Main to the north end to Canteen. Expect big portions!

Don’t forget snow play gear!

Bring an extra set of gloves or mittens and a waterproof pair of snow boots for each family member, in addition to what you wear if you ski or snowboard. Exploring the village of Breckenridge is part of the charm of a vacation here, but kids will definitely get snowy on even the simplest walk down Main Street. They’ll find places to slide down hills and have snowball fights!

Disclosure: Our stay at One Breckenridge Place and our transportation on CME were provided complimentarily, for the purpose of review.

Best Ski Towns: Lake Tahoe region

January 7, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

Planning a family vacation to the snow in Lake Tahoe? There are multiple hamlets dotting the north and west shores of Lake Tahoe that deserve recognition! And to the south, the towns of Kings Beach, Tahoe City, and Homewood are also great ski communities, with their own activities and dining options. Here’s the scoop on the Lake Tahoe region in winter!

Hotels.com asked me to share my favorite activities and tips for exploring Tahoe in winter, so start here as you plan your wintery vacation.

West Shore:

West Lake Tahoe includes Tahoe City and Homewood, and is known as a quieter, more authentic–if you will–Tahoe. Families staying in this area will love the solitude, but will also need to drive about 30 minutes to most major ski areas.

Where to ski: The closest ski area on the west side of the lake is Homewood, which is also one of the oldest. Tahoe locals love Homewood for it’s amazing lake views, affordable lift tickets, and hometown vibe. We love it for beginners and for sleeping-in mornings while staying in a west lake vacation home! Also nearby: Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows are less than 30 minutes away (located between Tahoe City and Truckee).

Where to find snow play: For fun sledding and very basic, beginner skiing, head to Granlibakken, located in Tahoe City. For nordic skiing and general snow play, follow North Shore Drive just a mile or two from Tahoma and Homewood to Sugar Pine Point State Park. Also along North Shore Drive are multiple state sno parks (just get a CA sno park permit to put on your car). Want to go ice skating? Head to Squaw Valley, and take the tram to the Olympic ice skating rink at mid-mountain.

North Tahoe:

North Tahoe is known for great eateries, lakeside lodging, and proximity to Northstar California. The town of Kings Beach is both sporty and artsy, with plenty to do in both summer and winter. We love the ‘ski town’ vibe, which is very casual and kid-friendly.

Where to ski: As you can tell, we love Northstar! This resort has everything for all level of skiers and riders, and some of the best lessons in Tahoe as well. We recommend getting a private lesson for your whole family (more fun, and also more economical). Also on the north shore are Diamond Peak and Sugar Bowl (near Truckee-Donner area).

Where to find snow play: Families looking for snow play in North Tahoe can head to Truckee to ice skate on their community rink, or ice skate at the Village at Northstar. Sledding is fun at Kingvale sledding and tubing center, or at Soda Springs ski area, located near Sugar Bowl. As with the west side, it’s always a good idea to head to sno parks, too.

For South Lake Tahoe, see our South Lake Tahoe Best Ski Town page.

Sun Valley skiing with kids: How to plan a Sun Valley Idaho adventure

March 18, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

If you want to go to the source of American ski culture, Sun Valley, Idaho is the country’s original destination ski resort. Thanks to the resort’s iconic reputation coupled with ongoing new projects and improvements, you’ll step into a mountain experience that’s steeped in history while alive with newfound vigor. What’s new: Sun Valley’s Warm Springs day lodge has a whole new look, complete with expansive windows facing the mountain that set the perfect scene for aprés cocktail hour; the Sun Valley Inn has undergone an extensive remodel; and a brand new performance space, The Argyros, hosts annual events such as the Sun Valley Film Festival as well as arts performances throughout the year.

What’s tradition: two mountains ready for fresh turns in Idaho’s light powder, and a village with a distinctly European feel, a historic downtown (the town of Ketchum is a charming combination of wild west meets ski chic). Plus, you get Idaho’s famous blue skies for much of the winter season, and the long summer season filled with mountain biking, hiking, fishing and golf. Here’s what you need to know to get the lay of the land before your Sun Valley winter ski trip.

