Ski Resorts - Pitstops for Kids

Northstar California: a guide to the mountain for kids, by kids

February 4, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

After multiple trips to Northstar California resort with my kids, I asked them what, in their opinion, kids shouldn’t miss on the slopes. Their top picks:

Cat’s Face, the 22-foot half-pipe: Built for Olympic medalist Shaun White (who recently selected Northstar as his home resort), this intimidating half-pipe (with vertical sides 22 feet tall) is used by Shawn for training purposes…but open to the public when he’s away (which is nearly all the time). The kids (and parents!) dared go down it…and had a blast once our hearts stopped dropping into our stomachs!

The Northstar Terrain Park off Vista chair: When snow depth allows, this huge terrain park splits into both medium and small sections, but the groomers and designers in charge of the various features are such masters (Northstar is known for this) that no matter how much (or little) snow the resort has to work with, there are a variety of options for everyone from beginners to experts.

Mom Tip: if you have young kids who are not terrain park experts, but still love to spend time tearing it up there, go in the morning. The park will be far less crowded, ensuring that your kids don’t get hurt by other riders and skiers (and also don’t get in the way of more serious athletes).

Lookout Link: This poma bar lift serves as a quick transfer to Lookout Mountain (which is great for glade skiing, by the way) and is located right below the new Zephyr Lodge. The novelty of a poma bar is fun for those who haven’t tried it (even beginners can do it) and a bit of nostalgia for those parents who grew up with them!

Sawtooth Ridge: For expert skiers and riders, this glade with gated opening to the far side of Backside is a great place to play. Check whether it’s open before embarking on this off-piste section! Additional off-piste terrain on Backside that’s open more often: from the top of the Backside Express, take a left along the ridge to find several gates with tree skiing.

The Stash: The Stash, located toward the bottom of the Zephyr Express lift, is an inspired wonderland of natural elements and features, such as logs to slide along, tunnels, and even a cabin skiers and boarders can ride off the roof of when snow levels are high enough! Consider The Stash an all-natural terrain park, with tree skiing added in! (Smaller ‘Adventure Parks’ are located throughout the mountain for younger skiers, too.)

Mom Tip: Since terrain can change drastically, even during the course of a single vacation, we love that the Northstar grooming team always lets guests know which runs have been groomed overnight. Just check for the orange symbol on trail signage!

The Woods route back to the Village: This (not so) secret route back to the Northstar Village is a great alternative to the super crowded Village Way. (In the late afternoons, that route can become downright congested.) Find the entrance to The Woods run at the end of the Cat’s Face super half-pipe.

Powder Bowl off East Ridge: From the top of the Comstock chair, cruise along the East Ridge to Powder Bowl. If you have advanced skiers and riders, take the black diamond Powder Bowl chute, and if you have intermediate abilities, take the Powder Bowl trail. Either option will drop you into a fun, open bowl with multiple tree glade trails, jumps, and bumps. Kids can make their own path, or stick to wider open intermediate terrain, and meet parents by the Rendezvous chair (all routes lead in this direction).

For moms and dads (and kids): Check out Tost, offered on the East Ridge off Comstock Express at 2 pm daily. This fun Northstar event includes complimentary champagne for adults and sparkling cider for kids. In sunny weather, sit on bean bag chairs or Adirondack chairs.

Tubing! Don’t forget about tubing! Located mid-mountain right above the Day Lodge (look for the Tubing Yurt), the tubing track at Northstar is faster than most (and these kids have tried many!). Tubing tickets are sold separately (buy them for $30/hour in the Village where you buy lift tickets…you won’t need more than one hour). It’s a great choice for non-skiers who still want to spend time on the mountain. Kids can go in a ‘train’ of two or more tubes (at the operators’ discretion), which makes it even more fun. We opted to tube during our day off skiing, and it made for an entertaining morning activity. Parents who don’t want to purchase tickets can easily watch hill-side.

How did the Pit Stops kids’ know where all this cool stuff was? They started their vacation with a private family lesson, during which their instructor, Jon, showed them all over the mountain. Not only did the kids get great instruction, but they got their own private tour guide while enjoying fast pass line access! Families can add up to six people to one private lesson, making it a very good value. And I hear (though I wasn’t allowed to see for myself) that there’s a secret kids-only lodge for lesson attendees, where the hot chocolate and marshmallows flow freely!

