family ski trip - Pitstops for Kids

Ski travel hack: How to afford skiing as a family

November 30, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

If you read this travel website regularly, you know we’re a big ski family. I grew up skiing and wanted to make sure my kids grew up skiing, too. We’ve made ski vacations a priority, but it hasn’t been easy. Skiing is expensive, and getting more so every year.

How to afford skiing as a family:

In early January, my family and I enjoyed a perfect ski weekend at Mt. Bachelor Ski Area, one of our all-time favorite mountains. Mt. Bachelor, located in Central Oregon, is within driving distance for us, but lodging in and around Bend isn’t cheap, and lift tickets at Mt. Bachelor are on par with most resorts (though cheaper than some), listed at nearly $100 per day for adults, $78 for teens, and $54 for kids. Lunch on the mountain for our family of five with teens is at least $60 per day (and that’s with our ski lunch hacks…below!), and then there’s additional food expenses and gas. If we needed rentals or lessons, we’d nearly double our cost.

However, we skied at the resort with multi-mountain pass. Therefore, what could have been a very expensive weekend for us was affordable. We could have also saved money by planning ahead, utilizing early season deals or lodging partnerships, or by purchasing season passes. Here’s how to go about saving money on a ski trip:

Get a pass!

In our opinion, the number one way to afford skiing as a family is to purchase season passes. The type of pass to get depends on the type of ski vacation you plan to enjoy. If you want to take multiple trips to resorts across the US and Canada, and plan to spend just a few days at each, your best option is a multi-resort pass, such as The Mountain Collective, Epic, or Ikon pass. You’ll enjoy access to as many as 40+ mountains with one pass!

If you plan to enjoy one long ski vacation at one location (for example, Vail Colorado at spring break), opt for the season pass for the specific resort you need. In almost all cases, a season pass will be cheaper than multiple-day lift tickets (though always do the math, of course). Buying season passes also include other perks, such as discounts at other resorts, discounts on dining and merchandise, and sometimes discounts on ski tuning or lessons.

Look for early season deals.

Planning ahead will save you money on your ski season. Start looking for deals as early as September (yes, it will be a gamble, deciding so early where the snow will fall, but worth it in savings). Look for lodging deals in late November and early December, before the holidays, and book before the snow flies.

Buy your lift tickets online before your trip.

If your trip is only a few days in length (and therefore, buying season passes aren’t a savings), be sure to buy your lift tickets online, ahead of time. Almost all resorts offer discounts for purchasing beforehand instead of at the ticket window, and it helps with your trip budgeting too, to have some of your trip cost spread out.

Join a local ski club or ski team.

If you’re lucky enough to live near a ski resort, even a small one, as we do, sign your kids up for their local ski team. Not only will your children become expert skiers and snowboarders, but these programs, though costly, can take the place of more expensive destination ski trips. Your family will be on the snow every weekend!

Participate in ski after-school programs or kids ski free promotions.

Look for kids ski free promotions, which are run by specific resorts as well as by state ski programs, such as the 5th and 6th grade passport offered by Ski Utah. Find out if lodging on-site will grant you free lift tickets for the kids, then do the math to see if the savings are there. Even if you only break even, staying close to the lifts will save your sanity, as well. Many schools in mountain areas offer after-school ski programs that are a huge savings to parent as well.

Once on the mountain, save a bit more by:

carrying bottled water for everyone in the family in a ski backpack
buying treats such as candy bars ahead of time to avoid buying dessert (or drinks) at lunch
staying in a condo or rental with laundry facilities and kitchens for making your own meals
taking a ski shuttle from the airport instead of renting a 4×4 car
bringing gear from home (or renting from home) if driving to your resort

Do you have money saving tips for ski trips? Share them!

What to do now to prepare for ski season

November 15, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

This ski season will look different, but now is still the time to prepare for a safe ski vacation! Learn how this ski season will be different.

For us, ski season starts long before the first flakes fall from the sky. Admittedly, we’re crazy for the sport, but all families serious about learning to ski or taking ski vacations should be ‘thinking snow’ by November. Here’s what you need to do NOW, before the lifts start turning.

Buy your season passes:

If you didn’t buy your season passes last spring (the absolute best deals are in April), there’s still time to get a good deal. Check out the offerings from the Mountain Collective or Vail Resorts if you want versatility, or go straight to the source, checking the website of your local or favorite mountain.

Sign up for ski programs:

Lessons are expensive, we know. But deals can be had when parents sign kids up for season-long programs or kids ski free initiatives. Learn how to find nearby ski programs in this article, or check with your local resort to see what programs they offer for kids skiing all season long. Many offer kids-ski-free programs for grade schoolers, or after-school programs that include rentals and transportation. Hint: look into local race clubs. They teach high level skiing whether kids go on to advanced racing or not. Many also have freestyle and snowboarding clubs. This is how my kids learned to ski to the expert level.

Check sizes of items:

Autumn is the time of year to dig out all the ski gear and clothing, and make your kids sweat while they try on jackets, powder pants, and base layers to see what still fits. With three boys, we pass down ski clothing every year, and this step is quite the production! Be sure to try on ski boots for sizing (and don’t give into the temptation to put kids in boots that are too big, for ‘growth’…it’s just not safe). Standard snow skis should come to kids’ chin when standing beside them, and boots should be snug (see above). Don’t forget about helmets…ski helmets for kids are essential and they grow out of these as well.

