Resort or Hotel - Pitstops for Kids

Bear Lake State Park Rendezvous Beach

June 3, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

Clear, turquoise-blue water. White sand beaches. Scuba diving, fishing, and wind surfing. Would you guess you’re in Utah? I wouldn’t! In fact, until I saw Bear Lake’s Rendezvous Beach for myself, I assumed the state park was exaggerating with its claim to be the ‘Caribbean of the Rockies’. But it’s no lie: right on the Utah-Idaho border near the touristy town of Garden City, weekend visitors (and weary travelers) will find a veritable paradise laid before them.

Rendezvous Beach is located at the south end of the lake near the aptly named town of Laketown. There you’ll find plenty of beach space, picnic areas, boat ramps, and facilities such as bathrooms and showers. Before reaching Laketown on Highway 30, however, other lake access is available, and visitors can be found parking along the side of the highway and enjoying day use along the shore from Garden City. We joined them, hoping to avoid the largest congestion. I’m not sure we succeeded: it was a busy summer day, and the beaches were crowded throughout the lake, but we enjoyed our location. With plenty of white sand, a wide eddy of water for young kids to play in, and shallow water well into the lake, it was a very safe and fun space for families. Note: bring an umbrella or other shelter; the one thing Bear Lake lacks is much natural shade!

We stopped at Bear Lake only long enough to take a swim and enjoy a picnic, but if you have more time to spend, many outdoor recreation opportunities abound. Rent water sport equipment, hire a fishing guide, or learn about area hikes.

Distance from the interstate: On Utah Hwy 30, right off well-traveled Highway 89. (Bear in mind that in the summer months, traffic can back up at Garden City, making for a slow final few miles to the beaches.)

Date last visited: July 2010

Admission fee: To visit Rendezvous Beach proper, you’ll be entering state park property, and an $8 per car admission will be enforced for day use. Other beach access along Highway 30 is free. (The $8 may be money well-spent for the use of facilities, however; there were no bathrooms along the shore elsewhere.

Hours: 8 am until 10 pm year-round.

Food services: Garden City offers plenty in the way of fast food, grocery stores, and small cafes and food stands. We suggest packing a picnic or BBQing on the beach!

Website:http://www.utah.com/stateparks/bear_lake.html

Directions: From I-15, take Highway 30 (89) south to Garden City. From

Lake Quinault Lodge, Olympic National Park

April 3, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

Built in 1926 on the south shore of Lake Quinault on the lush and beautiful Olympic Peninsula, Lake Quinault Lodge is one of the national park system’s most beautiful and timeless historic lodges. Charming when approached from the street (South Shore Road), Lake Quinault’s best side is to the north, where the back of the lodge opens upon a cheery deck and lush, sloping lawn to the lake shore.

Stepping through the front doors, visitors are greeted by a cheery fire in the lobby fireplace, plush leather sofas, bookcases and carefully arranged tables, and floor-to-ceiling windows looking out to the lake. Though certainly tranquil, the lodge is family-friendly; just downstairs from the lobby resides a full game room complete with ping-pong and pool tables, a few arcade games (requiring quarters), and a surprisingly large heated indoor pool. Croquet sets can be rented for the lawn, and in summer, canoes are available to lodge guests. Our kids spent a fair amount of time playing on the large lawn, and exploring the lake shore.

Lake Quinault is definitely a destination lodge and makes for a great ‘base camp’ while visiting Olympic National Park (home of one of only three temperate rain forests in the world); located just inside the park boundary, a network of hiking trails lead into the forest from directly across the street, many of which are perfect for families. Ask the lodge dining room to pack a picnic lunch for you and make a day of it, or hop in the car to explore more of the park’s varied terrain (the beaches at Kalaloch are 30 minutes north on Highway 101, and further, the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center provides more hiking opportunities). Lake Quinault also offers a selection of rain forest tours year round; ask at the front desk!

Extra Tip: Spring is a great time of year to experience Olympic National Park! Crowds are low, deals abound, and since you can plan on rain fall year round, weather is not an issue!

Date last visited: March 2011

Distance from the interstate: Lake Quinault Lodge is just under two hours from I-5 at Centralia, WA (three hours from Seattle or 3.5 hours from Portland).