Want to see some of the action for yourself? Time for a Pit Stops for Kids’ Kid Cam!

The kids thank Northstar for allowing them to experience the mountain with both a private instructor, and later, with boring old Mom and Dad.

Hometown ski resort: Badger Pass Ski Area

January 9, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

Ever wanted to downhill or nordic ski in Yosemite National Park? How about a morning of skiing followed by an afternoon of hiking on the valley floor? I spent a day at Badger Pass Ski Area, located in the center of Yosemite National Park, to see what it was like. What I found: wonderful ski culture, local enthusiasm, and lots of love for the outdoors. I guess that should come as no surprise!

Badger Pass boasts just 10 runs and four lifts (plus one rope tow). It features one lodge (two stories), a rental shop, and a nordic center. All the downhill runs funnel down to the same general base area by the lodge, and the entire feel is friendly, welcoming, and relaxed. This is hometown skiing at its best: just like at the tiny ski resort I grew up skiing in the Sierras, Badger Pass is all about the outdoor experience. Kids were skiing solo the day I visited, their parents content with the knowledge they really couldn’t get lost. Newbies were trying out the sport in first-timer lessons, and telemark skiers were almost as ample as downhill skiers.

The nordic center was bustling: with over 350 miles of cross-country trail in the park, most of which starts at Badger Pass, this is a hot sport! The nordic center staff will get you completely outfitted (downhill and snowboard rentals are available as well, in the adjacent downhill rental shop). Grab a trail map, and decide how far and fast you want to go.

Badger Pass offers one small terrain park, and the majority of the runs are intermediate, with a few black diamond runs. I was told tree skiing and backcountry skiing was abundant, given the correct snow conditions. In the lodge, visitors will find lots of lounge space, a nice big sun deck on both levels, and friendly food service where you can order standard ski fare: burgers, wraps, and a burrito bar. I recommend the homemade veggie burger and fries.

Lift ticket costs:

Downhill lift tickets are currently $48 for adults, $43 for youth, and $25 for kids (all day). XC ski rentals are available, as stated, as are Pulk sleds if you want to bring the younger kids along for the ride. Ski rental pricing.

Directions:

Badger Pass is easy to find from Highway 41 by the South Entrance to the park, or from the Valley Floor. From Wawona Road, take Glacier Point Road.

As I disclose whenever applicable, I experienced Badger Pass Ski Area as a guest of the resort, for the purpose of review. I hope my firsthand knowledge helps you plan a better trip!

Skiing with a Tween at Sierra-at-Tahoe

December 29, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

This post was originally published as part of our Home (Away) for the Holidays series.

It’s easy to find kid-friendly skiing in Tahoe, but what about those hard to please tweens and teens? I spent an extra day at Sierra-at-Tahoe last week with Nate, during which we noted what worked for his age group (middle school) and ability level (advanced).

Sierra at Tahoe is not too big, and not too small…it’s just right! Because of its manageable size and centralized layout, it’s easy for older kids and teens to split off with friends or siblings and meet back up with parents. All runs end in a major lift, lodge, or restaurant, a design element that would give me the confidence to let him explore a bit without an adult.

It’s challenging. I love that Sierra intermixes beginning runs with intermediate and advanced; it allows all members of a family to ride the lift and spend the majority of their day together. But the best part of this feature is the way terrain parks, trails, and tree skiing branch off from easy and intermediate runs. I don’t know how it is in your family, but my older kids love these features, and it’s nice that they’re so accessible. Each terrain park at Sierra is clearly marked as containing Small, Medium, or Large elements, and each place we cut off a run to powder ski through trees fed easily into a trail or run below. Nate and I especially loved exploring the Huckleberry Gates section of the mountain, a truly challenging series of back-country chutes that felt like an entirely different experience every time! This area is not open all day, so be sure to check signage or ask lift operators for updates.

It knows how to feed your tween. Ski resort food is expensive, and tweens and teens can eat their weight of it after hitting the slopes all morning. I loved that Sierra at Tahoe offers affordable options. We ate at the 360 Degree Smokehouse BBQ at the Grandview Lodge, which was great for several reasons. First off, due to its location at the top of the mountain, it was easy to access and uncrowded. Secondly, the food was fantastic, and generously portioned (my two younger kids could have easily shared an entree). Better yet, if you’re feeding the entire family, their Family Meal Deal is truly a deal for $45. Families pick three types of BBQ meat entrees, then get four huge sides and four drinks. (We ate at the tasty Aspen Cafe in the Main Lodge during our first ski day, and paid over $50 to feed the same amount of people.) Best of all, this top of the mountain lodge offers complimentary boot warming while you eat. Just hand the attendants your boots on the way in, grab a pair of cozy slippers to wear in the restaurant, and trade them back in when you’re ready to head back outside. Great, right? Yeah, we could hardly believe it, either!