Head to ski swaps:

Now that you know what size everyone is, head to local ski swaps. We have three in our area, all of which take place at the end of October and beginning of November. This is a great opportunity to find ski hand-me-downs or last year’s gear at a discounted price. Hint: it doesn’t hurt to swing by your local ski gear speciality shop before the event. They’re likely getting gear ready to take to the swap, and will happily sell it to you directly instead, allowing you a ‘sneak peek’ at the offerings. We got a great deal on boots last year this way.

Consider buying last year’s demos:

This is our absolute favorite way to acquire skis and snowboards. We’ve bought two used pairs of skis from powder7.com, an online store that sells the demo skis used at resorts the previous year. Families can find skis that are top-of-the-line (last year) for a fraction of the price. They are used, but there’s a handy rating system for determining just how used (some more than others). In our experience, skis have a few nicks and scratches on the top surface, but the bases are pristine (and newly waxed and tuned).

Tune and wax:

Have a tuning and waxing party at your house, or dedicate one evening to the project as a family. We set up shop in our garage each year. If you don’t know how to tune and wax your skis and boards but want to learn (it’s a big money saver), check out this post I wrote on Fix. Otherwise, take your gear to your local ski shop for a tuning.

Plan your winter ‘destination’ ski trip:

Yes, it’s already time to plan a trip! If you intend to take a big ski trip this season to a major resort, you can get great deals by booking before the holidays. These deals primarily focus on lodging savings, which is a huge part of any ski trip budget. In the US and Canada, start your search right here, in our ski resort archives. If you’re in the UK or Europe, start at FamilyTraveller, which has a great listing of family-friendly resorts. Grab airfare now, too, if you’ll need it!

What you need to do NOW to get ready for ski season

Deer Valley on a budget: How to plan a skiing trip

November 8, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

During my visit to Deer Valley last ski season, I repeatedly heard two things: it’s so expensive, and the dining scene is amazing. After spending two nights and three days at Deer Valley, Utah, I can tell you one of these things is true.

Deer Valley has an amazing culinary scene that you will want to indulge in. However, this resort is not the most expensive in Utah. In fact, lift ticket rates at Deer Valley are right in the average range for the area. Deer Valley fans know this is only one of the many misconceptions out there about this resort. In addition to hearing that it’s unaffordable, I’ve heard it ‘only has easy groomers’, is posh to the point of snobbishness, and that it’s a playground for the rich and famous. While it certainly boosts some A-list names among its home owners, the rest simply is simply false.

Deer Valley on a budget: Yes, it CAN be affordable!

First off, we simply have to accept the fact that most skiing in major resort in the US is expensive. In fact, it’s downright out-of-hand in many parts of Colorado, Utah, and California. The Park City area is no exception; however, you’ll do more damage to your wallet at Park City Mountain Resort now that Park City and Canyons have merged ($122/day for adults). When I skied recently in Colorado, lift ticket prices were upwards of $140. A Deer Valley one day adult lift ticket is $120, which makes it just below industry standard for resorts of its size. Not cheap, but certainly not the ‘splurge’ people think it is.

Buy lift tickets in advance:

Of course, you won’t want to pay day-of lift ticket prices. Make your Deer Valley trip more affordable by buying lift tickets online before your trip. Don’t overlook the season pass section: depending on how many days you plan to ski, buying a season pass can be a better deal (look for sales in October and November…in other words, right now!).

Stay in a condo:

Next, make your trip affordable by staying in a condo or house, splitting the cost with another family or two. Many people consider Deer Valley unaffordable because they’re thinking of all the amazing four and five star resorts situated around it. While its true that you can spend thousands a night at the St. Regis, Stein Ericsen, Montage, and more, less ritzy lodging is available. With the money you save, you can splurge on dining out (more on that below).

During our stay, we were in a condo in the Snow Park base area. We were minutes from downtown Park City and minutes from the lifts. Included in our condo stay was a complimentary shuttle in either direction, plus internet access, a full kitchen, multiple bathrooms and bedrooms (so crucial when sharing with other families), a washer and dryer, and lots of space to spread out. We sacrificed ski-in, ski-out access for price.

Enjoy some meals out:

When skiing Deer Valley, you cannot miss noticing the amazing culinary scene. Everything from breakfast at the base to on-mountain dining and evening apres ski is amazing, and if you deny yourself all of it, you’ll miss a key part of the Deer Valley experience. With your condo, you can decide which meals to eat in-home, and select a few nights to treat yourself. Here’s where to go:

Fireside Dining: Holy. Moly. Fireside Dining is an experience NOT to miss. It’s offered Wednesday through Saturday, and features four courses served from stone fireplaces, European Alps-style. Diners visit each ‘fireplace station’ at will, in buffet style. Start with the raclette (melted cheese with toppings), then move on to soups, stews, grilled vegetables, leg of lamb, and dessert fondue. It will feel overwhelming, but your waiter will walk you through it. We were told to remember to eat in order of ‘cheese, stew, lamb, fondue’. In truth, you can do it any way you’d like! Be sure to stop mid-way through your meal for a sleigh ride, offered right out front. The servers will hold your table for you, and the break will be welcome. Rides are only $20 per family. Even your meal is affordable, considering the uniqueness and quality: adults pay around $60, kids $30. Alcohol is not included in the price, but you can even bring your own without a corkage fee.