Room Rates: Lake Quinault offers several room categories, from traditional lodge rooms featuring either one king bed or two queen beds (starting at $95 at time of publication), to Fireplace Rooms and Boathouse Rooms. Families may prefer a more contemporary Lakeside Room, located in a separate building adjacent to the main lodge and sleeping up to six (starting at $130).

Dining options: The main dining room at Lake Quinault, The Roosevelt Room, is what we’d call kid-friendly while still requiring best behavior. The ambiance is lovely, and the food is good, but it’s special-occasion status: dinner for our family of five, without beverages, came to $100. Where the lodge really shines is breakfast: our kids couldn’t wait to order their house-made hot chocolate with whipped cream and chocolate drizzle each morning, and the sweet potato pancakes got me out of bed quickly, as well. For a more casual dinner, we recommend The Salmon House Restaurant, located one mile further down South Shore Road at the Rain Forest Resort Village. The views of the lake are just as majestic, the service is friendly, and the prices are more reasonable for feeding a hungry family.

Directions: From I-5 North or South, take exit 104 at Olympia (Aberdeen-Ocean Beaches) and head straight west to Aberdeen-Hoquiam. From Hoquiam, go north on U.S. 101 for 40 miles to milepost 125. Turn right on South Shore Road and go two miles to Lake Quinault Lodge.

As I disclose with all compensated reviews, Lake Quinault Lodge hosted our stay in part, providing our family with a media room rate and some meals. While we greatly appreciate Lake Quinault’s hospitality, this compensation came with no expectation of a positive review.

Running Y Ranch Resort

March 17, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

Located outside the town of Klamath Falls, Oregon just north of the California border, the Running Y Ranch is many things in one beautiful, pine-forested package: luxury retreat, golf resort, Western-style ranch, family getaway, and romantic hideaway. It’s out-of-the-way location on the shores of Upper Klamath Lake lends itself to a feeling of relaxation and restfulness that met us at the door and stayed with us for our entire stay.

Primarily touted as a golf destination due to its award-winning Arnold Palmer-designed course, the Running Y is only slowly building its reputation as a family resort, which means you won’t find crowds of children here, noisy halls, or lots of frazzled parents. In fact, depending upon the time of your stay, yours may be some of the only kids you see. (You can decide for yourself whether that’s a good thing or bad thing.)

What to do: We enjoyed Running Y Ranch as a couple (highly recommended!), but there’s no shortage of family-friendly activities and amenities. During the winter months, plan to spend time in the resort’s huge covered ice arena (in fact, consider booking an ice skating package), or bring or rent snowshoes or cross-country skis to enjoy on any of the resorts lakeside trails. In summer, horseback rides and golf beckon, or why not allow one of the resort’s preferred ‘adventure specialists’ set up an exciting day for you and your family fishing, four-wheeling, canoeing, kayaking, or rafting? The best part is that all these activities are nearby, so you never feel as though you’ve truly ‘left’ the serenity of the resort.

Any time of year, visitors can enjoy the state-of-the-art fitness center and spa, where a family-friendly indoor pool is open for the kids. Tag-team with your spouse: one can enjoy a spa treatment while the other splashes in the pool! I found the spa’s pedicure procedure to be professional, friendly, and fairly priced.

Where to stay: The Running Y offers both home rentals and lodge rooms. We opted for a lodge room, as we were only visiting for two nights, but if you’re planning a week-long stay with children, the comforts of a home may be for you. The houses are nestled within the ranch property so as to blend in with the landscape of both the trees, hills, and golf course; I never felt I was in a subdivision (a feeling I’ve had in other large complexes). Of course, the lodge is at the heart of the ranch, and beautifully appointed. We loved the cozy lobby, the short walk to the fitness center and pool, and the general atmosphere of warmth. Current lodge room rates.

Where to eat: The only area in which I believe Running Y falls short is dining. There just aren’t enough options. For families staying in a home with kitchens at their disposal, that might be alright (there is a small grocery store on-site), it’s hard for families staying in lodge rooms. After the time of our stay, they did open a new casual dining restaurant, Wyatt’s American Eatery. Our advice: pack your own food (lodge rooms do have refrigerators), or plan to drive into town. The lodge did offer a nice buffet breakfast, which we enjoyed.