Grab a pair of slippers…they have your size!

It’s clear to us why we kept hearing the same thing from Sierra guests while riding up the chair lifts and hanging out in the lodges…that Sierra at Tahoe truly is a local favorite: it has just enough of everything–at a decent price–to keep everyone in your group happy, including those notoriously hard to please teens. What’s more, during our time enjoying their slopes, we never came across a Sierra employee who wasn’t cheerful, helpful, and willing to go out of his or her way to make sure we were having a good time. I can see why locals and traveling guests alike feel they’re getting a lot of value for their vacation dollar here. And best of all, when paired with one of the HomeAway vacation properties right at the base of the mountain, you can forget the commute: you’re only five minutes away from Sierra at Tahoe!

As stated previously, Sierra at Tahoe generously hosted us during this portion of our Tahoe Holiday. This compensation came with no expectation of a positive review. Read all our articles in our Home (Away) for the Holidays series!

Lake Placid lodging: Crowne Plaza Resort

December 8, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

My family and I have visited Lake Placid in late summer, and although we have a great time kayaking, hiking, and rock climbing, I continually thought to myself “OK, but I really need to come back in the winter!” Well, the snow fell, and we headed back to the Adirondacks last February, this time for some skiing and snowshoeing. Because Lake Placid has hosted two winter Olympic games (1932 and 1980), it has a wide variety of off-the-slopes entertainment, including ice skating, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and—for the adventurous types in your group—bobsled and skeleton racing. Because my kids are on the young side (3 and 5), we stuck to some hikes, exploring the town, and downhill skiing.

Lake Placid lodging: the Crowne Plaza Resort and Golf Club at Lake Placid is a great place to make your home base for exploring the area. It’s just a short walk up the hill from the Olympic Center and Main Street Lake Placid with restaurants, shops, and even a toboggan run onto Mirror Lake. Because it’s up on a hill overlooking Mirror Lake, it has beautiful views of the surrounding mountains, especially from the main lobby of the hotel. We stayed in a suite in the Adirondack wing of the hotel, with a separate bedroom (with soaking tub!), kitchenette, and a pullout couch in the spacious living room.

The Crowne Plaza has plenty of amenities—including restaurants on site, a fitness center, and a pool and hot tub. The pool, and especially the hot tub, was busy in the afternoon with the after-ski crowd. We visited during February break, which may have increased the number of families, but it was great to see so many kids splashing and warming up after a day on the slopes! (For those looking for a quieter getaway, I would avoid visiting during school vacations.)

The dining options at the Crowne Plaza turned out to be very kid-friendly as well. We had breakfast each morning at MacKenzie’s Restaurant in the hotel, which includes a breakfast buffet complete with an omlette bar, pancakes, eggs, oatmeal, and much more. One night we had dinner at the slightly fancier Lake Placid Club Boathouse. I had some reservations about this, because my kids are not great eaters under ideal circumstances, and sometimes behave like wild animals when let loose on a restaurant. But we had an early dinner (5:30 reservations) and the restaurant was practically empty (probably a little too early for those doing a full day at Whiteface). The staff was friendly and accommodating, and the food was great. My 5-year-old told me that the next time we go there, I should have the noodles with butter, because it was delicious…must be a house specialty!

Winter rates at the Crowne Plaza range from about $125/night midweek or $200/night weekend for a standard hotel room with two queen beds, to $350-$400/night for a suite like the one we had. They also offer “Ski and Stay Getaway” packages, which include breakfast and a lift ticket to Whiteface. These packages cost $119/person, /night midweek, or $169/person, /night weekends. The midweek package has the option of booking a third night and third day of skiing for free. Considering that an all-day adult lift ticket at Whiteface is $85/day, this is a pretty good deal!

Date last visited:

February 17–20, 2014

Distance from the interstate:

Lake Placid is pretty remote, and is not really on the way to anything, but it’s still worth a visit! It’s about a 2 or 2 ¼ hour drive from Albany, about 30 miles off Interstate 87.