Seafood Buffet: I’m told many diners choose between Fireside Dining and Seafood Buffet when they visit Deer Valley. I’d be hard pressed to choose which! As the simple restaurant name suggests, Seafood Buffet is just that. Thanks to the hub airport at SLC, Deer Valley gets the same fresh seafood as LA or New York, at the same time, if not earlier. It’s offered Thursday through Sunday, and includes a Poke bar, raw bar, rotating selection of grilled and baked fish, prime rib, shellfish, and wonderful desserts. Adults are $68, kids are $34. It’s worth it.

Royal Street Cafe: This restaurant on the snow at the mid-mountain Silver Lake area offers sit-down, serviced dining mid-day. Don’t think of it as a splurge: the prices are only a fraction higher than they’d be at the buffet nearby, and you can actually sit down and put your feet (or boots) up. I had an amazing burger, and others ordered fish tacos, an ahi tuna tower, and Asian salad.

Snow Park Restaurant: Snow Park is at the Snow Park base area (and turns into Seafood Buffet at night!). It serves the usual breakfast in the morning, but makes this list due to its wonderful Natural Breakfast Buffet. This buffet area in the center of the room features granola, yogurt, berries, fruit, oatmeal, nuts, and the like. I made my own custom yogurt parfait.

And for those meals you simply must eat in? Don’t miss out on some of Deer Valley’s signature meals, even in your condo. Deer Valley’s famous Southwestern turkey chili can be bought as a mix in almost all Deer Valley gift stores; add your own meat and veggies, and you’ll have a huge vat of this chili for under $8. Additional mixes are available as well! You’ll have a taste of Deer Valley while feeding the whole crew for pennies!

What to expect on the slopes:

Yes, Deer Valley has a lot of green and blue runs. They’re long, impeccably groomed, and oh-so pleasant. While skiing down them, it’s fun to look at the huge ski vacation homes lining them (Deer Valley is surprisingly ‘urban’ in this way). However, expert terrain definitely exists, if you want it. During my visit, I was lucky enough to ski with former 3x Olympian Heidi Voelker, who is now an ambassador at Deer Valley. She showed me amazing bowls and chutes I didn’t know existed, especially off the Empire chair. Deer Valley also boosts a lot of glades that hide stashes of powder after the bowls are skied out.

No matter what type of terrain you like, you’ll notice that at Deer Valley, the runs and chairs are very well spaced and ‘crowd control’ is very well handled. I never found I needed to traverse or ‘hike’, and I never waited in a long line. Part of this is because Deer Valley actually limits ticket sales per day. They base their capacity level on how many chairs they have available on-mountain for lunch. It’s a great system that results in a very peaceful atmosphere, both on the slopes and at lunch.

Tip: Definitely book lift tickets well ahead if you plan to come during holiday periods, so you don’t arrive to find the capacity has been met. In fact, I was told to book lift tickets and ski school at the time I book lodging.

If you like to shop:

You will have ample opportunity! However, if you want to stick to a budget, head into Park City and do your outdoor gear shopping at Cole Sports. This huge retailer of skis, outerwear, boots, shoes, and more has frequent sales, especially in the pre-season and late season. In Deer Valley, many upscale shops exist; if you need to avoid temptation, however, it’s easy, as there’s no central base area shopping here, where everyone converges.

Will your Deer Valley ski vacation be ‘cheap’? Goodness no! But it’s certainly possible to ski here for no more, and perhaps for less, than at other major ski resorts.

Disclosure: I visited Deer Valley as a guest of Ski Utah.

Ways to elevate your ski day: backcountry ski excursions, clinics and more

January 14, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

If you generally ski lift-served terrain (hopefully with your family!) but find yourself routinely wanting to elevate your ski day with a little more adventure, there are some very obtainable and accessible ways to do so! Whether you’ve already skied everything you can in the front-country (on-piste terrain) at your favorite ski resort or simply want to learn more about ways to maximize your ski experience, backcountry ski excursions, clinics and resort programs can get you into the side-country for new challenges.

Sidecountry and Backcountry ski excursions:

If you find yourself looking with longing at Warren Miller (RIP) films or drooling over brochures featuring fresh tracks cutting through powery landscapes, look into backcountry ski excursions. It’s important to start with guided programs, so you can learn what you need to know about avalanche and snow safety (if you get hooked, you’ll need to invest in your own gear and take an avalanche safety course at home).

Start with sidecountry trips, which simply means skiing the off-piste but still ski-patrolled areas of a resort. A few great ways to do this: try a Homewood Snowcat Adventure with the folks at this Tahoe ski resort with a hometown feel, or pay a few bucks to access Keystone Mountain’s cat-accessed terrain.

If you’re visiting a new-to-you resort, see if they have a Hidden Tracks program, like Solitude Mountain Resort’s: this private, guided program grants you access to the best side country and gated terrain the resort has to offer, and you get a lesson in skiing off-piste while you’re at it. Read more about my Hidden Tracks experience.