Directions: The Running Y is located on Highway 140, right off of Highway 97. It’s 1 1/2 hours from I-5 (and 5 hours from Reno, Tahoe, or Sacramento).

Pit Stops for Kids was in no way compensated for this review. Our entire ranch stay was at our expense.

Thimbleberry Cabin: winter escape in Southern Oregon Cascades

March 10, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

For a year-round mountain getaway in the Northwest, families can’t beat the Southern Oregon Cascades. Easy to access from I-5 (to Highway 140), this region south of Crater Lake National Park and west of Klamath Falls is rich with national forest land, lakes, and recreation. We love the area’s ‘off-the-beaten-path’ feel (and the fact that it’s only a few short hours from several Oregon cities)! Situated in the midst of this wilderness is Thimbleberry Cabin.

Pit Stops for Kids reader Cristie Fairbanks of Southern Oregon recommends Thimbleberry, located seven miles from beautiful Lake of the Woods on Highway 140, for its family-friendly location and features. A HomeAway rental property set apart from any other resort or facility, Thimbleberry sleeps five comfortably with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a full kitchen. “With a short walk from the house, you can backcountry ski or snowshoe in any direction through national forest and BLM lands, and the cabin is only one mile from Pacific Crest Trail access. The cabin rental also comes with a variety of snowshoes and sleds (as well as other seasonal equipment) that you can use right on the one acre property or take with you on an adventure.”

What to do: In winter, you won’t need to stray far from the cabin. Sled or enjoy snow play right outside your door, or connect with the Pacific Crest Trail for a longer trek. Visit Summit Snow Park for snowmobile or cross-country fun, and Fish Lake (adjacent to Lake of the Woods, Highway 140) offers even more snowshoe and cross-country ski trails. Extra Tip: In summer, swim, fish, and boat on Lake of the Woods or Fish Lake, or explore the Sky Lakes Wilderness, (access to trail head on Highway 140 across from Fish Lake), our family’s favorite place for a day hike or backpacking overnight.

Day trips in the area: Within easy driving distance is Crater Lake National Park (check road conditions and closings in winter) and Shakespearean Ashland, Oregon.

Where to eat: If staying in a rental cabin such as Thimbleberry, be prepared to bring all of the food you will need. The closest store and restaurant is located at Lake of the Woods Resort and is not always open. With a kitchen and BBQ at Thimbleberry, however, you won’t want to bother with eating out!

How to get there: From I-5 in Medford, Oregon, follow signs to Highway 140. Follow 140 east toward Klamath Falls.

Ashland on Dwellable

Timberline Lodge and ski resort

February 7, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

If you’re looking for a Pacific Northwest ski resort experience that will really impress while remaining kid and family-friendly, you’ll want to book an overnight ski package at Timberline Lodge, a ski-in and ski-out resort nestled on the slopes of Timberline in Oregon’s Mt. Hood area.

We love Timberline Lodge’s historic beauty, cozy rooms, and majestic views, but the best thing is, guests don’t have to sacrifice any of these features for family-friendly prices. Kids under age 11 eat free in the dining room (off the children’s menu), ski and stay packages are always on offer, and rooms are reasonably priced (kids stay free in the same room as parents, or add an extra room for the kids with two twin beds for only $105 a night!).

During ski season, families love the convenience of the lodge’s ski-in and out location, the cavernous ski locker and storage area on the main lobby level, and the wonderful (and filling) ski morning breakfasts in the main dining room. Visitors in the off-season can fill their days hiking, biking, and wildflower spotting on the high mountain peaks. And all year round, Timberline’s heated outdoor pool and hot tub ease the muscle aches of a busy day. Kids love swimming under the stars at night, and adults will appreciate the free coffee, comfortable couches, and games and reading material on-hand in the beautiful lobby.

Image via Wikipedia

The ski resort itself is perfect for beginners and families representing multiple ski and riding levels. The ride up the top chair offers plenty of challenging terrain, but much of the lower mountain sports wide, groomed trails and expanses. We love that the Wy’East ski lodge is just across the parking lot from the Timberline Lodge for quick snacks, ski rental equipment, and other ski resort fare.

Distance from the interstate: Timberline is located just over an hour from Portland, OR just off Hwy 26 past Government Camp.