Directions / Contact:

The Crowne Plaza Lake Placid is located at 101 Olympic Drive in Lake Placid, NY 12946. Call or email them at 1-877-570-5891 or [email protected].

As I disclose whenever applicable, my family and I stayed at Crowne Plaza as guests of the resort, for the purpose of review. Kids are the best critics, so you can be sure your little ones will enjoy Crowne Plaza as well!

Top reasons why Breckenridge is a perfect family ski vacation

September 22, 2014 By Sharlene Earnshaw

Pit Stops for Kids is happy to take part in the third annual Back to Ski Week, which includes tips on planning a family ski vacation as well as chances to win prizes. To learn more visit the Back to Ski site and sign up for the newsletter, follow @back2ski on Twitter, or like it on Facebook.

Today we hear from inveterate outdoorswoman and lover of the Rockies Amber Johnson of The Mile High Mama about why a visit to Breckenridge, Colorado is perfect for families interested in fun on the slopes. We were compensated for writing this post; all opinions are the author’s.

From our perch atop Breckenridge Ski Resort’s Peak 6, our senses were in overdrive—first, the sound of silence, followed by the wind clinking through patches of hoarfrost crystals. My husband and I eased off the chairlift as our ski tips sliced through our powder playground, tracing hourglasses down the mountain.

Coloradoans are spoiled with 25 ski resorts but if you’re looking for the perfect winter vacation, look no further than Breckenridge. This authentic mining town 1.5 hours from Denver has it all: a world-class ski resort, the Blue River (a tributary of the raging Colorado River), an idyllic Main Street, gourmet dining, and glittering boutiques. It is also part of an 80-mile network of paved, motorized bike paths that connect other Summit County resorts like Dillon, Keystone, Copper Mountain, and Vail.

Here are just a few more reasons why this upscale yet laid-back resort is one of the best for families.

Ski Bums:

Breckenridge Ski Area sprawls across the southern sector of Summit County’s Tenmile Range and is consistently ranked as one of the most visited ski areas in the country. But with an impressive 2,908 acres and 34 lifts, the crowds dissipate the higher you go as you carve out your own private Colorado.

After dropping our kids off at ski school, my husband and I did the “freedom” shout and warmed up on groomer Duke’s Run before heading over to Peak 6. As Breck’s new 543-acre addition, it features high-alpine, intermediate bowl skiing (a true rarity).

Peak 6 lives up to its hype so long as you are attempting this timberline-topping terrain on a bluebird day. If there is any trace of wind or snow, you’ll feel like you are trapped inside a snow globe. Fortunately with a resort this size, there are plenty of other areas to take cover or fly high, including four award-winning terrain parks and a 22-foot superpipe.

At the end of an exhausting day, we picked the kids up from ski school and were later able to track their progress via the EpicMix app’s newest feature, EpicMix Academy. Though the wind kept us from the Golden Runner Alpine Coaster, the kids are already begging to take us back to their favorite haunts that included Trygve’s small terrain park with moderate jumps and boxes.

Tip: There’s no parking at the base so park for free in the Gondola parking lots in town and take the BreckConnection Gondola to the base of Peak 8. A complimentary shuttle also runs throughout town and delivered us right in front of Pine Ridge Condos where we proceeded to soak in the hot tub and then burrow up to a fire and a movie while a storm raged outside. That, my friends, is what a ski vacation is all about.

Good Times Dog Sledding:

TripAdvisor ranks dog sledding as the No. 1 activity in Breckenridge so you’d better believe it is epic. Good Times Adventures is the only snowmobile and dog sledding tour operator in Summit County and offers a 6-mile tour that is perfect for families (adults are $75; children ages 4-8 are $40).

We became acquainted with our team of Siberian Huskies and learned how they are attached to the sled with a series of lines called rigging that includes the tow line (or gang line), tug lines and neck lines. Each sled had a basket where gear or a passenger was carried and were outfitted with a braking device.

Good Times offers various levels of dog sledding and we chose the tamer “Disney” experience. I was thrilled when our guide announced the kids would get to drive the team during our slow and steady uphill climbs (many dog sledding operators only let their clients sit in the basket). They were in their element; rosy-cheeked, their “MUSH” commands echoing through the trees as the pitter-patter of husky paws on snow distilled Colorado’s Swan River Valley to its purest incarnation.