If you feel ready for an all-day backcountry adventure, check out Ski Utah’s Interconnect. The backcountry ski excursions the Interconnect offers are quite truly amazing. While you need to be an advanced skier to participate, you don’t have to be experienced in the backcountry. The trained guides will carry all the avi gear you need and will provide the expertise.

Depending on the excursion you choose, you ski up to six Utah ski resorts in one day, connecting them via backcountry. Along the way, you’ll ski side and backcountry, boot pack a few times, and side slip (side step on your skis) at a few key points, too. While challenging physically, the Interconnect offers some of the back fresh powder in the Wasatach, takes you to points you might have only seen on postcards, and will get you hooked on skiing off the beaten path. A day with the Interconnect folks includes lunch and access to all the resorts you’ll be passing through.

Know before you book: As noted, you’ll need to be an advanced skier. Because several of the resorts on the tour do not permit snowboards, it’s a skier-only excursion. While it’s important to be able to ski a variety of terrain, it’s equally important to be fit enough to hike through snow (carrying your skis) and side slip. It also helps to not fear moderate heights. You’ll need to bring a small backpack (a hydration pack size is perfect) to stow extra gloves, a face mask, some snacks, and water.

In California, try at backcountry experience with Alpenglow Expeditions. Alpenglow operates out of Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows and tours in the backcountry past Granite Chief lift to access out-of-boundary terrain via boot packing and skinning. Alpenglow will outfit you in AT (Alpine Touring) skis, boots, skins and backpack with avi gear if you need it. Tours are all day, and can include up to 2-3 laps of National Geographic Bowl.

Read more about my experiences with both Ski Utah Interconnect and Alpenglow Expeditions here.

Ongoing ski clinics ski camps:

If you’re lucky enough to live near a ski resort, consider signing yourself up for an ongoing adult ski clinic. You probably already have the kids in ski lessons, too! Ski clinics are often gender-specific (nice for women who want to learn without pressure from their husbands and vice versa) and the regular nature of them means you can improve over the season. Look for a clinic that utilizes the same instructor for the entire session for consistency of instruction, and it helps to have a later start time (like 9:30 or 10 am) so you have time to drop off kids at their own lessons (or at school) beforehand. Look for clinic options under ‘specialty lessons’ on most resort websites. Solitude’s Women on Wednesdays are an excellent example.

Ski camps are a great way to feel like a kid again while enjoying some adult time and improving your ski ability by leaps and bounds. Alta Lodge’s women’s camps are a great example: bunk with a ski buddy, enjoy meals at the lodge and nice long ski days filled with instruction, then relax each evening in the hot tub and at the bar with new friends. Yes, please!

If you can’t quite carve out a whole week, Northstar California plays host to Her Mountain retreats, a two-day event held several times per ski season (then again several times per summer for mountain bike enthusiasts). During Her Mountain, women receive two days of specialized lessons by a female instructor, guided yoga, apres-ski events, and even the Platinum tōst experience on the mountain. This experience is an elevated version of the 2 pm tōst (where every Northstar guest can enjoy complimentary champagne or sparkling cider). Platinum Tōst is at 1 pm and includes a dedicated seating area with fire pit, a s’mores kit, a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, and a picnic of charcuterie that is hearty enough to be a full lunch. Her Mountain doesn’t include lodging, so you can pick your level of luxury to economic accommodations.

First Tracks programs:

Ditch the family sleeping soundly at the ski condo and head out for first tracks! These programs are offered at many resorts and allow you to hop on the first chair at 8:15 am instead of 9 am. Often, First Tracks is free to guests staying at certain resort properties or come with a low cost. The key is to sign up early, because there are only a few spots each day offered. You’ll get to track up that perfect corduroy first, and enjoy a nice breakfast afterward.

How do you like to elevate your ski day experience?

Guide to skiing Breckenridge with teens (by teens)

January 20, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

Breckenridge Mountain is a huge ski resort with something for absolutely every type of skier and rider. On our latest trip, we went with our teens and pre-teen, who are all expert skiers and riders. I thought I’d let them tell readers their favorite places on the mountain from their perspective. If you have older kids and teens who like steeps and deeps, this is the post to read!

Note to parents with beginning skiers and riders: Breckenridge’s ski school is among the best we’ve seen, and entire sections of the resort are devoted to green and blue (beginner and intermediate) runs. While this is not the ‘Breck’ we’re covering in this post, learners will be right at home!

Guide to skiing Breckenridge, according to kids who like moguls, trees, and bowls:

The bowls above the tree line are amazing, but only if conditions are right. On windy days or when they’re not open, due to avalanche control, head into the trees! Our favorite tree skiing at Breck is probably the Windows off Peak 9. From the Mercury SuperChair or the E Chair, take the trail to Window 1 and 2, and ski through trees into our favorite place in all of Breck: the ravine bordering a creek! There are winding trails, jumps, and bumps here and it goes on for ages!

There is a lot of out-of-boundary terrain at Breck, and there are gates to access these areas in designated spots. Don’t duck the rope! At the top of Peak 9, there’s a gate where you can hike for about 20 minutes to access some fun stuff, but remember: you have to have a pack, beacon, and shovel with you (and a friend). Our parents’ rule is that we have to take an avalanche safety course before they’ll buy us beacons, so we had to skip this spot.