Room rates: $155 for a queen room and $105 for a double twin room at time of this publication. Consider coming midweek, when your room will include ski tickets, complimentary breakfast, and a $20 dining room credit!

Dining: For a single lodge, there are a surprising number of dining options for families. The Cascade Dining Room can’t be beat for breakfast, and if you’re looking for an upscale evening meal in a no-fuss or frills atmosphere where kids are welcome (and eat free!), this is the place for dinner, too. If you’re looking for something more casual after a day of skiing or hiking, the Ram’s Head Bar, located on the second-floor landing, has great pub-type food and drinks.

Directions: From Salem, OR: Follow I-5 North to I-205, then take I-205 North to the Mt. Hood exit; turn right. Follow signs to Mt Hood/Government Camp,then follow Hwy 26 to the Timberline access road, just past Government Camp. Turn left on Timberline access road; follow the road to Timberline (6 miles).

From Portland: Take the 205 South to I-84 East (The Dalles exit), then I-84 East to exit 16 “Wood Village”. Go right at stop sign on to 238th, then follow 238th (which becomes 242nd) to Burnside (approx. 3 mi.) Take a left on Burnside, which turns into Hwy 26 East. Follow Hwy 26 East to the Timberline Road turn-off (about 40 mi.); pass through the towns of Sandy, Welches, and Rhododendron. Turn left on the Timberline access road; follow the road to Timberline (6 mi.)

Disney done right: Disney’s Port Orleans Resort

January 19, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

I wrote recently on the benefits of staying on-site in Walt Disney World. Of course, deciding a Disney resort is right for you and your family hardly narrows down your field of options, given that at last count, there were almost 20 of them to choose from. For our Disney World vacation, we finally settled on Disney’s Port Orleans Resort, Riverside, and we never once regretted our decision. Why?

1. Location. Port Orleans is one of Disney’s largest resorts, but due to its beautiful and extensive landscaping, winding pathways, and sweeping public areas filled with magnolia blossoms and lawn, you’d never know it. It includes two distinct and separate complexes: Riverside and French Quarter, both of which have their own restaurants, pools, and recreational activities, connected by the river walk along the Sassagoula River. We stayed in Riverside, which was, yet again, divided into two sections: Alligator Bayou and Dixie Landings. Maybe we’re just not used to Southern ambiance (and hospitality), but we felt tucked away from the bustle of Disney World throughout our stay. Despite being just minutes from the theme parks by way of Disney transportation buses and even closer to Downtown Disney by boat, Port Orleans felt quiet and tranquil. Not easy to come by in Orlando! (Note: I’d heard complaints about the walk from the far buildings to the lobby/dining area (Riverside Mill). We were quite far from the center of things in Building 36, and didn’t mind the ten minute walk in the least. Ol’ Man Island, the main swimming complex, is situated in the middle of the buildings (think of a hub and spokes), and is easy to access for everyone.)

2. Amenities. Port Orleans is listed as a ‘moderate’ Disney resort, which distinguishes it from the lower-cost ‘value’ resorts in two main ways that made a difference to our family (and might make a difference to yours): recreational opportunities and dining. Each moderate resort has at least one themed pool and several ‘quiet’ pools (we had one right outside our door and loved it!), and other recreational opportunities such as canoe or boat rentals, video arcades, and thematic activities (in Port Orleans’ case, cane-pole fishing). Ol’ Man Island features a free-form pool, slide, hot tubs, and a pool-side bar (values do not have slides or hot tubs) that we used nightly (the pool and the bar). In addition, each moderate resort features at least one sit-down restaurant in addition to their food court, Riverside Mill. (Value resorts do not.) If you envision yourself and your family spending even a moderate amount of time (no pun intended) at the resort, and don’t want to drop the dough for a deluxe room, a moderate such as Port Orleans might work best for you.

3. Price. In my opinion, you get far more for your resort dollar at a moderate than you would at a value, and not much less than you would at a deluxe. (That sounds like a riddle!) Let me try that again: you get almost as many bells and whistles as you would at a deluxe for up to half the nightly room rate. (Note: Port Orleans’s Alligator Bayou rooms fit families of five…provided that one family member can fit on their ‘trundle’ bed, which pulls out from underneath one of their standard ones. Our youngest son found it quite comfortable, but I wouldn’t try it with anyone over the age of 6-8.)