After my son’s turn, he moved to the basket while I drove him for the first time. Notoriously cautious when faced with new challenges, he lectured me, “Now, Mom. Lean into your turns and remember…have a good time!”

With Good Times Adventures, it’s tough to do otherwise.

More Breck fun:

Cross-country skiing. Breckenridge may be known for its ample snow and giant halfpipes, but the resort also has more than 30 miles of cross-country trails, plus an additional 25 trails in the surrounding White River National Forest.

Skating. Children of all ages love the Stephen C. West Ice Arena, which offers both an indoor and outdoor ice rink. Located on Boreas Pass Road, it is open for public skating seven days a week.

Sledding. Grab your tube and join the locals over at Carter Park, one of the few places to sled in town. The hill is located at the south end of High Street and adjacent to Breckenridge Elementary School.

Main Street. This charming Historic District is dotted with boutiques, eateries and galleries. My kids are huge fans of the unique Peak a Boo Toys (and the big indoor play area is a bonus on cold days). The town’s Arts District recently showcased seven new buildings and will offer expanded workshops for travelers, especially kids. If you stop at the Welcome Center, head upstairs for some cool old ski exhibits and a great view of the slopes. Also check-out the Mountain Top Children’s Museum, which is perfect for younger kids with out-of-the-box, imaginative exhibits.

Events. Breckenridge has an awesome line-up of events but our favorites include Ullr Fest (In 2015 from January 11-17), where the community plays tribute to the Norse God of Snow. Also in January, the International Snow Sculpture Championships hosts snow artists from across the globe transform 20-ton blocks of snow into an outdoor art gallery.

Want help planning your Breckenridge trip? Be sure to visit the GoBreck website.

Summer in the Berkshires: Jiminy Peak summer activities

August 4, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

We love summer fun at ski resorts! In the Berkshires of Massachusetts, we’ve reviewed the summer activities at Bousquet, and now, can review in detail all that’s on offer in summer at Jiminy Peak.

Located in the heart of the Berkshires, Jiminy Peak is a well-known ski resort. In summer, it’s transformed into a full-scale outdoor playground, with mountain biking trails, hiking, and an array of kid-friendly only-in-summer activities. Jiminy Peak’s Mountain Adventure Park includes:

a mountain coaster
an alpine slide
the Soarin’ Eagle ‘roller coaster’
a giant swing
bouncy houses
a climbing wall
a bungee trampoline
a kids’ climb

Most of the above activities have a height restriction of 38″, which means that most three-year-olds are old enough to enjoy most of it. The exceptions are the Soarin’ Eagle (42″) and the giant swing (48″).

In addition to all this, Jiminy Peak also sports an entire additional complex of high ropes courses (no fewer than seven!) and zip lines. This Aerial Adventure Park is geared toward the older set, with courses ranging from ‘green’ to ‘black’ and various height and age requirements. A height of 48″ is required to get you in the door (so to speak). All participants start with the easier level courses, and move up. A height restriction of 5′ is required for the black course (because kids have to reach the cables). There’s also an age restriction of six years old at the lower level and 16+ for the black course, but we found the ages to be suggestions…it’s the height that matters.

We spent the day at Jiminy Peak with kids ranging in age from 3-12. We got our three-year-old and five-year-old passes to the Mountain Adventure Park and our 12-year-old a pass to the Aerial Park. Our nine-year-old opted for the full pass to both, so he could split his time between attractions. The Aerial Park pass give you access to all the courses you’re allowed to try, and the Adventure Park pass gives you access to all the rides listed above, plus scenic chair lift rides and hiking trails. The Aerial pass is good for two hours, but as far as we could tell, the Adventure pass was good all day. You’ll want to spend at least two-three hours.

We loved that both parks were adjacent to one another, so the kids could spend time watching each other and cheering each other on. The grandparents or parents can walk from park to park easily. We found all the attendants to be courteous, professional, and safe. As my sister put it, “visiting Jiminy Peak in summer is like going to the carnival…only classy, and in a beautiful setting.”

We didn’t eat on site, but did notice a quick-service snack bar open with the regular fare of hot dogs, ice cream, and the like. Other than the ticketing booth and lodging options, we didn’t notice much else open that the resort, but we did visit in early summer.