Overview of the mountains:

Sun Valley is spread out, but in the best possible way, allowing for a sense of tranquil instead of a bustling base area/village combo. It has two mountains, but in European-style, they’re not adjacent. Situated next to the town of Ketchum and a mile or so from the Sun Valley village, you’ll need to shuttle between the two mountains, the village, and the town, but you won’t mind, because the Sun Valley Ride shuttle system is free and efficient. Plus, most likely, you’ll spend your whole day at one mountain or the other. Here’s why:

Dollar Mountain is the beginning mountain, housing the snowsports school, the daycare, and a very innovative ‘Terrain that Teaches’ program, for which the snow is actually sculpted in such a way that helps you learn (and is totally fun, too). What you’ll see in the Terrain that Teaches areas are rollers, banks, and bumps designed to teach you how to turn, how to balance, and more. While smaller (Dollar has four lifts plus a magic carpet), Dollar is very manageable for families with young kids; the lodge is beautiful and quiet, there’s a full rental system in place, and terrain parks for those who want to challenge themselves. If all you need is Dollar, you’ll pay a lower lift ticket price, too. Guest services are extremely attentive at Dollar, assisting families with gear and providing wagons for toting skis and tired kids.

Bald Mountain, or Baldy, boosts the advanced terrain, and they do mean advanced. If you’re unsure of your ski or snowboard level, definitely start on Dollar, where the green and blue runs are plentiful. Over at Baldy, the greens truly are more like advanced blues, and the blues are often more like blacks. The grooming on Baldy is phenomenal, so you can usually count on groomed blues and greens, but the steep vertical still makes them very challenging. The widest, easiest greens and blues can be found on the Seattle Ridge side, where you can look across the way to the ‘bowls’, Baldy’s least groomed and arguably most challenging terrain.

The Roundhouse Restaurant

Tip: Join Sun Valley’s mountain guides for a guided 1.5-hour tour of Baldy, offered complimentarily. This tour is rich in Sun Valley history and also helps you get the lay of the land. Intermediate skiing and above needed.

But with over 2000 acres, everyone who is intermediate-level and above will find something perfect for their ski needs. There are two main base areas at Baldy: River Run and Warm Springs. Both are downright relaxing: since the main Sun Valley village atmosphere is found on the other side of Ketchum at Sun Valley, what you find at both River Run and Warm Springs is a single large day lodge and rental snowsports retail. It’s very manageable, which starts your ski day off right. On the Warm Springs side, you’ll find Greyhawk lift and Challenger lift, both of which service long, steep groomers with some tucked away mogul skiing throughout. River Run houses the Roundhouse Gondola and River Run chair, with more blues and a few greens, plus some shorter, steeper blacks. Head to Cold Springs (soon to be upgraded) and Mayday to access the bowls, and head to Seattle Ridge for more contained blues and greens.

Tip: The top of the mountain, at Lookout, is a central hub: you can ski down to either base area from the top. Dining on the mountain is plentiful, with the beautiful and historic Roundhouse Restaurant the sit-down option at mid-mountain (definitely at least peek inside) and Lookout Restaurant serving grab-and-go Mexican food. For all the other standard ski fare (with some gourmet twists) Warm Springs, Seattle Ridge, and River Run are all there to serve you.

Where to stay:

Families have several generalized options: lodge stays at Sun Valley Lodge or Sun Valley Inn, both located in the Sun Valley village (just a few minutes’ shuttle to Ketchum and the base areas), condo stays associated with these Sun Valley hotels, in-town hotel stays (the Ketchum Inn and the Limelight are popular options), and area house vacation rentals in Ketchum and Hailey.