But: if you still want to hike to great terrain, there are places to do this without leaving the resort boundary. If Imperial chair is not running, we like to hike from Peak 9 at the top of E Chair to the Back 9. The hike is long and hard (about 20 minutes, but it feels longer and you’ll get sweaty) but then you get to ski down your choice of double blacks that haven’t been skied out. After the open bowls, you’ll end up in the same creek run from above.

For lots of steep, mogul runs, head to Peak 10. This was our mom’s favorite peak. Go left at the top of Falcon SuperChair, and try Black Hawk or Dark Rider (double black diamonds).

Peak 7 is an intermediate hill, but at the top is lots of good stuff you can access if Imperial is open. We also liked 6 Chair, which had more moguls and above-tree stuff, on the side of Peak 8.

There are several terrain parks, but be warned: the large and medium ones are HUGE! We like terrain parks but had to stay on the small one…which was like our medium one at home! You can find the small one on Peak 9, called the Highway.

If you like bowls with plenty of spots to find trees to run through, get yourself to the T Bar. Riding the T Bar can be tricky at first, but just watch the people ahead of you, and don’t forget to stay standing…you don’t sit on the T. It’s harder to ride for snowboarders than skiers. When snowboarding, we place the T closer to our hip than our behinds. Riding the T Bar is entertaining, too, because about 1 in 10 people fall off.

Even if you are a very good skier, Breck’s kid zones are a lot of fun. Look for the small terrain trails throughout the family zones and intermediate runs. We found one with a mock mine tunnel to ski through and one with an ore bucket. It’s just lots of fun.

Disclosure: We skied and rode Breck as guests of the resort, in order to report back on where to go for the best runs. All opinions are our own!

Skiing in Utah: Eagle Point ski vacation planning

January 16, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

When planning a ski vacation in Utah, families are spoiled for choice. There are over a dozen major resorts in the Salt Lake City area alone, and many of them are probably on your radar. We love Salt Lake ski resorts, but before you make the decision to head to one of the big destination resorts of Utah, consider a little gem in the southern end of the state.

What is Eagle Point, where is it, and why should we go there?

Ready to get your Eagle Point ski vacation planning on? Eagle Point is a small, boutique ski resort just outside of Beaver, Utah. It’s about three hours’ drive from Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, depending on which way you’re coming on I-15, followed by a winding, steep access road that you’ll want to ascend in the daylight. I’m using the word ‘boutique’ in the sense that Eagle Point is small, personalized, and niche, not that it’s upscale…because it’s not. In fact, it’s delightfully rustic, with a rough-around-the-edges feel that makes me think of my childhood ski trips.

Why bring your family all the way to Eagle Point? The easy answer would be, price. Families can still ski Eagle Point for under $50 for an adult lift ticket (around $30 for kids), and the resort’s ski-in, ski-out condos are incredibly affordable. You could spend a week at Eagle Point for a fraction of the cost of a week at a larger ski resort. But an affordable price is not the full story.

Eagle Point is a resort that still retains the friendly, everyone-knows-each-other, hey-welcome-back atmosphere that’s been lost in many places. When you arrive at the check in desk at Canyonside Lodge, you might just be checked in by one of the resort’s enthusiastic owners, and the friendly waitress at the bar just might be your ski instructor the next day. The relatively small staff all know each other and seem to interact like family, and the small size of the resort means your kids will feel right at home in no time.

Lodging at Eagle Point:

I stayed at a condo in Wooded Ridge, which is one of the condo development options at Eagle Point. There are a few full houses to rent, but otherwise, Eagle Point is all condos, many of which are ski-in, ski-out, or close to it. A free shuttle goes back and forth between condos and both base areas every 20 minutes.

My condo slept at least five; we had a bedroom downstairs and a loft with bunk beds for three. It also had a full kitchen and living room with dining space, and ample storage space for ski gear. I loved the views of aspen trees from the outdoor balconies, and the fact that the kitchen was fully stocked with spices, cooking oil, all the pots and pans needed, a crock pot, a dishwasher with detergent, and a full-sized washer and dryer (also with detergent).

Tip: If you want to be close to Canyonside Lodge and its dining options and hot tubs, book a Canyonside area condo. You’ll be ski-in, ski-out on the Canyonside part of the resort. If anyone in your family is a beginner, however, you’ll want to start at Skyline, which will require a shuttle ride (this is explained in more depth below).

At Eagle Point, you’ll cook in your condo most of the time, so definitely stop in Beaver to buy groceries before coming up the mountain. There’s not much in the way of provisions once you’re at Eagle Point, with the exception of a small mercantile and a few dining venues (more on that in a minute). Condo renters have access to two hot tubs, which are outside behind Canyonside Lodge. There are bathrooms to change there, and a fireplace in the dining area where you can warm up after soaking.

Note: There is very limited cell service and no wifi at Eagle Point. I am told wifi is coming in 2018, but for now, plan to be off-line during your stay. Time to get out the board games!

Skiing at Eagle Point:

Eagle Point, like many Utah ski resorts, has two distinct sections, each with its own base area. The Canyonside Lodge, where you check in to your lodging, is the gateway to the expert terrain, served by Lookout lift, and a few miles up the road, the Skyline Lodge is where you’ll find the beginner and intermediate terrain, as well as the ski rentals and lessons. You’ll use the Skyline chair and Monarch chair on that side.