Date last visited:

June 2014

Admission:

Passes range from $43 to $65 for All Parks passes, and $29-$49 for Aerial Park passes or Adventure Park passes. Single tickets are also available for $6 each. Check current pricing here.

Hours:

Check summer hours.

Directions:

Jiminy Peak is located at 37 Corey Road, Hancock, MA.

Hoodoo Ski Area: family skiing in the NW

March 10, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

The motto of Central Oregon’s Hoodoo Ski Area is ‘steeper, deeper, cheaper’. After spending a full day on the mountain, we concur. Located in the Willamette National Forest about 12 miles from Sisters, Oregon, Hoodoo is only an hour from much larger (and more costly) Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort, and even in a drought year, enjoyed over 160 cm of powder the March day we visited. As for ‘steeper’, Hoodoo certainly has its challenging runs, but for us, the challenge came from the thick powder and terrain more than from sheer vertical angle. For the steepest skiing in the Northwest, we suggest Mt. Ashland Ski Area in Southern Oregon.

We visited Hoodoo on their annual Winter Carnival day, which includes wildly fun extras in the already low lift ticket price: a ‘dummy derby’ of creatively decorated sleds sent down the slope, a bonfire, games such as archery and axe throwing (yes, we competed), a pie-eating contest, and fireworks. The community spirit at this family-owned ski resort was high, but we noticed details that suggested Hoodoo is always a friendly, community-driven resort, not just during their carnival. For instance, families are encouraged to bring in outside food to most sections of the spacious lodge, creating an almost pot-luck atmosphere during meal times. Many even brought crock pots and plugged them in at the tables: a practice we’re used to coming from a small ski resort ourselves, but which is literally unheard of at large resorts. We observed many skiers and snowboarders going out of their way to assist children carrying gear, and every staff member was cheerful, friendly, and helpful.

Hoodoo offers five lifts, and no, none of them include high tech windbreak bubbles or seat warmers. This is old-school skiing, but after spending roughly half the price on lift tickets as you might at mega resorts, you won’t mind the scenic route up the mountain. Beginner terrain is accessed from Manzanita Chair and Easy Rider (a separate ticket price allows beginners to access Easy Rider all day for a discount), and intermediate skiers will find the most options off Ed Chair and Hodag Chair. The Big Green Machine takes you to the top, where a ridge and face await. We felt the black diamond runs had earned their designation, especially on a day like we had, which included heavy, choppy snow. There is a small terrain park off Manzanita Chair, but the bigger thrills for our tween and teen boys awaited them in the trees: Hoodoo offers excellent tree and glade skiing, especially around mid-mountain off Big Green Machine (there’s even an option to off-load at the half-way point of this chair).

Hoodoo offers a day care center on-site (a surprise for a small resort), dining services, and full lesson packages and rentals. The lodge is open, bright, and larger than we expected. Remember that homegrown, community feel I spoke of? It’s alive and well in other ways too: throughout the lodge, air hockey and pool tables are on offer, and there’s a fun little arcade for kids. Our boys had a blast playing games in the area adjacent to the bar while we relaxed.

It’s impossible not to notice Hoodoo’s signature rental item: the snow bikes. These skis on bike frames can be rented on-site for $30-$50, and include a 30-minute lesson to get the basics of the particular bike. If you’re brand new to snow biking, a ‘license’ is required, making the lesson and rental package $40 instead of $30. Next time we visit Hoodoo, we’ll be trying it out! Hoodoo also offers their Autobahn tubing park and miles of nordic trails. Trail tickets are $14 for adults, but on most Tuesdays and Thursdays (their non-grooming days) the trails are free.

Tips for visiting smaller Oregon ski resorts: As an Oregon resident and frequent visitor of smaller and family-owned ski resorts, I recommend keeping the following in mind:

Be sure to obtain and display an Oregon snow parks parking permit in your vehicle. Permits are only a few bucks for a single day pass, or around $20 for the season. Pick them up in the lodge, or at your accommodations.
Bring quarters for the arcade games and pool tables!
If you bring your own lunch, store it to the side of lodge areas permitting gear. Keep tables clear for others while you’re skiing. Be sure to ask whether the ski area charges a small fee for extras such as empty cups, bowls, or utensils you may need.
Keep your outerwear weatherproofed. Small ski resort chair lifts can be wet, snowy, and chilly on the bum!