We stayed at the Sun Valley Inn, which had it’s perks and its challenges. On the pro side, the inn is typically more affordable than the nearby lodge, with all the amenity access to the latter. Yes, this means you need to walk across the village to use the Sun Valley Lodge heated outdoor pool and hot tub, expanded fitness center, and spa, but access is there. At the inn, you get a smaller heated pool (almost hot tub temperature) and a smaller fitness center. Excellent dining options are available in both; at the inn, we loved the traditional fare at the Ram Restaurant and newly remodeled Ram bar, but I was disappointed to find a lack of a central lobby area in the inn. At the lodge, the lobby area is expansive, looking out over the year-round ice skating rink, and dining options include Gretchen’s and the Duchin Lounge. At both the inn and the lodge, be sure to linger in the public hallways to take in all the framed photos chronicling the visits of celebrities and who have visited and loved the resort.

Tip: From either the inn or the lodge, it’s very easy to access Ketchum (only about a mile away), the base ski areas for both mountains, and the airport via the complimentary shuttle system. I never waited longer than five minutes for a shuttle and never needed a car during my stay.

Where else to eat in Sun Valley and Ketchum:

We loved Konditorei in the village for breakfast and lunch. The Austrian feel was both cozy and delicious. In town, Warfields is the only area distillery and brew pub (although Sun Valley Brewery is located in Hailey) and currently makes their own gin and vodka, with whiskey coming soon. We loved the ambiance inside Warfields, but if you want something more distinctly local, the Casino is right down the street, with pool tables and pretty basic (but good) drinks and plenty of local flavor (21 and over). At the Limelight hotel, Ketchum’s newest lodging option, their large ‘living room’ serves as an informal dining option, with space for kids to spread out and play (a big plus for parents). The Covey is one of Ketchum’s newest restaurants and popular enough to warrant a line outside the door when it opens at 5:30 pm (no reservations taken). The atmosphere is cozy but modern, with an open kitchen concept and a wide selection of beer and wine. We loved the winter squash appetizer. Also popular are the Pioneer (for the steak and potatoes crowd) and Village Station (in Sun Valley village) for a classic pub fare option.

What else to do in winter:

The town of Ketchum is worth spending at least one afternoon perusing, and the Sun Valley Nordic and Snowshoe Center is the hub for winter snowsports activity aside from downhill skiing. (In the summer, this area transforms into a golf haven.) At the Nordic center, families can snowshoe, classic XC ski, or skate ski on the perfectly groomed 25-mile trail system, which includes dedicated snowshoe trails as well. Rental fees are reasonable at approximately $20-30 for half-day rentals (depending on the rental choice) and trail fees of only $28 for adults and $10 for youth. We spend a very happy morning at the Nordic center and highly recommend it as an alternative to downhill skiing. Or, spend the day here on your ‘ski rest’ day if you’ve purchased 2 out of 3 or 4 out of 6 day ski passes.

There’s also ice skating and bowling at the Sun Valley Lodge, adjacent to the village.

Tip: the Nordic center also has fat bike rentals. During our visit, they were not available, however. There’s also a full restaurant at the Nordic center, as well as a full bar.

For parents, a half day at the Spa at Sun Valley, located in the Sun Valley Lodge, is a win. While it’s relaxation rooms are not large, they do have steam rooms, dry saunas, and experience showers in both male and female relaxation areas, and spa guests can go back and forth between the second-floor relaxation area and the ground floor outdoor pool and hot tub. Spa treatments are in the full range, and there are beauty services available as well.

After spending a wintery getaway in Sun Valley, you may, like me, be tempted to return in summer. The ‘off’ season of summer is actually Sun Valley’s busier time period, with outdoor symphony performances, trail systems, golf, fishing and rafting. Consider a trip back!

Have you been to Sun Valley with kids in the winter? Disclosure: we experienced Sun Valley for the purpose of review. All opinions remain our own.