What not to miss: As I hinted at above, staying in a Disney resort is almost like visiting an additional theme park: there’s a lot to do and see, and you want to make time to enjoy it. We took an entire day off from the parks just to explore Port Orleans, but even if you can’t spare that kind of time, make sure you swim at Ol’ Man Island (and maybe fish for bluegill in their stocked pond), take a cruise down the river to Downtown Disney (have your kids ask your boat captain for a Disney Transportation captain’s card), take in the evening comedy show at the River Roost, and take the plunge on the dragon slide at the French Quarter pool (guests of Riverside has use of the French Quarter pool, and vice versa!).

Room Rates: $130-150 at time of our visit. Check for most up-to-date rates.

Main Dining Options: Riverside Mill Food Court and Boatwrights (both on the Disney Dining Plan). Snacks available at the general store. Rooms have mini-fridges, which we used to fill with breakfast supplies and snacks. If you’re flying to the resort, as we did, consider pre-ordering groceries to be delivered to Port Orleans on the day of your arrival with Garden Grocer.

Distance from the parks: Under five minutes. (Note: we’re big believers in leaving the car behind and using Disney transportation. We never waited longer than ten minutes for a bus at any of the Port Orleans bus depots.)

Photo credit

Crater Lake National Park and Lodge

January 12, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

Crater Lake National Park: perfect for kids!

Kid tested and approved: Crater Lake is perfect for families!

One of the Pit Stops crew’s favorite national parks is in our backyard: Crater Lake National Park in Southern Oregon. Open year round, Crater Lake is a true natural wonder that’s (surprisingly) never swarmed with crowds. It’s not too large a park as to be overwhelming for families, and with hiking trails, nature programs, boat tours, and a beautifully maintained historic lodge on-site, its an ideal vacation spot to bring kids.

And if you’re looking for a place to spend an upcoming getaway, Crater Lake is included in the long list of national parks offering free entrance this Veteran’s Day Weekend and every fee-free day in 2011!

When to go: Crater Lake has something to offer in all seasons. Though some roads in the park are closed in winter due to snow, Hwy 62 (into and out of Crater Lake NP) and the Rim Road around the lake are almost always plowed and open. For updates, always check the Current Conditions page for road closures. Our favorite aspect of Crater Lake in winter is the snowshoeing. Every Saturday and Sunday at 1 pm, join park rangers for a free snowshoe trek! (Thanksgiving through May.) Check the Ranger Led Activities page for programs in other seasons as well!

Crater Lake Lodge is iconic of the northwest!

In the summer season (July through September), book a boat tour to Wizard Island. Only two boats depart per day (more without a Wizard Island stop) so be sure to book in advance through Xanterra Parks and Resorts. Watchman Peak hiking tours are also offered all summer, as are evening campfire programs.

Where to stay: Crater Lake Lodge sits right on the rim of the lake. In summer, take in the view from an adirondack chair on the deck, and in winter, curl up by the huge fireplace with a good book in the grand lobby. The lodge dining room is fantastic, and while elegant, it’s not stuffy. Kids are encouraged guests! If staying in the lodge is not for you, the Crater Lake Cabins are situated below the rim at Mazama Village, but the only lake view accommodation is the lodge. Bear in mind; both the lodge and cabins are rustic: you won’t find TV, air conditioning or land lines. (A campground is also available.) No matter which lodging you prefer, reservations are a must in summer!

Date last visited: August 2010.

Distance from the interstate: Hwy 62 takes visitors right up to the Rim Road. The park is approximately 2 hours from I-5.

Admission Fee: One of the most affordable national parks in the country, seven day passes are only $10 per car.

Room Rates: Nightly rates at the lodge start at $157 ($129 for a cabin) at the time of this publication.

Dining: In addition to the lodge dining room, Mazama Village offers a nice family-style buffet at Annie Creek Restaurant. We’ve been pleased with the healthy yet kid-friendly selection there. And best of all, picnic meals are welcomed on the lodge’s expansive veranda. We usually pack a lunch and eat overlooking the fabulous view!