Date last visited:

March 1, 2014

Distance from the interstate:

Hoodoo is located on Highway 20, about 30 minutes from Highway 97. It’s an hour and forty-five minutes from I-5 at Salem, OR.

Lift ticket rates:

At the time of our visit, adult all-day tickets sold for $45 and a child ticket was just $31. Kids five and under are always free. Night skiing is offered Friday and Saturday nights.

Lodging:

There isn’t on-site lodging at Hoodoo, but we recommend staying at Black Butte Ranch located 12 miles away near Sisters. Black Butte offers home rentals, recreation centers, dining, and kids’ programming. For a quieter stay, try Lodge at Suttle Lake.

Directions:

From Bend OR, take Highway 20 through Sisters and up the pass to Hoodoo Ski Area. From Salem Or, take Highway 20 from the opposite direction. Hoodoo is very easy to access!

As I disclose whenever applicable, we experienced Hoodoo Ski Area as guests of the resort, for the purpose of review. While we appreciate Hoodoo’s hospitality, all opinions are our own.

Mammoth Mountain lodging option: Mammoth Mountain Inn

February 24, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Mammoth Mountain Resort’s Mammoth Mountain Inn isn’t the flashiest lodging in the Mammoth area. Nor is it the newest. But for families needing all the basic ski lodging amenities—hot tubs, game rooms, restaurants, and ski rentals and valets—it has it all, and in the most prime location on the hill.

Located directly across the parking lot from the Main Lodge and Panorama Gondola (and Broadway chair), the Mammoth Mountain Inn is friendly and inviting with a wonderful, cozy lobby with grand fireplace, full valet service, and relaxed vibe. The inn is ‘retro’ in appearance (remember A-frame entrances and wooden, connected exterior decks?) without being at all run-down. In fact, it’s spotless, and much more comfortable than other older hotels I’ve visited. Families can easily walk to the lifts and to Main Lodge.

The inn is comprised of a main building with rooms with slope views, and a secondary building of multi-room suites. You lack the views (for the most part) in the second building, but are closer to the pool and hot tubs (more on that below).

Amenities:

Next to location, the most important aspect of any ski lodging is the amenities offered. At Mammoth Mountain Inn, families are on the full village and airport shuttle service route (a big savings in transportation and parking costs), and a full ski valet and ski rental service is located in the lobby. An impressively large game room for the kids includes multiple screens and game consoles (though little else…we wished they had a ping pong table), and there’s a decently-sized exercise room.

Outside the main building in the secondary building are the hot tubs and pools. Finding them can be tricky for a first-timer: from the first floor of the main building, exit and head down the stairs to the parking lot. Cross the parking lot and take the exterior stairs of the secondary building. You’ll be in the first floor hallway. Head up the interior stairs to the second floor, and follow signs to the exterior pool and hot tub and interior hot tubs. Sounds confusing (and it is) but once you have it down, it’s only a two-minute walk from the main building. The pool area includes a small heated pool, hot tub, and three interior hot tubs, plus towels and changing rooms.

Rooms:

I stayed in a standard hotel room in the main building which included the basics and not much more (standard rooms for a family of four are $199 in regular season). You get internet, coffee service, a bathroom with tub and shower, and separate vanity area. The best thing about my standard room was the view of the ski slopes, with sliding glass door to the connected deck with chairs (no deck walls between rooms). The view was fantastic, and fun to get up in the morning and check out the conditions from the room! The only standard item missing from my room: a mini fridge, which I consider very useful for families. If you want more space, the inn offers one or two bedroom condos, some with upstairs lofts, ranging from $299 (sleeping four) to $449 (sleeping six) and $629 (sleeping 11).

Dining:

Directly inside Mammoth Mountain Lodge is Mountainside Grille and Dry Creek Bar. The bar is a great place to head while the kids are in the game room pre-dinner; the ambiance is lovely, and the bartenders are friendly and knowledgeable. Mountainside Grille is a bit pricy for most family meals, but they do offer full room service as well, which can be convenient.

On the main floor is Sierra General Store, which is a lofty name for a very small store will convenience foods, snacks, and coffee service and danishes. Don’t get me wrong: the fare here is good and prices are reasonable, but the word ‘store’ is misleading. If you’re in a condo, stock up on groceries pre-arrival.

Next door to the inn is the Yodler, a popular watering hole for apres ski among die-hard skiers and a great option for more affordable pub-fare for families. Within easy walking distance of the inn, the Yodler is friendly and lively.