Best Ski Towns: Big Bear California with kids

December 20, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

An easy drive from San Bernardino, California, Big Bear is a legit mountain destination for Southern California families, with pine forests, wildlife, and plenty of hiking and biking in summer and skiing in the winter months. We teamed up with Expedia to give you a breakdown of this prime Southern California getaway. A long weekend or day trip is perfect during the winter months for some snow play. Fortunately, if you choose the former, Big Bear offers plenty of hotel options to keep you rested and ready to make the most of it. Here’s what you need to know to explore Big Bear California with kids:

Skiing at Big Bear Mountain Resort:

Lift tickets at Big Bear Mountain Resort are still well under $100 for adults, which makes for a refreshing change from larger resorts dotting California. And that price is with 11 chairs and five carpets! Snow conditions are not quite as steady here as they are in higher elevations, so you do gamble a bit on snowpack, but Big Bear’s beginning terrain is hard to beat, making this mountain ideal for learning, given its easy distance from San Bernardino.

If you like terrain parks, especially for learners, Big Bear is an excellent location. Ditto if you want manageable groomers. Many people have ‘I learned to ski at Big Bear’ stories, and it’s easy to see why. For the best family skiing, stick with Snow Summit, the area with plenty of park features for kids (all lift accessible). There are also nice picnic areas here (it’s Southern California, after all, and the sun is often shining).

Sledding at Big Bear:

Yes, you can hunt down your own sledding hill, but why? Big Bear has three ready-made snow tubing areas: the Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain, just west of Big Bear Village; Big Bear Snow Play, which is located on the east end of Big Bear Blvd., and Grizzly Ridge in the Basecamp area at Snow Summit Ski Resort. At the latter, because you can easily tack it onto a ski day or have little ones tubing while older kids take ski lessons.

Or, head out after dark and try some glow-in-the-dark sledding! Snow Play offers glow tubing, where more than 1,500 multi-colored LED fluorescent lights lead the way up the Magic Carpet to the top of the hill, which is awash in color. Big Bear Snow Play is open daily for daytime snow tubing from 10 a.m.- 4 pm, with glow tubing every Friday, Saturday, and holiday nights from 5-9 pm. Bear in mind: tubing participants must be at least 36” tall.

At each snow tubing location, kids will be pampered: each snow tubing area has covered Magic Carpet with clear tunnels that transport riders with their tubes to the top of the slope, so you can escape the cold and any wet weather. There’s a snack bar with hot cocoa and bathrooms, too.

Winter at the Discovery Center:

A favorite for my family during the summer months, winter at the Discovery Center in Big Bear is a special season, too. Animal tracks are easier to spot in the snow, after all! The trails are often covered in powder, making them ideal for snowshoeing as a family (this sport is almost as easy as walking!) and The Big Bear Discovery Center still offers weekend programs, teaching kids how to recognize different wildlife prints in the snow.

Tip: We rented snowshoes at Goldsmiths Sports. Be sure to get poles, too! You can get trail maps at Goldsmiths too, or at the Discovery Center.

Where to stay: The Lodge at Big Bear Lake

The Lodge at Big Bear Lake is in a prime location right on the edge of downtown (within easy walking distance of shops and dining) and has family-friendly amenities galore, such as a heated pool and plenty of space for your winter gear. The rooms are spacious, though nothing to write home about, but where the Lodge truly shines: its excellent made-to-order breakfasts. There’s a fitness center, and the spa in the outdoor pool deck area feels great after a day on the slopes. Tip: if you don’t want a hotel experience, there are an abundance of home rentals in Big Bear, both associated with the ski resort and separate.

Tip: if you’re not a winter person, return to Big Bear in the summer!

Have you been to Big Bear in the winter? What do you recommend?

Best ski towns: Lake Placid and Whiteface Mountain

December 11, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

Ready to plan Lake Placid skiing with kids? Whiteface Mountain boasts the biggest vertical drop east of the Rockies, it hosted the 1980 Olympic Winter Games, and it has an impressive (or intimidating, depending on your skiing ability) 38% expert runs. But what you might not expect is that Whiteface is also a great place for families with young kids just starting out on the slopes.