A ski tunnel connects the two sides, and there is a small amount of intermediate runs off Lookout chair, though not as many as we’d like. Everyone in your family really needs to be an expert skier or rider to have fun together for more than a few runs on Lookout. Gates off Lookout lead to backcountry terrain, in cooperation with the forest service, so that’s an option for expert skiers who are prepared to go outside the resort boundary.

Because the Skyline Lodge is at the TOP of the Skyline area and the Canyonside Lodge is at the bottom of the Canyonside area, getting from Canyonside to Skyline requires a shuttle ride. (You can, however, get from Skyline to the Canyonside Lodge on intermediate terrain, through the tunnel followed by a lift.) This would come in handy if the family divided up in the morning and wanted to meet for lunch.) From the Skyline side, it’s possible to ski down to most condos in the resort.

Note: Eagle Point is conservative about grooming runs. The Skyline area with beginner and intermediate terrain will all be groomed, but during my visit, only a few runs were groomed on Canyonside. This makes for a lot of non-groomed black diamonds.

Dining at Eagle Point:

For ski lunches and even breakfast, if you don’t prepare it in your condo, Skyline Lodge has the Skyline Cafe, which serves your basic ski fare. We found three options on the breakfast menu, plus coffee and drinks, and another handful of options at lunch. It’s counter service only. At Canyonside Lodge, the Outpost Grill has a full bar and dining room, with moderate pricing for burgers, wraps, and pizza, and slightly higher prices for steaks, salmon, and pasta dishes. It’s open both lunch and dinner. The food was good here, and I recommend eating out for dinner at least once during your trip, to save on the hassle of cooking in your condo.

Note: if you come back to Canyonside for dinner, remember that the free ‘mountain taxi’ shuttle only runs until 5 pm. You’ll need to drive your car or walk the short distance.

What you sacrifice in the name of low lift ticket prices at Eagle Point:

Great value in pricing comes at a cost, of course. It’s important that parents know what they WON’T find at Eagle Point, so they can make an educated decision for their family. Eagle Point does not have:

Wifi or much cell service: you can get a cell signal at Skyline Lodge area, but that’s it for most carriers. Bring DVDs to watch in the condo, because you won’t have Netflix. You may not even be able to make a call or send a text, so plan accordingly.
Fine dining: the Outpost Grill is friendly and has decently good food, but it is not gourmet.
Convenient access to hot tubs or any access to a health center: the hot tubs at Canyonside Lodge are stand-alone tubs in the snow out back of the building, with a fun, low-key atmosphere. Close to your condo they are probably not.
Terrain for advanced-intermediate skiers and riders. This is a biggie: Eagle Point has a wonderful array of beginner and easy intermediate terrain at Skyline and incredibly steep, ungroomed expert terrain at Canyonside…but not too much in-between.
Easy access from lodge to lodge. (See explanation above.)

What you WILL get is challenging skiing at a great price, with comfortable, mostly convenient lodging and a down-to-earth vibe.

Getting here:

Eagle Point is located 18 windy, steep miles off I-15 past Beaver. Take the access road slowly, as it can be difficult in ice and snow. The commute on I-15 is easy from both Las Vegas and SLC.

I was a guest of Eagle Point for the purpose of review. All opinion remains my own.

Photo credit: Amy Whitley and Paul Marshall/Ski Utah

Keystone lodging review: The Springs at River Run Village

March 7, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

During or latest winter Keystone ski trip with kids, we stayed in a two-bedroom condo in River Run’s The Springs. At the end of our trip, my nine-year-old declared it the best ski lodging he’d experienced. Why did he rate it above other ski-in, ski-out resort lodging? Three reasons: 1. the Springs pool, 2. the proximity to the River Run Gondola, and 3. the fact that it’s surrounded by woods.

The Springs is located at the far end of River Run Village, just far enough away from ‘village life’ to be tranquil (with plenty of snow to play in around the building), but close enough that you’re literally two minutes from dining and lifts. I loved the decor of the building, which is accented with lovely wall displays of wildlife, aspen trees, and other nature scenes. The lobby of The Springs features a bubbling creek, which flows outside to the pool area and funnels into the pool slide. The entire building is open, bright, and peaceful.

Amenities:

Our two-bedroom unit included a master bedroom with king bed and bathroom with jacuzzi tub and shower (plus a vanity with two sinks), a second bedroom with queen bed and bathroom with shower and tub, a full kitchen (with full-sized appliances), a roomy living space with couch and fireplace, and an entry with lots of hooks for coats and space for ski boots. We had three flat-sceen TVs in the unit, a large balcony, and lovely wooded views. We wished we had a washer and dryer in our unit; this may have been the only thing lacking.

The kitchen was well-stocked with plates, utensils, pots and pans, and the like. Bring your own coffee (though there is a coffee-maker and filters), plus items such as ziplock bags. Free wifi is in all rooms. Your unit comes with a parking pass for the heated underground garage, should you need it, and all units are assigned a ski locker. From the locker, it’s a one-minute walk to the River Run Gondola.

Located in the lobby is a media room set up to watch movies with stadium seating (first come, first served, though we never saw it used) and a nice toddler and preschool play room. There’s a pool table in the lobby, and space for board games or card games.