Directions:

The Mammoth Mountain Inn is located at the base of Mammoth Mountain directly across from Main Lodge. From Highway 203, continue straight through Main Street and turn right on Minaret Road and follow for approximately four miles. Address: 1 Minaret Road, Mammoth Lakes.

Disclosure: I stayed at Mammoth Mountain Inn as a guest of Mammoth Mountain resort. All opinions are my 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.

June Mountain skiing for families: the best kept secret of the Sierras

February 17, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Skiing families have heard of Mammoth Mountain, one of the largest ski resorts in the western US. But are your familiar with Mammoth’s little sister, June? June Mountain Ski Area is located less than 20 minutes from Mammoth, tucked into a blissfully serene corner of the Eastern Sierras adjacent to pretty June Lake. Arrive at June—which cozies up to the boundary of Yosemite National Park—and you’d swear you’re a world away from busy, often crowded Mammoth.

June Mountain closed its doors for the 2012-2013 season, much to the dismay of the local community and its loyal patrons, and re-opened this season (2013-2014) with new energy, new ideas, and a new focus: families.

June Mountain skiing for families:

The potential as a family-focused ski area has been present in June’s foundation all along: arriving at June, families find just one parking lot (as opposed to half a dozen), one chair over the face of the mountain to the main lodge, and plenty of greeters to help with all that ski equipment. The ‘Chalet’ lodge is beautiful, peaceful, and offers breathtaking views of the Sierras, and provides families with all they need (and not more): dining services, lockers, rentals, and a roaring fireplace.

The terrain at June is 45% intermediate and 35% beginner, making it an ideal place to focus on making those first turns without crowds or distractions, but the 20% of advanced terrain is nothing to scoff at: I practically drooled looking at the black diamond chutes at June, and the ski area is known for its excellent backcountry. In this manner, June offers skiers and snowboarders two extremes: intense off-trail glade and tree skiing and easy groomers. Note: the only less-than-young-kid-friendly aspect of June Mountain is the initial J1 chair, required to access the lodge and ski terrain. This double chair rises up and over the June face, and can be more difficult to load than most chairs (due to the bar in the center). Families with backpacks or other gear and young kids will want to ask the lifties to slow the chair until they’re well-versed, and you’ll want to use the safety bar on the ascent. This chair can be downloaded as well, for families not wishing to ski to the bottom at the end of the day.

Families’ ski vacation dollars will stretch much farther at June than Mammoth. Lessons are roughly half the cost, and kids 12 and under ski free at June any and every day of the year. No blackout dates. No restrictions. What this means to me: I can afford to pay for multiple-day lessons for my school-aged kids!

Youth (ages 13-17) pay just $48 for a regular one-day lift ticket, and adults $72, but if you’ll be there more than four days in a season, June season passes offer even steeper savings. With 1,400 skiable acres, June is far more manageable for families; parents can allow kids free reign to explore, and with only one lodge, there’s no fear of school-aged kids getting lost on the hill. You get seven lifts and 35 named trails, with plenty more in the trees.

The nature nut in me loves that fact that June appreciates its location on National Forest Service land and incorporates nature walks and interpretive programs into its kids’ programming. Expect to see scheduled nature walks during the day, and check out signage pointing out animal tracks to be observed in the snow. Pretty different from your average ski resort, right?

Still not sure? If you’re skiing at Mammoth Mountain, you can try June risk-free: your Mammoth lift ticket is good here. Our recommendation: start at June for lessons for the kids (or yourself) and work your way up to Mammoth. We’re fans of both mountains, but our ultimate goal at Pit Stops for Kids is to help families make the most of their vacations and spend their ski trip budget wisely. Try June and see the value of a relaxed, friendly, low-key ski community!

Lodging:

There are several options in June Lake, just minutes from the ski area. However, if you’re staying at Mammoth, rest assured: you’re only 20 minutes away.

Dining:

You’ll find good ski hill fare at the Chalet lodge at June, but this resort is ‘sack lunch friendly’ as well. In the town of June Lake, apres or dinner options can be found along the main drag from the ski area.

Directions:

June Mountain, Ca. is located about 20 miles north of Mammoth Lakes in June Lake. From US 395, take Hwy. 158 west at the June Lake Loop. Drive approx. 4 miles to the ski area.