One of my favorite aspects of Whiteface’s Kids Kampus is how separate it is from the rest of the mountain. While it’s easy for parents to take a run over to check up on their little ones, it’s isolated enough that the lift and runs are occupied almost solely by kids enrolled in lessons. That means that the lift is less crowded, and that you don’t have to worry about someone speeding by your child as they’re just learning to traverse the hill. The runs themselves are all green circles, except for an intermediate glade run, but they’re long enough to challenge kids that have moved beyond a magic carpet. To give some perspective, our 5-year-old, who has been skiing for two and a half years, was happy on the same hill as our 3-year-old, who just started earlier this year.

Kids Kampus is also great for its one-stop shopping. Parents can arrive at the Kids Kampus and buy lift tickets for everyone, reserve lessons and day care, and drop the kids off for their activities. They have a separate parking lot, lodge with cafeteria, and rental shop. To get back to the main mountain, you can either take the Bunny Hutch lift and ski over, or take the shuttle that runs all day between the Kids Kampus lodge and the main lodge.

And kids aren’t the only ones that can learn some new skills at Whiteface. Adult lessons are available from the main lodge and can accommodate all abilities. If someone in your group has never skied before, Whiteface also offers a Parallel from the Start program that includes a lesson, lift ticket, and rental. They also have an adaptive ski program that offers lessons and rental adaptive equipment for kids and adults with disabilities. Basically, whatever your age or ability, there’s something new to learn at Whiteface.

As for the mountain, of course it’s great! Even on a busy day, the hill doesn’t seem crowded because there are so many parts of the mountain to explore. The Cloudsplitter Gondola is a great place to start, and from there you can move on to the Summit Quad and ski the same hill used for the downhill races in the 1980 Olympics. If you’re really lucky (which I wasn’t, unfortunately), you’ll catch Whiteface on a rare day when The Slides are open. These are a series of chutes accessed by the Summit Quad. Most of the year they’re closed due to insufficient snow or avalanche danger, and even when they’re open there are certain precautions that are required—ski buddies, a beacon, shovel and probe. But if the conditions are right, you could be in for the best runs in the east!

Website info:

Whiteface: http://www.whiteface.com/ (this website is also where you’ll find info on the other Olympic venues, including information on sliding or cross country skiing). Another great planning site is visitadirondacks.com.

Lift Ticket prices:

Prices are listed on the website, and range from $79 for a half day in the Bear’s Den Nursery, to $143 for a full day of Play-N-Ski (two sessions of lessons, with free play and lunch in the nursery). Adult lessons start at $46 for two hours, and the Parallel from the Start program (which includes lift ticket and rental) is $139/day.

Lodging:

Our pick is the Lake Placid Towne Plaza for lodging close to the slopes. Read my full review.

Directions:

From NYC: take the New York State Thruway (I-87) north to Exit 24 (Albany). Take I-87 north (Adirondack Northway) to Exit 30. Pick up Route 9 north and follow it for two miles to Route 73. Continue on Route 73 for 28 Miles to Lake Placid.

From Boston: Take the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) to Albany. Pick up I-787 north to Cohoes. Connect with Route 7 west to I-87 north. Follow I-87 north (Adirondack Northway) to Exit 30. Pick up Route 9 north and follow it for two miles to Route 73. Continue on Route 73 for 28 Miles to Lake Placid.

As I disclose whenever applicable, my family and I skied Whiteface as guests of the resort, for the purpose of reviewing their child and adult lesson packages. All opinions are our own.