Pool and fitness center:

Yes, there’s a full fitness center at The Springs, though when I’m on a ski vacation, I get enough exercise on the slopes! Adjacent to the fitness center (and accessed from the lobby) is the outdoor pool complex. Included is a beautiful free-form heated pool with waterfall and small slide, plus a heated kids’ wading pool with fountains, and two hot tubs. One hot tub is designated as adults-only, but we found both hot tubs to get so crowded, we let the kids warm up where they liked (don’t tell). There’s plenty of seating with tables and lounge chairs in the pool area, plus a BBQ for communal use, though during our trip, it was much too cold outside to utilize either. We loved the gated entry at the back of the pool area, which leads directly into the parking area for the gondola and to the pedestrian bridge to the village; this made for a nice shortcut to and from The Springs.

Rates:

At the time of our visit, a two-bedroom unit was listed for $394 a night (one bedroom condos, which would easily house a family of four were $284). Shop around between River Run lodging options: nearly all buildings have some sort of pool amenity (though not all have slides) and all are in walking distance of the slopes.

Location within Keystone:

River Run Village is definitely our pick among Keystone lodging locations: kids have Kidtopia, the ice rink, the gondola and slopes, and rentals within walking distance, as well as dining options galore. The only time we needed to utilize the free Village to Village Shuttle was to go to Mountain House for Kamp Keystone and Lakeside Village for lake ice skating at the Adventure Center.

Directions:

From Denver, travel west on Interstate 70. Exit at the Silverthorne/Dillon exit #205. At the end of the exit ramp turn left (East) at the stop light onto Highway 6. Travel 6.2 miles into Keystone Resort.

As I disclose whenever applicable, we enjoyed a complimentary stay at The Springs for the purpose of review. Comped stays make it possible for us to provide readers with accurate reviews of kid-friendly properties.

Where to ski in Utah: Brian Head Resort with kids

February 13, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

Deciding where to ski in Utah is a little like deciding which tropical island to buy…you really can’t go wrong, wherever you choose. That said, there are distinct differences between Utah resorts, and perhaps an even bigger difference between Salt Lake City and Provo area resort and Southern Utah resorts. For the first time, I explored the skiing options in Southern Utah, where I loved the friendly, relaxed, and sometimes almost eccentric vibe.

Brian Head Resort with kids:

Brian Head Resort has the highest base elevation in Utah (you’ll be at over 9000 feet at all times, and up to 11,000+ feet while skiing). It offers 650 acres with eight chairs. It’s not the largest Utah ski resort, and also not the most challenging in terms of expert terrain, but it has something distinct going for it that really plays in its favor: isolation.

Because Brian Head is pretty far from a metropolis (you’re 3.5 hours from SLC and 3 hours from Las Vegas), your closest neighbors during your stay are national parks and monuments. Brian Head has the distinction of being a Dark Sky location, which means you’re free from light pollution. All this isolation means Brian Head Resort makes its own fun. Events, apres ski dining options, live bands, and special programming seems to be scheduled for just about every night. Need proof? Just take a look at their event schedule.

Getting the lay of the land:

When skiing Brian Head resort with kids, it’s important to note Brian Head has two distinct base areas: Navajo and Giant Steps. They are separated by the highway, with a ski bridge that links them. Base lodges are at both locations. The simplest way to categorize them is to say that Navajo offers the beginner and intermediate terrain, and Giant Steps offers intermediate and expert terrain. There’s a meeting place for the winter sports school at both locations, but the kids’ camp is at Navajo. The two Brian Head hotel lodges are a couple minutes’ drive from the Navajo side, but there are many house rentals and condos available at both base areas.

You can absolutely ski between the two sides using the ski bridge, but it does take a few chairs and some traversing. There is also a free shuttle that connects the base areas, convenient if you have family members skiing at different levels but want to meet up for lunch or apres ski.

Skiing at Brian Head:

Brian Head is one of those resorts that seems to double its size on powder days…there are just so many open areas to ski. (The openness of the resort is actually due to the need to remove many trees during a beetle infestation years ago.) But of course, not every day can be a powder day. During my visit, we stuck mostly to groomed runs, which were plentiful and pleasant. There are a number of great chutes near the top of Giant Steps, and even after the fluffy powder is skied out, hidden stashes remain in the trees. On the Navajo side, the green beginner runs are some of the most interesting I’ve seen…think winding paths through forests and fun curves.

From both sides, skiers are rewarded with views of classic Southern Utah red rock, and glimpses of nearby Cedar Breaks National Monument. On clear days, it’s possible to see all the way to Great Basin National Park in Nevada. What you won’t see often are crowds. We visited on a Saturday in January, and it felt like a quiet Tuesday morning.

Other things to do at Brian Head:

Remember how close you are to Cedar Breaks while in Brian Head? If you want to take an afternoon off from skiing, you can actually take a snowmobile tour from the resort area to High Mountain, which offers incredible close-up views of the red rock of Cedar Breaks. Thunder Mountain Motorsports offers 1.5 hour, 3 hour, and all day rides. We found 1.5 hours to be just enough time to go through the backcountry of Brian Head to High Mountain and back, with time to play around in snow-filled meadows and learn about the natural history of the area. Our guide was fantastic: the perfect mixture of helpful and informative but also lighthearted and fun. Tours start at $85/machine, which families can ride double for only $15 extra. If you have it, you can even take your own machine and follow the tour for $20.