Directions: The easiest way to approach the park in all seasons is from the South entrance, which is always open (Hwy 62 from Medford, Oregon). The North entrance is closed winter and spring. To approach Crater Lake from the north in summer, take take Route 138 from Roseburg or Hwy 97 from Bend.

Home (Away) for the Holidays: Sierra at Tahoe ski resort

December 24, 2010 By Amy Hagstrom

We’re a family who loves to ski. We’ve visited many ski resorts, including a large sampling of what the Lake Tahoe area has to offer. During our Home (Away) for the Holidays vacation week, our rental home is right at the base of Sierra at Tahoe resort, so we checked it out. In a word:

Wow.

We don’t say that lightly, but Sierra at Tahoe has so much going for it, we were floored. It is, without a doubt, the most family-friendly mid-sized ski resort we’ve ever visited. What makes it so great?

It’s in the details. Sierra at Tahoe is like the host or hostess who thinks of everything to make your stay convenient and enjoyable. If you ski with young kids, you know how the experience can either be great…or terrible. And it can turn in an instant. Long treks from the car to the lodge, long lift lines, difficult terrain, expensive tickets…it can all add up to a miserable time. We know; we’ve been there. But Sierra makes the extra effort to ensure families have an easy time of it. How?

Preferred family parking and drop-off lines. For a small fee, you can enjoy parking right up front…not a lot to pay when you’re lugging not only your own ski gear but likely your toddler’s. And if that’s not in the budget, just use their drop-off zone. Let the kids and one adult unload with all the gear, go park, and meet back up!

Affordable ticket prices. Skiing is an expensive sport, and Sierra is cognisant of this fact. Ticket prices here are lower than the Tahoe average, and deals abound. If you plan to ski more than one day, consider buying their 3 Pak, which saves you over $20 a day for adults and $5 a day for kids. And there are no blackout dates. They’ve also bundled lift tickets with ski or board rentals and lessons for those families who need them with their $35 Learn to Ski or Ride packages.

Extra ticket options perfect for families: Sierra at Tahoe is the only resort we’ve visited to offer Parent Predicament tickets and Fast Pass tickets. How do they work? Parent Predicament: if two parents are visiting with a non-skiing child or baby, this ticket allows you to buy just one ticket to share instead of two (to waste). Just ask for it at the ticket booth, and you’ll be able to ‘tag team’ ski all day long! Fast Pass: Part of Sierra’s Vertical Plus program, families can add Fast Pass privileges to any ticket for $20. We used this feature, and let me tell you, on a busy holiday day or weekend, it’s worth its weight in gold. Instead of waiting in the regular lift lines, we accessed the Vertical Plus line (marked with a yellow banner), and didn’t wait more than one minute all day long. We more than made up for the price of the upgrade in increased ski time! Insider Tip: If you pair this upgrade with a 3 Pak, which saves you $20/day, you essentially come out even!

Professional children’s programs and features. When it came time to hire a children’s ski school staff, Sierra went looking for childcare professionals, not babysitters. Their children’s programs are run by experienced early childhood learning instructors, with an emphasis on both skiing and riding fun and education. We loved that there are several ski school areas across the mountain so that children (and adults) can learn with peers in their own age group. And if your kids aren’t taking lessons, there’s still great features on the mountain for them. Look for Sierra’s Adventure Zones, designated on the trail map by a paw print. Our kids had fun trying to spot the mine shaft, bear cave, and more…all located in various spots on the mountain.

A unique terrain. Sierra’s layout is unique in several respects. Firstly, the mountain is designed in a way that allows families to split up and meet back up easily. Lodges and restaurants are located for easy access, and runs feed into a central ‘bowl’, making it easy to ‘meet at the lodge’. The mountain’s groomers even go so far as to consider beginning skiers and riders when shaping the runs, ensuring less hiking, stopping, and frustration. More importantly to us, easy, intermediate, and advanced terrain are seamlessly intermixed, allowing family members with different ability levels to ski together. Toby (age 6) loved that he could ride the chair to the peak of the mountain with his brothers, and still find a fun, easy way down while they tackled moguls and powder.