Mammoth ski trip tips: Overview of Mammoth Mountain

February 19, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

If you’ve been to Mammoth Mountain, you know that this California ski resort in the Eastern Sierras is bigger than life. Massive in size at 3,500 skiable acres, and with 28 lifts and 150 runs, this world-renown ski resort can be overwhelming to families. Read on for Mammoth ski trip tips gleaned from a first-time visit to Mammoth:

Plan where to stay carefully:

Given the sheer size of Mammoth, it’s very important for families to decide on lodging location with their needs in mind. Stay in the ‘wrong’ section of Mammoth for your needs, and you’ll be spending precious time you should be on the snow in the shuttle or gondolas. Most families stay in the Mammoth Village and Canyon Lodge area, because the majority of services are here, but this means the majority of congestion is also present. If you want ski school for your kids, it is also available at the far less crowded Main Lodge area, to the far side of the resort. Our pick is the Mammoth Mountain Inn, located directly across the street from the lifts at Main Lodge. There are fewer restaurants here, but what there is is great, and far less crowded. The Main Lodge is old-school—you’ll be reminded of ski lodges of your youth if you’re in your 30s or 40s—but has all the essentials without the crowds: lift ticket sales, rentals, ski school, cafeteria, and gear.

Break for lunch before or after the noon hour:

Mammoth gets crowded, and even with three main lodges spanning the base of the resort, plus mid-mountain options like McCoy, families will want to steer clear of dining services from 12 pm to 1 pm. We like to hit the slopes early (you have them practically to yourself in the first hour of operation…a fact that hold true at all resorts) then eat lunch around 11 am. Our pick: The Mill which sits at the base of Chair 2. The Mill is small, but oh-so quaint, and offers amble deck seating. It is accessible via car, so that’s a negative, but if you arrive before noon, you can grab food fairly easily.

Use the shuttle service:

No matter where you stay in Mammoth lodging, the shuttle service runs regularly and, we found, on time. Trust me, you do not want to hunt for parking constantly at Mammoth! When heading to lift areas (again, we recommend starting all the way over at Main Lodge), families who drive and park—with the exception of very early risers—will often walk blocks with their gear. Shuttles will drop you off right at the front, and have plenty of space for skis and boards. Shuttles also run in the evenings for area dining and entertainment.

Ski or ride the mountain in sections:

With three main sections, based around Eagle Lodge, Canyon Lodge, and Main Lodge, skiers and riders can spend significant time transitioning between sections. Instead, pick one for the first few hours on the snow, working your way around. We suggest transferring (via shuttle or lift) to Main Lodge area first, where the crowds are smallest, then tackle Canyon area after an early lunch at The Mill.

Don’t try to cover the entire terrain of Mammoth in one day! If you only have a few days, concentrate on the area that appeals to you most instead of attempting to transverse the hill multiple times. Keep an eye on the Mammoth Mountain app (available for iOS or Android) for the most recently groomed runs.

Head to June Mountain for ski school lessons and family-friendly skiing:

Many people don’t realize that Mammoth Mountain lift tickets are good at nearby June Mountain. Only 20 minutes away, June offers manageable terrain with a low-key, family friendly atmosphere with the fraction of the crowds (and with ski school prices at a fraction of the cost of Mammoth). Spend a few days here (kids ski free!) if your kids are learning. If you opt for ski school lessons at Mammoth, definitely take advantage of the discount for multiple days.

Prepare for the altitude:

Mammoth Mountain’s village sits at 7,953 feet elevation…a significant change if you’re coming from sea level. The ‘top of California’ peak (at the top of the Panorama gondola) is 11,053. Signs of altitude sickness include headaches, stomach aches or thirst. Be sure to give your kids plenty of water during and before their ski day (start hydrating on your travel day) and take it easy your first morning on the slopes.

Rates:
Regular adult ticket price (non-holiday or early season) bought online pre-trip is $94. Kids are $35.

Lodging:
Families have every possible lodging option at Mammoth, from single family vacation homes to village condos to hotel rooms. Start with Mammoth lodging, narrowing down the options by which area you want to base yourself in, what type of lodging you need, and what services you want (shuttle, hot tubs, rental services in-lodging).

Directions:
From Southern California, take I-5 north to State Route 14 north to US 395 north to State Route 203 (300-375 miles). From San Francisco, take Interstate 80 to Hwy 50 to Kingsbury Grade cutoff to US 395 south to State Route 203 (320 miles).

Disclosure: I experienced Mammoth Mountain as the guest of the resort, for the purpose of review. All opinions are my own.