If snowmobiling isn’t your thing, you can also snowshoe or cross-country ski in Cedar Breaks. It’s best to call for up-to-date info on road conditions and where to start your winter exploration: 435-586-9451.

Brian Head also offers snow tubing, which I’m told is on a steeper track than most. (I didn’t get a chance to try it.) However, one of the best things I did at Brian Head was their free ‘Star Party’. Held once a month at Navajo base lodge, star parties are a fun and informative viewing of the night sky. Because Brian Head is a Dark Sky location, the view on clear nights is fantastic. They bring out ‘dark rangers’ (like park rangers) to lead short talks, in which they point out constellations and planets and give families time to look through telescopes. There are fire pits and hot chocolate as well.

Where (and what) to eat at Brian Head:

Remember how I said Brian Head was just a bit eccentric? This characteristic is most evident in their dining and entertainment scene. Brian Head was bought by a new owner a few years ago; owner John Grissinger has brought his love of Kansas City BBQ to the resort, and everyone benefits! At least once a week (and usually more often), families can find ‘John’s KC style BBQ’ on the events calendar. Held at Last Chair Saloon at Giant Steps base, this BBQ meal is not to be missed. You may get two choices on the menu, but don’t expect more. What you’ll get is amazing BBQ meat (usually ribs, catfish, or tri-tip) served with sides. It’s accompanied by live music, and the whole event is very family-friendly.

When you can’t get BBQ, you have other options: Giant Steps lodge and Navajo have your standard ski day fare, and if you want to dine out in the evening, the Grand Lodge offers a simple but solid menu at their Lift Bar and Grill. Cedar Breaks Lodge offers a restaurant as well.

Where to stay at Brian Head:

As noted above, there are many condo rentals and home rentals in Brian Head. If you opt for a hotel, you have the choice between the Grand Lodge and Cedar Breaks Lodge. We stayed at Grand Lodge, which has a great indoor pool and hot tub, plus an outdoor hot tub. Their spa was closed for the season, but it is on offer in summer months. They have a decent continental breakfast at the Lift Bar and Grill, which is convenient before your ski day, though it does cost extra (around $10 pp). I found this price to be too high for the standard fare; at some chain hotels, you can get a similar spread complimentarily). However, our waitress did charge less for those who were eating less, which was nice.

Rooms are standard, with mini fridges and microwaves, which is nice to have, and the lodge has fun live music and a pretty hopping bar on weekends. It’s a friendly, welcoming vibe. You’re about a one minute drive to the base of Navajo, or you can get on the free Brian Head shuttle.

Getting to Brian Head: Take I-15 to Parowan, then Highway 143 to Brian Head. It’s about 3.5 hours from Salt Lake City or 3 hours from Las Vegas.

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Disclosure: I experienced Brian Head as a guest of the resort, for the purpose of review. All opinions are my own.

A Southern Snowcation in North Carolina’s High Country

January 27, 2016 By Sharlene Earnshaw

The following post is written by guest reviewer Sue Rodman of Field Trips with Sue.

Living in the Deep South has its advantages. Our mild winters mean pretty much any outdoor activity has year round accessibility. My boys have even been able to swim in the ocean over Christmas break. But when winter rolls around, sometimes it’s fun to be able to play in the snow too.

I’m from Atlanta. We don’t get much snow, and when we do it generally shuts down the entire city. That’s great news for the kids who just head out to the local golf course instead of going to school, but by late morning, the snow is gone and you’re sledding down a mud trail.

For Southerners who want a real winter experience, but don’t have the time, money or inclination to head out west or to the Northeast, North Carolina’s High Country has some of the best southern skiing, as well as wintertime activities. Plus, most of the mountains have their own snow making capabilities, so even if Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate, you’re still guaranteed a little winter white.

Skiing in North Carolina

The High Country of North Carolina has six different ski resorts. The most well known, are Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain. These resorts offer high-speed chair lifts and beginner through advanced trails, as well as lots to do off the slopes. However, don’t discount the smaller resorts, especially if you have young or novice skiers. Appalachian Mountain’s French Swiss Ski College is one of the best in the state and has taught over a million people how to ski. Cataloochee Ski Resort caters to the first time skier with beginner trails covering almost half of the mountain.

Off the Slopes Fun

You don’t have to ski in order to enjoy a winter snow vacation. Hawks Nest is a snow tubing park in the area and a favorite for visitors and locals. They also have a zip line course that is open throughout the winter. Sugar, Beech, Wolf Ridge and Sapphire Valley ski resorts also have snow-tubing parks, and Sapphire Valley even has a zip line. One of my favorite wintertime activities is ice-skating. Sugar, Beech, and App Mountain have an ice-skating rink on site. App Mountain’s ice skating arena was even voted one of the best rinks for families by Family Travel site Trekaroo. The City of Beech Mountain maintains a free family sledding hill in the middle of town with snow guns to ensure coverage and referees so it doesn’t get too crazy. The Buckeye Recreation Center on Beech Mountain rents snowshoes for anyone that would like to hike through the gorgeous trails during winter.

Photo credit: Beech Mtn and Sue Rodman