Are you ready to take your family out West on a ski vacation and feeling overwhelmed by the choices? You’re not alone! Choosing the right resort for you and your family is key to the enjoyment of your vacation and I’m here to help you narrow down the options. There are a few things to determine initially: your budget, the type of terrain you want to ski or ride, and the atmosphere you want to be surrounded by. Which city you’ll be coming from will also play a part in how long your travel day will be and how easy it’ll be to get there.
Ski Terrain
The range of ski ability in your group is an important factor in choosing the right destination. If you have some beginners and some intermediate to advanced skiers or snowboarders, then you’ll want to select a resort that offers an array of options to accommodate everyone. And, you’re in luck, there are a lot of choices out there! Examples of these are: Beaver Creek, Steamboat, Deer Valley Resort, Telluride, and Snowmass. Many of the ski resorts in Colorado, Utah and the rest of the west also offer award-winning ski instruction. So, if you have newbies in your group, signing them up to learn to ski while on a western vacation is a great idea. They’ll receive top-notch lessons from the best in the industry! Plus, they’ll have wide open, uncrowded slopes for good practice, and less crowds than some of the smaller resorts in the eastern part of the US. (and softer snow to land on!)
Lodging
The size of group you’re traveling with will be an important aspect when it comes to choosing the type of lodging best suited for you. For a family vacation consisting of Mom, Dad, four kids plus grandparents, you may opt for one of the many private homes available or a large townhouse unit. This is a very popular option for ski trip travel as having more space to spread out is favorable due to ski equipment, lots of clothing, and relaxing after a hard day on the slopes. Having a fully equipped kitchen and large, comfortable living area are wonderful spaces to gather and spend time being together. Some homes offer an outdoor hot tub which is always a hit. These accommodations can be found ski-in, ski-out, or a short drive from the slopes, depending on the resort and your budget. A couple looking for a ski getaway that includes high-touch service, restaurant options on-site, concierge, and ski valet are also viable options, again, depending on budget and the atmosphere you’re seeking.
Nightlife
Ski destinations offer a wide variety of nightly entertainment from dance clubs to local pubs to sophisticated upscale bars. On the opposite end of the spectrum are the very quiet, peaceful resorts that turn the lights down along with the sunset. Knowing your preferred nightly vibe will help determine a destination best suitable for your vacation. For example, if you’d like some options available to you for the occasional apres’ ski beverage but preferably not in your backyard, you might select Whistler Blackcomb, Vail, or Aspen as your resort but then choose a private home that is a short distance from the lively villages.
Ski Passes
Ikon and Epic passes are lift tickets passes that you pay one price for and allow you to ski multiple resorts in a given ski season. If you decide to purchase one of these passes, you’ll want to choose a resort available on your selected pass. If you take more than two ski trips annually, the cost of the pass is covered! Ikon and Epic passes are a great value and you’ll still find what you’re looking for when seeking terrain variety, nightlife, and snow conditions plus some added passholder values as well.
Jill Beth Travel is here to help you check all the boxes to create the perfect winter wonderland for you and your family or friends!
Would you like to discuss a trip? Contact us
~Jill