A great location. Because Sierra at Tahoe is located in Eldorado National Forest, skiers and riders are surrounded by wilderness…not condos and excess parking lots. The only area in Tahoe with an old-growth forest, the powder and tree skiing is awesome. Advanced skiers and riders will love Huckleberry Gates, a section on the far side of the mountain with back-country style access to trees, powder, cornices, and drop-offs. Experts can be highly challenged but still meet up with beginners in the lift line!

Plenty of on-mountain dining. We ate at The Pub and Aspen Cafe during our visit, both of which were delicious. We loved that nearly every on-site restaurant offers affordable kid meals, and that outside food is permitted. No one wants to spend all their vacation money on lunch!

More than just skiing: If you’re not sure whether downhill skiing is for you and your family (or if you just need a break from skiing on an off-day), Sierra also has a full tubing and snow play park and over three miles of snowshoe trails. Tubes are available on-site, and snowshoes can be rented in the ski and board rental center.

Date last visited: March 2016

Website: www.sierraattahoe.com

Distance from the Interstate: Two minutes from US Hwy 50. 15 miles from South Lake Tahoe, and 80 miles from I-5 near Sacramento, CA.

Directions: From South Lake Tahoe, just take Hwy 50 over Echo Summit to the Sierra at Tahoe entrance!

Check out the Pit Stops for Kids’ Kid Cam for a sneak peak of Sierra at Tahoe!

As I disclose with all compensated reviews, Sierra at Tahoe generously hosted us for this portion of our Tahoe Holiday review series. While we greatly appreciate their hospitality, this compensation came with no expectation of a positive review. Read all our articles in our Home (Away) for the Holidays series!

Home (Away) for the Holidays: Dreaming of a White Christmas (pitstopsforkids.com)

Home (Away) for the Holidays: A Tahoe winter wonderland

December 22, 2010 By Amy Hagstrom

This friendly welcome greeted us at the door of our HomeAway rental.

Only two days into our Tahoe Holiday vacation, and we’re convinced: if you’re looking for a winter family getaway in the South Lake Tahoe area, you can’t do better than to rent a HomeAway property such as this one we’re currently enjoying near Twin Bridges. (It’s easy to rent the perfect vacation home at HomeAway.com!) Nestled in the snow right at the base of Sierra at Tahoe ski resort, this cozy vacation cabin has all the comforts of home in a high Sierra setting.

We arrived for our holiday week vacation amid a December snowstorm. The snow was piled to the upper deck in true Tahoe fashion, but inside, every amenity we could ask for awaited us, including wireless wifi, a full washer and dryer, a complete kitchen including dishwasher, all cutlery, dishware, and pots and pans, two full bathrooms (one with a tub/shower, one with a shower), and sleeping arrangements for up to 10 people.

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How the home normally looks in winter…

…and the winter wonderland that awaited us this week!

And best of all for those of us wanting to get away from it all without any additional worry: the home has a generator for when the power goes out (and it has!) and snow removal plans for when the roads fill with that wonderful white stuff (which they have), all thanks to our home’s competent and detail-oriented owner, who works hand -in-hand with HomeAway to ensure every guest’s needs are cared for; everything, from extra linens to tupperware to emergency supplies, were stocked and ready for our arrival.

Who wouldn’t want to spend the holidays curled up with a good book here?

Our property’s efficient and modern kitchen, complete with many cozy touches!

The kids quickly claimed the upstairs loft with three beds, a bathroom, and a folding-bed/couch, and we settled into one of the two downstairs bedrooms with King beds. While I started dinner our first night (one of the many benefits of renting a vacation home is the ability to eat in your own home), the kids got busy on a snow fort and my husband checked out the game on TV (of which there are two).

Toby gets cozy by the fire after a long day of car travel.

The property’s location couldn’t be better: just yards from the entrance to Sierra-at-Tahoe, it’s also right down US-50 from a great snow park with sledding and snowshoeing, Echo Lake with hiking trails in the summer, and only 15 minutes from South Tahoe. We love that we’re only minutes from restaurants, ski resorts, and attractions, but feel completely and totally away from it all.

Outside our back door, fresh powder and woods are at the kids’ command, and down the quiet street, a lovely meadow beckons. We could easily spend our full week exploring and playing right at the property!

Nate pauses for a photo op while sculpting his fort!

Note: Obviously, this is snow country. If you rent a vacation home in this area, be prepared for winter driving, have emergency supplies on-hand, and if your stay coincides with a winter storm, plan to be flexible. Itineraries sometimes have to be adjusted, but that just means more time for hot cocoa! During our visit, snow removal has been slow-going at times, and the extra effort has to be made to shovel and de-ice, but with drifts as high as several feet, it’s to be expected!

Distance from the nearest interstate: Right off Hwy 50.

Weekly rates: $1000-$2500, depending on the season. Consider a spring or fall visit to explore Tahoe without the high price tag!

Dining options: Our home’s owner helpfully provided information on area grocery stores before our arrival, allowing us to shop en route to the house from the Sacramento area. We opted to buy most our groceries ahead of time and prepare meals, but South Tahoe has dozens of excellent restaurants to choose from.

Website: View this rental here.

Directions: From Sacramento, follow US Highway 50 past Echo Summit to Twin Bridges. (85 miles from I-5.)

As I disclose with all compensated reviews, HomeAway hosted usÂ for the majority of this review. While we greatly appreciate their hospitality, this compensation came with no expectation of a positive review. Read all our articles in our Home (Away) for the Holidays series!

Home (Away) for the Holidays: Dreaming of a White Christmas (pitstopsforkids.com)
Home (Away) for the Holidays: The rental process made easy (pitstopsforkids.com)
Home (Away) for the Holidays: Introducing an Alternative to Hotels (pitstopsforkids.com)

Sunriver Resort, Oregon

November 8, 2010 By Amy Hagstrom

Toby kicks back and relaxes in the snow at Sunriver. Located thirty minutes from Bend, Oregon along Hwy 97, Sunriver, Oregon is an outdoors-lover’s paradise four seasons out of the year. The Pit Stops for Kids family has visited in winter, spring, and summer, and had so much to do and see each time that we definitely need to go back!

Sunriver is a vibrant resort community of vacation homes and a village center of shops and restaurants centered around a main lodge, all nestled among the pines of central Oregon and in the shadow of Mt. Bachelor. The lodge often runs special packages ideal for families and weekend getaways, but if you’re looking for a magical place to spend your winter holiday vacation, Pit Stops for Kids recommends one of Sunriver’s vacation home rentals, such as these listings currently offered by HomeAway.

We were fortunate enough to spend a Christmas week here, and the kids (and I!) have never forgot it. Right in the Sunriver community, you have it all: snow outside your door (most of the time, anyway!), a sledding hill within walking distance, a year-round pool and hot tub (at the lodge, free access with most home rentals), cross-country and snow-shoe trails (doubling as walking and biking trails in the summer months), a village center with outdoor ice skating rink, award-winning restaurants, and kids’ activity clubs.

Holiday lights at the Sunriver Resort.

During the holiday season, there are tree-lighting ceremonies, cookies with Santa, The Night Before Christmas readings, bonfires, and more. We ate a delicious and festive Christmas Eve dinner at one of the lodge’s several dining rooms before returning to our cozy rental to hang the stockings and leave out cookies and milk for Santa. Christmas Day, we spent most our afternoon sledding, sipping cocoa, and playing board games. It really couldn’t be beat!

If you’re a skier, Mt. Bachelor ski resort is only twenty miles away, (arguably) offering the very best downhill experience of the area. Check for bundled ski/stay rates with Sunriver!

Distance from the nearest interstate: Right on Hwy 97 (30 minutes from OR Hwy 20).

Date Last Visited: December 2009

Rentals and Room Rates: Vary. Check the above links for room rates from the source!

Dining options: There are many, but our favorites are The Grille at Crosswater (for fine dining) in the lodge and Goody’s in the Sunriver Village. There is also a grocery store in the village, but for better prices, you might want to head into Bend, where you’ll find a Trader Joe’s, Albertson’s, and the like.

Website: Sunriver Resort

Directions: To get to the resort from Bend, take highway 97 to the exit at Cottonwood Road. Take a left at S. Imnaha Rd, then another left at E Cascade Rd. At the traffic circle, continue straight to stay on E Cascade Rd, then turn left to stay on E Cascade Rd. At the next traffic circle (yes, it’s confusing!), take the 3rd exit onto Abbot Dr, then turn left at Summit View Dr to the resort entrance.

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